How Much Can I Lower Safely?

1. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #1 15th December 2009, 17:48

   Hi,
   i have just brought a completley standard 1.6vtr.
   i have ordered some 15" alloys and want to lower the beast
   Ive heard that lowering by more than 30mm can damage the suspension, but im not sure, and i dont think 30mm will look good enough
   
   Can someone give me some advice?
   
   Thanks guys.
   
   Also i have a thread on brakes an no replies can u help with that aswell please lol
2. leighk18 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 stafford (hixon) Posts: 743 red mk1 vts

   #2 15th December 2009, 17:51

   30mm will be fine on standerd shocks mate around 50mm is were you need to upgrade really and the back is lowerd on a torsion bar plenty of gudies how to do this on the site mate hopes this helps this is mine down 60mm+ on spax suspension
   
3. gaz4399 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2007 Chester Posts: 2850 1275 mini

   #3 15th December 2009, 17:53

   mine is down 40mm with zero issues, more than that you will have to move the power steering pipe. also 40mm is better handling than 60mm
   
   hers mine down 40mm and 15inch wheels
   
4. donaldino Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 267

   #4 15th December 2009, 18:01

   orite bud i recomend lowering it 60 alround, if u lower it 30 u'll only wnt it lower
   But i suggest u get shocks and springs as the standard shocks will die quickly.
   ive had mine down 60 on front and 90 at the rear on 15's, it dont level out as good as 60 all round but looks the nuts! bt its 6 mnths later and my standard front shocks are f**kd and rear axle bearings shot to death!!!
   
   but its worth the look and handling in my eyes so ive knocked a new set of bearings in and gt shortened shocks for the front. keeping it slammed!
5. Eskimo Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2008 Nottingham Posts: 3194 Fabia vRS + Miata

   #5 15th December 2009, 18:05

   Mine:
   Lowered 40mm on Spax springs and Manicmotors front and rear uprated shock absorbers.
   30mm on Rear, mainly for handling, also has lower strut brace, doesn't catch on speedbumps if take time.
   
   
   
   Old 1 was lowered 40//50, had lower brace and used to catch with 4 people in car everytime..
6. leighk18 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 stafford (hixon) Posts: 743 red mk1 vts

   #6 15th December 2009, 18:28

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Eskimo Mine: Lowered 40mm on Spax springs and Manicmotors front and rear uprated shock absorbers. 30mm on Rear, mainly for handling, also has lower strut brace, doesn't catch on speedbumps if take time. Old 1 was lowered 40//50, had lower brace and used to catch with 4 people in car everytime..

   is that the manicmotor one that was up for sale not to long ago mate my mate was going to go look at it just after i got mine
7. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #7 15th December 2009, 18:33

   Thanks for the help
   
   so if i buy a set of 40mm lowering springs will i only get 2 springs? as you said about the torsion bars?
   
   Thanks
8. leighk18 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 stafford (hixon) Posts: 743 red mk1 vts

   #8 15th December 2009, 18:35

   yes mate belive thats how it works i surgest fit the front and let them bed in first before you adjust the rear to match
9. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

   #9 15th December 2009, 18:43

   cheers mate i cant find the thread for how to lower the rear torsion bar, have any ideas?
   
   Thanks
10. Tommygun89 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2007 southall,middlesex Posts: 264 mk1 Vtr

    #10 15th December 2009, 18:47

    hi mate i down 40mm all round on 15s on standard shocks and no probs
11. leighk18 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 stafford (hixon) Posts: 743 red mk1 vts

    #11 15th December 2009, 18:51

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ben3991 cheers mate i cant find the thread for how to lower the rear torsion bar, have any ideas? Thanks

    have your tryed the search button ? just type in lowring guide etc seen some around still new here my self
12. Eskimo Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2008 Nottingham Posts: 3194 Fabia vRS + Miata

    #12 15th December 2009, 19:02

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by leighk18 is that the manicmotor one that was up for sale not to long ago mate my mate was going to go look at it just after i got mine

    Yeah is old Manic Motors car pal.
13. leighk18 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 stafford (hixon) Posts: 743 red mk1 vts

    #13 15th December 2009, 19:05

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Eskimo Yeah is old Manic Motors car pal.

    thought it was mate i bit to unsrue on the two tone my self bet it goes well tho
14. Ben3991 Regular Poster Joined: Dec 2009 Felixstowe Posts: 328 Saxo VTR 1.6

    #14 15th December 2009, 19:42

    thanks for the help.
    
    when doing the torsion bar do you need to take the disk and caliper off?
    
    Thannks
15. leighk18 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2009 stafford (hixon) Posts: 743 red mk1 vts

    #15 15th December 2009, 22:55

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ben3991 thanks for the help. when doing the torsion bar do you need to take the disk and caliper off? Thannks

    not to sure mate i think some people mite take the bk axel of to do it (only 4 bolts) as the bolts on the torsion bar are normal sezied on by now hope this helps
16. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

    #16 15th December 2009, 23:58

    if you want your car to handle then replace the dampers and springs together. Also 30-40mm all round will be best for using everyday and for good handling.