Lowering On Standard Shocks! GMC Springs?

1. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

   #1 8th January 2007, 12:21

   whats it like on standard shocks? wanting to go 40mm or 35mm all round. but dont really have much cash, can get it lowered on the standard shocks £125 including springs.
   
   whats the handling like? will my shocks bust after a while
   all help needed.... or should i spend more and get a full kit, but then i have to pay £80 to get it all fitted
2. riggsy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 West Sussex Posts: 6280 Mk2 Saxo Vts

   #2 8th January 2007, 12:35

   I bought my vts and it was down 60mm on standard shocks mate still is and its fine! Obv it would be better to uprate the shocks but do as i got told when they burst or brake then uprate them!?
3. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

   #3 8th January 2007, 12:43

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by riggsy I bought my vts and it was down 60mm on standard shocks mate still is and its fine! Obv it would be better to uprate the shocks but do as i got told when they burst or brake then uprate them!?

   will be wanting to put the car back to standard though for the sale, decided am going to keep it instead of getting rid when my insurance runs out, was just going to get a vts but for the price of buying one and insurance and running i thought keep the vtr.
   
   al price some kits up....
   
   anyone else lowered on standard? anyone had there standard shocks go whilst lowered 40mm?
4. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

   #4 8th January 2007, 12:43

   full kit would be better but if your lowering on standard shocks then dont go below 40mm
5. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

   #5 8th January 2007, 12:45

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Stevey anyone else lowered on standard? anyone had there standard shocks go whilst lowered 40mm?

   i'm down 40mm on standard shocks and mine have been fine, below 40mm and the shock realy need changing
6. DevilDamo Saxperience Addict Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 13761

   #6 8th January 2007, 12:46

   Up to 40mm... Fine on standard shocks.
   
   Over 40mm... It's advisable but not essential to uprate the standard shocks.
7. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

   #7 8th January 2007, 12:52

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by DevilDamo Up to 40mm... Fine on standard shocks. Over 40mm... It's advisable but not essential to uprate the standard shocks.

   i dont want to go lower anyway was thinkin 35mm but whats the handling like?
   
   
   Has anyone had any problems on standard?
8. DevilDamo Saxperience Addict Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 13761

   #8 8th January 2007, 12:54

   If you want improved and stable handling... then 30-40mm is what you want. 50-60mm is more for looks.
   
   My old VTR was lowered 40mm. It handled and looked fine. I've never had a car that's been lowered any less (i.e. 0-40mm). PM Matt as his is now down 30/35mm.
9. Dan Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2003 Middlesbrough United Kingdom (England) Posts: 23676 Seat Leon FR

   #9 8th January 2007, 18:53

   I was down 60mm on standard shocks and it was fine. I didnt mind it at all.
10. vtcarl Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2006 telford, shropshire Posts: 968 E86 Z4 3.0 si coupe

    #10 8th January 2007, 20:29

    30mm is fine. my vtr's down by that on the front and 40 at the rear. goes round corners well and gets over all the speed bumps with no prob's.
11. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #11 8th January 2007, 20:31

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by vtcarl 30mm is fine. my vtr's down by that on the front and 40 at the rear. goes round corners well and gets over all the speed bumps with no prob's.

    is it a rough ride or is it fine? you got a photo? was going to drop the back more to counter the oversteer i encounter!
12. stiffler69 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2006 North East Posts: 5289

    #12 8th January 2007, 20:41

    Ive got a set of g-max shocks in the for sale section they will take you down 40mm on the relevant springs shouldnt cost any extra to fit as the struts are out anyway getting springs fitted to them
13. vtcarl Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2006 telford, shropshire Posts: 968 E86 Z4 3.0 si coupe

    #13 8th January 2007, 20:42

    
    the ride is comfy. i used eibach springs on mine as they are a good balance for ride and handling. h&r springs are probably better for the track but i dont go on the track.
14. DevilDamo Saxperience Addict Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 13761

    #14 9th January 2007, 01:13

    To be honest Carl... your car hardly looks lowered :-S
15. S34MER East Midlands Joined: Jun 2006 Derby Posts: 8305 Skoda Fabia VRS

    #15 9th January 2007, 07:25

    if its handling you want mate go down 35-40mm as suggested, standard shocks are fine for a drop as minor as this! and get yourself an upper and lower strut brace to improve the stability of the car, you will definately notice the difference in handling then!
16. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #16 15th January 2007, 13:37

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by S34MER if its handling you want mate go down 35-40mm as suggested, standard shocks are fine for a drop as minor as this! and get yourself an upper and lower strut brace to improve the stability of the car, you will definately notice the difference in handling then!

    cheers, which springs should i get then, going to have a go at it myself, aslong as the torsion bar isnt sezied i should be alright, aslong as i take my time etc, got use of all the tools aswel......
17. Mysticp Scotland Joined: Jul 2005 Edinburgh Posts: 9556 Saxo 1.6i 16v VTS, 2 Classic Minis

    #17 15th January 2007, 13:41

    I got mine down 60mm front n lower rear on springs only. Was a hard bumpy ride, first thing i done was lifted it to 40mm but im again fed up with the ride quality. Have some koni adjustables waiting to go on though so hopefully that will sort it out, otherwise im raising it again
18. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #18 19th January 2007, 22:50

    so what springs should i go for? want to keep as much comfort as possible, going 40mm recommend me some springs!
19. sshaxx Established Member Joined: Jun 2006 Westside, Yorkshire Posts: 1499 Honda Civic Jordan

    #19 19th January 2007, 23:12

    mines down approx 50mil (spax springs) on standard shocks and iv not had any probs to date, handles fine. the ride can be a little bumpy at times but its just a case of slowin down to get rid of that.
20. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #20 19th January 2007, 23:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by sshaxx mines down approx 50mil (spax springs) on standard shocks and iv not had any probs to date, handles fine. the ride can be a little bumpy at times but its just a case of slowin down to get rid of that.

    cheers mate want to keep as much ride comfort as possible
    
    
    oo my 1500 post!
21. Mick1989 L-plater Joined: Oct 2006 Kent Posts: 73 Ford Focus 1.6 16v Ebony Black

    #21 22nd January 2007, 18:49

    Quote:

    8th January 2007 20:29 vtcarl 30mm is fine. my vtr's down by that on the front and 40 at the rear. goes round corners well and gets over all the speed bumps with no prob's. ]

    I swear your supposed to have it lower at the front, than the back? Because otherwise the car can spin out going round corners.
22. Scottp Administrator Joined: Dec 2002 Glasgow United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 26097 Chelski Traktor

    #22 22nd January 2007, 18:54

    dont swear when you are wrong
    
    Lower front and back by same amounts.
    
    Eibach 35mm springs are well suited to standard dampers
23. RJ303 Established Member Joined: Oct 2006 Kingston Upon Hull area Posts: 1642 MG ZT CDTi Citroen C4 Picasso VTR+

    #23 22nd January 2007, 20:31

    I heard slightly higher at the back to aid acceleration.........?
24. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #24 22nd January 2007, 20:34

    the backend on my car swings out under heavey braking so lowering the front more than the back wont help to cure this i would have thought putting the back lower than teh front would though
25. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #25 22nd January 2007, 20:43

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stevey the backend on my car swings out under heavey braking so lowering the front more than the back wont help to cure this i would have thought putting the back lower than teh front would though

    If the back of the car swings out under braking then there is either a problem with your rear brakes causing the rear to be underbraked or you are braking on corners.
    
    A slightly lower rear end would not change this. It would I think make the car more likely to understeer on the corners as it shifts the weight balance towards the rear
26. Hopcraft Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2006 Northampton Posts: 5957 ED30

    #26 22nd January 2007, 23:00

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Stevey the backend on my car swings out under heavey braking so lowering the front more than the back wont help to cure this i would have thought putting the back lower than teh front would though

    shouldnt be doing that as standard !
27. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #27 27th January 2007, 18:19

    what are gmc springs like? the 40mm lowering ones, what would the ride be like, want to try keep as much ride comfort as possible!
28. Scottp Administrator Joined: Dec 2002 Glasgow United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 26097 Chelski Traktor

    #28 27th January 2007, 18:30

    your going to loose comfort when lowering full stop. Your reducing suspension travel so bottoming out can occur your also changing the springs to unmatched dampers.
    
    IMO the 40mm springs from GMC are pretty decent. But really dont expect miracles when trying to save money
29. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #29 27th January 2007, 21:46

    anyone else lowered on gmc springs?