I want to lower my car but I have a few questions.
I know coil overs are the best answer but I'm having a new house built later this year and as much as I would love to I can't hose that much money. (Being responsible sucks!) I want to go 1 to 1.5 inches yet still have a reasonable ride. Also I have been quoted as much as $500 to install them. this seems outragous! If any of you have any advise it will be greatly appreciated.

 

$400 for ground control adjustable hieght and made to order spring rates.

~$230 eibach pro kit, lowers 1-1.5"

~$130 tein S. techs, lowers 1-1.5"

 

Installing isn't that bad. OK, its a pain for a first timer, but not horrible. You can do it yourself if you're meticulous about things like measuring EVERYTHING before you start and make sure you're spot on doing the alignment yourself (at least ballpark enough to drive it for a few days and get it to an alignement shop.)

I installed a set of Tein Flex units on my Impreza this weekend... it took me about 6 hours, including alignment time. I need to get it checked and have the car corner weighted, but its close and drives fine. It would take me a couple hours more on the S2000 and it would probably require two people.

Alignment musts: Adjust the toe all around. Pay attention when doing so that the camber is not adjusted (turn front and rear adjusters opposite ways equal amounts.)

Install musts: Set all parameters EXACTLY the same on the left and right. Also, know how much you want to lower it and what spring perch heights will get you there BEFORE you install the coilovers.

Andy H.

 

Why are you doing this? If it's purely for aethetics, then I can't help you. But if you're doing for performance reasons, there are some real tradeoffs involved, and it's worth giving some thought to them before you ante up for the parts.

 

[/QUOTE]Why are you doing this? If it's purely for aethetics, then I can't help you. But if you're doing for performance reasons, there are some real tradeoffs involved, and it's worth giving some thought to them before you ante up for the
parts.






100% for aesthetics. The freaking thing looks like a 4x4 with 18's and stock suspension!

 

You go, girl... But if you run wider rubber on aftermarket wheels -- I run 225/40/18s and 275/35/18s, fyi -- it starts to look pretty butch AND offers up a LOT more grip.

CB

 

[QUOTE]You go, girl... But if you run wider rubber on aftermarket wheels -- I run 225/40/18s and 275/35/18s, fyi -- it starts to look pretty butch AND offers up a LOT more grip.



Thanks! Actually I was just looking for a little advise not sarcasim since I don't know anyone else with one of these cars. I wanted to do a wheel and tire combo like that but had problems finding wheels.(kept being multi lug in front and specific in the rear, I thought that would look funny) I really didn't want to spend the money on HRE or MAYA wheels because I tend to change them after a while. I also am only gonna have the car a few years at most before I upgrade so 225/40/18's all around. Now the thing needs to be lowered to look better. I don't need improved performance yet don't want to lose any at the same time. All I need is a recommendation on some springs that will ride decent and a knowledgeable shop to install them.

 

c13:

Sorry to throw a wet blanket on your aesthetic party, but Christopher ("cbender") is right, the performance trade-off sacrifices in going with with the "lowered" look DO NOT suit this car very well. The S' stock height is thoughtfully designed for various driving pursuits, while maintaining that all important "look" for the American market.

Spend your hard-earned money on quality aftermarket wheels and rubber. The right wheel/tire package WILL avoid the: " The freaking thing looks like a 4x4 with 18's and stock suspension!" problem/issue.

Christopher runs Work Meister S2R 18's with 225/40's and 275/35's. I run SSR Competition 18's with 225/40's and 265/35's. Both of the aforementioned wheel/tire combos are top-notch choices.

Let me assure you neither of our cars look anything remotely like a "4x4", and we've not sacrificed anything in performance. Rather we've gained ground in that category. I'd highly recommend you explore the wheel/tire upgrade option prior to laying down cash to lower a car that simply doesn't need it.

Will

 

I really don't care about the minimal performance loss. It can't possibly be that bad. If i were willing to spend the money for new wheels I could buy a pretty nice set of coilovers instead right? Point is I'm dumping about $300,000 on a new house in a few months and want to get a "band aid fix" for the time being. From past experience I know some springs are better on some cars than others and seems there are soooo many brands I've never heard of for this car out of japan I didn't know what to go with. Thank you to those who answered the question I asked! Sorry to you that I may offend by not being a purest but the car is getting lowered one way or another. To me the look is worth the sacrifice and it really comes down to the fact that I don't want to spend a couple grand on the car. That cash will be much better put to use on the house. (I build houses as an investment, money spent on the car might as well have been lit on fire!)

 

C13, I really wasn't trying to be sarcastic -- I just don't have any advice to offer you, as I've only looked at these issues from the question of what makes my car go faster around the racetrack. I respect the bling-appeal, even if it's not a value I share with you. The "you go, girl," comment was meant to be light humor, nothing caustic. Good luck, finding what you want/need. You might post in one of the other forums, as the PDX crowd is smaller than most communities, so there's less experience to tap.

Are you really running 225s on all four corners, though? Never seen that before...