I have heard that lowering springs hurts handling. If this is true is there a remedy?

 

Define "lowering springs". Are you changing the spring rate or just doing an "RT" and cutting an inch or so off the stock springs?

 

I like the way the S looks lowered, but I put a higher premium on handling. If I can have both I would lower it. I figured it would be with new springs. I heard it increases bump steer. (I don't even know what that is)

 

This conversation is meaningless without dollar bill figures attached. I think you need to do some more research and ask a more focused question. Don't mean to sound harsh and all, but that's just the simple truth.

Bumpsteer is when the toe changes as the suspension is loaded and unloaded.

 

save up and get a decent set of coilovers

 

I'm a total s2k newbie (i bought it this week) but i'll go out on a limb and try to answer this as nobody wants to help.

Lowering springs most probably increase spring rate, as long as both front and rear are increased equally, this factor alone will not hurt handling.

The amount they lower the car also effects handling, if the front/rear heights are changed unequally this will affect balance, probably hurting handling.
In addition, if the springs lower the car too much, (common rule of thumb is if the control arms are beyond paralell to the ground) this will adversely affect handling as well.

Aside from this from what i've read tonight the stock shocks are pretty good, so they should hold up to abuse reasonably well.

In general aftermarket springs will most probably lower a car evenly, will not lower the car too much, as well as use the stock ratio of spring rates so I would assume there is no reason that they would adversely affect handling.

 

Harry,

I got a feeling you already know the answer to this question. Unfortunatly for me the only thing I know about suspension is related to offroad motorcycles with 12-14" of suspension travel. I got a feeling that coilovers is the right answer. I think that lowering springs and an alignment would probably suffice for a street only car but might not cut it at race track speeds. Am I right? I really need to study up on car suspension.

 

If you dont want to take the car to the track then this isnt the place to be asking this question. You will get much more help in another forum.

Most of the people here end up putting on tires so wide they arent much lower than stock anyway with their adjustable coilovers.

I do know of a bunch of guys out here that just installed some 200 dollar springs and have a blast with there lowered car on the street. They start with an E... Like Esplir or something

Try this in another forum, and have fun with the car!

 

Thats awesome... I wasnt aware of that because he didnt post that.

Personally, I took my car to the track a couple times, and had a ball. But I wanted something stiffer and lower (than stock), so I bought the KWs. If you got 2K thats what I would suggest.. cant go wrong!

 

I'm not opposed to us giving him guidence, but I just think his initial question was too vague to be useful. The answer is: "it depends".