Ok another elementary question:

I read in SCC that the Comptech SC car they tested was actually slower in the slalom because the lowering caused unpredictable handling characteristics. SCC further recommended that S2K owners should NOT lower their cars unless they are willing to accept some degradation in handling characteristics.

So basically what I want to ask is that is this statement true. I was thinking of getting some new 18" rims and lowering to close the gap - but I am certainly NOT willing to compromise handling!!

 

Depends how you want to lower it, if you just do it for the looks like changing only the springs then you will find that you will sacrifice handling capabilities. If you change the entire suspension system which includes the shocks to some adjustable gas type and tune the height and damper settings accordingly, you will find the car lowered and have even better handling than before.

 

So far, yes lowering the car does yeild worse results because the back end becomes very "loose" There will be a solution and I am sure there are set-ups that do have good results...
I am sure someone with more experiance can help out some more!

 

I've tried three different heights on my car and will tell you that done properly, handling is as good or better than the stock height.

Once again we are passing around rumor and hearsay. Unless you have experience with a specific setup I suggest you clearly qualify your comments.

This forum is only valuable if we share facts and experience.. if we start with tales from else where we are no better than the other boards where the members mostly tell stories to each other.

 

when my S2000 was lowered (Nuespeed springs), it actually cornered faster when the pavement was smooth..but it also had a aggresive alignment too.... when back to stock heighth and OEM springs again it doesn't hop around as much on the bumps but is definately not as fast around the big sweeping smooth turns (alignment back to stock)....

so either the alignment made it faster or the springs or combo.

Scot

 

That's a very good point CD. I have no doubt that handling can be improved IF the job is done properly. My thoughts are though that the majority of tuning shops and owners will not have the necessary experience and knowledge to get it right. Hey, even Comptech screwed up.

My view, approach this exercise with caution unless you really know what you are doing. CD, your knowledge and skill is highly regarded, I doubt if there are too many that can come close to what you can achieve.

 

I have not experienced any negative performance with the lowering springs. Maybe there is a difference, but it's not enough that I notice the car being loose, in any way. I would say that putting non-OEM tires is much more noticable than any difference that the springs might have made.

 

Here's a very good point. It is common here for someone to state either the prevailing theory, prevailing advice, or most conservative advice as if it is specific fact and specific to our car.

The only way to know these things is with a fair amount of specific experimentation. Only when several of us have verified a theory or prevailing wisdom, can we assume it to be a fact for our car.

Of course, one of the reasons this happens is that it seems to be so hard to get a more powerful, better handling setup. We're all sort of grasping at straws...

 

2k, I'm assuming you're talking about the Comptech adjustable springs. What was your experience with them? I was going to go with these, but if people have had negative experiences, I'd definitely like to know about them.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DJ Qube
[B]

2k, I'm assuming you're talking about the Comptech adjustable springs.