warbick

So I've been reading stickies and everything I can find on this board about lowering but I still have a few questions.

It looks like I should spend the money on coil overs, not springs. I don't really understand the difference to be honest but I probably need to read more.

My main concern is that I use my 8 in the winter also, and if I lower it, I'm going to have problems with clearance in snow. How easy is it to have the car raised back up when I have snow tires put on in the winter, then lowered again when I put on summer rims/tires? Is this something that is adjustable or is it just a one time thing?

Is there a DIY out there for this sort of thing? I don't have any experience with this (as you can tell), but I might be able to convince a friend to help.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

The most common difference between coilovers and springs is that springs on struts provide a fixed height whereas coilover setups allow you to change height and various other things (depending on how advanced they are).

As far as having issue with the snow, that really depends on how low you are really going. I dropped my car about 1-1.5" and have had no problem with the snow. I have snow tires and never changed the height.

That being said, changing the height of coilovers is easy, yet time consuming. It will require the adjustment of some of the perches which would in turn require you to get a re-alignment. As long as you understand these responsibilities and give yourself enough time before the winter season, you should be fine.

There is a DIY available http://www.hi-impact.org/ryang/modify/modify.html (rear and front shock replacement). It isn't hard at all, it is just time consuming (the rear shocks take the longest because you have to unbolt a few things) and if you have never done an install before, I suggest putting aside a whole day.

warbick

Thanks for the info. What effect on handling does lowering have? The handling on the 8 is already my favorite part, I guess I can't see it being much better. I have heard you get a bit better mileage also, although I'm sure it isn't much.

Aside from the actual lowering of the car, what effect do coil overs have on the car?

RX8inSTL

iTrader: (7)

I really doubt you would get better mileage and as far as the handling goes I think that only a high-end set of coilovers or a good spring/sturt combination will give you better handling. All of the cheaper sets will most likely degrade the handling.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Honestly you aren't getting a hit on mileage, maybe if you were on a track with super slicks and slammed to the ground lol, but not really for street application.

Lowering in general brings your center of gravity down. Basically means that you will have somewhat improved turn handling and grip. Again this is all subjective to the coilovers you get and the roads you drive on.

Take note to something important, coilovers do not have the sound dampening properties that OEM assemblies have. This may lead to increased road and chassis noise. This is completely normal, but understand that it comes with the territory of going aftermarket suspension. You may also get rougher bump handling, but again, that all depends on the type of coilovers you get and the dampening properties of the shocks.

warbick

Seems like it's just for appearance then for the most part?

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

not necessarily, you dont have to spend 3k on a set of "high end" coil overs to see an improvement. But you are right about some of the cheaper ones degrading handling, such as tein basics, or megans, but honestly if its a commuter and you just need good adjust ability then the cheap ones may be the right fit.

I dont think you will have a problem with the snow bing just 1 inch lower. and if thats the case if you dont track your car a good combo of springs/struts may be the answer and you can get a used set fairly cheap.

I just bought a used set of bilstein HDs and eibach springs for a great deal (330! new it would be almost 900 from thmotorsports) and someone on here is selling a set of koni yellows with tein s techs (a great combo) for 500 (normally would be around 800 new).

warbick

Paimon your DIY link doesn't work? I tried just going to the root of that site and it doesn't pull up for me.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

It is down currently for me as well. Hopefully the guy puts it back up because it is a very nice and detailed DIY