Ride Height Problems!

[chazdawg35]

Well here's the problem the driver side is 1/2 inch lower than the passenger side, I have 80k on the car and drive it hard. My alignment guy said the springs are worn and to put a new set of springs and an alignment should get things back to normal. Do you think if I put a new set of lowering springs on and stay with the stock shocks I'll be ok? Or coilovers would be the way to go.

[RL1924]

Funny you should say that.. I have the same problem and im only 45k I have no idea what caused it. It could be springs but I plan on getting coilovers down the road so I have just lived with it.

[RayYay]

I am still faced with this same dilemma. There is nothing wrong with my suspension but I've wanted to lower my car for awhile now. I'm torn between installing Swift springs with my oem shocks, or just getting some Tein flex coilovers.

My only concern with the Swift springs is that I heard the lowered stance is barely noticeable since its 0.7F/1.0R. I would like to be able to lower my car when I please with the Tein coilovers but how often will I really do that? haha

If you wanna stay stock height, I say go with the Swift springs

[Jim21680]

So with coilovers, we'd have the option of staying at stock height, or lowering when we want? I'll probably go with them in another year or two...sounds pretty cool.

Hey Ray...how'd you make out with your wheels? Did you ever get them painted black?

[RayYay]

Originally Posted by Jim21680

So with coilovers, we'd have the option of staying at stock height, or lowering when we want? I'll probably go with them in another year or two...sounds pretty cool.

Hey Ray...how'd you make out with your wheels? Did you ever get them painted black?

Nah it's on my TO DO list, but I want to lower my car first before painting them black. I think having black wheels on stock height would look pretty janky ;P

[MutantCheese]

Just remember that every time you raise or lower your car with coilovers, it should be re-aligned.

[chazdawg35]

Thanks for the input I thought I was getting FAT! So I think Megan Racing springs and an alignment will work, the shocks are not bad from what I can see. No leaking but the miles is what I'm worried of.

[chazdawg35]

Originally Posted by MutantCheese

Just remember that every time you raise or lower your car with coilovers, it should be re-aligned.

+1 Dude that is what I'm trying to avoid for now.

[satisaii]

You are too fat. That causes worn out springs on the driver's side.

I worked as a cab driver for a brief period of time. The cars we had used a torsion bar in the front suspension. The drivers would come into the shop and complain that the car was sagging on the driver's side. The mechanic would have them sit in the car and they could use an impact wrench on the torsion bar to level the car. When the driver would exit the car, it would jack waaayyyy up on the driver's side. But it was level when they were in it.

These guys had a serious case of "sit all day with no exercise while being best buds with the guys in the 7-11 so I get free cokes" syndrome. That is, most weighed more than 400 lbs.

[RL1924]

Hmm.. Im under 200lbs and I have this problem.

[kigz]

Originally Posted by satisaii

You are too fat. That causes worn out springs on the driver's side.

I worked as a cab driver for a brief period of time. The cars we had used a torsion bar in the front suspension. The drivers would come into the shop and complain that the car was sagging on the driver's side. The mechanic would have them sit in the car and they could use an impact wrench on the torsion bar to level the car. When the driver would exit the car, it would jack waaayyyy up on the driver's side. But it was level when they were in it.

These guys had a serious case of "sit all day with no exercise while being best buds with the guys in the 7-11 so I get free cokes" syndrome. That is, most weighed more than 400 lbs.

lol

[philiam]

Bear in mind it's your daily driver and you might have problems with driveways and speed bumps.

[s2kx2]

Hey Charlie,

If it were me and my Ap-1 I would go with as close to stock as possible BUT... Take the car to Darren Nishimura at West End Alignment in Gardena. He set My Ap-1 up with the European alignment specs the car has been perfect and much less tail happy. If you go this route let me know and I will meet you there so he can set these specs on my Ap-2 as well.

[satisaii]

+1 for West End. Had the Miata done there, and won't go anywhere else again. Make an appointment in advance.

[chazdawg35]

I'm going to keep it as close to stock as I can, when I get things together I'll let you know John. It could be a little while the holiday's are coming and spending alot of money on the car is not good for me right now.

[satisaii]

Maybe I can help a bit. I am making a diffuser for the Miata next week, and will need the exhaust redone to clear it.

[RayYay]

Sweet, I was looking for a good alignment shop in CA. Thanks for the recommendation for West End Alignement! I just called Darrin to check some prices. Sounds like a real stand up dude, and judging by the reviews on yahoo yellowpages Im def going to take my car there once I lower it

[CherryPopper]

I put in my skunk 2 springs just to get by a couple years ago. Nothing wrong so far. Handles like a champ as you all already know

[chazdawg35]

I think if I just put the springs on and the alignment I can probably swing it. I found some good prices at hopupracing.com

[keafun]

I have my AP1 Chassis lowered with Espelir Springs. It completey suits the purpose
of looks, however I know that the handling characteristics of the vehicle has been
severely compromised, heres why:

Height reduction F(20mm), R(30mm)
Spring rate F(5.3kg), R(7.0kg) Springs:
-Espelir Active Super Down (blue finish)
-Front Cambers: -0.5 Deg
-Rear Cambers: -1.9 Deg (out of OEM Spec)
-Tires Rear: Champiro GTs Summer tires 245/30/17
-Tires Front: RE050 Bridgestone 215/30/17
-Front Strut tower bar
-Rear lower strut bar
-X brace under front main chassis

Under tight cornering, mid speed (70km / hr), apex etc. The vehicle exhibits an
agressive cornering ability, extremely rigid frame. However, once the envelope is
pushed (under constant throttle, the rear completely and suddenly slips into fish
tail). It is very difficult to recover unless one is a fairly advanced driver.
With increased cornering velocities, the vehicle cornering stability is frightening!

It seems to happen extremely quickly and it's as if whilst in the situation, the
driver seems to have a need to make an emergency rescue of the car. It's
interesting as this setup, the car does not "skid" rather traction is lost...
suddenly.

The stock OEM suspension setup is much more docile and provides just as good
handling. However being slightly softer springs, it gives the driver slight
understeer bias. The stock oem suspension gives you much better warning while
entering corners at a higher velocity and much more confidence.
I have a feeling that I will be installing the OEM springs back into the car.
Because of the engineering from Honda is always correct.
Problems with lowered car.
-increased camber and camber out of spec for rear suspension
-compromised handling characteristics not initially designed nor approved by Honda
-tough to drive around steep dips on drive ways
-Virtually non existant zone of warning for threshold grip under cornering
velocities
Advantages
-lowered vehicle reveals a much more agressive stance
-stiffer suspension better for track
-lowered centre of gravity, means less body roll
-Ride height looks much cooler
-even more response "feel" from the road
STOCK spring Advantages
-suspension designed and approved by Honda
-suited to offer better driveability
-more comfortable on street
-easier handling feedback from tight cornering
-fairly large zone of warning for threshold grip under cornering velocities
-very good response feel from the road
-Adjustable camber made especially for stock springs *thumbs up*
STOCK spring disadvantages
-doesn't look as cool as lowered ride height
-softer spring rates
-non-adjustable (then again lowering springs are not either

Please add anymore to the comments. I would like to see how other people feel about the results of lowered Ap1 / Ap2's

I would recommend keeping the OEM, if thats not a choice to make, then go with an advanced setup of coilovers

Regards,
Kevin

[RL1924]

I have the same issue and have someone with some springs laying around so were going to swap one out tomorrow and see if that fixes my problem.. Ill be sure to let you know