Lowering springs and alignment

[TechnoSky]

I intend to lower my RL using Eibach springs from Kappasphere or some other vendor. The advertised lowering amount is 1 inch in the front and 1.3 inch in the rear. I have installed a lot of springs over the years, but mostly on Mustangs, and the like, with pretty cruddy suspension setups. The associated increase in the amount of static negative camber was always a plus on these cars as they already had a problem wearing the outsides of the tires, so realignment was usually not necessary on a car that was usually driven in a spirited manner in the curves.
Now I have a Sky which actually has a properly designed suspension system that works. So, the question. When lowering these cars the amount mentioned above, is realignment absolutely necessary? Or, will this car benefit from a little bit of static negative camber to combat its tendency to understeer? I would be interested in any experiences both ways...realigned and not realigned. Thanks.

[Gabes Redline]

Good question. I'm lookiing to do the same mod to my RL. The Solstice Forum has a pretty good "how-to" section for the rear springs however none for the front. Any tips on installation and alignment would be appreciated.

[sky flip]

Hi,
I put on the Eibach Pro kit Sport Lowering Springs from Kappasphere.

They are real easy to put on with some basic tools and a spring compresser to take the old springs off, don't need it to put the new springs on as they are a lot shorter.

I have not had an alignment yet (1500 miles )but I think I will as soon a I finde someone with a rack I can get on.

I put on the Eibach sawy bars too and what a diference that made.

I don't want to scare you but when you lower the Sky it gets REALLY low even an inch. But you will really love the look and the feel.

The ride with the new springs will not change much but if you and the sway bars you will have the ultimate ride ( a little stiffer ).

The Solstice Fourm has some great how too's on lowering, if you can do the rears you can do the fronts pretty much the same you will see when you get started. I did not break the knuckles just takes a little more wiggling to get out.

You will not regret your decision and add the Ebach sway bars and you will Love it.
Kappasphere has put these sway bars on the R/L with no trouble.

Phil

[Gabes Redline]

Any void warranty issues with lowering the Sky?? If not, flippin' awesome!! If yes, whats voided?

[snaponbob]

I change back and forth between the stock shocks and Koni in the spring and fall (autocross season set up!!). The Konis are low pressure and the Bilsteins are high pressure gas shocks. The Konis will drop the car 1.6" front and 1.5" in the back. There is a good negative camber gain at both ends (~ .2-.3 neg front and .1 -.2 rear). AND the toe settings change. This will cause more tire wear than the camber will, so it is best to address the alignment.

[William.coates@wcrm.]

I have lowered a lot of cars and what ever you do besure to realign the car. Ask questions of not only the advantages of a street alignment and one that will make turns easier. Any performance set up for road courses will make them turn quicker or faster response. The draw back if it is really agressive with a lot of camber and toe will also on the street have a bad habit which you may not like. That is when you cross over even the build up of paint in the center marking of a highway or lane changes the car will try to dart on you. This is something that gets more agressive with paint strips that have more build up of paint. The more build up the faster it will react to the change in pavement. Decide which driving time is used most track or street and set up according. Hope this helps.

[TechnoSky]

Thanks Snaponbob. That is the kind of answer I was looking for. I don't mind a little static negative camber gain, but the fact that the toe is affected too will get me to the alignment shop after I do the deed. I need these tires to last as long as they can. Thanks

[R3DLIN3]

Originally Posted by snaponbob

The Konis will drop the car 1.6" front and 1.5" in the back.

Exactly how does the Koni shock lower the car?


Kendall

[snaponbob]

Originally Posted by Kendall

Exactly how does the Koni shock lower the car?

Kendall

The Bilsteins are high pressure gas shocks. That gas pressure acts like a bit more spring stiffness. The car was engineered with this in mind. The Konis are LOW pressure shocks. The LACK of gas pressure has the result of NOT pushing the car up, thus it drops!!!!! Trust me, it's true. Oh, and before people (correctly) ask about lower spring perch location, they are the same on the Bilsteins and Konis.

[LS2 Solstice]

I have the sportlines on my SOL, and I love them. I scrap the front bumper every now and again, but I expected a little of that. You can't see it unless you get down on the ground and look. Besides here in Michigan I scraped when it was stock height. I just don't like the look of these cars anymore without being lowered. It looks AWD. haha. I recommend an alignment asap. I will measure my drop when I get my car back from the dealership from the center of the wheel to the fender. (hopefully getting the top replaced,.... bout time) Caution when lowering. I had to find a dealership that didn't mind driving my car up on blocks to put it on the hoist. It was to low to get under.. haha. Just how I like it. The first set of sportlines that came to me actually lifted the car in the front and lowered it in the back. The correct springs they sent back dropped it more than advertised that's forsure. I will post some decent pics up when I get home.

Jay

[Jeff Donald]

I did my springs and shocks in May (Eibach Sportlines and Koni SA) and I suggest you wait 400 to 500 miles for the new parts to settle. A friend replaced his springs and got the alignment a day or two later. He noticed abnormal tire wear after about 400 miles and took the car back to have the alignment checked. The tech said the suspension had settled and realigned the car for 1/2 price.

[SilverRedLineSky]

I found this lowering kit on-line

[LS2 Solstice]

Originally Posted by SilverRedLineSky

I found this lowering kit on-line

Haha.. I like that. I may lower my neighbors car tonite with those.

Jay

[SolScuba]

I definitely recommend an alignment!! I had mine done after 500ish miles and they said I was putting about 20% of my tread to the ground. That explains so much!!

[snaponbob]

Originally Posted by SolScuba

I definitely recommend an alignment!! I had mine done after 500ish miles and they said I was putting about 20% of my tread to the ground. That explains so much!!

At the risk of sounding argumentative, "they" are full of it. During Solo season I have run as much as 2.8 negative static camber in front and 1.8 negative static camber in back. Guess what? On the stock tires at recommended pressures the FULL tread is on the ground front and rear. Certainly, the inner portions of the tread surfaces are pressed harder than the outers, but there is complete contact.