suspension question....

[gavs]

and a big brake upgrade 312 vented and slotted discs up front

Have one for sale off a Bora 4Motion....

In regards to your handling, the LCA is engineered to sit at an acute angle to the road surface so that as it reaches the upwards travel limit, it approaches horizontal. By going lower than around the 20-30mm mark, you will change this so that the LCA is at horizontal, maybe slightly acute. Any further like you are proposing, you will have an obtuse angle to the road surface so not only is your LCA in the wrong position, your whole suspension geometry is now adversley altered.

See here for a further in depth article....
VWVortex.com - McPherson Suspension Geometry on our MkIV ....... shall we one more time?

[Speed]

Have one for sale off a Bora 4Motion....

In regards to your handling, the LCA is engineered to sit at an acute angle to the road surface so that as it reaches the upwards travel limit, it approaches horizontal. By going lower than around the 20-30mm mark, you will change this so that the LCA is at horizontal, maybe slightly acute. Any further like you are proposing, you will have an obtuse angle to the road surface so not only is your LCA in the wrong position, your whole suspension geometry is now adversley altered.

See here for a further in depth article....
VWVortex.com - McPherson Suspension Geometry on our MkIV ....... shall we one more time?

So don't lower more than 30mm as there's no way to fix this???

[dylan8]

So don't lower more than 30mm as there's no way to fix this???

if you want to be 'correct' and be safe... maybe

[aisekulic]

... i a little confused, there are so many people here that dump their dubs, with the proper suspension, sway bars and droplinks... and they report have improved handling. but like speed said "no more than 30mm ?" is that the limit?

[dylan8]

no its not the limit, but the cars suspension really starts to change belew that apparntly
mine was low enough that the driveshalf was starting to rub on the frame over bigger bumps
all i have is a front sway bar. Sure everything works, but i believe all the bushes etc are stuffed, i dont think the car handles better, its just stiffer and has less body roll due to the coilovers and front bar

[gavs]

It is stiffer but the problem is that your suspension geometry isn't "pushing" you wheels into the ground anymore, it's just kinda holding them at a weird angle. It's a placebo effect, people automatically think that by lowering their car, it handles better. I know of off-road racing vehicles that handle far better than an overly lowered dub, falcon, commodore etc and they have up to 1m of suspension travel. I'd put my 25mm-30mm lowered golf against a 55mm lowered golf with the same engine etc and I'll guarantee that if you drove both, the super low might feel stiffer (if it still has it's anti-rollbar fitted) but mine which takes a set after a slight roll will feel better and give you more confidence in pushing it.

Handling is basically a term to describe the amount of chassis-derived grip that you have. If you are removing the ability for your car to "push" onto the road surface, then you will be removing grip. This can be easily evidenced over rough ground and trying to accelerate out of a corner. Look, if you are after looks, go for it, just don't be surprised when you start replacing bushes and things start to creak and groan. And watch out for the cops, hey dylan...

[Speed]

... i a little confused, there are so many people here that dump their dubs, with the proper suspension, sway bars and droplinks... and they report have improved handling. but like speed said "no more than 30mm ?" is that the limit?

I was basically sumarising gavs comments and putting the question out there.

I also agree when gavs says super low cars generate a placebo effect re the actual handling.

If your after "optimal" handling, then don't go below 30mm. If your after a look only and prepared to suffer greater stress and wear on
your chassis and suspension components, then go lower.

You'd be surprised how much stress a super low car can generate. In some cases 10mm beyond the threshold (in this case 30mm) can
generate an additional 100% stress.

[aisekulic]

you make a good point. for me handling is important, i do tend to push my car and even with stock setup im often surprised at how well it holds in some tight corners. but there is little role, and i figured going for coilovers it will give a good balance, a little lowered with improved handling. im not looking for super lows anyhow as i have a steep drive way to get into, and my car tripods as it is thanks all for the info good to see people happy to discuss