Lowering Suspension

mouchra · Post by **mouchra** » 27 Jun 2005, 18:22

I am planning on lowering the suspension on my 1998 V70.
I need an opinion shortening stock springs vs. new shorter springs.
I have heard different points of view.
Thank you

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Jul 2005, 17:07

mouchra wrote:I am planning on lowering the suspension on my 1998 V70.
I need an opinion shortening stock springs vs. new shorter springs.
I have heard different points of view.
Thank you

What kind of an opinion are you looking for?
Opinions are like a-holes, you know.

You want facts.

FACT: Shortening (or purchasing shorter springs) reduces suspension travel.
FACT: Removing coils has a slight effect on increasing the effective stiffness of a spring.
FACT: Overlowering will throw suspension geometry out of whack.
FACT: If you don't want to bottom out the suspension, possibly damaging shocks and/or other components, under hard compression, you need to increase stiffness as you reduce suspension travel.

Why do you want to lower the car? How much do you car about form over function? If you just want to dump the car to make it look cool, and don't care about how it handles, and that you'll have to crawl over large bumps, just go and lop a few coils off. If you want to lower the car to increase suspension performance (lower CG = less body roll), I would advise purchasing shorter, stiffer springs, and get shocks that can handle the shortened suspension.]
And if you do go with cutting, remember that heat will soften springs, so if you use a torch, be careful not to heat the springs.

mouchra · Post by **mouchra** » 05 Jul 2005, 07:42

Thank you for the facts. You are right about opinions.

This helps me make the most educated decision. I am interested in both looks and performance. I will not place looks in front of performance so I will install shorter springs and new shocks.

Thank you

Anonymous wrote:
mouchra wrote:I am planning on lowering the suspension on my 1998 V70.
I need an opinion shortening stock springs vs. new shorter springs.
I have heard different points of view.
Thank you
What kind of an opinion are you looking for?
Opinions are like a-holes, you know.

You want facts.

FACT: Shortening (or purchasing shorter springs) reduces suspension travel.
FACT: Removing coils has a slight effect on increasing the effective stiffness of a spring.
FACT: Overlowering will throw suspension geometry out of whack.
FACT: If you don't want to bottom out the suspension, possibly damaging shocks and/or other components, under hard compression, you need to increase stiffness as you reduce suspension travel.

Why do you want to lower the car? How much do you car about form over function? If you just want to dump the car to make it look cool, and don't care about how it handles, and that you'll have to crawl over large bumps, just go and lop a few coils off. If you want to lower the car to increase suspension performance (lower CG = less body roll), I would advise purchasing shorter, stiffer springs, and get shocks that can handle the shortened suspension.]
And if you do go with cutting, remember that heat will soften springs, so if you use a torch, be careful not to heat the springs.

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 16 Jul 2005, 19:34

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 16 Jul 2005, 22:12

DO NOT just "lop off a couple of coils. Spring rate and frequency is very complex, removing one coil increases spring rate substaintually and has a major effect on handling. Lowered suspension is great, handling is improved and ride will only be marginally firmer but please lower your car using springs / suspension that is engineered. The home built approach can at best be bone jaring, at worst can be down right dangerous.

For your V70 take a look at www.ipdusa.com as a staring point

adrianpike · Post by **adrianpike** » 18 Jul 2005, 11:23

Volvord 784VC wrote:DO NOT just "lop off a couple of coils. Spring rate and frequency is very complex, removing one coil increases spring rate substaintually and has a major effect on handling. Lowered suspension is great, handling is improved and ride will only be marginally firmer but please lower your car using springs / suspension that is engineered. The home built approach can at best be bone jaring, at worst can be down right dangerous.

Do the V70's have progressive rate springs?
If not, calculating spring rate is fairly simple:
(11,250,000 * d^4) / (8 * n * c^3)
where d is the wire diameter in inches, n is the number of active coils, and c is the coil diameter, again in inches.

Upgrade shocks and struts before you get stiffer springs, otherwise you will wind up with the head-bobbing ride you see so often on slammed imports.

If they are progressive rate springs, it gets very complicated very fast, and it's a whole 'nuther cup of tea, so I'll just butt out and stick with making my old and simple bricks fast.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 22 Oct 2005, 13:02

I have at times in the past swapped performance shocks, sway bars, and springs... the thing I can tell you is, shocks (like Konis) and swaybars (like IPDs) are a clear win. Ride quality is largely maintained, ground clearance and suspension geometry are not compromised, but handling improves significantly.

Once you get to swapping springs - you get a greater degradation in ride quality, and ground clearance/suspension travel/suspension geometry are all compromised. There is a reason that factory cars (regardless of brand/model) don't come setup like that.

If you will travel only on smooth roads, will watch the front end parking around curbs, and can get the suspension properly aligned at that ride height - have at it, otherwise, my suggestion would be to leave that alone.

slammin211s · Post by **slammin211s** » 21 Nov 2005, 00:44

dont cut the springs it will ride terrible.

If you arent trying to slam it you can maybe get away with a mild drop like an eibach pro-kit or h&r sport using your stock shocks, and it will still ride pretty good (a little harsh, but handle coo) ... but dont put hella low springs on em, or get any sort of "race spring" or you will be bouncing all over the place.

guest · Post by **guest** » 10 Jan 2006, 14:52

i would go with new springs...because usually they are more stiff....and they will out handle stock spring any day!!! you want stiff springs so you have less body roll......

slammin211s · Post by **slammin211s** » 10 Jan 2006, 23:22

yes but if you are planning on riding stock shocks, do not put a "race" spring on there ... which is the stiffest you can get because like i said previously it will ride like shit and bounce all over the place.