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lowering good or bad?

Joined
15 January 2010
Messages
407
Location
houston, tx
Ive been thinking about lowering my nsx. 91 with 94 wheels. does lowering devalue the car? what does it do to the handling? thanks mates
 
Anything that can be lowered (assuming you are NOT cutting springs) can be raised again so no "devalue" will happen.

Most would agree a slight lower improves all around handling. Lower center of gravity!
 
+1 , looks better and if you buy the right springs , will not change the ride in a neg. way
 
i have purchased eibach springs but been debating putting them cause i dont know how its going to change the ride. i`m worried about handling how is that going to change. if it will look riced out lowered. I`m thinking like well if i had a lotus ferrai or lambo would i be loweing them.
 
You must have a very twisted sense of what riced out mean. Most of the best looking nsxs on this forum are lowered with more aggressive fitting wheels. The reason why most owners don't lower ferraris and lambos is because they don't look like 4x4s like a stock height nsx. The stock wheel gap on the nsx is so big you can almost stick your fist between the tire and the fender.
 
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You must have a very twisted sense of what riced out mean. Most of the best looking nsxs on this forum are lowered with more aggressive fitting wheels. The reason why most owners don't lower ferraris and lambos is because they don't look like 4x4s like a stock height nsx. The stock wheel gap on the nsx is so big you can almost stick your fist between the tire and the fender.

lol it does look like a 4x4. what are lambo ferrari ride height?
 
If you look closely at how most european cars like bmw's and such, they have maybe a 2 wheel gap from the factory while most japanese cars have like 4 inches. Even though the height of our nsx is 46 inches we have a ton of suspension travel stock so we have a large wheel gap while all the stance of the lambos and ferraris are almost perfect right from the show room floor.

2750216170_31d7507c97.jpg


and

car-LP640-3.jpg


vs

nsxstock1.jpg


and

1996-Acura-NSX-18407960-948.jpg


but if you lower the nsx it would look much better

nsx_pg3-2009.jpg
 
I agree use the springs you bought, it will be nice to look at without the gap. Also the handling will be improved as well.

my recollection is that the F430s in America the front end was higher than those in Europe. suspension needed to be adjusted 13 turns would bring it down the European ride height.
 
I know I'm on the outside with this opinion, but I think most lowered NSXs look worse than stock height and there's no doubt it hurts your ability to drive your car around without scraping the underside bits.
 
Lowered NSX's certainly look a bit more aggressive. I've driven one that was lowered and you definitely had to be more careful about scraping.

My car has a stock suspension and I have to be careful where I go, to avoid road hazards like most speed bumps, dips & sloped driveways. Plenty of people comment that the car looks nice and no one has said anything about the ride height. So, I don't plan lowering mine any time soon.

You may decide that lowering the car isn't worth the trouble. If you want to improve handling, you may want to consider a stiffer front sway bar, etc.
 
There are better ways to lower your car than by using Eibach springs on OEM shocks, which is how I assume you are gong to use the Eibachs that you bought.

The OEM shocks are not valved for the stiffer springs and you will find the overall ride/handling packaged compromised. I know, I have used them. Car looks great, handles ok, rides like crap. Those springs literally shook the windshield right out of my car. :eek:

Go with Type-S (firmer, engineered specifically for the NSX, lowers car about .5"), Type-R (very firm, NSX-engineered, lowers car .5"), or a favorite on this forum: OEM springs on Bilstien shocks (essentially rides and handles like OEM, lowers car 7/8").

HTH
 
Swift Springs on OEM Shocks

4608518345_d4fa786a35_o.jpg


PERSONALLY, I think it is the perfect drop. Reduces the gap yet not TOO low. The ride is great and handling wasn't compromised at all. I've been really, really pleased with the Swifts on OEM.

I thought that the Eibachs were also progressive (see rates here) which should give a better ride when just cruising and increased performance under load. I have no experience with them, so I can't say for certain, just what the numbers say. The Type S springs are much, much firmer than the Eibachs, according to the rates.
 
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Lower = lower CG (good) but too low (and compounded by too low of spring rates) = bumpsteer, excessively low roll centers and many other bad things, but that's usually when a car is 'slammed'.



Billy
 
ok the chart says that the eibach lowers only 1 inch. So i`m thinking thats not that bad. but it looks like its softer then stock would that cause the car to have more roll? And yeah i have noticed that the European cars have a much smaller gap factory then jap cars. I never really thought about it.

Anyone know whats the height from ground to under body of lambo ferrari?

Thanks for all the good input everyone.
 
just put them on. You wont regret it. if you are doubting it are you a crazy driver, ie you romp the curbs and jump the car off speed bumps lol? i have the car lowered on eibachs and the dowmforce lip and side skirts and love it, very clean and agressive. People that dont know the car say it looks like a lambo. my bro said it on stock shocks it looks like i lifted the car :(
 
The perfect solution would be just to run the bilstien struts front and rear with oem springs on the lower spring perch settings which would lower your car around 3/4 of an inch. You can still drive around and not bottom out and can still get on a few lifts at your mechanics shop. The bilstiens have a very european firm but not harsh ride.
 
Good for looks, bad for tire wear....
 
Handling will only get better based on suspension/tuning & correct alignment after lowering, both of which can be a real issue unless you know a mechanic/shop who know exactly how to do it. IMHO, looks will be better (see pics below). I have JRZ coilovers which are set approx. 4" high at all jack points and the rear camber is slightly over spec. FYI I had Bilsteins with OE springs installed once (& Comptech F/R sway bars) and did not like the ride in the long run, sorry I know this combo is very popular. I strongly recommend riding another car which has your exact suspension/lowering before switching yours.

Before:

vjsnsx-1.jpg


After:

nsx410-1.jpg


nsx410-5.jpg


nsx410-9.jpg
 
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Rob your car looks perfect - I mean PERFECT - to me that is. I love your car - that tan interior against the white/black is nice! Sometimes I regret not buying it when I had the chance! I like mine too - and I believe after all you've told me the Swifts are it for me. I'll be looking into that.

I had Eibachs and they were supposed to be progressive - but like Chops - they sucked imho. They made the steering feel heavier, going over driveways was impossible without scrapping in places I no longer scrape. Lowering the car a little but not too much is the way to go. The S suspension is really just like the Zanardi - it's fine - and better than eibachs - I've ridden in both. I actually think the Zanardi isn't that bad - or too stiff but if you live up in the snow belt - be aware - pot holes will beat you to death in a stiff lowered car! Heck they aren't that good in mine with 05 suspension - but mine stock is too high and I can feel it too. It needs a bit of lowering imho. Some of the cars in this post look great though - but there is more to this than looks. If you live down in Louisianna - then everything is flat - like Florida - not hilly Atlanta! It is a challenge to drive around here!



Swift Springs on OEM Shocks

4608518345_d4fa786a35_o.jpg


PERSONALLY, I think it is the perfect drop. Reduces the gap yet not TOO low. The ride is great and handling wasn't compromised at all. I've been really, really pleased with the Swifts on OEM.

I thought that the Eibachs were also progressive (see rates here) which should give a better ride when just cruising and increased performance under load. I have no experience with them, so I can't say for certain, just what the numbers say. The Type S springs are much, much firmer than the Eibachs, according to the rates.
 
FYI I had Bilsteins with OE springs installed once (& Comptech F/R sway bars) and did not like the ride in the long run, sorry I know this combo is very popular.

What didn't you like about the ride? To hard, too soft?
 
Swift Springs on OEM Shocks

4608518345_d4fa786a35_o.jpg


PERSONALLY, I think it is the perfect drop. Reduces the gap yet not TOO low. The ride is great and handling wasn't compromised at all. I've been really, really pleased with the Swifts on OEM.

I thought that the Eibachs were also progressive (see rates here) which should give a better ride when just cruising and increased performance under load. I have no experience with them, so I can't say for certain, just what the numbers say. The Type S springs are much, much firmer than the Eibachs, according to the rates.


RJPKRP, your car looks great, and I like the moderate lowering that the Swifts have. I think those are the springs I want. How's it do with speed bumps/curbs? I have to deal with a lot of them in my area.

Question to all: how much can I expect to pay to have the springs installed, and an alignment?
 
Hey Cap'n Carl,

I'd say a good guess would be about 400 or 500 for the complete install and alignment. Maybe cheaper but I'd be sure the guy knew what he was doing. Nothing like peace of mind when stuff is going on with the suspension in your NSX. That's a close estimate - have you sourced a good NSX independant mechanic? The dealer will most likely stick it to ya! Good luck. I'll be doing this Swift thing too.
 
ok so what are the prices on blistein shock vs oem.
which is stiffer blistien or oem?
which spring is stiffer oem or eibach?

thanks for all the input everyone.
 
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