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#1
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How low is too low
I decided to start researching my future suspension and would like some opinions. I attached a photoshop of the approximate ride height I would like to have but I have little knowledge about suspension geometry and center of gravity bla, bla bla... I have heard that to maintain proper center of gravity while lowering a car the ball joints are supposed to be lowered the same amount as the body. To be honest I don't really want to get into doing it right. I would like to know how far I can lower the suspension without degrading handling, ride quality or tire wear. I especially don't want to downgrade from factory. Are Koni/GS's the only route I can take or is there a less expensive way.
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#2
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Re: How low is too low
Looks nice....
But one thing... Have you driven around Scranton much?? How about the driveway to your garage?? There was a lengthy and detailed post in regards to the control arm angle a few years back. I did a quick search and couldn't find it.
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Dave - 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0 |
#3
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Re: How low is too low
Quote:
-pothole ninja
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#4
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Re: How low is too low
I remember Mychailo made a post about it ages ago. I believe he said the suspension had about 3.5 inches of usable travel, so the optimal drop was no more than an inch. Do correct me if I'm wrong.
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Tim 92 Liquid Silver SVX 5MT 2009 BMW Z4 (Gone) 2012 Camry V6 SE |
#5
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Re: How low is too low
Found it!
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...pension+travel looks like I'm once again stuck with an unsightly amount of wheel well gap in the front If this is the case would I regret a non-coilover setup? If anyone has replacement springs/shocks please chime in with your impressions. I keep hearing "If I had to do it over, I'd go with GC's" How many other options are there: Motorsport K&B??? Mychailo "spelling" please confirm - I cant find him in member list
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#6
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Re: How low is too low
I used to use the mychailo spring setup with new stock struts. The struts failed after a year and then I saved up money to buy the Koni/GC setup. The mychailo springs themselves were pretty decent. They felt stock in terms of comfort but offered a better cornering feeling with lessened brake dive. Going to the Koni/GC was a night and day difference. After 2 years the springs still look good.
I AM the definition of doing it all over again
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Tim 92 Liquid Silver SVX 5MT 2009 BMW Z4 (Gone) 2012 Camry V6 SE |
#7
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Re: How low is too low
So what about Mychailo springs and koni's?
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#8
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Re: How low is too low
Mychailo's springs and koni inserts work great! They are the "sport" suspension that Subaru should have offered from the factory. I ran this set up for ~2 years before going to a GC/Koni set up. The change to the GC/Koni set up was autoX driven. For sporty dd applications, I'd stick with Mychailo's springs and koni inserts.
-Bill
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Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#9
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Re: How low is too low
His Network name is;mbtoloczko
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#10
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Re: How low is too low
I have the Motorsport springs now with stock struts. I am happy with the ride quality, but the car is slightly too low to get in and out of my driveway. The tow hooks scrape a little bit. I have had these springs since November, but have only put about 2000 miles on my car since then.
On my 1995 SVX, I had the K&B springs. I have a lot more experience with these as I ran them on my car for 70,000 miles with the stock struts. I had no issues and the struts held up fine. The car rode and handled great. I believe they are the best option for the SVX.
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2009 Volvo C70 T5 2008 Volvo S80 V8 2006 Range Rover Sport 2001 Audi S8 |
#11
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Re: How low is too low
Quote:
dcb |
#12
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Re: How low is too low
I've been toying with the idea of getting some springs for the front of my 94 as it rides about 3/4 of an inch lower in the rear due to the FWD springs, so it's like having 125 lbs in the trunk of a stock svx. You can really only tell if you're very familiar with SVXs or if you park it next to another, and I think that it actually improved the handling of the car by having it squat in the back. I have always been interested in what it would do to the driving dynamic of my particular car by adding a stiffer rear anti roll bar and lowering the front end to make it closer to the rear.
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2007 GS 450h-Active Stabilizer/Radar cruise 1994 L Blue 3.70 VTD ASE Master Automobile ASE Advanced Level Specialist Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician (former life) |
#13
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Re: How low is too low
I replaced my rear FWD springs to the LSi springs and they are wound about a 1/4in. tighter.
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Seth 94' Barcelona Red w/ Tricoat black 2-tone AWD Ls -Sold Mods:AWD conversion/4.44 swap by Budfreak, Custom red interior lights, Custom Satin black dash, Power mode switch, Cold air intake, Permecool tranny filter,Sony xplode 10" sub, Sony xplode 1000w amp, Blitz in-line driver, DDM Tuning 6000k HID's, New paint job/body work by me, 97' Grill, QC shift kit, 17'' MB Motoring rims, 15&20 min mod, front & rear urethane swaybar bushings, Custom fiberglass sub box, Custom red led a/c control unit, perrin lightweight crank pulley, Black wrinkle finish powdercoated intake manifold w/ clear hoses , 02' outback heated/power black leather seats Soon to come:Fiberglass hood, upholster ALL suede to black leather Past subies: 92' Pearl White/black top LS-L-SOLD 96' Legacy Outback-TOTALED 99' Legacy Outback Limited 30th anniversary edition-TOTALED 98' Forester L -Totaled Other toys: 99' Forester S -WRX brake upgrade, soon an 04 wrx motor swap 06' B9 Tribeca-Stock 1982' Yamaha xj650 Maxim Mods: work in progress |
#14
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Re: How low is too low
The svx stock ground clearance is already low enough for this town driving. The bottom will easily get scratched if you are not careful.
A regular hydraulic jack cannot get underneath the car to change a flat tire. It's good to have a stock jack in the trunk.
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-SSSVX 92 LS-L TEAL since Aug '01 92 LS-L YELLOW since Mar '05 |
#15
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Re: How low is too low
I'd just get a front clip or something if you want the car lower, I've seen some members with them. There's still a little room to play with up there.
I bottom out constantly in town trying to get over entrances to businesses and speed bumps, at factory height. |
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