View Full Version : how low is too low?????????
i have standard 13 inch rims and i want to lower her on coilovers
how low is ok
how low is gonna look stupid on 13s??????
any one got any pics of theres lowered on standard rims?
Big Steve - Raider
30-08-2009, 18:43
Where's Suki when you need him?! :laugh:
dangerous dave
30-08-2009, 18:45
Look at my avatar, that was too low.. Hit a bump smashing the rear beam into the boot/wheel arch while bouncing me off the seat and nearly snapping my neck on the roof.. I raised the car the next day, pics in profile.
that looks pretty dam low
any idea how many mm that was lowered?
to low ?? :D:wasntme:
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/album.php?albumid=53&pictureid=8262
lol thats the lowest i have ever seen that must be lik 100 mm
I didn't go as low as old Spook! but even this was too low
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/album.php?albumid=90&pictureid=728
Every time I booted it the back end would drop due to the shock not being able to do it's job anymore! and ended up smashing my boot floor to bits! :cry: also got it beached on Marcs drive and it took 6 of us to free the car!
15's look best when slamming,i think the arch looks to big for the wheel otherwise
i had 13's and was down 50/55mm all round. broke my bumpers on bumpbs etc not worth the hassle i found 30mm drop nice for me... in my opinion:cool:
is lowering torsion bar a night mare?
tiff_lee
30-08-2009, 21:43
Check this guide out....
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?t=4516
Markey Mark (BD)
30-08-2009, 21:49
is lowering torsion bar a night mare?
Only if the torsion bar is seized abit, if not its pretty straight forward to do depending on which method you choose to use
wrightygtt
30-08-2009, 21:55
to low ?? :D:wasntme:
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/album.php?albumid=53&pictureid=8262
:laugh:, Pimpin :laugh:
15 inch wheels with 45 profile tyres seem to fill the arches quite nicely on the rear
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/picture.php?albumid=281&pictureid=2376
As it now...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND2009.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND20091.jpg
When on 13s...this was ridiculous, i couldnt get into work...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/loweredit2day.jpg
So I raised the arse a bit...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/iraisedittodayhaha.jpg
I drive the car daily and its always that low, no probs other than the expected scrape here n there :laugh:
i really hate the look of a 5 when its lowered too much:disagree:
am i the only one that prefers the front abit lower than the rear:confused:
im on 50mm at the front and the rear is still std height and to me looks alot better than the arse end sagging on the ground while the front end point up:sad2: i will be lowering the rear slightly though to make it look more even.
I agree...the car drives/handles better with more 'weight' over the front wheels.
Mine is higher at that back than the front anyway :cooter:
have to say those white wheels on the white gt look amazing
dont thin they would look as good on my tungy grey one though any one ever seen a tungy grey one with white wheels???
thought i would show every one my renault 5
bought it for £200 because the bloke could not get it to start and had the body was in a poor state.
taken a quite a few hours of hard work to get her looking like this though!!
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/blick_001/DSC00707.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/blick_001/DSC00706.jpg
60MM- only catches on some really sick speed bumps other than that shes sound. :agree:
that looks so cool
makes me tempted to get the side decals for mine too!
that looks so cool
makes me tempted to get the side decals for mine too!
do it :agree: :cool:
is ur rear bar lowered 60 mm too?
think i might have to copy your car lol!
is ur rear bar lowered 60 mm too?
think i might have to copy your car lol!
there abouts mate!!! you can buy her if you want, shes for sale..... :laugh::laugh:
just spent weeks rebuilding mine!!!!
why are you selling?
how much?
i want £2500 cant see myself budgin on that either for the time been. just need somethin abit more practical and better on fuel for the moment.
5GTTurbo
31-08-2009, 12:00
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
[quote=Spooky;96383]As it now...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND2009.jpg
Love it! Thats the picture-perfect postcard shot right there! ;)
This is how mine sits right now,ifim honest it's too low at the front.I've broke two gearboxes now.These are 13inch wheels
I like my car to be slightly higher at the back, i hate the going uphill look.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/tommyb_65/100_5159.jpg
any idea what height tends to give the best handling?
As i said in a previous post i found 30/35mm the best. But that is a question with a thousand answers, people opinions will differ; all poplelike different things.
Also what will the car be used for ?
normal road use but on current suspension its quite skitish roud corners def does not hold the road well
ask your self when its skitish etc at what points dont you like it.
Is it deffo suspension? or tyres? or another componant in the suspenion and wheels at fault :)
if its pureley style/looks your after and a tighter feel, its a case of trial and error with different set ups, until your happy.
Mines about 50mm at the front and a bit higher at the rear
http://emob252.photobucket.com/albums/hh25/GTTJames/RTOC%20National%20Day%202009/5215_246885590250_793490250_8362392.jpg
checked all suspension no play in anything
tyres are all brand new uniroyals
wheels are original 13 inch
back end feels a bit keen to step out
i really hate the look of a 5 when its lowered too much:disagree:
am i the only one that prefers the front abit lower than the rear:confused:
im on 50mm at the front and the rear is still std height and to me looks alot better than the arse end sagging on the ground while the front end point up:sad2: i will be lowering the rear slightly though to make it look more even.
:agree:
No offence spooky, but your car in the second from last picture looks fecking ridiculous :laugh:
Looks good on the 15's now though :cooter:
The new Bill J
31-08-2009, 22:29
No offence spooky, but your car in the second from last picture looks fecking ridiculous :laugh:
It goes well with the owner then ;)
Cheers 'Brick' :cooter:
And thanks Bill :upyours:
it depends on how many speed bumps you have locally and which type of exhaust you have. - Here was my effort....
http://r5gordini.dreamhosters.com/r5g_gallery/d/11730-5/maroon.JPG
sonic-jdm
01-09-2009, 08:51
where can you bye NEW 60mm lowering spring for the front?
TrixNFlix
01-09-2009, 08:58
where can you bye NEW 60mm lowering spring for the front?
Your gona lower your trackcar 60mm?
sonic-jdm
01-09-2009, 11:25
Your gona lower your trackcar 60mm?
to be honest TrixNFlix im havnt got a clue what springs are on the front of the car:crap: a set of springs came with the car but not fitted, i fitted them and they seem to not lower the front that much (must be 35mm drop) also when i jack the front of the car up they seem to just move around:eek: witch i do NOT like! (may of been cut)
whats wrong with a 60mm drop fella on track? i know that its best to have the front lower than the rear.
cheer
to be honest TrixNFlix im havnt got a clue what springs are on the front of the car:crap: a set of springs came with the car but not fitted, i fitted them and they seem to not lower the front that much (must be 35mm drop) also when i jack the front of the car up they seem to just move around:eek: witch i do NOT like! (may of been cut)
whats wrong with a 60mm drop fella on track? i know that its best to have the front lower than the rear.
cheer
i have some springs that came off my restoration projectamondo..
Its was low as fooook pm if you want them
TrixNFlix
01-09-2009, 11:43
if you go that low I would get some uber hard springs so you don't keep bottoming out. Maybe cut your bump stops too. I've always gone 30mm at front and 25mm on back. I know yours is not seeing the road, so maybe you should get some coilovers so you could keep adjusting and see what is best for you.
sonic-jdm
01-09-2009, 11:53
if you go that low I would get some uber hard springs so you don't keep bottoming out. Maybe cut your bump stops too. I've always gone 30mm at front and 25mm on back. I know yours is not seeing the road, so maybe you should get some coilovers so you could keep adjusting and see what is best for you.
Thats me plan for the future fella, just going to get it on track witch is the 5th october and see what i can learn from the pictures witch will be taken to see how bad or good it is.
any recommended and place to buy TrixNFlix?
TrixNFlix
01-09-2009, 12:03
I'd get some cheep springs of someone on here 30 to 40mm adjust the back so it's slightly higher than the front and enjoy yourself on the 5th, just see how it feels on the day. :agree:
whatever happens you will have a class time. :)
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
i have some springs that came off my restoration projectamondo..
Its was low as fooook pm if you want them
Did you ever sell those real low springs? PM me if there still forsale :)
mr white
03-11-2009, 20:42
[quote=5GTTurbo;96461]New poster! (less than 10 posts)
[quote=Spooky;96383]As it now...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND2009.jpg
Love them williams wheels in white:agree: im going to get mine done black with polished lip i have 50mm apex springs on the front of my 5 but now the f7p is in there its low but doesnt catch humps
dave j gtt
03-11-2009, 21:05
thought i would show every one my renault 5
bought it for £200 because the bloke could not get it to start and had the body was in a poor state.
taken a quite a few hours of hard work to get her looking like this though!!
gtt's look cool to be lowered but,
if you do change the set up keep all your old bits so you put it all back to oe if you want,
i have had my car 2 years and enjoy it being standard ride height, fun to drive also if your new to the gtt , its prob safest way to get use to pushing the car round the bends with out doing light speeds and spinning out as many have with lowered cars. it makes you think they handle way better than it would b4 when lowered.
its all about the driver ;) learn and get to grips with car first... drive safe
dave j gtt
03-11-2009, 21:11
checked all suspension no play in anything
tyres are all brand new uniroyals
wheels are original 13 inch
back end feels a bit keen to step out
i know the feeling mate, its all about not going to fast and balanceing your car on cornering with correct power and steering " balance that boost :D, also brake into a corner and acc round and out is the way, anything "but" is dam rite dangerous i think.
i have same set up/wheels /tyres/oe susp, and have drove in all conditions and they are that light they wiil feel so in heavy rain/wind
take care and nice looking car mate ;)
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
[quote=Spooky;96383]As it now...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND2009.jpg
Love it! Thats the picture-perfect postcard shot right there! ;)
:agree:
I have found the lower you go the more grip you think you have but when it lets go you get no warning as you would with a standard set up of even just lowered slightly.:scared: I have had quite a few incidents with pushing a lowered get too far! Whereas with standard or close to standard you get good feedback as regards to how much you’re pushing it.:agree:
All on a private road/track :coffee:
I do get sick of scraping on every speed hump and sometimes having to go a different route to avoid them.:disagree:
And once, I went to pick up a bird that lived on a street with loads of horrible speed bumps and on the way to her house it was just a light scraping but once she got in I literally couldn't get over the speed bumps! :ashamed:
But They do look cool as **** lowered!:cool:
And once, I went to pick up a bird that lived on a street with loads of horrible speed bumps and on the way to her house it was just a light scraping but once she got in I literally couldn't get over the speed bumps! :ashamed:
Did you kick her out and tell her to walk whilst you drive over the speed bumps :smokin:
dave j gtt
04-11-2009, 16:17
I have found the lower you go the more grip you think you have but when it lets go you get no warning as you would with a standard set up of even just lowered slightly.:scared: I have had quite a few incidents with pushing a lowered get too far! Whereas with standard or close to standard you get good feedback as regards to how much you’re pushing it.:agree:
:agree: when you know your and the cars limits there ok to be lowered just like you have said above ;)
Any one had issues with driveshafts hitting the chassis rails??
Rob@Backyardracing
04-11-2009, 19:22
Any one had issues with driveshafts hitting the chassis rails??
:smokin:
Any one had issues with driveshafts hitting the chassis rails??
:D...:agree:
:agree:
HA HA you know your low when you have that trouble.
tom_coppin
06-11-2009, 18:13
my phase 1 rather low.
Love those wheels, seen them on a few GTTs and they look lush :)
are they 8in at the rear with stretched rubber?
They look like 8x13s all round, have you caught the rear arches yet? i killed a set of phase 1s on mine.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/tommyb_65/work20pics201511.jpg
My brothers phase one on ATS on 7x13s all round
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/tommyb_65/santapodnight008.jpg
My car on the ATS. 7x13 up front 8x13 on the rear.
Oh man, I keep telling myself I don't need new alloys and everytime I see pics like that, it's kinda hard not to want to buy some :p
Rob@Backyardracing
07-11-2009, 07:39
Nice pics, love them....:agree:
my car how it sits now. front will be down a bit more
7 J and 8J 14 inch
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3802/img1646s.jpg
bye_all_c_ya
07-11-2009, 10:12
This is how mine sits right now,ifim honest it's too low at the front.I've broke two gearboxes now.These are 13inch wheels
I like my car to be slightly higher at the back, i hate the going uphill look.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/tommyb_65/100_5159.jpg
i love them rims, would be even better with more of a dish ? what they called
rs250nut
07-11-2009, 10:59
They look like 8x13s all round, have you caught the rear arches yet? i killed a set of phase 1s on mine.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/tommyb_65/work20pics201511.jpg
My brothers phase one on ATS on 7x13s all round
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/tommyb_65/santapodnight008.jpg
My car on the ATS. 7x13 up front 8x13 on the rear.
Will a eight inch wheel not fit on the front of a five then? I have always wanted to put a set of bbs rs001's on a five with eights on the front and eight and a half on the rear.
You can run 8s on the front as the arch doesn't cover the wheel when low.You will have some trouble trying to fit 8.5 on the rear.
The shiny wheels are PLS, your right the rears needed more dish. But ive now sold them to a polo guy
Someone else down this way has some very nice wheels for a 5.
my car how it sits now. front will be down a bit more
7 J and 8J 14 inch
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3802/img1646s.jpg
Do you have any more pictures of you car? Looks tidy.:agree:
redrocket29
07-11-2009, 16:10
As it now...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND2009.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/ND20091.jpg
When on 13s...this was ridiculous, i couldnt get into work...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/loweredit2day.jpg
So I raised the arse a bit...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k122/Dr_Toor/Car%20stuff/iraisedittodayhaha.jpg
I drive the car daily and its always that low, no probs other than the expected scrape here n there :laugh:
thats on the floor looks fat
Jimmy_GTT
07-11-2009, 16:16
And what rear shocks are you using on a GTT which is lowered more than 4cm?
Because that is the point where the original ones are totally pushed togehter.
Leebourner
13-05-2012, 04:12
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
Sorry to bring up a realllly old thread but WOW! Spooky your car is outragous! I like!
How low have you gone on the rear?
This one's from a dutch guy:
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w187/arno16v/IMGP1040.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w187/arno16v/IMGP1057.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w187/arno16v/IMGP1055.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w187/arno16v/IMGP1048.jpg
165/45/15 federal formoza tyres on 6,5J bbs RM
:eek: that is low, i like.
Adam 005
13-05-2012, 17:54
Mine on 16" rims
Sonny1day
29-10-2012, 20:09
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
Gonna bump an old thread, thought it would be better than statting a new one.... Well basically i wanna go pretty low... Am i right in thinking i dont need to order anything for the rear and just use the torsion bar to get low? Also where can i get some coilovers for the front that go lower than 50mm?
Cheers sonny
Nottswoody
29-10-2012, 20:15
Recently very interested in the depts of lowness.... :coffee:
dangerous dave
29-10-2012, 20:17
The rear beam bottoms out on the boot floor lip and the rear shocks hit there limit so people fit ones with shorter rods or something from another vehicle. At the front it looks bad ass but all coilovers are pretty stiff and the rides are and pleasurable as being fingered by an elephant..
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
Gonna bump an old thread, thought it would be better than statting a new one.... Well basically i wanna go pretty low... Am i right in thinking i dont need to order anything for the rear and just use the torsion bar to get low? Also where can i get some coilovers for the front that go lower than 50mm?
Cheers sonny
Avos allow you to slam the 5 on the floor only downside to avo is they corrode easy, get some stiffer shorter rear dampers, going to low and you can snap a damper, i know this fom experience some pics in my profile thinked my 5 measured 1.5" front bumper lowest point to floor
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/picture.php?albumid=1666&pictureid=6965
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/picture.php?albumid=1666&pictureid=6913
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/picture.php?albumid=1666&pictureid=6905
Nottswoody
29-10-2012, 20:20
The rear beam bottoms out on the boot floor lip and the rear shocks hit there limit so people fit ones with shorter rods or something from another vehicle. At the front it looks bad ass but all coilovers are pretty stiff and the rides are and pleasurable as being fingered by an elephant..
An elephant you say lol :ashamed:
And which vehical would they be off?
Going lower than 50mm looks like sh*t and feels like sh*t. :agree:
Nottswoody
30-10-2012, 11:50
Going lower than 50mm looks like sh*t and feels like sh*t. :agree:
I'm sticking with 50mm I can barely get the jack under now so that's enough for me :agree:
I'm sticking with 50mm I can barely get the jack under now so that's enough for me :agree:
Treat yourself to a low entry jack then ;)
Wheel alignment becomes a right hassle when you're lowered more than 50mm too. A lot of places struggle to get the laser gear onto the wheels. :disagree:
dangerous dave
30-10-2012, 17:26
Wheel alignment becomes a right hassle when you're lowered more than 50mm too. A lot of places struggle to get the laser gear onto the wheels. :disagree:
i had to zip tie all the brackets to the wheels and have a guy on each corners making sure they didn't move while running the alignment check.. then adjust it..
i've done the coilover thing and wont be doing it again.. :)
Sonny1day
30-10-2012, 22:28
New poster! (less than 10 posts)
I'm sticking with 50mm I can barely get the jack under now so that's enough for me :agree:
Get your pictures out then! :cooter:
Treat yourself to a low entry jack then ;)
already have one ;)
Going lower than 50mm looks like sh*t and feels like sh*t. :agree:
Each to there own :rolleyes:
i had to zip tie all the brackets to the wheels and have a guy on each corners making sure they didn't move while running the alignment check.. then adjust it..
i've done the coilover thing and wont be doing it again.. :)
so what car could i get these shortened shocks off?
and yea im 'young and dumb' as they say....im sure ill grow out of it some day..... untill then... LOWER! :mad: ha:p
Thanks for all the replys lads. Appreciate it. :)
dangerous dave
30-10-2012, 22:49
i raised mine up again after i hit a bump at 60 causing the beam to hit the boot floors seam and bounced me out the seat..
i had gaz, not sure about rod sizes, others like james5 have spent a long time going lower and lower.. sukhi kept his so low the wing mirrors rested on the kerb..
people once used extra van shocks, either because of travel or being a cheap stiffer upgrade.. theres a (doris mod) that can be searched for, never done it myself but its a proven mod:)
we all gotta do these things, i shagged a fat bird once and although i wont do it again, i had fun.. :cool:
i raised mine up again after i hit a bump at 60 causing the beam to hit the boot floors seam and bounced me out the seat..
i had gaz, not sure about rod sizes, others like james5 have spent a long time going lower and lower.. sukhi kept his so low the wing mirrors rested on the kerb..
people once used extra van shocks, either because of travel or being a cheap stiffer upgrade.. theres a (doris mod) that can be searched for, never done it myself but its a proven mod:)
we all gotta do these things, i shagged a fat bird once and although i wont do it again, i had fun.. :cool:
I ended up raising mine 20mm as I was having problems with speed humps and cat's eye's if I overtook. My sidey was constantly being pulled of or dented, I was constantly fixing it. The handling was as good as any other 5 I spent alot of time experimenting with different coilovers and spring lbs rates. I even went to the extrement of cutting the front arch's lip another 1 1/2"s to give me some extra clearance on hard cornerning and skim the inner lip of the bodykit and I was only using a 195/45/15 profile tyre and alloy with ET37. Ok the ride quality wasn't the best and as Dave has said was like being fingered by an elephant:laugh: Ask anyone whom went out in my car what the ride was like, handled awesome but your bones ached after:cooter: I snapped a shortened / stiffer Spax Krypto rear damper aswell from being to low, to be honest wasn't much travel in it:ashamed:.
Just remeber any adjustment to ride height adjust the rear brake compensator:agree:
Each to there own :rolleyes:
yea im 'young and dumb' as they say....im sure ill grow out of it some day..... untill then... LOWER! :mad: ha:p
Fair play, at least you recognise it. I was the same when I was younger, in some ways.
Just a pity you can't learn all the lowering lessons on a Saxo or Corsa instead of a poor ol' GTT. :D
Nottswoody
02-11-2012, 15:07
Well another problem with being too low is... I just went to formular 1 garage to get it tracked ready for my new wheels and the blocke said yer no probs £39.99 so I thought ok.. He shouted his mate to doit and he walked out and said "I can't track that f.cking thing how am I supposed to get the gear on" I just p1ssed myself at him.. So who do I take it to? It's dropped 50mm so at the back its inline with the rim of the wheel.. Any ideas?
You need to find someone with the older equipment that they just put on the front wheels, that's what they used to do with mine years ago;) and £40 for tracking....:eek: mind you I struggled to get anywhere that would do the mrs fiat punto for less than £30, the cheeky feck even tried telling me they had ajusted to rears also:dearme: as a gtt the rears are non ajustable;)
dangerous dave
02-11-2012, 16:05
Well another problem with being too low is... I just went to formular 1 garage to get it tracked ready for my new wheels and the blocke said yer no probs £39.99 so I thought ok.. He shouted his mate to doit and he walked out and said "I can't track that f.cking thing how am I supposed to get the gear on" I just p1ssed myself at him.. So who do I take it to? It's dropped 50mm so at the back its inline with the rim of the wheel.. Any ideas?
Look in my profile, there's a pic of how I did it on a Hunter laser jobbie.. Zip ties are great..
Well another problem with being too low is... I just went to formular 1 garage to get it tracked ready for my new wheels and the blocke said yer no probs £39.99 so I thought ok.. He shouted his mate to doit and he walked out and said "I can't track that f.cking thing how am I supposed to get the gear on" I just p1ssed myself at him.. So who do I take it to? It's dropped 50mm so at the back its inline with the rim of the wheel.. Any ideas?
Did you not read the comments above that were already posted about this problem?
In any case I can probably help. ETS on Mansfield Rd in Derby were able to get their 4-wheel laser alignment gear onto my old GTT, just. The car was -50mm on coilovers and had 195/45/15s on Clio Turbines (6.5j). If you have bigger than 15" wheels or 7j width you might find a different outcome.
They had to tilt the clamps on the rear, they would only fit in one particular orientation. Well worth it though, the car felt great afterwards.
Nottswoody
03-11-2012, 09:42
[quote=Trevhib;298877]Did you not read the comments above that were already posted about this problem?
nope:)
cheers i will go today as my handling scares the crap out of me at the min i think the passenger side front is towing in way too much since chaning the rods a couple of weeks ago..
cheers
Maybe give them a call beforehand. It was 5yrs ago that I had mine done.
Let us know how you get on.
Adam 005
03-11-2012, 10:16
it's not the best pic but that's 60mm on coil overs with 16" wheels
http://www.rtoc.org/boards/picture.php?albumid=59&pictureid=532
with all these tracking problems why not invest in a tracking plate?
i have my own trackright plate and do it myself. i know it no laser tracked but you'll be surprised how good they are
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