Lowering Springs

[hondascooter]

I was told that putting different springs (loweriing the S2000) actualy adversely affects the handling of an S2000. Does anyone have experience with this? I was thinking about putting on a set of Neuspeed springs. Most of the cars use is at the track.

Thanks,

Scott Rosenthal
hondascooter@faymyers.com

[GChambers]

Unfortunately, whoever told you that does not know what they are talking about. You can lower the car too much. This will affect the handling by reducing wheel travel. Also, if you lower the car much more than an inch, you will not be able to properly align the car. But, if you get a high quality set of lowering springs and get rid of the junk stock shocks, I think you will be very pleased with the results. If you are wanting to track your car, I would strongly suggest getting something other than Neuspeed springs. They are soft and a bit lower than stock. I doubt you will be happy with them.

I have lowered my car with KG/MM Super Sport springs and Koni shocks. The KG/MM springs are quite a bit stiffer than stock. I am very pleased with the results. It handles much better than stock. If you do not want stiffer springs, you could just purchase a set of Koni shocks. They have two different spring perches. One is at stock ride height and the other is about 1/2 in. lower than stock. The Koni shocks are far superior to the stock shocks. You will be amazed at the difference between them.

[dino04]

Hello guys... I'm new to the board and just purchased an 04. I am looking to lower/improve the handling of the car. Where would you recommend I look for KG/MM springs, and what do you think of Spoon springs. I read they lower the car about an inch. Would that adversely affect the ability to align the car properly? I use the car as a daily driver and live in the mountains, so I want good handling but not punishing stiffness. In addition, would the shocks make that much of a difference, and in what way? I had coilovers in my past car and they felt great but where more of a headache down the road due to harshness and rattles they caused. Please let me know.

thanks.

[tjohn]

Originally posted by GChambers
Unfortunately, whoever told you that does not know what they are talking about. You can lower the car too much. This will affect the handling by reducing wheel travel. Also, if you lower the car much more than an inch, you will not be able to properly align the car. But, if you get a high quality set of lowering springs and get rid of the junk stock shocks, I think you will be very pleased with the results. If you are wanting to track your car, I would strongly suggest getting something other than Neuspeed springs. They are soft and a bit lower than stock. I doubt you will be happy with them.

I have lowered my car with KG/MM Super Sport springs and Koni shocks. The KG/MM springs are quite a bit stiffer than stock. I am very pleased with the results. It handles much better than stock. If you do not want stiffer springs, you could just purchase a set of Koni shocks. They have two different spring perches. One is at stock ride height and the other is about 1/2 in. lower than stock. The Koni shocks are far superior to the stock shocks. You will be amazed at the difference between them.

Gr8 post and thanks for the info. Since I might be lowering mine now.

TJ

[Benjamin Choi]

Originally posted by GChambers
junk stock shocks

The Koni shocks are far superior to the stock shocks. You will be amazed at the difference between them.

Please, dude. Slow down.

Check in with the fast S2000 guys and ask them what they think of the stock setup (e.g. jzr, krazik, davepk, doug hayashi).

I'm going to bet that they will all say stay with stock because it is surprisingly well sorted out or go big $ with Ohlins, Motons, jrz, etc.

And if you do go Koni sports on aftermarket lowering springs (which are most likely a lot stiffer than the stock springs), you probably need to have them revalved anyway so might as well spend the $1500 for your typical coilover setup (e.g. Tein).

Far superior... You a pro-racer or something running more than the typical butt pressure tests with all the placebo effect taken out? :lol2:

[3ngin33r1]

I run stock shocks with Espelir springs. I'm very happy with them and have not noticed any negative changes in handling with my aggressive style of driving.

[S2000_Europe]

so stock shocks with lower springs is ok, I drive agressive and somtimes track mi car

would you recomend H&R?

[GChambers]

Please, dude. Slow down.

Check in with the fast S2000 guys and ask them what they think of the stock setup (e.g. jzr, krazik, davepk, doug hayashi).

I'm going to bet that they will all say stay with stock because it is surprisingly well sorted out or go big $ with Ohlins, Motons, jrz, etc.

And if you do go Koni sports on aftermarket lowering springs (which are most likely a lot stiffer than the stock springs), you probably need to have them revalved anyway so might as well spend the $1500 for your typical coilover setup (e.g. Tein).

Far superior... You a pro-racer or something running more than the typical butt pressure tests with all the placebo effect taken out? :lol2:

Do you want me to slow down so you can keep up with me?

Check in with the Autocross guys and see how many of them run the stock shocks. They are crap. They do a poor job of keeping the rear tires planted to the road under anything but perfect road conditions. Drive a car with Koni shocks on rough pavement and you will understand.

[J.T.]

I have just lowered my 99 2 inches and have kept the original shocks,i dont get much of a chance to drive it aggressively but when i do it keeps bottoming ouyt,is this because of the stock shocks also ?Should i change them or is the car too low?It looks great but i hate the bangs when i go over a small hole or a bump.

[GChambers]

Brutha,

You are probably too low. I would be amazed if you can even come close to a good alignment. Raise it up a bit and I think you will be much happier.

[J.T.]

Brutha,

You are probably too low. I would be amazed if you can even come close to a good alignment. Raise it up a bit and I think you will be much happier.

[J.T.]

Does that mean getting new springs?What if i get new shocks?Will that help any as i have kept the original shocks.The car looks awesome but i dont want to cause any damage.

[Randy W]

Check in with the Autocross guys and see how many of them run the stock shocks. They are crap.
Actually they replace the shocks with a better built shock with custom valving (typically) becuase the rules state the stock shocks can be changed out, but the springs may not be changed for Bstock.

The Konis are a slight improvement over stock. The stock shocks, IMO, are pretty shot by 30K miles. Lowering without replacing the shocks will just accellerate the life of the stock shocks due to reducing the shock travel.

Going with Motons/JRZs/Penskes/etc. can be very expensive. Anything from a double or triple adjustable with remote reservoirs can be very pricey indeed. We're talking over $3500 for the set but no more than $6K. That isn't for the budget minded or spirited driver in the twisties. If you don't track that much, or do not need it, there's no use in spending a few grand for a slick setup that you can customize for each track or condition you run into. The rest of those who get the expensive setups ... just bling for the polishers and garage queens going to shows.

So, going back to the issue here - you can get lowering springs and the car will be fine. Neuspeeds are a bit too low. In fact, the rear will be quite low, where the camber settings will only go as positive as approximately -2.8. And that's a tad bit more tire wear in the rear than I'd want on a street driven car. The KG/MM's are great, as are some of the others like the Comptechs with adjustble ride height via their custom perches. Even the Ground Control setup isn't a bad upgrade over stock. It provides some adjustability and is very streetable. Recommended for the budget minded. It runs approximately $1100, with Eibach Springs & Koni Yellows with their adjustable perches. The Eibachs can be a certain #-age, but not too extreme because they need to match up with the Koni yellows - which are just the sports. The yellows are only rebound adjustable, but should give you something to play with.

But lastly... first off, start off with an alignment at a reputable shop. A good alignment can cost you $40 bucks through a buddy, or $99 bucks for a top quailty job with your custom specs. Corner balancing & aligning the car can run ~$300-$350 and take 2.5 to 3 hours to do. But if you get coilovers and skim on corner balancing, then your move is entirely pointless for any kind of adjustable suspension. Corner balancing the car is that important if you have adjustable perches. A correct alignment, especially in this car, is very important as well.

[J.T.]

WOW,Thanks for the info,you seem very much into this kind of thing,i have only had the car 2 months and got it lowered 2 weeks ago.It is a daily driver but very little klms are done each day.I will look at some of the items you mentioned but i dont know if they are here in OZ,THANKS MATE.

[S2000 Driver]

I have just lowered my 99...



:lahim:

[S2000GT]

good thread guys :thumbup:

[dreamcation]

I just finished putting on Espelir springs and it looks and handles great.

[Devin_B]

is adjustable coilovers better than lowering springs???whats the top of the line brand..(coilover).. i want to at least lower my car about 1inch

[Randy W]

you can get coilovers with adjustable perches. or even comptech sells adjustable perches to work with if that's what you are opting for. however, if you do, you should also spend the bucks to get it corner balanced (~250-350) and aligned.

top of the line? you are talking about custom build coilovers for 4-6 grand. but not necessary unless you have a goal/purpose out there on the track.

[Ztopgun28]

Whats ur opinion about using lowering springs compared to using coilovers? Would me using just springs hurt anything in my ride over time or be too bouncy?

[twizted]

I've been reading this thread and want to get this straight,
Can I just get koni's and keep the stock springs? Would koni yellows work?

[ap2_vtec]

hey im a new s2k owner,2005, and i am looking to fix my s2k
wat are some good springs that will drop like a good 1 1/2 in to 2 in??
also looking for the oem front lip???? should i go carbon fiber or just to matcfh my car
my car color is rio yellow pearl
thanks