How low without affecting the handling?

[RedM]

After more than a few comments I've decided that my Supra needs lowering. This decison is from an aesthetic point of view mostly.

 

However, bearing in mind that my ultimate aim for the car is to have a fast but very well handling Supe (more interested in handling than overall top speed), how low can the Supra go before one starts to mess up Toyota's careful designs?

 

I think I read a Chris Wilson post somewhere that had what he believed to be the maximum drop that could be made without screwing up the handling but I can't seem to find it.

 

EDIT: Now found the thread. I bloomin started it. Damn, I'm getting forgetful lately. It appears I've already asked this before.

 

FWIW I'm intending to stay on stock 17's. I already have the big brakes and yellow Bilsteins. Would handling be enhanced or further compromised by using third party suspension (Tein etc) while obviously not going too low?

 

Thanks,

[RedM]

 

Anyone?

[mikeyb10supra]

I know you probably dont want to hear this but staying stock is your best option unless you wish to spend big....you need to go a long way to beat the stock setup.....keep yout 17"s as well

[RedM]

I am keeping the 17"s already. Staying with the stock suspension wouldn't be a problem for me unless I could be really convinced that another make was that much better. I like the ride and handling but want it a bit better.

 

In an ideal world I'd be earning more money and then Mr. Wilson would be fitting me some of his special Bilsteins.

[Chris Wilson]

20 mm at the front, 15 at the back max. The kinematics go to hell any lower than that. I drew up all the suspension in a geo programme once, so it's fact, not feeling I am spouting.

[Nic]

I had the alignment, gemetry and suspension completely set up last week to suit my new wheels. The owner of the tuners I use, use to race semi-professionally so I asked him if he could basically take my car for a drive and set it up to get the best handling.

 

Wow, what a difference this has made, it feels so planted now, a lot faster and more predicatable when cornering. I'm really pleased with the results it is the best my car has ever felt in the 7 years I have owned it.

 

I think I know how CW's customers must feel now after he has had a play with their cars set up. I would advise anyone who wants the best handling from there car to do what I did and get someone who really knows what they are doing to set it up for you as it makes a massive difference.

 

RedM, suggest you go pay Chris a visit and get your car set up by an expert

[RedM]

I would but I just know I'd end up buying his awesome sounding susp. set-up and my girlfriend would give me THAT look.

[Shovels]

I don't profess to know anything about suspension, but when I used to belong to the lancer register they used to go on a lot about suspension set-ups, etc. The 'experts' used to hate it when lowering springs were used - apparently it was to do with the travel being reduced, putting more load on the shocks themselves

 

From what I read on there it was always a big bonus going for complete aftermarket shocks/springs, which have been setup correctly.

 

I've heard abbey motorsports have pretty advanced kit for setting the vehicle up correctly, but this is only hear-say.