How low is too low?

[Berry79]

Trying figure out my suspension components. Ordered a 2019 that is showing a January delivery date. Lowering the car is going to be my first mod as the stock height is just way to much for my liking. Plan is to get all the components from steeda. I would like to go as low as possible without introducing negative issues. Don’t want scraping, tire rub, or having to worry about every little bump in the road. What would be the best drop height and when does it become to low.
Thanks

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[Nagare]

3/4" to 1" would be the sweet spot. Much lower and you start introducing geometry and alignment issues and would need to add additional components such as camber plates, bumpsteer kit, etc.

 

[Norm Peterson]

↑↑↑ Agreed. Lowering without introducing or exaggerating any 'negatives' tends to be one of those "less is more" things.

I'd drive it around unlowered for a while first, with any possible wheel & tire changes that might come later kept in mind. Also, the car probably sits a quarter inch lower when you get in it. You don't normally get to see this and might not notice it if you could, but it's there.


Norm

 

[Berry79]

Thanks for the replies so far. Should have mentioned before but, I plan on adding a additional suspension components as well. I did get the PP1 with the car. I plan on adding the bump steer kit, billet shock mounts, and maybe caster/camber plates. I plan on keeping the pp1 rims. In my younger days I used to slam cars as low as possible. I remember have to navigate every bump, hearing tires rubbing the fenders, and entering shopping centers at an angle to keep to bottom of the vehicle from scrapping. Now a days, I’m looking for something that handles well as long as looks well. Something the wife and I can take on a road trip comfortably. I’m one of those can’t leave anything stock. Boats, bikes, cars, etc I’m always modding immediately, lol.

 

[BmacIL]

I love the 0.7"/0.5", F/R drop on my car. Enough to improve handling (mostly from the increase in wheel rate) and looks, but not enough to negatively affect the geometry much. I'd stick to under 1" drop. More importantly, what do you want the car to do better/different? There are all sorts of combinations available, all with different goals in mind.

 

[Berry79]

I love the 0.7"/0.5", F/R drop on my car. Enough to improve handling (mostly from the increase in wheel rate) and looks, but not enough to negatively affect the geometry much. I'd stick to under 1" drop. More importantly, what do you want the car to do better/different? There are all sorts of combinations available, all with different goals in mind.

Thanks for the reply. Not really looking for it to do anything better/different. Just don’t like the factory ride height. Seems a little much for my liking. This car is not going to be a track car. Just a weekend cruiser. Mainly looking for the lower stance and adding what ever suspension components to give the handling and steering a sporty feel.

 

[BmacIL]

Thanks for the reply. Not really looking for it to do anything better/different. Just don’t like the factory ride height. Seems a little much for my liking. This car is not going to be a track car. Just a weekend cruiser. Mainly looking for the lower stance and adding what ever suspension components to give the handling and steering a sporty feel.

BMR SP763 springs, CB005, Ford Performance toe knuckle bearings, Steedas roll center and bumpsteer kit. For a really improved overall ride and composed car, add Ford Performance Track dampers with that. Don't worry about the 'Track' in the name, the car needs a good deal more damping even on stock or near stock rate springs to feel planted and composed. Am I right @udcvsean @SVT-DADDY?

 

[Berry79]

BMR SP763 springs, CB005, Ford Performance toe knuckle bearings, Steedas roll center and bumpsteer kit. For a really improved overall ride and composed car, add Ford Performance Track dampers with that. Don't worry about the 'Track' in the name, the car needs a good deal more damping even on stock or near stock rate springs to feel planted and composed. Am I right @udcvsean @SVT-DADDY?

Thanks. Has there been any issues with tire rubbing at any of the spring heights offered?

 

[BmacIL]

Thanks. Has there been any issues with tire rubbing at any of the spring heights offered?

Depends on the wheels and tires. If you keep your wheels, stay near or at stock tire widths, and stay under a 1" drop, you won't have rubbing issues even if you use spacers.

 

[tom_sprecher]

I rub with jacking rails and no lowering at all, so keep that in mind.

 

[2015Etrac]

My car is also about .7" and .5" like Bmac's car, and to me the ride height is perfect. I feel like the s550's don't need to be lowered much to really improve the look. I think just under an inch is perfect for daily driving the car, as well as improving looks, and performance.

 

[Coyote Red]

Since Bilstein still has no rear shocks I am looking at the Ford Performance "Track" set up myself, The price is the best I've found & these opinions here give me incentive since I lowered my pony 8 months or so ago & I am still on OEM shocks & struts. My pony dropped 1.5" front & 1.2" approx. rear/ and yes I am careful in curb and entry situations.

 

[Bluemustang]

Since Bilstein still has no rear shocks I am looking at the Ford Performance "Track" set up myself, The price is the best I've found & these opinions here give me incentive since I lowered my pony 8 months or so ago & I am still on OEM shocks & struts. My pony dropped 1.5" front & 1.2" approx. rear/ and yes I am careful in curb and entry situations.

I run BMR Handling springs (250F, 980R rates) and the Ford Performance track dampers can handle it well. It's a well damped setup.

I'd still like to see you running a smaller drop. But seriously for the money the Ford Performance dampers are tough to beat and work well on a variety of different spring choices.

 

[udcvsean]

BMR SP763 springs, CB005, Ford Performance toe knuckle bearings, Steedas roll center and bumpsteer kit. For a really improved overall ride and composed car, add Ford Performance Track dampers with that. Don't worry about the 'Track' in the name, the car needs a good deal more damping even on stock or near stock rate springs to feel planted and composed. Am I right @udcvsean @SVT-DADDY?

Yes I’m very happy with the SP763, CB005, and FP Track Dampers. Don’t have the other items but I’m sure they’re well worth it.

 

[SVT-DADDY]

BMR SP763 springs, CB005, Ford Performance toe knuckle bearings, Steedas roll center and bumpsteer kit. For a really improved overall ride and composed car, add Ford Performance Track dampers with that. Don't worry about the 'Track' in the name, the car needs a good deal more damping even on stock or near stock rate springs to feel planted and composed. Am I right @udcvsean @SVT-DADDY?

Absolutely love these dampers, made the car fun to drive again. I even get comments about how well the car handles/rides from my now car buddies. They were my third try at suspension for this car....and I would have gone to #4 if I wasn't happy. #4 would have likely been some kind of high dollar(comparatively) coil over up.

If your concerned about the drop Steeda makes spacers for the front and rear. I am running BMR min drop springs on the front of mine with 1 spacer, 20" wheels, and a 200lbs Whipple on the nose.

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