r00st

I am going to be buying new wheels soon (SVE drifts in 19x9.5, wrapped in 275/40/19 Sumitomo's on all four corners) and was wondering the necessity of an alignment if I will only be dropping the car 1.5-2 inches? The tires I will be running are .5 inches taller than the stock Pirelli's, which I figured will help with the ride quality (over a 275/35) as well as filling the wheel well.

What drop is the best as far as ride quality, if there is really even much of a difference?

Lastly- I want to use the TPMS sensors from my stock 2012 GT wheels- 2011+ are self-learning, correct? Do I need any parts to swap from the old wheels to the new wheels (rebuild kit/seals or whatever)? Do I need the learning tool?

Thanks for the help

johnny_raincloud

Yes! You will need an alignment... The lower you go, the more negative your camber angle becomes. Your other alignment values will be off as well such as caster, and toe in/out.

I would recommend adding some good shocks into the mix if you lower the car. The OEMs will not last long. This will help your ride quality.

jz78817

and the rear axle will be offset due to the Panhard rod.

r00st

The panhard simply keeps the axle in line left/right correct? How far is it typically off center after being lowered? (are we talking a MM or two or half an inch?) Is this a necessity to do?

Does anyone know if you can get the camber back in spec without having to buy camber bolts- or should I just buy them assuming they will be needed?

Any recommendations on shocks? I am doing this all on a fairly tight budget so I am not looking to buy coil overs or anything crazy

drewsky

You need eccentric bolts ( hope I spelled that right) or caster camber plates.. I needed the bolts for my 1" front drop. 1.5 I would do both.. I know your trying to save a little money but tires will cost more than the needed parts!! Think about it that way

Also I'm using the Koni strt's and love them. Affordable too.. Call Sam Strano and hell lead you in the right direction

scottmach

You can get the camber back in place with GT500 strut mounts and install them with the arrows pointing in. You will need a strut for 05-10 though.

Simon1

You will need shocks/struts, adjustable panhard bar, camber bolts.

Your rear axle will shift 1/2" at least. It's pretty easy to get it centered yourself.

Camber bolts are cheap and the tech doing the install can put them in for you.

UPRSharad

At a bare minimum I'd zero out the toe angle. A panhard bar is a good move as well.

Rudolph Hucker

it will be way off..maybe 15mm off...bringing the axle inline will improve the handling plus the hard plastic bushes in the adj panhard will improve it aswell..
imho 100% u need an adj panhard

tx_zstang

Wait a minute...you're going to run taller tires AND drop the suspension by 1.5"?
That's going to be some close clearances and you might get some tire rub!

With any lowering, an alignment is needed to get camber into spec and bring in the toe a little.