Itazy

Hi, this spring I'm looking into a new suspension for my 05 GT. I would rather avoid mixing different brands of shocks/struts/springs/rollbars so the Eibach pro kit seems the best bang for the buck http://www.stage3motorsports.com/pro...Sway-Bars.html. It includes shocks/struts/springs/rollbars for $900. Anyone have feedback on this kit?

The issue i have with lowering my car (1.3 Front, 1.5 Back) is clearance for new wheels. I was planning on putting 20 inch O.Z. Ultraleggera HLT's on http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...5&autoModClar=. The problem is tire size. The recomended tire size from tirerack is 255/35-20 and I really doubt i can fit 255's on the lowered car without rubbing. Can anyone confirm this? Or has anyone tried putting smaller tires on 20' rims?

Thanks a lot!

Sleeper_08

Are your objectives purely appearance or do you care about handling?

If you are interested in handling then lowering the car that much and using 20 inch wheels is considered by many to be detrimental to handling performance.

Itazy

Actually, I do prefer performance over looks heh. I didn't think the rim size effected handling though, thought it mainly came down to tire size.

Thanks for the info, I guess i stay away from larger rims

peetiewonder

larger rims = more unsprung mass = worse handling in general. 20s generally way 30+ lbs per wheels easily where as same width 18s may only weigh in the 20s.

Sleeper_08

Same outside diameter with larger rims also results in shorter stiffer sidewalls and this degrades handling and ride.

Lowering the car more than about an ich degrades suspension geometry and reduces travel so that you are almost on the bump stops.

The combination turns the car into the equivalent of a "go kart".

gmoran1469

Going with a kit rather than mixing brands isn't always a good idea. I just installed some Koni STR.T dampers and Steeda Sport springs on my 09 GT/CS and it was a huge handling increase from stock. I have been trying like hell to find something I don't like about it but I simply can't. It corners like a dream, when I accelerate there is no more huge dip in the rear, when I brake no more huge front end dive, when I turn, 100% less body roll. It doesn't ride any worse and it looks sweet. I used the HD mounts from Steeda as well and the extra camber is sweet too.

Great part about it, that setup will only lower the car about 1" in the front and 1 1/4" in the rear, it will even out the car but it might not sit too low and you may be able to still run those 20's.

Koni STR.T Shocks/Struts
Steeda Sport springs
Steeda HD Mounts

Flyingpants

On tirerack.com they say that the wheels the OP wants only weigh 23lbs. each.
So I guess weight wouldn't be that bad but still would have little to no sidewall, right?

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand

Norm Peterson

Really short sidewalls are kind of a two-edged sword. You generally gain where steering response is concerned, but can lose when the roads are much less than perfect (where you want the tires to have a little compliance so they stay in better contact with the pavement). Ultimately, they'd likely want a slightly different camber setting and a bit more roll stiffness (springs & sta-bars).


Norm

Sleeper_08

The other thing to consider is what tires you want run and can you get those tires to fit the rims you want?

Itazy

Thanks a lot for all the replys.

I'm starting to understand. With shorter sidewalls ill have less comfort, worse handling on bumpy roads, but better steering response/corning. Can you explain the terminology "go kart" i don't really understand what you mean. Thanks!

And about the weight, at least for the O.Z.'s i was looking at they weigh the same as most 18in.wheels including BBS's (around 23lbs)

I was just going to research Tirerack for the best rated tires that fit heh. Unless your talking about a specific size, i just wanted the best fit for the tire in terms of performance.

Sounds great! But I'm curious for the same price trying the Eibachs which include front and back sway bars. I understand that I won't be getting the optimal struts or springs, but i would be gaining roll bars to even things out.

Unless the performance from the Koni struts and streeda springs is so superior, that even with the roll bars, the Eibach system would be worse off? I would love to here more about the comparison thanks for bringing it up!