Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension non SVT ride height

I'm just curious. Since adding SVT springs to a 2.0 contique raises it off the ground, would adding the 2.0 contique springs lower a 2.5? Has anyone experimented? And because it is lower, maybe it might have a slight gain in handling? i know it's softer, but if it goes lower, it may have a lower center of gravity.. I already got Eibachs, but i'm just throwing this out of curiousity. Also, if people want to have that "soft car ride", with the sporty look. (it's rare, but there are people out there like that).

Holy cow Lee, that's really 4x4'ing!

RogerB: I think we can pretty much forget about what BAT/H&R/Eibach advertises as "listed" drop. You have to see the cars for yourself to compare. Eibach has the rear-end "sag", H&R has the forward "rake", BAT is pretty much "level". All give the same kinda drop on average...

DBZJunior: Yuck, talk about a Buick setup.. :p Hopefully no one likes that stuff.. right along chopped OEM springs and coilover conversions on leaky struts.. :rolleyes:

You want to know the weirdest part about this? I really hasn't affected the handling of the vehicle. I know it sounds weird but it's true. I'm still able to get the same perfomance out of it I was before. Maybe more actually. The only thing that I can think is that maybe when the suspension loads up in turns etc. It is acting as it would on an SVT or very close. Also my wife has said the car is alot more nimble than it used to be and she is able to turn with very little steering input. So for me this little experiment was a success.

Looping offramps are still very fun at 65MPH.

Not that I would ever do that...

It would sit lower, but you would also run the risk of bottoming, especially with your stock struts. Also, premature damper wear. The same or worse than cutting or heating your springs.

If you really want handling gains, you need to upgrade your dampers. Stiffer springs, in addition to the new struts, will help control body roll. Stiffer sway bars will do the same, if not quite as effectively, without affecting your ride during level cruise. This option is also a bit more economical. Of course, some go all the way with dampers, springs, and the bar.

The change in ride height yields a very small gain by itself in handling, at the risk of premature wear on some other suspension components, and your CV joints.