Lowering - idiot's guide needed

[tbc]

You're going to have to excuse my total ignorance here, but my knowledge of cars is not great.

After briefly flirting with the idea of getting a VW Polo GT, I've decided to stick with the trusty 1.4 Ibiza for now. I'm thinking of dropping it a bit, nothing too drastic though, but I don't really know where to start.

-How much is it going to cost me? Including getting it fitted somewhere, as I'd rather get it done well
-How much lower is the Ibiza Cupra than the standard Ibiza?
-Will I have any trouble getting 15mm rear spacers if the car's only lowered as much as a Cupra or a bit lower?

Thanks

 

[techie]

I think you may have to go for 20mm rear spacers. I'm assuming you have rear drums, you normally need 20mm to clear the centre of the drum so the spacer will sit flush.

 

[Adam R]

You're going to have to excuse my total ignorance here, but my knowledge of cars is not great.

After briefly flirting with the idea of getting a VW Polo GT, I've decided to stick with the trusty 1.4 Ibiza for now. I'm thinking of dropping it a bit, nothing too drastic though, but I don't really know where to start.

-How much is it going to cost me? Including getting it fitted somewhere, as I'd rather get it done well
-How much lower is the Ibiza Cupra than the standard Ibiza?
-Will I have any trouble getting 15mm rear spacers if the car's only lowered as much as a Cupra or a bit lower?

Thanks

Well funnily enough i have just lowered my 1.4 on Cupra springs. the rear looks brilliant but the front looks a bit high. im currently looking at options to lower the front a little. the ride is fantastic and handels very well.
if you where local i would offer a ride. will try and get some pictures up soon once the weather clears up.

 

[tbc]

Unfortunately I'm not local, I'm up in Cheshire, but thanks anyway. Pictures would be a great help.

Did you fit the springs yourself? Any idea how much I'd be looking at for a kit + fiting?

And have you got spacers on yours?

 

[Forbez]

get a second hand cupra setup, and that'll sit lower.

the problems with spacers and drums if the longer bolts, sometimes sit to far in the drum and hit the brakes.
I think there was a post a while back with the correct length bolts, speak to Bill at Badger5, he's your best bet mate.

20mm will affect the amount that you'll be able to lower the car more than 15mm would due to the wheels sitting further out, but then again, changing the ET on the wheels, can counter this.

Otherwise your looking at coilovers, or a full suspension setup, which, no offence meant by this, but is it worth spending that money on a small engineed car?

 

[tbc]

No offence taken, and I'm sure you're right, but basically I have no idea how much it would cost anyway.

Any idea how much a second hand Cupra set is likely to cost?

Also does anyone have a picture with 15mm spacers on, as they might be fine anyway

 

[Adam R]

TBC. some people will say i got ripped off, some will say i got a bargin. i purchased a set of used (35k miles) cupra springs and shocks for 60 quid delivered. i know some people would nto be prepared to part a penny for old suspension but 60 quid was pretty good.

I fitted the suspension myself (with help from richy and alan) im glad i got them to help as i had never done suspension before. it took 3 of us about 1hr 30 min to do all 4 corners.

also getting tracking/camber done after the suspension is fitted cost me 30 quid from Protyre.


Spacers:

Been a lot of talk about these things since i have been on this forum (not that long) from what i have picked up they seem to make the car handle much better under breaking and hard cornering. some people run 20mm spacers but 15mm seems to be the most common.
Wheel bolts (if you have drum rears).
its very easy to do.
1)get your standard wheel bolt and your new longer one, put them side.
2) measure your standard one
3) add the width of the spacer to that length.
4) if needed hacksaw and file off the end of the bolt down to the new length (standard length + spacer width)
5) job done.


TBH i would not spend the mega cash on coilies etc because its just not worth it on a 1.4. yea if it was a 1.8t and lowering it made it handle much better then yea, but not on a 1.4 thats why i went with cupra suspension.

 

[tbc]

Cheers mate, that's really helpful.

I've been meaning to get some spacers pretty much ever since I joined this forum about 2 years ago, still not quite got round to it. Mainly for aesthetic reasons, but also because I'm sure having the back wheels as far apart as the front wheels would be a good thing on any car.

I'll keep my eye out for some Cupra suspension, I think I'd rather go on holiday than spend a lot of cash on my car a couple of months before I go to uni.

 

[Adam R]

bah, 60 quid for cupra suspension , thats nothing

 

[tbc]

Yeah exactly, better that than £200+ on some kit that's wasted on my car.

 

[MIkey kc]

where abouts in cheshire???? if you anit far i will fit the kit for you for a small fee

 

[tbc]

Near Northwich, where abouts are you?

If you can find me a kit to fit the work is yours!

 

[Adam R]

TBC, just cleaned my car and took a few pictures for you.
in these photos the car looks very high, but when you see it in person it is lower.
i measured the height fron the floor to the top (in the middle) of the wheel arch. the front is 64cm and the rear is 62.5cm. so as you can see the car isnt that much lower but the handling is improved alot!
tbc, woudl you measure what your distances are as im interested in what this cupra suspension has done to my car.

well here are some pic's.

and a little off topic but since its nice and shiney, here is a classic reflection shot.

 

[Black TDI Turbo]

Yeh that does look rather high, is it the same as it was or higher lol looks clean tho

 

[Adam R]

Yeh that does look rather high, is it the same as it was or higher lol looks clean tho

i dunno mate. the rear looks a little lower but dunno about the front, i guess i will have to get some lowering springs too. i just want to keep the stiffness in the springs when i lower it because they are firm but not crashy.

 

[Forbez]

Also does anyone have a picture with 15mm spacers on, as they might be fine anyway

Before

During

After

 

[nev]

where would you get the bolts needed for fitting the rear 15mm spacers?

Does it improve handling that much?

 

[Adam R]

get the bolts from flebay (ebay) and yes they improve the handling as they improve the 'stance' of the car. (making the rear track wider).

basically get a tape measure and measure from outside of front left tyre to outside of front right tyre, then repeat this process on the back. you will find that the front is wider than the rear. this is common on most / all FWD cars.

if you make the rear track wider than it is at the moment means the cars weight is more between the wheels causing a little more stability during breaking and cornering.

if im not right, hit me in the haed.

 

[MIkey kc]

Near Northwich, where abouts are you?

If you can find me a kit to fit the work is yours!

From Nantwich mate, not far! pm if you whenever you get them