Lowering my VY exec

[VjamesY]

Hey guys, just a few quick questions about lowering my car...

Sorry If most of this has already been covered,

Well situation is, I'm planning to get my car lowered eventually, I'm looking at getting ssl all round and also to install some shorter shocks, with that getting camber kit installed and wheel alignment. Maybe even guards rolled as I might install a set of 19 inch rims I have later on.

My dad has a Friend who works for Repco and would be able to get me parts very cheap. In saying that I would be prepared to pay anything around $1500, even higher if necessary for everything.

I have heard so many mixed opinions on what the best brands are, so not really sure what to get.

As I was buying the parts from my Dads friend, I was just going to get my local mechanic to install all the parts or should I get a suspension specialist place to sort it all out?

So really will it matter what brands I use? what have you used?

Any advice would help

[VTCommoDude]

I just spent months looking into this. SSL are illegal (in QLD) and insurance wont cover you. Also, the car needs to be level to be legal. You cant drive around with the ass dragging which a lot of guys do (plus it looks like your car is stuffed). SSL will also need lowered struts and shocks, which are more expensive. If you are putting 19" on, they will rub, esp if you go over bumps or have people in the back. Also, SSLs will bottom out on EVERYTHING. Your kit will be scratched and chipped before you know it.

I put SL HDs (KHRL 46HD and KHFL 47HD (I think for the fronts)) in my VT and it is perfect. See my new album. Dont laugh, but I bought everything on ebay really cheap and just had the mechanics put the stuff in. Cost under $1000 with a camber kit and new strut tops. Feels 1000% better to drive.

[Jesterarts]

VTCommoDude,

He said SSL all round, so the car will sit level. SSL will NOT bottom out on everything, I had SSSL rears and SL front in my old VXII and I rarely bottomed out.

He also said that he is getting the guards rolled, so his wheels won't rub and finally he won't NEED lowered shocks or struts. His shocks will wear quicker and the ride will be a bit bouncey, but he doesn't have to get them from word go, the springs will be captured.


YjamesY,

Yes, SSL's will make your car sit too low and it with not be riding at legal height. Though you have to be careful with that even because Kings SSL sit a touch higher than Lovell springs.

The camber kit is going to be a good idea if you've going 19's because otherwise you will chew out the inside of the tyres. I had SSSL springs in the rear of a VXII and got only 20,000km out of the rear tyres.

If you can afford to do everything in one go, then yeah sure but you don't need to do the shocks just yet.

Kings springs are plenty good for commodores since commodores aren't exactly a high performance handling car.

You can get your mechanci to put everything in, because you have to let everything settle in before taking it to a suspension place to align and adjust it all.

And if you know your way around a tool box, then you can do everything yourself, the camber kit is a massive pain in the arse in my experience though so that one might be best left to the experts.

The springs, shocks and struts will take most of a day if it's your first time doing it. Less time if you've got a mate there.

Good luck mate!

[Timmos]

$1500? for that sort of price you should be looking at coilovers.

Too be honest your putting too much thought into it, I've dumped my car 3" on 19"s and havn't replaced the shocks, didn't install a camber kit. I lowered mine about 8 months ago and I've started to notice the ride getting a tad more bumpier.

Your wheels should be able to camber enough on their own without an aftermarket camber kit to clear the guards so long as they have been rolled.

[Jesterarts]

^^^ The idea of a camber kit is to REDUCE negative camber so the inside tread on the tyre doesn't wear out, not to make the wheels clear the guards...

[Timmos]

^^^ The idea of a camber kit is to REDUCE negative camber so the inside tread on the tyre doesn't wear out, not to make the wheels clear the guards...

Wow really? hmm i was under the impression it was the otherway around.

What is it people use to tilt the wheels at a ridiculous angle to fit 22's on little cars.. I've seen it done before, i thought that's what it was :S. But thanks for clearing it up for me

[gslrallysport]

My dad has a Friend who works for Repco and would be able to get me parts very cheap. In saying that I would be prepared to pay anything around $1500, even higher if necessary for everything?

I'd be keen to know what very cheap is, and what brands their talking about.

So really will it matter what brands I use? what have you used?

Our opinion is that the two best brands for lowering a Commodore are Boge and KYB. The later being our preferred option in most cases. For all the brands purists out there, the Monroe GT Sport will also do a decent job, but for the dollars you'd be far better of going the performance-equivalent KYB. Don't even bother with the cheaper Monroe GT Gas if you're lowering...

$1500? for that sort of price you should be looking at coilovers.

If you only care about look then I'd agree, but if you care more about performance than aesthetics you'd be far better off spending $1500 on Bilstein and Kings, or Koni and Kings. If you want coilovers that are actually an upgrade from good quality springs and shocks, then be prepared to spend $3k on something like DMS 40mm, or Bilstein PSS9, or Ohlins...

The idea of a camber kit is to REDUCE negative camber so the inside tread on the tyre doesn't wear out, not to make the wheels clear the guards...

Correct.

If all you're trying to do mate is lowering your car, then $1500 is a bit excessive. Have a look here:
KYB / Kings Commodore Lowering Packages!
And add in a Whiteline 4pt camber kit for $175.

Regards,
Greg

[Jesterarts]

Wow really? hmm i was under the impression it was the otherway around.

What is it people use to tilt the wheels at a ridiculous angle to fit 22's on little cars.. I've seen it done before, i thought that's what it was :S. But thanks for clearing it up for me

I guess that a camber kit could be adjusted to increase camber, but the primary reason for a camber kit is to reduce negative camber so you don't chew through the inside of the tyres.

But increasing negative camber to fit 22's in the guards is not a good plan of action unless you have a VERY deep pocket for tyres.

Cheers.

[TMM]

What is it people use to tilt the wheels at a ridiculous angle to fit 22's on little cars.. I've seen it done before, i thought that's what it was :S. But thanks for clearing it up for me

I dunno what they use, but it certainly isn't a brain XD

[VjamesY]

Hey guys just went to my local Good year for a quote..

I asked for a pricing on the following:
-ssl king springs
-Monroe gt sport shock
-wheel alignment

He said $1360 which includes labor. For some reason he gave me pricing for ultra lows (I thought ultra was sssl ?)

Is this a fair price?

Also he said I have to get it all engineered, its the law now (apparently).
And also that I have to be able to fit a coke can under my car or its defectable, even with an engineereing certificate. I thought the coke can thing was a myth?

[gslrallysport]

How much of that is labor?

[VjamesY]

How much of that is labor?

I'm not sure, he did say it would probably take around 4 hours, sounds a bit excessive. Not that hard is it?

I checked your pm last night, thanks for the help mate, would KYB shocks be better then monroe? because your pricing seems good,

EDIT: Also he said he has boge shocks, which I remembered you mentioned are good quality, what pricing would I be looking at?

[gslrallysport]

KYB would be the equivalent to the GT Sports they've quoted on. If it was the GT Gas they were quoting on then the KYB's would be a good step above, but if it is the GT Sport, then it'd simply be which ever is cheaper between them and KYB.

Boge pricing is near enough to KYB... within a few bucks...

[Timmos]

I think a coke can is supposed to give you a rough idea of how high it should be, i'm positive cops don't carry around a empty coke can defecting cars.

I'm pretty sure 10cm from the ground, measured from the lowest point of your car is the legal limit.

[thedeadwalk]

I think a coke can is supposed to give you a rough idea of how high it should be, i'm positive cops don't carry around a empty coke can defecting cars.

I'm pretty sure 10cm from the ground, measured from the lowest point of your car is the legal limit.

100mm (10cm) the can is out cops are carrying around a tool to do this now and its down the center of the car thay will put it in the midle of number plate and get you to drive over it hope this helps

[VjamesY]

Thanks guys, so do you think I would pass this test running stockies and ssl? I couldn't possibly be going lower then 10 cm's with this setup, would I? How low are you Timmos, certainly getting close haha

[Timmos]

Thanks guys, so do you think I would pass this test running stockies and ssl? I couldn't possibly be going lower then 10 cm's with this setup, would I? How low are you Timmos, certainly getting close haha

I don't reckon i'd pass the 10cm test they're talking about, lowered 3" on 19s. it probably sits around that on the sideskirts but undernieth looks a hell lot lower.. oh well, never had any hassels with it from cops.

Car parks don't like me much though

didnt you have a set of 19s you were chuckin on it?

[VjamesY]

I don't reckon i'd pass the 10cm test they're talking about, lowered 3" on 19s. it probably sits around that on the sideskirts but undernieth looks a hell lot lower.. oh well, never had any hassels with it from cops.

Car parks don't like me much though

didnt you have a set of 19s you were chuckin on it?

Ah kk So you never had any problems with the coppers in the general Castle Hill area?

I do have a set of ninteens, but thinking about just lowering it for a while, I'm having second thought's about it. So many people around me have been defected for their wheels, not sure if its worth it? meh see what happens. But I'm a spontaneous buyer and one pay day Ill probably go spend all my money on some tires and get the 19's fitted lol

[Batees]

hey mate ive got a vy s with ssl in the rear and sl in the front with 19 inch sigs on it with stock everything eles i have no trouble at all even with a full car load. sits even and never been pulled over once!

[-Guy-]

When you lower it take some photos and post..

[Timmos]

Ah kk So you never had any problems with the coppers in the general Castle Hill area?

I do have a set of ninteens, but thinking about just lowering it for a while, I'm having second thought's about it. So many people around me have been defected for their wheels, not sure if its worth it? meh see what happens. But I'm a spontaneous buyer and one pay day Ill probably go spend all my money on some tires and get the 19's fitted lol

Na mate, never had any issues with cops in castle hill with my car. maybe i'm lucky.

The only time i've heard of people getting done for their wheels, is when it's been included in a huge list of defects.