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Lowering-should I/shouldn't I?

Discussion in 'VY Holden Commodore (2002 - 2004)' started by jyothi, Feb 21, 2007.

  1. jyothi

    jyothi New Member

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    I'd love to lower my VY, Please let rip with all your opinions. I live in W Sydney, is there a good place I can get it done, should I have to change the shocks? anything that you guys can think of
    every opinion appreciated and taken aboard
     
  2. gottavecalaisv

    gottavecalaisv Member

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    i just sold a lowered car and i would never lower a car again after the ride it gives you, you lose all the comfort of the orig springs but gain a bit of handling, may look a bit better but rides like s..t.leave it for the race track in my opinion!
     
  3. Bravotwozero

    Bravotwozero New Member

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    Not entirely true mate. If you go for a stiff set up then yeah, you will get stiff ride. I just recently lowered mine on Pedders springs and the ride is no firmer than FE2. I say lower it if you like. As for needing new shock, depends how low you go.
     
  4. Sticky

    Sticky New Member

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    Depends on your own outlook. You have to ask yourself the questions. If you are precious about your ride comfort, then perhaps it's not for you. I have gone to the extreme end of lowering so my ride wouldn't even do well on the racetrack. If I want luxury and comfort, i'll sit in the leather sofa at home, not in the car. ;)
     
  5. gottavecalaisv

    gottavecalaisv Member

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    if i want comfort and luxury i will sit in a calais or a recliner at home!
     
  6. jyothi

    jyothi New Member

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    I'm Overwhelmed by the response. Thank you all very much. To be honest, yesterday I was in a dilemma but now I'm totally confused! I wish I could ride in someones' lowered car but most of my friends drive Curry car(!) (Camry) and I'm the one of the very first ones (of Indian background) to break the mould and buy a Holden.

    will the ride be very rough?
    I have another question in a new thread, can you all please take a moment and help me there? I have titled it "Noise in front wheels"
    once again thanks a lot to all of you
     
  7. 03vyPplater

    03vyPplater New Member

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    my utes dropped 2" front, 3" from back from stock height, rides as good if not better on pedders, handles a bit better too, and rims aint worth having unless your cars lowered as the appearance is so much better.
    my heights also handy as i dont have to sideways over speedhumps
     
  8. MikesVT

    MikesVT M&M =D

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    I want to lower mine too... Problem is money... And I dont want to lose my ride comfort... Although it depends if you get shocks and depends on the set up etc...

    Other things you should consider (as i am), what type of roads do you normally drive on? Very bumpy? lots of speed humps?

    Also, any steep driveways etc? I've driven lowered cars and got into situations where I had to reverse-drive-reverse-drive-reverse-drive a few times because I couldnt get it out of a car park without scraping the bottow (but i managed :D)

    Point is... Is it the right option for the type of use you get out of the car
     
  9. krazyboris

    krazyboris New Member

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    Dont forget also that your car is only an exec, and so it is fitted with the standard seats. The sporty models are running seats that help contain the shock made by the FE2. Most common mistake made by people lowering their cars imho, is dropping them too low. As far as ride is concerned, it's an obvious choice, the larger the travel on your suspension, the softer the ride, as there is more area for the "shock" to be absorbed, so what you need to ask yourself is, "why am I lowering my car?"

    If your answer is to look nicer, then make sure you do it right!
     
  10. jyothi

    jyothi New Member

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    I'm glad I asked, there's so much more to it than just shorter springs, I've come to learn! Thanks for all the input. I already find the ride a little bumpier after I got low profine tyres. I shall take everything you guys mentioned before I make a decision.
    The only reason I want to lower is to make it look nicer. Handling wise, I'm not really a leadfoot and probably might'nt find too big a difference going around the bends. thanks once again all
     
  11. The Windsurfing VY Wagon

    The Windsurfing VY Wagon New Member

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    Hi there jyothi,

    what series is your VY? Series I or Series II?

    There should be a badge on the back that confirms this.


    Windsurfing.....
     
  12. Bravotwozero

    Bravotwozero New Member

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    I find the standard ride to be quite jittery in itself. I'll reiterate that lowering a car doesn't mean a firmer ride. Do some research, ask some suspension gurus the same questions you're asking here, and you'll be in good stead to make a well informed decision! :thumbsup:
     
  13. jyothi

    jyothi New Member

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    It's Series II
     
  14. The Windsurfing VY Wagon

    The Windsurfing VY Wagon New Member

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    Series II,

    Well that should mean that you have a IRS Kit fitted in the rear where the Series I did not and can cost between $350 to $650 to have one fitted if you don't want the inside of the rear tyres scrubbed out.

    I lowered my VY SII wagon lowed 25mm (guard just level with tyre) and all I had to do way replace the springs, not the shocks.
    I used King Springs and have found the ride fine, for me any way. I can slightly notice it but it does not bother me what so ever.
    Older people, 50+ notice it a bit more, but hey that's other people........

    I believe if you lower her more than 25mm then you need to look at shocks as well.

    You should be looking at around $200 to $250 for King springs from EBay.
    $300 to $350 from a shop or $450 to $650 supplied & fitted.

    Hope all that helps a little.



    Windsurfing.....
     
  15. jyothi

    jyothi New Member

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    not just a little but a lot. Thanks for that. much appreciated
     
  16. Sticky

    Sticky New Member

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    jyothi, I think that if you have already noticed a difference in ride comfort simply by putting low profile tyres on, then I would say you are fairly sensitive to ride comfort. In that case I would make sure you follow some of the guys suggestions about doing the complete shocks & springs.
    I used to have a VY V6 and I lowered it on king super low springs and left the shocks standard. It was a VERY hard ride. Personally I loved it but i'm guessing most people here wouldn't as it felt alot like driving a go-kart.
     
  17. Lloyd1986

    Lloyd1986 New Member

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    My car is just on standard FE2 suspension, and the biggest problem I have, is I cant drive anywhere! the car scrapes on everything. Try to do a U-turn into someone driveway, or on a road with a shoulder, or go over those metal speed bumps and *crunch*. You just have to turn up the music and pretend its not happening... lol
     
  18. 03vyPplater

    03vyPplater New Member

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    my cars new height is a tad lower than the FE2 ive seen on other utes, and i find i dont hit anything, except the front mudguards.
    ill see how i go after the maloo kit is on it.
    as well as the roads your driving on, look at where you park both at home and work, as one or the other may have a steep hill or bumps.
    i decided not to dump mine on its arse or go 19"s cos im a bricky and my car sees some pretty horrid parking spots, i talked to the guys at pedders, he showed me the companys VZ lowered, and let me choose from there
     
  19. havoc

    havoc New Member

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    I had a VY series2 ute with FE2 suspension and had it lowered at Wholesale Suspension at Penrith. Had to change the back shocks because there was to much travel. Also try Pedders at Penrith if your near.
     
  20. azzss

    azzss New Member

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    Well i had a vy s2 calais and they have fe1.5 springs from the factory. I now have a vz ss with the standard fe2 and the calais had 18 inch rims (same as ss). I couldn't notice any ride difference so i think it is whatwver you get used to
     

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