Lowering the '01 Protege Sedan
February-12th-2003, 06:24 AM
#1
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 116
Lowering the '01 Protege Sedan
I know some of you guys have lowered your cars.
What inch drop would make the car look the best with 17" wheels. Not to mention the better handling that would come with it?
I don't want the car to look stupid by lowering it to much, and I don't want the tires to rub. Would .875" to an 1" be the best or 1.3"?
What inch drop would make the car look the best with 17" wheels. Not to mention the better handling that would come with it?
I don't want the car to look stupid by lowering it to much, and I don't want the tires to rub. Would .875" to an 1" be the best or 1.3"?
February-12th-2003, 06:56 AM
#2
I Can't Find My Pants
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 1,010
oh just 'some guys' have lowered on here. ha.
I liked the drop of the EiBach springs. I thought there was also a great ride with these. I was using a 205/40 tire.
And they are pretty strong. Survived a total write-off and lived to be resold
I liked the drop of the EiBach springs. I thought there was also a great ride with these. I was using a 205/40 tire.
And they are pretty strong. Survived a total write-off and lived to be resold
February-13th-2003, 06:19 AM
#5
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 116
I would like to understand this better.
I measured my cars height, from the middle of the fender wheel well edge to the floor on the front and back.
It is both 25" to the floor, front and back. Even though it looks like the back is slightly higher.
Now you say that the rear is lowered 1.8" and the front 1.4", that would make the rear lower then the front. It might look like it is level at the window to door lines, but it is really not.
Do you have bottoming out problems going over bumps?
I measured my cars height, from the middle of the fender wheel well edge to the floor on the front and back.
It is both 25" to the floor, front and back. Even though it looks like the back is slightly higher.
Now you say that the rear is lowered 1.8" and the front 1.4", that would make the rear lower then the front. It might look like it is level at the window to door lines, but it is really not.
Do you have bottoming out problems going over bumps?
February-14th-2003, 05:09 PM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,111
You mentioned that the Eibachs evened things out by lowering the car more in the rear. Can you actually feel the difference while sitting in the car and driving? Also, I've heard that the rear should be up a little higher than the front to improve handling? Is this true? TIA
February-14th-2003, 10:06 PM
#9
Protege Progasm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 2,456
Originally posted by Kincaid
That was EiBach springs. 1.4" front, 1.8" rear. Perfectly level. We measured. I thought the drop looked good.
That was EiBach springs. 1.4" front, 1.8" rear. Perfectly level. We measured. I thought the drop looked good.
February-15th-2003, 07:10 AM
#10
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 116
If you look at the '01 MP3, and the new '03 Mazdaspeed, they are only dropped about .895" or 1".
With the 17" on them the car really looks good. I think dropping more then that would be to much. But, to each his own.
With the 17" on them the car really looks good. I think dropping more then that would be to much. But, to each his own.
February-15th-2003, 12:40 PM
#11
Protege Progasm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 2,456
Originally posted by guitargod
If you look at the '01 MP3, and the new '03 Mazdaspeed, they are only dropped about .895" or 1".
With the 17" on them the car really looks good. I think dropping more then that would be to much. But, to each his own.
If you look at the '01 MP3, and the new '03 Mazdaspeed, they are only dropped about .895" or 1".
With the 17" on them the car really looks good. I think dropping more then that would be to much. But, to each his own.
The MSP is dropped fairly well. Not to high and not to low for most ppl, but I wouldn't mind if the MSP was lower.
February-15th-2003, 05:23 PM
#13
Protege Progasm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 2,456
Originally posted by guitargod
What is a good drop then, any pics with different drops.
What is a good drop then, any pics with different drops.
The MSP, which I think is a 1inch drop
These are with H&R springs
February-17th-2003, 11:39 PM
#15
Use this to install stuff
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: State College, PA
Posts: 1,069
Originally posted by Kincaid
That was EiBach springs. 1.4" front, 1.8" rear. Perfectly level. We measured. I thought the drop looked good.
That was EiBach springs. 1.4" front, 1.8" rear. Perfectly level. We measured. I thought the drop looked good.
That MSP appears to be "raised" from stock not dropped at all. It may be the stock ride height, which is around 1" lower from an ES, if thats what you meant...
Last edited by Installshield; February-17th-2003 at 11:41 PM.