Lowering your GS

[87GN&98VET]

I'm in the market for a new GS, most likely will be buying one soon and I'm already scouting out aftermarket mods. Seems these cars like most need to be dropped an inch or two. I hate the 4x4 look. Has anyone out there put lowering springs on their car? I checked Eibach's website and it looks like they have a set in development but is not ready for market yet.

Thanks,

 

[cozbyrt]

There has been plenty of discussion about it but no takers. Some of us with the IDCS are worried about how the aftermarket springs would effect the settings. Maybe you could be the first one to try it out.

 

[88 E5PR1T]

I'll most likely be one of the first takers for Eibach's, bit not if it lowers it "an inch or two" -- waaay too much. 3/4" would be nice.

The IDC just stiffens the shocks, i don think a set of springs would affect its effectiveness.

But you're also right, theres already at least one very full thread on this.

 

[cozbyrt]

The IDC just stiffens the shocks, i don think a set of springs would affect its effectiveness.

That is good to know.


Look forward to the first pictures of the regal slightly lowered.

 

[olbob]

I would like to lower the rear about 3/4". I hate the down hill look....
Bob 2011 Regal T

 

[cozbyrt]

There was mention on this forum of eibach coming out with something soon.

 

[goobee]

There's a shop in my neighborhood that can "re-sprung" (for lack of a better term) your OEM springs to any height you want. I sorta glazed over when he got into the specifics but in a nutshell, they rewind the coils to your specifications. Ride quality from what I understand remains the same.

 

[GTP>GS]

The GS is already 1 cm (about 1/2") lower -compared to other Regals. Suspension design and dynamics can be influenced, possibly adversely, by making additional changes to ride height and suspension travel. I'm very content with how my GS handles and rides.

 

[BayouBuick]

The GS is already 1 cm (about 1/2") lower -compared to other Regals. Suspension design and dynamics can be influenced, possibly adversely, by making additional changes to ride height and suspension travel. I'm very content with how my GS handles and rides.

I am content with how mine handles and rides as well. However I wish there was a solution that would not change our ride/handling and lessen the wheel gap. I just don't understand the need for so much wheel gap.

 

[NYC Regal]

There's a shop in my neighborhood that can "re-sprung" (for lack of a better term) your OEM springs to any height you want. I sorta glazed over when he got into the specifics but in a nutshell, they rewind the coils to your specifications. Ride quality from what I understand remains the same.

I have never heard of that before, wonder how that's even possible. How would they be able to manipulate the spring and retain the same specs, sounds weird. I've heard of fusing the springs, and cutting them and I would not mess with either method.

Ideally, a quality coilover would be made for our cars. But after getting a new cv boot/axle at 3k (for no fault of my own) I'd be leery to lower my car.

 

[goobee]

I have never heard of that before, wonder how that's even possible. How would they be able to manipulate the spring and retain the same specs, sounds weird. I've heard of fusing the springs, and cutting them and I would not mess with either method.

I first thought he was talking about doing a custom wind (wound?) but he said no. The OEM spring is heated to a high temperature and rewound to new specs. No cutting is involved. High heat is used to keep the springs from weakening. He said a bunch of other things that went over my head.

 

[FatherDeth]

I am content with how mine handles and rides as well. However I wish there was a solution that would not change our ride/handling and lessen the wheel gap. I just don't understand the need for so much wheel gap.

I agree. I'm just looking for half an inch. Why GM can't make a car with a decent stance is beyond me. No, a half an inch will not affect the handling of this car in a negative way.

 

[Crisis]

Guys on the insignia forums claim active damping and IDCS (user customization active damping) is fine with a 20-30 mm drop. I don't know what their stock ride height is on the Insignia turbos.

I'd say a GS would be fine with a 20mm or 3/4" drop. The springs are not that expensive and easy to change so it shouldn't be a big deal to go back to stock if handling craps out.

The reason I think handling should be fine is the active suspension works with accelerometers mounted close to the wheel hubs (and one for the body close to center of mass). I haven't seen a suspension height sensor.
A stiffer spring should show different readings on the sensors, but I have no clue what the active suspension control would do when it sees a 'rougher ride'.

 

[goobee]

I wonder if the GS springs will work on the Turbo? I'll take the minor drop of the GS springs that you GS drivers hate so much. 😉

 

[FatherDeth]

I wonder if the GS springs will work on the Turbo? I'll take the minor drop of the GS springs that you GS drivers hate so much. 😉

I think you're missing the point. The GS is low enough. It's the fact that even though it's low enough, there is still a big wheel gap which DOES NOT make the car look sporty by any means. I've seen Honda Odyssey minivans that don't have a wheel gap as big as the Regal GS. I do admit, it's not so bad looking on GS' with the twenties.

 

[goobee]

I think you're missing the point. The GS is low enough. It's the fact that even though it's low enough, there is still a big wheel gap which DOES NOT make the car look sporty by any means. I've seen Honda Odyssey minivans that don't have a wheel gap as big as the Regal GS. I do admit, it's not so bad looking on GS' with the twenties.

Perhaps that's the answer, easy wheel swaps without clearance problem.

 

[BayouBuick]

I don't quite understand how the wheel gap would be lessened with the 20's. The overall diameter for the wheel + tire should not change. This would result in the same amount of wheel gap.

 

[bassplayrr]

I don't quite understand how the wheel gap would be lessened with the 20's. The overall diameter for the wheel + tire should not change. This would result in the same amount of wheel gap.

While you're absolutely correct that OD will change very, very little, the visual impact of less black sidewall can indeed give the impression of reduced wheel well gap (or, inversely, larger black sidewalls give the impression of larger wheel well gap). It's an optical/visual thing to be sure, but it's one I too have noticed on some cars.

 

[goobee]

If anyone swaps out their GS springs, sell me your OEMs.

 

[FatherDeth]

If anyone swaps out their GS springs, sell me your OEMs.

I keep this in mind if its ever possible to lower my GS.