I have a 1980 928S euro and would like to lower the front end a few inches and I have some questions I'm hoping will be answered. 1. Will adjusting the front coil springs do it? 2. Will adjustment of the coil springs change the wheel alignment. 3. If adjustment of the coil springs is not the correct way to lower the front in what is? Thanks for any help I can get. toofer

 

Yes, but a couple of inches is too much. I run 150mm of height, which is down about 1 inch, and that's too low for the street. I've gotta be really careful in parking lots and such or I'd bust off the spoiler.

Yes. As the front lower the toe goes in.

Adjust the springs or get different springs. The Bilstein springs are a bit shorter in operation.

BTW - measure underneath the car and ignore fender well heights.

 

a better question is what are you using the car for track or street

 

Your car, your choice, but lowering a 928 for street use has some real negatives...

1) Yes, if your car has the adjusters.
2) Yes, changing ride height changes alignment.
3) Adjusting ride height is why there are adjusters on the shock spring perches.

 

Phooey. These things don't look good at stock ride heights. I think the designers never thought about actual driving but the engineers had to.

 

Since I'm getting so much feed back, thanks by the way, what is the proper stock ground clearence for front and rear for the 1980 euro???????????????????????

 

for street driving the higher the better this keeps the lowest engine parts away from obstacles think AC compressor and alternator, oil pan and spoiler,
plus the suspension will ride where it was designed to operate,
less toe changes from suspension operation = better tire wear

 

Alright, alright I'll leave it where it is but as it sit's now the rear is lower than the front and it just looks odd.

 

Have you measured your current height? If so what is it?
Also if you lower it it would be advisable to check you engine mount. Bad engine mounts complicate the engine and accessories dragging issue.

 

I'm willing to bet that US crash regs messed up the US ride heights. Yes, crime, I lowered mine and I like it. I also have an aluminum undertray. Every time the louvers get beat down, I take it off, beat them back out again and move on.

Definately get an alignment after you drop it. Don't drop it too much, you will whack more stuff than you might expect. Mine is in a 'happy' place, low enough to look right, but high enough that I don't have to take excessive care anywhere. I'm very careful anyway after crushing a set of expensive fog lights on a mustange SVO at stock ride height a few years back on a parking berm.

 

Good question ...

Until you've measured your current ride heights it's impossible to give you an accurate answer. The tail down attitude could be the rear height being too low and the front being OK ... or the front high and the rear OK. Springs sag a bit over time.

Stock height and a good wheel alignment should be your starting point; and maybe you make minor adjutments from there once you've driven it for a while. Standard ride height does look a little nose high and quite a few that I know of run the front about 1cm low for appearance. Any lower than that and you'll risk damage.

Early Euro cars don't have the front perch adjusters (maybe US are different). Do you have the perch adjusters on the front?

 

31 year old car... I'm willing to bet the shocks & springs need replacing.

A popular mod is the Eibach spring / Bilstein shock combination. It improves handling well beyond brand new 31-year old technology.

And they are adjustable.

 

i did the Koni/Eibach kit from 928MS. love it!

 

I should have put in my previous post (#11) .... Before you do anything at all you need to give your complete steering and suspension a check for wear and damage, replace parts as necessary, or fit aftermarket alternatives ..... then check and adjust ride height and do a full alignment.

 

How valuable to you is your engine block?