Lowering with just springs

willthepirate · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:42

picked up a corsa B 1.2 LS (crap i know) for next to nothing, planning on hammering it about for a few months while i get some cash together for a decent car. main problem are the crappy steel wheels and the dire suspension. dont realy want to put much money into it though (isnt worth it) how will i get on with just replacing the springs

i.e keeping the standard shocks

planning to lower it 40mm, and grab some cheapo 15" alloys.

hopefully wont cost much and the car will handle reasoably well.

also will i need to get the tracking looked at after lowering.

cheers xD

Phil W · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:44

40mm will be fine.

I lowered my Corsa 60mm on just springs and the shocks died after... 5minutes.

Its easy to do DIY actually, the front shocks are 2 bolts at the base and 2 at the strut tops, and the rears you just undo the base of the shock, jack the car up and the springs will fall out.

Need spring compressors for the fronts, though.

willthepirate · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:48

thanks,

so you think the shocks will survive on 40mm drop?

also was the tracking ok?

Skree · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:52

willthepirate said:
so you think the shocks will survive on 40mm drop?

Not for long. lowering always puts a lot more stress on the shocks, especially as the springs will be harder. You'll probably find it makes more sense to change both at the same time - how long are you keeping the car?. i usually do.

Get the tracking checked anyway. It's a false economy not to. Especially if you're changing wheels and tyres. It's only a cheap job and its worth doing for safety, tyre longevity, ride quality, and fuel economy.

Phil W · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:52

Tracking was ok but expect to feel potholes and a bit more tramlining.

willthepirate · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:53

heheh yeah thats to be expected

thanks mate xD

R220 · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:56

whats the point in spending money on modifications for a car your going to get rid of in a few months ? :confused:

dale1uk · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:58

The shocks should be ok with a 40mm drop, but from past experiance on just replacing the springs, although it looks a lot better the ride can be very harsh. Best bet would be to go over to a dedicated vauxhall forum and ask what make people recommend. Driving over a pebble and feeling like you've hit a 2ft ditch in the road is no fun!!!
Also remember when you get some cheap alloys for it to make sure you get the proper Corsa offset, et49 iirc, otherwise they'll not sit in the rear arches right and most likely catch as soon as someone gets in the back.

Phil W · 24 Jul 2007 at 17:59

dale1uk said:
The shocks should be ok with a 40mm drop, but from past experiance on just replacing the springs, although it looks a lot better the ride can be very harsh. Best bet would be to go over to a dedicated vauxhall forum and ask what make people recommend. Driving over a pebble and feeling like you've hit a 2ft ditch in the road is no fun!!!
Also remember when you get some cheap alloys for it to make sure you get the proper Corsa offset, et49 iirc, otherwise they'll not sit in the rear arches right and most likely catch as soon as someone gets in the back.

You can get away with ET38 if you stick to just 40mm, but the handling will suffer (yes, i know its only a corsa..)

[TW]Fox · 24 Jul 2007 at 18:06

R220 said:
whats the point in spending money on modifications for a car your going to get rid of in a few months ?

Exactly - use it as a cheap ride and leave it alone. Changing the wheels is pointless, it looks crap becuase its a £200 Corsa not becuase it has steel wheels.

It's a great cheap runabout but the second you start lowering it and fitting new wheels it stops being a cheap runabout.

Phil W · 24 Jul 2007 at 18:09

[TW]Fox said:
Exactly - use it as a cheap ride and leave it alone. Changing the wheels is pointless, it looks crap becuase its a £200 Corsa not becuase it has steel wheels.

It's a great cheap runabout but the second you start lowering it and fitting new wheels it stops being a cheap runabout.

Not really, you can pick up lowering springs etc for these cheap. Nova Springs fit and people always have them lying around in sheds wanting to get rid for a tenner or beer money.

/edit and you can always sell wheels back on.

[TW]Fox · 24 Jul 2007 at 18:10

A bog standard Corsa 1.2 LS with alloys lowered 40mm will simply look like a Maccy D's carpark resident with a fat girl in the back.

cymatty · 24 Jul 2007 at 18:11

[TW]Fox said:
A bog standard Corsa 1.2 LS with alloys lowered 40mm will simply look like a Maccy D's carpark resident with a fat girl in the back.

willthepirate · 24 Jul 2007 at 18:12

yes it will

NathanE · 24 Jul 2007 at 18:56

[TW]Fox said:
A bog standard Corsa 1.2 LS with alloys lowered 40mm will simply look like a Maccy D's carpark resident with a fat girl in the back.

Where do I subscribe to your newsletter?!

Skree · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:26

[TW]Fox said:
A bog standard Corsa 1.2 LS with alloys lowered 40mm will simply look like a Maccy D's carpark resident with a fat girl in the back.

Absolutely. But then isn't that true of all modified corsas?

233 · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:28

hit the bay of E for springs budget 15-20 quid for a secondhand set

set of cheap second hand 15's 100 quid with good tyres

sell in a couple of months to pimply mcdonalds racer wannabee for MASSIVE profit

My work here is done

for maximum resale value go for a set of 60mm front springs and 80mm stock rod nova rears

Skree · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:36

sormicoft said:
hit the bay of E for springs budget 15-20 quid for a secondhand set

set of cheap second hand 15's 100 quid with good tyres

sell in a couple of months to pimply mcdonalds racer wannabee for MASSIVE profit

lol also consider nitrous oxide brand stickers. They're good for 50bhp on a corsa 1.2. and probably £200 from said wanabee