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Text item: Text1 Why did I lower? I lowered her wayyy back in '87 because I liked the look. It gave her a more sporty look. I also love a good handling (read cornering) car. The shocks were stiffened 1. to keep from bottoming out (Keith, I'll see if I have snubbers), and 2. improve handling. Since I wanted a better handling vehicle I also installed anti-roll bars fore and aft to keep body sway down. Wide aluminum rims (5.5") shod with low profile rubber help as well. Oh, and did I mention that, with the engine in the back, traction is improved thus allowing higher cornering speeds? Even stock the mighty T3 has the advantage over its front engined counterparts! And with all of this she had to be a daily driver. My baby is a sleeper when it comes to cornering. I can outperform many in the corners -- it surprises everyone (you may include driving skill as well ;). My only complaint is when it comes to driving (or should I say trying to drive) on the straights. Though it isn't bad, and mostly noticeable at higher speeds, my baby likes to wander some. But I know what the cause is. Take the good with the bad. For me, the good outweighs the bad and I'm willing to live with it. I plan on finding a way to fix the problems. [I also drink coffe with Cool Ranch Doritos for breakfast (we won't discuss breakfast in the Navy :), have been known to drink to excess at parties (I'm a very happy drunk), and enjoyed climbing several 5.9/5.10 rocks free solo (back in my invincible college days). We all do stuff that may be border line or bad (or just plain dangerous) but you look at the scales, apply any judgement and make your choice.] I know that, genetically, my baby is a family wagon and not a Porsche, Ferrari, BMW or Lamborghini and I won't get the same performance as them but, damn it, I can try to get close! Other comments below. ~Toby Erkson ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: lowering...in response to mgkepner's serman Author: type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE_MIME Date: 12/15/97 2:26 PM ... >Part of my objection, which I have NOT managed to express well is >that I see very little creativity or individuality in doing the same >thing to my car that others have also done. I realize that many of >these mods are done in this spirit, but it really does not stand up >to any kind of scrutiny since it has all been done before by someone >else. Note that I do not attempt to justify staying stock as an >expression of MY individuality. I agree on the creativity part. However, I think it does individualize the vehicle but not normally to any great extent. As for me, lowering is just a piece of the puzzle. That is, my baby has a big engine, is dechromed, sports a ragtop, and, oh yeah, is lowered. We're talking synergism. >The other objection that I have heard is that I gave no real reasons >NOT to lower. This is fair and I should answer it a bit... Nor should you have to! It's because of your passion for the bone-stockers that I eventually want to have my own as well because I realize a full custom and a pure stocker are equally challenging projects. >When you lower your car you change the geometry between many parts of >the suspension... All so true! At least my 914 has the ability to raise the rack & pinion steering if the car is lowered :) Also, lowering is *easily* accomplished on the 914 by adjusting a bolt that tweeks the torsion bars (yep, the 911 and 914 [912?] use torsion bars similar to the T3 for the front suspension!). But, this isn't T3 stuff so onward... >There are many consequences to lowering. Some of them can be dealt >with and managed, some of them lead to insurmountable difficulties. >While there have been many posts on the topic of lowering, I have not >seen ONE that mentioned a single one of these problems or their >solutions. The problems with tire clearance are real, but pretty >easily dealt with. I would be lots more comfortable with this issue >if I thought people where going into it with a rather complete >measure of understanding, but so far that does not seem to be the >case. Ah, contrair(sp?), I have posted on lowering and have mentioned the problems that can occur. I understand the problems (deviation from stock is one :) Also, has anyone noticed that the ball joints look a little more squished when the car is lowered? I have and had to replace them earlier than their 'end of life' because of the ball boots splitting and spewing grease. >I would be very pleased to see some of the lowering advocates start a >thread on this subject and start to develop a consistent package of >well engineered modifications that would deal with the whole >handling problem, but in the meantime, I'll stay stock. God, Jim, I would absolutely love to engineer/fab the necessary parts. But I need a welder and some welding experience (I forgot everything I learned in high school) but I just don't have the cash at this time. You're right about the steering geometry problems (same situation as the 914) and I've contemplated a r&p conversion (damn, there's that money problem again! :) Caster wedges would be sooo nice as well. I've even thought about replacing the entire front suspension with a 911/914 just so I would have a plethora of parts and options available to me. Though I think I already know the answer, would you lower your stocker if one could lower the T3 *and* incure no suspension/steering problems whatsoever?