Hey all this is my first post on here but I am sure there will be many more coming up over the next year. I have a 200 Neon that I am going to fix up and give to my daughter for her 16th B-day. My question is....I want to lower the car.Can I just use install new springs to lower it or do I have to use springs and struts?

 

depending on what spring you get but you can just put the springs on stockstruts I will just make there life span shorter.the spring that drop the neon the most is the eibachsport lines with them your struts go pretty quick

 

you can take the springs off and cut them that is a cheaper and easier way. A book to get is call chasis engeniering by herb adams it tells you how to do it then you they dont have to be broken in

 

Cutting your springs is dangerous and retarded...when you cut the springs it compromises the orignial integrity of the spring, it also alters the effective spring rate and will make your car handle and ride much worse than any other lowering spring could. If your that cheap, at least buy some cheap knock-off Ebay springs and at least be "safe" about it...

 

your wrong go get that book and read what he says about it buddy. But dont take myadvice just go get the book and you will see what i am talking bout.

 

I dont need to get the magical book, I've taken three college level automotive suspensions classes and know from actual experience, not just from reading some guys book.

 

well i still say your wrong because i did it and my car has no problems and plus it rides the same way it did be for but let him decide i was just giving my thought

 

Tooslow thanks for the info. I was looking at the eibach sportlines so I would be better just to replace the struts while I have the wheels off. As for the cutting of springs,if I was 16 again I might do that but as the father who is putting his 16 year old girl behind the wheel of the car, i think I will just spend the extra money anddo it right.

Anyone else has any other feed back on this please let me know.

 

I wouldn't cut the springs either. Springs only run around 200 dollars which isn't much. I'd get the Eibach Pro-kit which doesn't lower the car too much. It makes it look just right IMO.
I agree with everyone else as far as the struts. If u lower the car it will reduce the life of the struts. If u get the pro kit, it's not necessary to get upgraded struts; the stock ones just wont last as long.

 

Wow cutting springs[sm=badidea.gif] I have seen a few kids around here lower there cars with the "hacksaw" method and after a few weeks there cars were trashed from bottoming out everywhere. Definitely go with lowering springs as it will save money in the long run.