How low should i go?

[JAYV6]

Hi peeps!I've bought a set of 18's for my calibra v6, they do look mighty good, but the standard suspension makes it look like a land rover, so needs to be dropped a bit, how low can i go? i'm looking at a -30mm setup, will this foul the arches?

[daddycool]

I had -35mm Eibachs with my 18s and no probs at all.

When I fitted them the rear actually went down 50mm.

[JAYV6]

50mm!!!, did that not scrape?

Just seen pictures of your car, wicked!, looks really good on 19's!

[Monkey]

Depends on the the wheel width, offset and tyre size but if you have 215/35/18 then I cant see that you will have any problems.

[daddycool]

<!--QuoteBegin-JAYV6+--><div class='quotetop'>(JAYV6)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->50mm!!!, did that not scrape?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->It's still the same suspension set up with the 19s and they don't scrape either.

Rear arches didn't need any mods at all, but front needed quite a bit of work.

[Chavtastic]

-60mm front and rear, you'll need minor arch mods.

Or -35mm with 215/35/18 tyres shouldn't catch at all!

[JAYV6]

Will probo go for -35mm, the bugger tramlines a bit, so hopefully, this will cure it!

[daddycool]

Tramlining is normally caused by the wrong offset wheel.

What offset you got?

[Monkey]

[QUOTE=CalibraTurbo99]-60mm front and rear, you'll need minor arch mods.
[QUOTE]

I've got -60mm springs with 215/35/19 inch tyres, no catching whatsoever at the back but the front had to have the arch lips removed.

[Chavtastic]

<!--QuoteBegin-daddycool+--><div class='quotetop'>(daddycool)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Tramlining is normally caused by the wrong offset wheel.

What offset you got?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That is one of the factors, but wide tyres are the most common factor. On Calibra's anything over a 215 width tends to tramline, as the sheer width of the thing makes it follow the contours on the road.

[Dan Willis]

I would tend to agree with the Calibra - but I've seen much wider tyres that don't tramline. I guess your whole suspension setup/offset/tyres combo decides how good or bad it'll run. It's very hard to get it spot on.

[daddycool]

<!--QuoteBegin-CalibraTurbo99+--><div class='quotetop'>(CalibraTurbo99)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->That is one of the factors, but wide tyres are the most common factor.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Offset is THE main factor. Wider tyres only amplify the problem.

Incorrect steering geometry is another cause.

[Chavtastic]

<!--QuoteBegin-daddycool+--><div class='quotetop'>(daddycool)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Offset is THE main factor. Wider tyres only amplify the problem.

Incorrect steering geometry is another cause.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Incorrect steering geometry? In what way? Track rod ends??? I presume you mean incorrect suspension geometry but that would simply mean bad roadholding full stop, and pulling under braking. Tramlining is completely different, predominantly caused by wide wheels wanting to follow the flattest route along the road.

I'd say that a higher offset would simply push the wheels/tyres away from the centre line of the vehicle which wouldn't change the contact area of the tyres in any way at all. In fact, higher offsets are generally better for handling as they increase the track of the vehicle... the only reason we don't all do it is because of MOT failure for protruding wheels, and fouling on arches.