[2001se2.0]

I have an idea going but I wanted to put the question out there...

Basically I cannot go any lower on the rear coilovers without preloading the already stiff springs, so I have an idea to remove some of the material from the lowest section of the coilovers, the one that has the inside threads and adjusts the height. I figure this will allow me to lower even more as long as I don't bottom out the exterior thread of the mating part.

I work at a machine shop so I shouldn't have any problems with the modification. I think I can put it in a three point vice on a vertical milling machine, indicate it true, and remove .5 to 1.0 inches to give me extra clearance to go lower.

So my question is has anyone heard or had any experience with a modification like this? Thoughts and suggestions welcomed, thanks.

 

[i68k]

im not sure exactly what your looking at, without pic. but you need to make sure everything else will line-up. the lower you go, the farther out your camber will be. im not sure how low you are, but other things like a bumpsteer adjust maybe needed as well. you have to look at the geometry of all the components in that wheel well area.

and ive hockey pucked a few vw before, just so the chassis could scrap the ground and not the motor...thats what the owners wanted.

 

[2001se2.0]

I will get some pics this weekend to better communicate what I'm talking about. Right now I have about 2" to 2-1/4" of drop.

 

[i68k]

I will get some pics this weekend to better communicate what I'm talking about. Right now I have about 2" to 2-1/4" of drop.

that thing must be already on the ground, you ever think about having smaller wheels to drop the rest of the way to the ground?

 

[2001se2.0]

on my '01 I had the stock 16's and it would scrape on speed bumps, the '00 with the 17's doesn't scrape as of right now, just looking for an additional 1/2" of drop all around, I don't really want to start machining and modifying a $2200 coilover system but want to be a touch lower

 

[i68k]

you can achieve the 1/2" drop with a good tire height selection. finding the right tires to fit your rims could give you + or - .24". are you going to need tires soon? what size are your tires now?

 

[2001se2.0]

Per signature, tires are 205/40's, however the rubber's good for probably a year or so. Here's a couple pics of the car as promised....

This is how I bought her, holy 4x4 mode!!

After the coilovers

Front wheel gap

Rear wheel gap

Representing!!!!

 

[2001se2.0]

Maybe I need to consider 18s, I guess I'm looking toward the tucked look, fill out the wheel wells more

 

[i68k]

yea, if youre looking to fill the wheel well, you could use a small set of 18s. im not sure if theyre skinnier than 205 tho. not many people WANT to scrape the ground. but just to give you an idea, i think 195/35/18 would be lower approx 1/10" than those 17s AND look like it fill more of the wheel well. normally i wouldnt recommend that thin of a tire, its like an elastic band around your rims. if you want it to look like your car is lower, but not scraping, you could always go wider tread. like 225/40/17, would fill more wheel well, but it will raise your car, but the top of the wheel may start to tuck inside the wheel wells since the tire is about 1/2" taller.

 

[2001se2.0]

Yeah I'd prefer not to scrape

 

[i68k]

its diificult to say, im not a tire tech, but there are a few options. just not sure exactly the look you want, or if you can afford new rims and tires, etc. since your already as low as you can go suspension wise, i would try to find a slightly wider tire, so it will give that tucked look, i dont think 225 will fit your rims, but it was an example. if you want more rim filling your wheel well, you def need bigger rims

edit: i know the specv will fit 225/45/17 without any issues, some people even use 235s with just a slight rub if any, but im guessing youd need a test fit.