SUSPENSION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How important is suspension?
   Very! Your car's suspension is what keeps your tires glued to the asphalt and keeps your car's weight balanced while slaloming through the curves. Without an effective suspension, your engine's power will be wasted spinning the tires in mid-air. Additionally, the suspension is the single most important factor in determining your ride's day-to-day drivability. No one wants to drive a car with a loose, saggy suspension, and an overly tight suspension can make even a short commute feel like a sadistic amusement park ride.
   
   
2. I just bought a set of lowering springs. Do I need a camber kit?
   In general, it's best to reset your vehicle's alignment whenever you change or adjust your springs. For details on why, see Kid Turbo's article on camber kits. If you're dropping your ride only a small amount-say, half an inch to an inch-you can get by without a camber kit, but you risk excessive tire wear. Typically the lower you go, the more negative camber you'll experience due to the change in suspension geometry. If you're planning on dropping your ride more than 1.5", you'll want to consider it. The cost of an SPC or Progress camber kit is far less than the cost of replacing worn tires a few months down the road.
   
   
3. How much should I lower my car?
   That depends on your application and the overall look you're trying to achieve. Most street vehicle owners like to drop their rides enough to cure the affliction we call "wheelwellitis," that unsightly gap between the bottom of the fender and the top of the tire. Maximum drop is usually determined by practical considerations, such as your exhaust system and ground clearance needs for curbs and speed bumps.
   
   
4. I'm interested in an aftermarket suspension, but I'm worried about ride quality.
   Aftermarket performance suspensions can be very stiff, but many manufacturers also sell luxury-oriented components that improve ride and overall handling characteristics over factory suspension systems. There are a lot of great dampening systems out there that provide a range of adjustability, perfect for your daily driver. For example, you can stiffen the ride for enhanced performance on the track and loosen the ride for greater comfort on the street. If you're confused about what suspension components are best for your car, give our friendly SCO Tuner Pros™ a call at 800-622-9541.
   
   
5. Can I install aftermarket springs over my factory shocks?
   While it's possible to install aftermarket springs over your stock shocks, you might be disappointed with the result. Aftermarket springs are typically stiffer than stock springs and may be too much for your already-worn stock shock absorbers to handle properly. If your factory shocks are in great condition, feel free to use them with aftermarket springs. Manufacturers include installation hardware to install their coilover kits on most strut applications. If you notice too much bounce, you can always come back and buy some aftermarket shocks. However, it's generally best to replace both springs and shocks at the same time because you'll save a lot on installation costs that way. Plus, if you replace your shocks/struts at a later time, you'll need to spend bucks on yet another alignment.
   
   
6. Can I install aftermarket suspension components myself?
   We recommend against it. It's dangerous! Safely removing and installing springs requires a spring compressor and other specialized tools. Without them, you literally risk death if a compressed spring should shoot out from its housing.
   
   
7. I'm on a budget. Can't I just cut my factory springs to lower my car?
   Really bad idea! Your factory springs are likely already sagging a little, and cutting off an inch or two will make matters even worse. Also, cut springs don't fit well and tend to rattle loudly because they're not cut to fit their housings properly. If you're on a budget, there are several springs that will lower your ride without sacrificing safety and drivability. Just call an SCO Tuner ProT and ask!
   
   
8. What combination of suspension components will give me the best bang for my buck?
   You can't go wrong with a set of performance shocks or struts like the Tokico HP Series or KYB GR2s and a high-quality lowering spring like the RS-R Down Springs or Progress Lowering Springs. Combined, they provide an aggressive vehicle stance and great handling through the curves, with ride quality comfortable enough for a daily driver. In addition, you'll save cash during the install process since one has to be removed to get to the other.
   
   
9. Will strut tower bars and sway bars really make that big of a difference to my car's handling?
   Absolutely! They link the corners of your suspension together, forming a "bridge" between them. This keeps the flex between the two points to a minimum, transferring the car's weight more efficiently. Installing a set of Progress Sway Bars and DC Sports front and rear strut tower bars will send your car's fun level through the roof!
   
   
10. Will I get more tail if I install a performance suspension on my car?
    Yes. And your car won't rock as much.