Lowering just the back?

dmartin149 · Tuesday at 6:39 PM

So, I’ve had my 92 NSX almost 2 years now, and the back end has always looked a little high to me, specifically the wheel well space around the tires. It’s on it’s original springs and shocks with about 85000 miles.
I’ve been thinking that I should get a set of Bilstein HD shocks and set the front to stock ride height and the back to 7/8” lower.
This morning I loaded up the trunk with a bunch of concrete lawn ornaments, lowering the back ¾” I liked the way it looked, and it even raised the front overhang slightly. I like that too.
So here’s my question. Would lowering just the back have a detrimental effect on handling?

Thanks
Dan

Honcho · Tuesday at 7:06 PM

Possibly. You're changing the rake, which can affect handling. I'll let an expert like @stuntman answer here.

docjohn · Tuesday at 8:47 PM

so oem suspension, how about wheels/tires?

dmartin149 · Tuesday at 9:05 PM

245/40x18 back and 215/40x17 front

dmartin149 · Tuesday at 9:09 PM

Chris_Lum · Tuesday at 9:52 PM

that gap looks pretty even front to back to me. I would lower the car all around just for an improvement in looks though.

docjohn · Tuesday at 10:15 PM

next tire change with those wheels go with a 265-275/35/18

dmartin149 · 2024-11-06T14:24:21+0000

Chris_Lum said:
that gap looks pretty even front to back to me. I would lower the car all around just for an improvement in looks though.

If I lower the front I won't be able to get in and out of my driveway. Lowering the back would actually help with that. Also I get some slight rubbing already during autoX.

dmartin149 · 2024-11-06T14:25:09+0000

docjohn said:
next tire change with those wheels go with a 265-275/35/18

Wheels are only 8.5"

docjohn · 2024-11-06T14:36:21+0000

dmartin149 said:
Wheels are only 8.5"

the rear? if so ditch them for lighter model/brand, that wheel does not look like a popular choice.

Chris_Lum · 2024-11-06T15:01:24+0000

dmartin149 said:
If I lower the front I won't be able to get in and out of my driveway. Lowering the back would actually help with that. Also I get some slight rubbing already during autoX.

If you just lower the back it may look uneven and probably handle funny due to likely unbalanced spring rates that you would end up with should you keep that stock front springs. The rear gap is ever so slightly larger but the fat tire in the back makes the rear bumper look very high up too. Interested to know what your front and rear wheel and tire setup is (wheel widths/offsets/tire sizes).

dmartin149 · 2024-11-06T17:50:32+0000

I don't want to replace the wheels for a variety of reasons.
Tire sizes are posted above. I don't know what the offset is.
If I lowered the back using the Bilsteins spring rates would remain stock.
To my eye, all NSXs at stock ride height look like the gap above the back tire is just a little too big.
My gut tells me that bringing the back down 7/8' isn't going to be enough upset it much if at all. Sometimes my gut is an idiot, so I was wondering if anyone here knew for sure.
Thanks

docjohn · 2024-11-06T18:02:01+0000

all I can say is... to my recollection you would be the first..

Chris_Lum · 2024-11-06T18:10:10+0000

dmartin149 said:
I don't want to replace the wheels for a variety of reasons.
Tire sizes are posted above. I don't know what the offset is.
If I lowered the back using the Bilsteins spring rates would remain stock.
To my eye, all NSXs at stock ride height look like the gap above the back tire is just a little too big.
My gut tells me that bringing the back down 7/8' isn't going to be enough upset it much if at all. Sometimes my gut is an idiot, so I was wondering if anyone here knew for sure.
Thanks

Ok, since your primary reason for wanting to lower the rear is looks and concern is resulting handling, the logical methodology here would be to just to lower the rear to see if you think it's better (my assumption is that it'll be too low compared to the front) then if it looks fine to you, test out the handling. If it doesn't improve the look or lowers it too much, then you go no further and just put it back to the original height. As doc said, not sure if anyone has lowered their Bilstein equipped car on uneven perches, so you may need to be the guinea pig.

dmartin149 · 2024-11-06T18:15:11+0000

Chris_Lum said:
Ok, since your primary reason for wanting to lower the rear is looks and concern is resulting handling, the logical methodology here would be to just to lower the rear to see if you think it's better (my assumption is that it'll be too low compared to the front) then if it looks fine to you, test out the handling. If it doesn't improve the look or lowers it too much, then you go no further and just put it back to the original height. As doc said, not sure if anyone has lowered their Bilstein equipped car on uneven perches, so you may need to be the guinea pig.

Yeah, I thought of that, and that's probably what I'll do. I was kind of hoping I wasn't the only one, and someone had already done it.

Lowering just the back?

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