Been looking at some nsx's for sale recently and was wondering"why would you lower an nsx ?" when I do buy a car should I stay away from any cars that have been lowered? I know a little about possible camber problems with other cars and wondering why it would be worth it on an nsx ?or related problems from any members that have bought a lowered nsx or have personally done so.
why lower a nsx
- Thread starter nsxscool
- Start date
Most people lower for cosmetic reasons, some do it for the slight performance benefits, others just got to tinker with their ride because they can't help it. I didn't lower mine for looks, it is a byproduct of the type R suspension kit. It is not noticeble to most people. The performance is enhanced at the expense of degraded everyday comfort.
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I bought mine a few months ago and it had been lowered.
(still a semi NSX newbe)
The plus side is, It just saved me from doing it.
I have installed Eibach's , Koni's & swaybars on several of my cars in the past.
(Am a huge fan of Eibach progressive springs, Adj Koni's & adj sway bars, have used similar or the exact same set ups on my BMW 2002's ,midyear vettes, 65 Mustangs, etc)
What you need to find out is how was it lowered?
What components were used? It makes a huge difference.
Was it done for looks? Performance?
Properly set up, you will never want stock again :biggrin:
Poorly set up & you will swear stock is the only way to go! :biggrin:
It should ride nice, corner flat & handle great!
I have read many posts here that sound like folks used either springs that were too stiff or never got their alignment dialed in. Either of the above issues will make tha car a bummer to drive. Many lower their cars just for looks, so their big heavy wheels don't have a gap (and sometimes rub)
Just my 2 on the matter, worth what you paid. :smile:
(added - my post from last april) http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50375
(still a semi NSX newbe)
The plus side is, It just saved me from doing it.
I have installed Eibach's , Koni's & swaybars on several of my cars in the past.
(Am a huge fan of Eibach progressive springs, Adj Koni's & adj sway bars, have used similar or the exact same set ups on my BMW 2002's ,midyear vettes, 65 Mustangs, etc)
What you need to find out is how was it lowered?
What components were used? It makes a huge difference.
Was it done for looks? Performance?
Properly set up, you will never want stock again :biggrin:
Poorly set up & you will swear stock is the only way to go! :biggrin:
It should ride nice, corner flat & handle great!
I have read many posts here that sound like folks used either springs that were too stiff or never got their alignment dialed in. Either of the above issues will make tha car a bummer to drive. Many lower their cars just for looks, so their big heavy wheels don't have a gap (and sometimes rub)
Just my 2 on the matter, worth what you paid. :smile:
(added - my post from last april) http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50375
nsxscool said:
Handling purposes/cosmetic looks.....
nsxscool said:
You don't have to completely avoid it...Once you own one, you'll definately want to beef up the suspension anyway...It's a natural NSX instinct :biggrin: Stock suspension is pretty decent, but it doesn't hurt to upgrade... :wink:
nsxscool said:
NSX already has a "somewhat" nasty camber...it'll eat up more tires than the average car...the best you can do to spare tire life is to do an alignment..
compare a lowered NSX to a regular NSX, you'll see why lowering an NSX makes sense.
Do you mean compare by driving or compare by looking at them side by side?NsXMas said:
So far as looks go, I don't see any virtue to lowering.
This is a matter of personal taste. Many owners do not lower their cars.
The NSX is already very low (46 inches tall, with stock ride height). Because it is so low, it is not the easiest car to get in and out of. And it is very easy to scrape the front chin spoiler on driveways and other tight spaces. This is EVEN with the stock ride height.
Some suspension options offer the ability to choose ride height. When I had my Bilstein shocks installed, I intentionally chose the mounting perch to maintain the stock ride height, and not the perch that lowers the car by 7/8". I prefer the stock ride height, for looks as well as practicality.
My suggestion would be to test drive cars with the stock suspension and ride height, as well as those with aftermarket suspensions and lowering, and see what you like best. (When it comes to buying a car, remember that you can always change the suspension after you buy it, either to lower it or to raise a lowered car.)
The NSX is already very low (46 inches tall, with stock ride height). Because it is so low, it is not the easiest car to get in and out of. And it is very easy to scrape the front chin spoiler on driveways and other tight spaces. This is EVEN with the stock ride height.
Some suspension options offer the ability to choose ride height. When I had my Bilstein shocks installed, I intentionally chose the mounting perch to maintain the stock ride height, and not the perch that lowers the car by 7/8". I prefer the stock ride height, for looks as well as practicality.
My suggestion would be to test drive cars with the stock suspension and ride height, as well as those with aftermarket suspensions and lowering, and see what you like best. (When it comes to buying a car, remember that you can always change the suspension after you buy it, either to lower it or to raise a lowered car.)
When I bought my car (already lowered) I test drove 2 others that were not - all had aftermarket wheels. As far as looks are concerned, I feel the stock NSX is too high. The car looks more exotic and aggressive (IMO) lowered. As far as handling, I can't really comment too much on. When test driving the cars I wasn't pushing any limits. I will say that the lowered car (1") felt better all around - maybe I just like the low profile.
It's my opinion that once you see a lowered vs. non-lowered NSX in person, the difference in appearance is huge with the lowered one taking the aesthetic prize.
It's my opinion that once you see a lowered vs. non-lowered NSX in person, the difference in appearance is huge with the lowered one taking the aesthetic prize.
bodypainter said:
hehe i think they thing most people are getting at is, alot of NSX with aftermarket wheels (like mine) look like were part of TEAM WHEEL GAP and are in 4x4 offroad mode :biggrin:
thanks for all the input. I do have a hill of a driveway and my 3000gt(sold it) would scrape slightly (factor) but i do see quite a few nsx's for sale that have been lowered and unless I tracked the car any performance upgrades might not be utilized .
yeah i feel you on the drive way, thats the only thing stopping me from getting skirts or lowering the car =\
I have.vtec888 said:
I did. I didn't like it lowered.vtec888 said:
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I had lowered mine for a year and really hated the looks and the ride. The bottom front of my car still shows the damage of hitting every curb and speed bump. I also didn't like the springs (H&R) with the stock shocks. I went with the Eibachs and Bilstiens (stock perch) and love the feel on the road and on the track. I believe I am a little lower then pure stock but it isn't noticeable.
FWIW.
FWIW.
nsxscool said:
When I lowered my NSX it was for two reasons.
1.) The OEM shocks and springs were ready to be replaced anyway....so upgrading to Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks seemed to be a good idea for me.
2.) The car looks SOOOOO much better when lowered and the fenderwell gap is reduced or eliminated.
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Performance/suspension.htm
"why lower a nsx"?
After reading the reply's and thinking a bit about it, people lower
these cars for one of two reasons. There seem to be 2 camps.
(with a few inbetweenr's)
(1) Improved Handling,
( NSX-R / Zanardi / Eibach springs or Coilovers & a few others= usually lowers 1/2" - 1")
Will also see sway bars, quality shocks, light wheels but generally not 18-19" wheels
(2) Improved Looks,
(many ways to go about this, short stiff springs, cut coils, coilovers, short springs with shocks on lower perch etc.
Usually lowers 1+" to 2"+) Will often see very large flush fitting wheels & big tires. Little if any wheel gap. Some rubbing at full lock and reduced ground clearance but nothing the owner of this car is not aware of, or willing to live with.
"why lower a nsx"?
After reading the reply's and thinking a bit about it, people lower
these cars for one of two reasons. There seem to be 2 camps.
(with a few inbetweenr's)
(1) Improved Handling,
( NSX-R / Zanardi / Eibach springs or Coilovers & a few others= usually lowers 1/2" - 1")
Will also see sway bars, quality shocks, light wheels but generally not 18-19" wheels
(2) Improved Looks,
(many ways to go about this, short stiff springs, cut coils, coilovers, short springs with shocks on lower perch etc.
Usually lowers 1+" to 2"+) Will often see very large flush fitting wheels & big tires. Little if any wheel gap. Some rubbing at full lock and reduced ground clearance but nothing the owner of this car is not aware of, or willing to live with.
I agree that the NSX is already low,: I lowered three of them not because the roofline was high but to get rid of the absurd ugly wheel gap 
that the OEM suspension gives you.
I wished Honda did a better job with the fenders shape, then I would have kept the OEM suspension (--> less scraping).
that the OEM suspension gives you.I wished Honda did a better job with the fenders shape, then I would have kept the OEM suspension (--> less scraping).
nsxtasy said:
I agree with NSXTASY. If you are going to lower it go with the Bilsteins. I have read too much praising this shock. *Yet to be done, but Bilsteins are a winter project for me. (Shocks are near life limits now.) :biggrin:
I have something to add about shocks that many here will probably laugh at. :biggrin:
I sold a 65 Vette this year that had a new set of Koni's installed in 1966
that were still great shape! I mean there was absolutely nothing wrong with them. Never been rebuilt. Had been used in hundreds of auto-X & road race events from 65-87. Have owned several other sets on other cars as well.
Cant explain it, but when they take a set in a turn, nothing (read gas shocks) I have tried compares. Koni's are as hard to retract as they are to compress, maybe thats why I like them over gas shocks? Anyway, just thought I would
add this bit of info.........
Here is a link to the clunker I am referring to.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/396_rat/
I sold a 65 Vette this year that had a new set of Koni's installed in 1966
that were still great shape! I mean there was absolutely nothing wrong with them. Never been rebuilt. Had been used in hundreds of auto-X & road race events from 65-87. Have owned several other sets on other cars as well.
Cant explain it, but when they take a set in a turn, nothing (read gas shocks) I have tried compares. Koni's are as hard to retract as they are to compress, maybe thats why I like them over gas shocks? Anyway, just thought I would
add this bit of info.........
Here is a link to the clunker I am referring to.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/396_rat/
nsxscool said:
If you scraped with your 3000GT, you'll really have problems with an NSX, even at stock height it sits lower than a 3000.
I have the bilstein absorbers and eibach springs, the car rides firmer than stock and handles a little better, however with the wingswest front lip, steep driveways are not good, and if you had trouble with your mitsu you will have clearance issues with any hight NSX on your driveway.....most people prefer the look of the lowered car .....exceptions are Nsxtasy and Matteni...They are Old School ! yo! :tongue:
No, most people - most adults, anyway - prefer the stock look. Based on your remarks, I am confident that only ricer kids with tacky looking cars prefer the slammed look.zahntech said:
nsxtasy said:No, most people - most adults, anyway - prefer the stock look. Based on your remarks, I am confident that only ricer kids with tacky looking cars prefer the slammed look.
that being said i can definitely say i'm one of those lo-mein kids :biggrin:
slammed hottness!
<img src = "http://www.nsxprime.com/photopost/data/500/7225red_lowered-med.jpg">
I don't care how it looks,
I just like going around corners.
The guy who I bought my car from set up the susp.(& did a good job)
& he is in his 60's and definitely not a ricer type. LOL LOL
Eibachs, Konis & sway bars are a very common combination
on many, many cars. (not just NSX's)
Again, we can't really compare slammed with enhanced. :smile:
They are not the same thing.
I just like going around corners.
The guy who I bought my car from set up the susp.(& did a good job)
& he is in his 60's and definitely not a ricer type. LOL LOL
Eibachs, Konis & sway bars are a very common combination
on many, many cars. (not just NSX's)
Again, we can't really compare slammed with enhanced. :smile:
They are not the same thing.
I personaly HATE ricer cars, the super widebody racer cars do not apeal to me in the slightist, my car is completely stock with the exception of the springs/absorbers and wheels/tires. and the very modist Wings west kit..my car is not "slammed" it sits aprox 3/4-1 inch lower than stock...and in my opinion and seemingly many others, the giant gap between the tire and the wheel well opening on stock hight cars is unattractive...........I do notice that 1 inch makes a big differance in getting in and out of the car....JZ
BTW I am putting a stock fr lip on the car cuz the Wings west is too low and looks a little too ricey to me :wink:
BTW I am putting a stock fr lip on the car cuz the Wings west is too low and looks a little too ricey to me :wink:
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