Going lower on 13's

I know theres been posts in the past about this but its hard finding a difinitive answer .

I have a set of 13"s - 7 wide which i'd like to fit soon. I know there is some clearence issues with the brake calipers which i just plan to 'trim' down.
All i have read is about people running Coilys. I much prefer uprated shocks and lowering springs as it gives a much better ride  and usualy for a better price IMO.
Are people running coilys because shocks and springs have clearence issues, or can't go low enough?
I was thinking of a 40mm drop, but from what ive read, with 13's there will still be a fair bit of arch gap still showing. so something more like 65mm.
I basically want a happy medium, low but still keeping the sump out of harms way.

Cheers for any advice.

I use coilies because they are height adjustable so you can fiddle and get it to look how you want where as springs are just set it at a fixed height.

Shocks and lowering springs wont give clearence issues. It will be interesting to see how a 65mm drop on 13s will look. I still think there will be too much of an arch gap for my liking but each to their own!

On mine I couldnt go low and keep the sump safe so I reinforced it with some steel plate which has worked well so far…

Good luck!

Cheers Bucky, you were running the alley cats werent you?

Do you mind if i ask what coilys you went with, as Ive always stuck with shocks and springs, but as the ride height for shk/sprgs seem to stop around 60mm I better start considering them. Ive been looking around and so far these sound like the best in my price range: FK Sport Edition Plus Coilovers. mainly because I want a 'comfort option'

 8)

Yeah alleycats on some old adjustable avos but its fair to say they have seen better days! The ride is horrendous but Im not too fussed about a comfy ride it still makes me smile everytime I drive it

Those FKs look pretty decent. Having adjustable damping is a big plus as the cheaper ones dont and and if you want a comfort option they definately arent for you ha!

But I guess thats to be expected when your paying a third of the price.

hi. these r my alleycats 13" lowered 60mm hope this helps

I think that looks fine Moey, Although I think i'd probably try and go abit lower myself. But looking at your Duck bill in that photo, 'abit' lower and it'd be ripped straight off by a speed bump or curb. Need a rubber ducky bill  :wink:

I had 13" ATS Classics on my mk1 and I had it sat on coilys, I had lowered it 50mm but there was still around 60mm arch gap left but for practicality and safety I could not go any lower due the the sump and wishbones being dangerously low to the ground which could cause damage, if your looking to remove all youre arch gap I would go for 15" wheels.
but its all up to you! Hope i helped lol

Yes that was helpful Jacob,
 Im running 14's at the moment with standard height, and it looks fine, obviously with 13's it would look abit to much, so dropping 50-60mm to take this gap back up is all thats needed to look good IMO. when you went down 50mm did you alter any of the suspension arms e.g put some track rod extensions on?
Not sure how low you can go before you need such thing's?

cheers,

Nope I didnt alter anything mate, just wound down the coilys, then had my tracking done and away I went!