How Low is too Low?

[bmw0bsession]

Hey guys, how low is too low for the track?
I had my car pretty slammed on the street but since tracking I have
my car about 3/4" lower than stock. What height have you found works great?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by bmw0bsession

Hey guys, how low is too low for the track?
I had my car pretty slammed on the street but since tracking I have
my car about 3/4" lower than stock. What height have you found works great?

Some other people have fairly good information, but I've been told to run the rear as low as possible and properly rake the front and adjust as necessary to maintain wheel clearance and no rub.

For me, that's pretty stupid low. It works though

[bmw0bsession]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Some other people have fairly good information, but I've been told to run the rear as low as possible and properly rake the front and adjust as necessary to maintain wheel clearance and no rub.

For me, that's pretty stupid low. It works though

That is low lol I will give it a try

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Some other people have fairly good information, but I've been told to run the rear as low as possible and properly rake the front and adjust as necessary to maintain wheel clearance and no rub.

For me, that's pretty stupid low. It works though

You've inspired me to go stupidly lower and see how it is.

I'm at
centre of hub |--------- ~325mm ----------| guard

[cmark8]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

You've inspired me to go stupidly lower and see how it is.

I'm at
centre of hub |--------- ~325mm ----------| guard

I'm at the same height as you with my current setup. I think it's plenty low already depending on your wheel/tire setup.

[Kgolf31]

Here's the car not loaded.

[KRyn]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Here's the car not loaded.

Holy crap, you don't daily drive your 1 do you?
Your car wouldn't last more than 1 km here in Calgary unless you were running 1000 lb/in springs. The pot holes, ruts and generally garbage roads would destroy any car that low. Heck, my buddy in a R32 Golf with stock suspension lost an oil pan last year!

[chris82]

I run mine as low as K-Golf, the shop near me does a lot of BMW club racing, I told them to lower it for best handling and they put it about like Kgolf's. It's low, but I think that is where it's supposed to be.

[Ginger_Extract]

I'd wager that my car is about the same ride height as Kyle's, rear pretty much maxed out and front set to match.

[The Wind Breezes]

I'm not that familiar with the 1's geometry but you'll mess with certain suspension dynamics like dynamic camber / toe if you lower the car too much past stock without making any corrections. You'll also tend to compromise the handling over anything but really smooth surfaces.

Although, as far as the stance scene is concerned you guys really need to get with it..practically 4x4 status in some of those shots.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by cmark8

I'm at the same height as you with my current setup. I think it's plenty low already depending on your wheel/tire setup.

Wheel and tyre doesn't change the centre of the hub....

[cmark8]

Originally Posted by _Ryan_

Wheel and tyre doesn't change the centre of the hub....

If the overall diameter of the tire changes... It does, even so slightly

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by cmark8

If the overall diameter of the tire changes... It does, even so slightly

The image here - http://s1208.photobucket.com/user/_t...377d2.jpg.html
Will explain what I was referencing to ensure we're referencing the same measurement.


Not quite sure how the tyre diameter will impact it.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by cmark8

I'm at the same height as you with my current setup. I think it's plenty low already depending on your wheel/tire setup.

It matters if you go wider tire though - you don't want your tire rubbing the fenders at more than 1g while going 130mph through the banking. You will shoot a tire into the stands lol.

[Kgolf31]

I run 255 on 9" and load the car 1.42 Gs at max loading and steady state 1.2. I don't have issues

[cmark8]

Originally Posted by socal TW

It matters if you go wider tire though - you don't want your tire rubbing the fenders at more than 1g while going 130mph through the banking. You will shoot a tire into the stands lol.

Exactly. 35% of 245mm will be different compared to 35% of 255mm tires. It will give you a different height even if you measure it from the center of the hub.

[_Ryan_]

Originally Posted by cmark8

Exactly. 35% of 245mm will be different compared to 35% of 255mm tires. It will give you a different height even if you measure it from the center of the hub.

We aren't measuring ground clearance for that reason.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I run 255 on 9" and load the car 1.42 Gs at max loading and steady state 1.2. I don't have issues

Is that the widest you can go?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by socal TW

Is that the widest you can go?

9" wheel is class limit.

Can't go any wider in the front anyways