To lower or not to lower...that is the question!

Ok everyone,

I have a 2003 SVT Cobra (stock-ish Independant Rear Suspension [IRS])and it's sitting at the stock ride height. Some people say it looks silly with all that room between the tire and top of the fender. Others say that it looks good because it sits lower than a regular GT. I'm not sure what to do.

I do take this thing to the drag strip when I can (maybe 15-20 times per season). Would lowering springs hinder my performance at the strip? Would they possibly cause my tires to rub when the rear squats due to the lowered ride hight?

Another thing to keep in mind is that I'm going to be getting 10.5" AFS replica wheels for the rear to replace my stock 9" wheels. I'll be running a 315/35/17 drag radial on them this season and next season my street tires will go on them and I'll get an E.T. Street to wrap my stock 9" wheels with. Eventually I'm going to go with a "slicks and skinnies" combo for track use only. I'm really thinking of a coilover setup in the distant future and no plans of a solid axel as of yet. Maybe when I break a halfshaft.

What would you do....lower it, or leave it the way it is? Your opinion/comments are greatly appreciated.

Mitch

lower it, everything should still fit fine. some of the other guys can comment more, since i have an 2007

Yeah, I've been doing a "search" over on Modfords.com and it seems like the general consensous is to go ahead and do it. I think I need a little more time to think before I pull the trigger.

i don't think lowering it will hurt it at all. There's tons a aftermarket suspension add on that you can get to help that rearend stick. I know Kurtis has a couple IRS in his shop that he has put togeth using parts from BMR.

I've done just about everything to the IRS that I can other than the IRS brace (not to be confused with the differential brace, got that already). It's got steeda bushings throughout, QA1 shocks, diff brace (duh)...the only thing I don't have to make it bullet proof is level 5 halfshafts. I'm thinking if I break a stock halfshaft though, I'm just going to build a solid and be done with it. Only because the level 5's are like $1500 + install.

I've read of guys running mid-low 1.6 and even upper 1.5 60' times with lowering springs but they have quite a bit more power than I do at the moment. I've still gotta get my shocks dialed in. Hell, I've only made 5 decent passes with them and I'm still looking for the sweet spot.

irs is hard to tune in for drag racing, not sure i can help you muhc but you need to know what the maximum travel will be with lowering springs and if possible find rubber spring stops(not sure what theyr really called) they sit between the springs and change the compression lenght of the springs, theyr great when your done just remove the rubber stops and your springs compresion length returns to normal. keep in mind however these do not lower yoru ride they only keep the springs from compressing fully, therefor preventing tire rub.

if you go with such a device on a lowered(any ride actually) ride keep this in mind, IF YOU SET THEM WRONG YOU WILL WILL WILL END UP IN THE WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get coilovers with drag springs. When your on the street, drop it, on the track, raise it. I want to change out my eibachs for a set.

Yeah, I think instead of doing something twice. I will just wait it out for the coil over setup. At my power level people with very similar setups have gotten 1.5x 60' times. I just need to dial my stuff in.