[geeks] RE: [rescue] miss me?

[Kurt Huhn]

Bill Bradford wrote:
>>suspension by 2" all around, stick 18" rims on it and 40series tires, 
>>completely new exhaust system with headers and 2.5" pipes.  Total 
>>sleeper though - no rice...
> 
> 
> (why would ANYONE want to *lower* a vehicle???  Designers make em
>  a certain height for a reason...)
> 

Well, in the case of the PT Cruiser it actually benefits handling by a 
significant margin.  The stock suspension of the PT Cruiser is designed 
for a happy median between comfort of ride, suspension travel, and 
handling.  While it seems to be a good mix, with a slight slant towards 
handling, it is by no means excellent at either function.  Few cars are, 
with stock suspension.  My Taurus handled like a turd on roller skates 
until I lowered it 1.5" all around, installed Edelbrock IAS shocks, and 
put some stiffer springs on it.

Lowering the PT Cruiser by 2" at all four corners, using stiffer springs 
, replacing the struts and shocks with adjustable units, and adding good 
anti-sway bars will make the thing handle like a dream.  Now, when I do 
that, the comfort of the ride will suffer - so you have to make that 
tradeoff.  There's also the issue of torque steer, and that can be 
helped by use of a steering dampener.

If I wanted it to ride more comfortably, I'd consider raising it by 
about a inch and installing softer springs and more forgiving shocks.

Kurt
kurt at k-huhn.com