[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Handling can get complex and there are trade-offs, just as there are with any performance mod. What do you want to do? Just drive fast on the street? Do track days? Be able to show up some ricers? Or just want a lower ride for the "look?"
Lower springs have a higher "rate" so they are going to be stiffer and give a harder ride. This may be OK, but if you live in an area with less than great road surfaces you may not appreciate the ride all that much.
Springs should be matched to shocks and struts, which is why suspension mods are often sold as a set. Still, the combinations aren't always ideal.
People have mentioned anti-roll bars, also called sway bars. These work well whether you've done anything else or not. Stiffer bars control weight transfer by reducing roll (lean) in corners. This makes all four tires work better and can make for a huge difference in handling. I've done bars on several cars and there are few trade-offs and lots of benefits. My present 9K has an Aero suspension (new last August) and SAS bars and it will really corner. It could be better, but lowering is not the only way to make it work.
If you need shocks, I'd suggest getting some that people here recommend, and doing a set of sway bars. Then if you really need more, go to springs. But don't get too radical. An important part of cornering fast is suspension compliance and springs that are too short and stiff don't have enough compliance for road use--think bumps and elevation changes in mid-corner. They may be OK on the track, but not on regular roads.
If you can, test the changes in a way where you can really tell something. If you can do a track day it will really show up the weaknesses in your suspension and you'll probably meet some people who can give you some ideas of what a better set up might be.
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |