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Cost of lowering the GTs ride height

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DSGT

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2013 GTS Coupe
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Trying to get a rough idea of the total cost ( parts and labor ) for lowering the car…by maybe 1 “.
Labor rates vary quite a bit by location so an estimated number of hours for the job would be a more suitable answer. As for parts, what else is needed other than springs ? I would prefer to use components FD sells so we can use that as a parts cost guide ..
 
#2 ·
DSGT said:
Trying to get a rough idea of the total cost ( parts and labor ) for lowering the car…by maybe 1 “.
Labor rates vary quite a bit by location so an estimated number of hours for the job would be a more suitable answer. As for parts, what else is needed other than springs ? I would prefer to use components FD sells so we can use that as a parts cost guide ..
Click to expand...
My FD springs were $995.00 (per website pricing) plus shipping and a few hours of your local shop rate. Should get you in the ballpark, as far as price.
 
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#3 ·
DSGT said:
Trying to get a rough idea of the total cost ( parts and labor ) for lowering the car…by maybe 1 “.
Labor rates vary quite a bit by location so an estimated number of hours for the job would be a more suitable answer. As for parts, what else is needed other than springs ? I would prefer to use components FD sells so we can use that as a parts cost guide ..
Click to expand...
5-6 hours labor..J
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Sounds reasonable. Will probably do it. Just have to be super careful with all the dips going in and out of parking lots into the street . That’s the only thing which held me back until now ; the frequent scraping of the front spoiler even with the stock height, and thinking I’d have to be so extra careful all the time with it lowered, one forgetful moment and I‘ll trash / crack the car‘s nose . Maybe even hit the rear bumper on one of those parking lots cement blocks, backing up into it, which is never a problem now. Meh, maybe I should throw caution to the wind in favor of aesthetics. 🥺
 
#5 ·
DSGT said:
Sounds reasonable. Will probably do it. Just have to be super careful with all the dips going in and out of parking lots into the street . That’s the only thing which held me back until now ; the frequent scraping of the front spoiler even with the stock height, and thinking I’d have to be so extra careful all the time with it lowered, one forgetful moment and I‘ll trash / crack the car‘s nose . Maybe even hit the rear bumper on one of those parking lots cement blocks, backing up into it, which is never a problem now. Meh, maybe I should throw caution to the wind in favor of aesthetics. 🥺
Click to expand...
Oddly enough the front lip is really no closer to the ground than when it was stock height. The fact that the rear is lower, helps a lot. I scraped more when it was stock.
 
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#6 ·
The FD springs really lower the rear only and kinda leave the front the same...I would say the spring rate is like 20% stiffer...We have installed a bunch and really never got any complaints about ride or tearing stuff up...They get rid of the huge rear fender gap...J
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
Good point about springs , I should have thought about that :cautious: ; my Porsche is lowered by 1” ( with 250lbs rate springs front and 95lbs rate springs rear - well, coil-overs to be more precise.. ) and in terms of going over road dips and stuff like that is no different than stock..maybe even better . But the ride is quite a bit stiffer .
 
#8 ·
I have a convertible, FD lowering springs AND Jason did the install. Definitely worth the 2k for springs and labor, BUT the convertible has a brace that attaches beyond the rear axle area and it will catch a high speed bump or whateber and sound like your bumper is getting ripped off. You just need to angle your approach on a high speed bump, and go slowly. It can also catch if you have a steep driveway entrance.

The ride is fine and doesn't feel much stiffer than stock
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Good to know. My wife likes a comfy ride, even in sport mode she complains a bit, so that was the other concern - if the ride lowering / springs might change the ride too much .
As for that brace, mine is a coupe, so should be ok. Guessing on the convertible that‘s to mitigate flex somewhat ? :unsure:
 
#10 ·
DSGT said:
Good to know. My wife likes a comfy ride, even in sport mode she complains a bit, so that was the other concern - if the ride lowering / springs might change the ride too much .
As for that brace, mine is a coupe, so should be ok. Guessing on the convertible that‘s to mitigate flex somewhat ? :unsure:
Click to expand...
Yes, the cabrio cars have extra x braces and huge pan to help stiffen the chassis so they are even lower than a coupe by a touch..J
 
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#12 ·
DSGT said:
So would you guys say that lowering the height by 1”, makes the regular mode fairly comparable to sport mode ?
Click to expand...
I'm lowered about an inch, never have driven it in regular mode but the sport mode is not bad at all. Only on a jacked up road does it feel a bit harsher.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
My lowering plans / expectations have just been lowered ; drove to dinner with wifey yesterday, and I must mention that it was on perfectly smooth roads all the way, but in sport mode ( which I do all the time when I drive by myself ) . She was not at all thrilled with the ride and complained about how harsh it was .. :cautious:. So if lowering the car affects the regular / comfort mode in the least bit , this won’t work for me . Ya‘ know what they say “ happy wife, quiet life “ , so I’ll probably have to give this one up unless we use the SUV every time we go somewhere together . 😔
 
#14 ·
DSGT said:
My lowering plans / expectations have just been lowered ; drove to dinner with wifey yesterday, and I must mention that it was on perfectly smooth roads all the way, but in sport mode ( which I do all the time when I drive by myself ) . She was not at all thrilled with the ride and complained about how harsh it was .. :cautious:. So if lowering the car affects the regular / comfort mode in the least bit , this won’t work for me . Ya‘ know what they say “ happy wife, quiet life “ , so I’ll probably have to give this one up unless we use the SUV every time we go somewhere together . 😔
Click to expand...
You do what you have to in your own castle. 👍🏾

I rather like, "happy spouse, happy house," as that goes both ways. But what do I know, I'm not married. 😜
 
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#15 ·
Only time I use sport mode is on track. I come from the Lotus school of compliance. Stiff riding bricks NEVER impress me nor do they actually produce much IF ANY improvement in handling. Little known fact is most vehicles get their best handling numbers in "regular mode". Sport suspension needs IMHO really only come into play above 100mph.
 
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#16 · (Edited)
FD Sport Springs simply keep the car from being mushy, reducing things like body roll and dive on braking.

The harshness you feel in Sport Mode comes from changing of the internal dampening inside the shock when Sport Mode is activated (electronically), this is going to affect the car with standard original springs or aftermarket performance springs. However, If you're keeping it in Normal mode the car still handles very well and isn't harsh. Again, this is true for both the original standard springs or our Sport Performance Springs.

In the end, it's certainly your call but I think owners here will mostly agree that installing the springs didn't make the car harsh, just firmer, less mushy and keep the car more planted.

Otherwise, if you want to have the best of both worlds, our adjustable Coilovers allow you to set the suspension just how you like in not only ride height but also in the dampening / firmness.

Best Regards,
 
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