Will lowering a GT make the ride even stiffer?

[lowincash]

Since the 09/10 vibe GT's have a stiffer suspension than the base ones, will lowering it make it stiffer? I was thinking that if a base is lowered it'll be stiffer to maybe something like the GT's feel. So maybe if the GT's lowered, the ride will not be that much stiffer than what it is already? Am I making any sense haha

[Kincaid]

Should be stiffer, but I think the ride quality will mostly depend on if you use a high quality spring.

[lowincash]

Any idea which lowering springs are the softest?

[keithvibe]

I think it will make it softer.As there isn't any lowering springs for the 09-10 year, you need to use previous year springs. The h-tech springs will be nice and soft.

[lowincash]

cool, I am very tempted to lower my car lol Time to do more research =D

[keithvibe]

the o9's GT have independent rear suspention, correct... I can't remember and i'm too dame lazy to lookhttp://matrixowners.com/index.php?showtopic=87098http://matrixowners.com/index.php?showtopic=86480http://matrixowners.com/index.php?showtopic=86790http://matrixowners.com/index.php?showtopic=84932http://matrixowners.com/index.php?showtopic=84171

[lowincash]

tks for the links I've been reading up on there too haha and yah the 09/10 GT's have independent rear suspension. I think the awd too iirc

[tpollauf]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »the o9's GT have independent rear suspention, correct... I can't remember and i'm too dame lazy to lookYou are correct. Here's what is on the Vibe's suspension: All models will feature a MacPherson-strut front suspension design, with the base model using a solid beam rear axle and GT and AWD models using a fully independent rear suspension. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS will be standard throughout the model range, as well as electronic stability control and traction control.

[vibenvy]

If you lower it, don't you need to have the stability control re-programmed or something?

[lowincash]

hmm I've never heard of this one before =/

[vibenvy]

Yeah, I swear I read on here somewhere that someone said something with the suspension needed to be re-programmed or something after installing different springs. Of course after searching, I can't find it now .

[vibedrivermatt]

yeah that was in one of my posts. Sorry for the confusion. I think the VSC (vehicle stability control) is supposed to get calibrated 09/10 models after lowering springs have been installed. I read the instructions for installing the TRD lowering springs for 09/10. Yes there are lowering springs made specifically for 09/10!. It has this calibration procedure at the very end. I think these are the directions that they would use to install the springs at a toyota dealership. I should point out the TRD springs aren't intended to be used in GT or AWD.if you wanna see the directions check it out for yourself. TRDsparks.com then search for the part for the matrix. theres a pdf doc with the directions in it. you can see the part in the end where it calls for a ZERO POINT CALIBRATION.NOTE- I just like this site because I can use it to see pdf docs showing how aftermarket parts get installed. So Im not just trying to plug them in here. Im planning on getting these springs myself at some point and have already decided that if I can't get the VSC calibrated oh well. Im just gonna go with it, I imagine the worst happening would be the VSC trying to come on more than wanted from the abrupt body movements(bear in mind I partially have no idea what I'm talking about). On the other hand the VSC can at least be turned off. The VSC makes a beeping sound when it activates and brakes individual wheels when they lose traction to prevent the car from spinning out basically. If your wondering about dealerships doing the calibration for you? I've already made phone calls to toyota and pontiac dealerships. When I talked to toyota guy he just said the they only work on toyota. When I talked to pontiac/buick/GMC guy, he seemed to not know what I was talking bout and just said that aftermarket parts void the warranty. Really Id hope that after the springs were installed, if someone where to search around enough, they'd be able to find a dealership who would be copacetic with their lowering springs situation and do the calibration of the VSC system for them. That's what I'm gonna try. As for the calibration, think they do something like this.http://tijil.org/Scion_Docs/04...4.pdf

[lowincash]

hmm interesting...I wonder what will happen if you don't get it recalibrated =/

[Kincaid]

I can't imagine that no recalibration will matter much - I would think either it comes on more often than it would in the past, which could be annoying, or it comes on less or later, which still should be better than having it turned completely off.I for one think that a lowering spring, which should help the car stay flatter in curves, should actually make the VSC less likely to come on.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »yeah that was in one of my posts. Sorry for the confusion.I knew I hadn't imagined it! I figured it was probably one of your posts .