Hotchkis Springs installed

[myredrs]

I got them on about a week ago. They improve the handling and look really nice. I ordered some slottedcross drilled rotors and HAWK brake pads a while ago. They were just sitting in the basement so I had them put all of those things on also.Pictures will be included in a day or so.But now that I see the car I think I should've gotten the 18 rims instead of the 17 with the drop. Oh well. Live and learn.

[kharman]

what all is involved in lowering the vibe?... is it just new springs?...it seems you would also have to do something else because lowering it would seem to affectwheel camber....

[Raven]

You should get an alignment after a week or so when the springs have settled in.That's about it.

[Mavrik]

With my 2" drop, 18" rims would have been a REALLY tight fit even with a smaller sidewall. Talk about a rough ride lol... I'm dropped 2 inches on 17" rims. I had the lowering done on a saturday and had it aligned on the following tuesday. Handled like a charm after that.

[Smokin' Rubber]

The size of the rim doesn't really make a difference as long as the tire ratio gets lowered by 5 for every inch larger the rim is 215/45/18 is the same size in overall diameter that 215/50/17

[Mavrik]

I'm on a 45 side wall, 50 would be well out of my diameter.

[Smokin' Rubber]

Oh well I still have the stock 17's which came with the 50's

[myredrs]

I had it alinged the day after I got them on. I using factory 17 tire size with the aftermarket rims. I'm thinking of going to 2254517. Or will that mess everything up?Anyway here are some pictures.

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[myredrs]

some more

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[myredrs]

rear brakes

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[myredrs]

car shot

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[myredrs]

last one

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[Merzbow]

EW, ice!! Get it away!lol, that looks gorgeous. what brand of rotors are those? I was debating on the powerslots (only have front rotars) so it would cost about $90 from a local performance shop.You should paint your calipers what spring rolls around. I'll show you a pic of mine when I get home if you want.

[myredrs]

I want to paint the calipers when it gets warmer. I got the rotors on ebay for irotor I think. I think they were $150 or for front and back.Post some pics of your calipers. Was it spray on or the paint?

[damronjr]

Those brakes look good! I've been considering getting some as well, but with the base I can only get the fronts anyways. They look pretty sharp so I may just get some after all! Thanks for posting the pics!!!

[Merzbow]

I used the brush on paint. It looks WAAAAY better than spray because, for one, it's thicker and more even, and two, it has ceramic in it which helps it adhere.Here's a shotty pic of them a few months after.

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[Merzbow]

Here's the pic I took a few days ago of hte chipping. If you live in an area that doesn't use road salt for snow and ice than you will be fine. The salt is what I think caused the chipping. Anywas, it's no big deal, once it warms up all I have to do is repaint the chipped portions and I'm done...maybe take about an hour including a few coats and drying time.Keep in mind hte calipers are dirty from the winter's neglect. I took off my wheel and tried to get the rest of the paint off but it wouldn't so I decided to polish the excisting paint up a bit with water and rag so now the paint really shines a deep red (minus the chipped parts).If nothing else atleast it helps protect the actual caliper from the elements lol.

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