It's been about three weeks now since the drop on RSR Downs and the car feels and tracks well. No perceived difference than stock. I am also running 15mm/11mm f/r spacers.

On the flip side, when I dropped the IS on RSR Downs, the car didn't "feel right" requiring some minor corrections during straight-line driving. Car got aligned and felt right afterwards.

Do you think I still need an alignment? Would that be front and back?

 

If anything, the alignment will preserve your tires' life. Three weeks is not long enough to see any uneven tire wear.

 

You are going to need an alignment after any suspension work, wait a few weeks until the spring settles and then alignment. $90 bucks can save you from spending $1500 on tires early... Lol.

 

Can you please post a few pics of your RCF with the drop/spacers? (front, back, 3/4)? I would love to see them. Thanks,

 

Yes you do, your toe will be off.

 

Thanks guys. I'll wait a little more and get the alignment done.


Here you go these taken about two weeks ago so I think the car sits a tad lower today. See my build thread for more details if interested.

 

You are overdue sir. Anytime you drop a car, you change the suspension geometry. Hense, why one always gets an alignment after new suspension work. It's been 3 weeks, that's 2 weeks too long. You're settled in my book, in my IS and other cars, I've always waited a week. 100% I would get an alignment asap. While you don't feel it, I bet your entire car is out of spec.

 

Looks awesome. Flush with the the fender line (and I like the fenders don't cover the top of the wheel. A look a strongly dislike).

 

Looks like my Twin Although, mine is completely stock.
How do you like the ride quality so far? Does it ride harsh?

 

As has been said a couple times, when the ride height changes, an alignment is needed. Really, any time you loosen the suspension an alignment is required.

Make sure you have a performance shop do your alignment. Someone with a laser aligner and is knowledgeable of going outside factory specs. Took me 1 1/2 yrs to find someone I could trust.

 

That's the perfect drop/stance. Looks great.

 

I believe you might be right. I dismissed it at first thinking the streets were dusty but they're clean now after some rainfall and the car's rear wants to fish tail at about half throttle from a stand still or even at city speed hitting the throttle half way in manual from 2nd or 3rd. Never noticed this before the drop as traction was better and felt tighter at the rear. Could the alignment and/or springs contribute to poorer power application to the ground?

Agree it's how I like it too

Nice!
Ride is a little firmer and slightly bouncier, but not harsh though I would not want to decrease the ride quality further.

I believe my Lexus dealer has this equipment but I'll ask. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks!

 

That is plausibly because of negative camber that typically lowering springs induce. Running negative camber makes the inner part of the contact patch press harder than the outer side (since the wheels are slightly sticking out more at the bottom than outwards), it results in less contact patch thus causing loss of traction more easily.

Negative camber for racing is considered great for very quick turn in and quick steering response, but it results in tram lining over rough/grooved pavement and also the inner tires tend to wear out more than the outside.

 

Yes, indeed the drop effected your overall suspension geometry. Everything needs to get everything " even " on both sides and get your alignment in spec. True me, your drivability will change. Also, make sure your tires have proper air pressure too. I notice when I'm off a psi or two. Only car I've even owned that I could tell.

 

The fronts feel too sensitive when it's off by one psi