Did the job today. Going to give them some time to settle, get an alignment, and then do a true product review.

Review: Got an alignment this morning. Even with the camber bolts, it's not a perfect alignment (need rear camber bolts!), but it's WAAAAAY better than what I drove in with.

Looks - I like it. Car is lowered, but it's not "slammed." Most people aren't quite sure if it's dropped, which is cool with me. 1.1 inches is pretty hard to see with the naked eye unless you have a stock one parked next to the modded car.

Handling - very solid and predictable. I'm quite happy with it. The car does exactly what I want, nothing more. If I drive in such a way as to produce a bit of oversteer, I get it. But I don't lose control. The springs bring the car down and corners are much easier. The car feels more stable and solid. Body roll has been reduced, but is not completely gone (you'd need coilovers if you want your car that stiff).

Ride comfort - as expected, the bumps can be felt a bit more than stock. But the car is by no means harsh or jarring. Passes the GF/grandma test just fine. I haven't had any complaints from family members or guests.

Future updates - while the "to the grocery store" review above is OK, I plan to hit an AutoCross and give the full "here's how the car is during when driven hard" review. Should be soon, as the next AX is looking like May 18th. Should be more details and better info then. Wish me luck!

Install threads:
Springs
Swaybar

I regret to say that I totally forgot to take a real "before" picture. However, you all know what a stock Lancer looks like, so I can rationalize a bit. Here's the AFTER pics, though.

 

Sweet! You did it all urself? duration?

Is a DIY in order?

 

is there any reason y you went with works instead of rrm?

 

So how long do these springs typically take to settle? Cause I'm having a hard time spotting any difference in rideheight there, as compared to stock. Maybe its just the angles though.

 

Wow man, what size are those rims? They look really small. The big body of the Lancer just dwarfs those things.

 

here ya guys go. It took me about 5 hours all said and done. It would be faster but I missed a plate on the rear struts that hold the dustboot up, so after I had the rears completely bolted up I had to take them off again.

1.) BUY AN IMPACT WRENCH (I got an electrical one, good luck without it)
2.) You have to have a spring compressor for the rear, fronts didnt seem like such a big deal, however do not take that as an instruction to go and take the fronts off without it. I used it on the fronts too. Blacksheeps instructions are good, however I found I could take the rears out using a crowbar on the LCA.


Before:


After:



I notice a difference already in both the height and the ride, seems to ride smoother on the roads and doesnt wander as much. I have a couple other pics here for you guys. Those wheels are the same size 18's as the stock ones so that should give you a good idea. Not sure how good the pics are but it is different. The way the car should have come.

Before:


After:

 

Sheep, why those rims man?

 

Still a pretty large gap in the front, wonder why? I guess it could take a week for the springs to settle. Maybe take some more pics then. Rear end looks good though.

 

few reasons why the front is high, that is the rake thing we were talking about, some of the other sets will lower the front end more, but the handling WILL get worse.

Some of the other reasons I dont really remember right now (pretty worn out from right now, and my classes in school are slipping.

After I drove this today the car is super balanced.



^^^ Karan, go and take a look at Blacksheepdj's thread for the install, you could do it if your somewhat mechanically inclined, it will just take a while, so make sure you have a whole day on the weekend free to tinker so you dont mess it up by rushing.

 

Sounds good, thanks for the info. Keep the pics coming!

 

All DIY, but I did have helpers. You don't want to do this alone. Took us maybe 4 hours, including the rear swaybar. But I have done this before on other cars, so that might make it go faster.

DIY is in the How To section.
Springs DIY

Even drop (1.1" front/rear), mostly. Not having to cut the bump stops was a reason too.

Generally, people say a week or so. Yeah, it's not a massive drop, but that's not what I wanted.

16" rims.

Cuz I liked them and they were in my budget. Not sure what more to say...
If you're asking why I went down to 16s, it's because the tires cost half as much as 18" tires do. In the long run, I save a LOT of money.

Front is always going to be higher. It's just the way they make the cars. You can slam the front, but then it throws off the balance of the car.

 

Thanks Sheep. Definitely leaning toward the WORKS now, and the DIY really helped my confidence to install them myself. Now all we need is your review on the handling.

 

dang.. even if i did want to do it my self... i dont have the tools so im going to have to spend around 100-200 bucks for install

 

^^ try $400.00 (1 hour a corner and usually $100 an hour)

then you need the alignment. Trust me it isnt that hard. this was my first time doing it in a garage and it wasn't bad.



As for the handling, I went on a 3 hour cruise with a few of the other members of Mitsunation today and the car handles great. Pretty uneventful in the straights but handles much better in the twisties, I was leaving RA's behind me.

 

how much for a spring compressor and does autozone rent them out kuz i saw a sign saying we rent out tools