Lowering 2nd Gen Neon

[erik erdeli]

Hey guys, New on here so be nice...
I am from UK and I am a Massive neon fan...
I want to lower my car my by about 2" and I cannot seem to find suitable lowering springs in the country as the car isn't so popular around here. I can only find stock springs for Gen 1, my question is that would this fit as I heard they would lower the car as they are shorter springs...
Any help much appreciated...

[ducktapetg]

From what I understand, you can use the 1st gen springs but you still need to use the 2gn struts because the 2gn knuckle is different than the 1st gen.

You could always try to find some srt4 lowering springs as well. From my experience, lowering springs do not deliver the best (read smoothest) ride. A cheap alternative to lowering springs is the raceland coilovers shown below. I do not have any experience with them but searching it seems like people like them.

http://www.racelandus.com/coilovers/dod ... overs.html

http://www.racelandus.com/coilovers/dod ... -2005.html

[erik erdeli]

Thanks very much for the info really helpful. I think I will be going for the coilover.

[Jean-Seb]

For additional info, the Raceland coilovers use the stock strut mounts, so one less thing to worry about when installing them. And you can also fine tune the ride height front and back for best look.

[occasional demons]

Don't you have to use high rates, or ACR 1gn springs(?), as the regular springs are pretty soft.

I wouldn't want to have the ones on our '96 under my 2gn. They are bad enough on the '96.

[BlackRoseRacing]

^^^
This is what the 1GN Xtra high rate springs on 2gn struts look like

[JeremyJ]

If you want a little more quality and adjustability than the Racelands, you can look into Megan or K-Sport coilovers. The next step up is BC coilovers. Then KW and AMR. You have a lot of options. Anything designed for the SRT-4 will fit your car. Even cheap coilovers tend to ride a little better than springs, but longevity is a gamble. As with most car parts, you get what you pay for.

[03_SXT]

I was extremely happy with my Mopar lowering springs (stage 1). The ride was extremely pleasant, slightly sportier than stock, and had a good drop.

Picture in my signature is the SXT on SRT struts and goldline lowering springs. The drop was just about perfect, but the ride was harsh.

[rondert]

Did you replace your shocks also after installing the lowering springs?

[JeremyJ]

If the drop is small, like one inch with the Mopar springs, your struts will be fine. However, given how old these cars are now, you'd be smart to replace them anyway.

[03_SXT]

I overhauled my entire suspension at the time I put the Mopar S1 springs on. New top hats, new struts, new sway bar bushings, lower control arms, ball joints, and tierods.

It's not hard at all to be honest, just need to take your time and read through a Chilton's. Also, you don't need power tools, a torch or heat gun works good enough for almost everything.