4200 optimum suspension height?

[stevenccox]

I noticed my 4200 (‘02) was lower on the rear passenger side so got it up on a lift and confirmed the previous owner had adjusted for going around a track.

I am going to adjust to level it out but is there an optimum suspense height it should be set to? I’ve read in this forum that the factory issued heights for the 4200 are Front 162mm Rear 180mm (measured from the centre of the mounting bolt for the lower wishbone) but interested if these are the best settings if the car is being used as an everyday car.

For info (and incase it makes a difference) I have 20” alloys at the mo (what the car came with unfortunately as they aren’t the original 4200 19” alloys).

 

[spkennyuk]

I noticed my 4200 (‘02) was lower on the rear passenger side so got it up on a lift and confirmed the previous owner had adjusted for going around a track.

I am going to adjust to level it out but is there an optimum suspense height it should be set to? I’ve read in this forum that the factory issued heights for the 4200 are Front 162mm Rear 180mm (measured from the centre of the mounting bolt for the lower wishbone) but interested if these are the best settings if the car is being used as an everyday car.

For info (and incase it makes a difference) I have 20” alloys at the mo (what the car came with unfortunately as they aren’t the original 4200 19” alloys).

4200 had 18 inch wheels. The Gransport had 19 inch wheels. Which made the ride harsher. I cant imagine 20 inch wheels will have much meat on the tyre side walls. Fine on a track but would imagine its a bit crashy on the uk roads.

 

[safrane]

The 'optimal' hight will be the original, however it may not be suitable for how you will use the car.

Lower it and the ride will become a little firmer with a little less roll, but of course that may not be as comfortable if you intend to use as it was designed for.

 

[Oneball]

Lowering it won’t make it harder unless you change the springs or run it on the bump stops.
The big problems you have when you change the ride height from standard is how the geometry works over the suspension’s travel, bump stops and grounding out or not.

 

[3hcp]

I’ve just changed my 2002 spyder to 2003 settings with lower ride height and thicker roll bars sourced from eBay and refurbished with new bushes from superperformance. Then re-alignment to spec’s recommended on here of -0.1mm front +2.8 rear. Massive difference not crashy but better planted and not so wallowy. I would definitely change back to 18 inch wheels.
H
Below is the ride height factory settings.

 

[jasst]

When I had a 4200 I lowered it to gransport settings, also helps the wheels fill the arches better.