people with lowered cars who drive in snow.....

[tommyortom]

I am considering lowering my Malibu 1.5" all the way around, solely to make my car handle better to my likings. I have stock 15" wheels and tires. The only reason that I am still thinking about lowering my car is that I live in Michigan and would have to drive it through the winters, which can be rough.

I'm just looking for any input from any N-Body owners who drive with a lowered car through the winter....

[Foxy]

Does lowering a GA that much really help the handling? I'm not a suspension engineer, but I'd imagine not..

Lowering that much with the stock 15" wheels might look a bit strange, too.

How much snow do you get in your area? I never really had problems with snow until it got so deep that I would slide up on over it and my tires couldn't touch the ground, but that only happened like once. If you have a lip kit or something, you might have to worry about ripping it off if it is acting like a snow-plow and the snow is heavy and wet.

[VanishingImage]

I thought it handled much better with my 2inch drop around. I drive my car year round and no big problems unless you have one big snow storm and the roads don't get plowed. I only had a problem because I have a body kit but since you have stock bumpers you shouldn't have a problem. 1.5inc drop is a good drop and you won't have any issues. I didn't have much

[Matt95GT]

Drove a few winters lowered 2"... never had any probs.

Originally posted by Foxy
Does lowering a GA that much really help the handling? I'm not a suspension engineer, but I'd imagine not..


With as much body lean the N-bodies have, lowering makes a world of difference.

I agree on the 15" wheels/tires though... handling-wise they will also be a weakpoint... plenty of sidewall flex.

[bandit307]

I act as a snowplow sometimes before the actuall snow plow gets out after a snowfall. But no major concers, But this will be my GA's last winter as im getting the SC/t Kit this winter and dont want that as a plow blade.

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
Drove a few winters lowered 2"... never had any probs.



With as much body lean the N-bodies have, lowering makes a world of difference.

I agree on the 15" wheels/tires though... handling-wise they will also be a weakpoint... plenty of sidewall flex.

yea my 14's definately were being abused before I got my 18's put on. Im thinking about buying some 16's or so for the winter so I can get some all season performance tires so I don't have problems with sidewall flex. I did get some all season tires for my 14's, Sumitomo H4's.

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by bandit307
I act as a snowplow sometimes before the actuall snow plow gets out after a snowfall. But no major concers, But this will be my GA's last winter as im getting the SC/t Kit this winter and dont want that as a plow blade.

When it comes to snow fall I feel bad for Canadians,don't think I could stand some of the deep snow and not being able to drive my car

[bandit307]

When it comes to snow fall I feel bad for Canadians,don't think I could stand some of the deep snow and not being able to drive my car

It hasnt actually been to bad up here in alberta recent years. Its been mild winters. There are provinces in central and eastern canada though that I as a canadian wouldn't even want to go cause of snowfalls up to 3-4 feet. Just rediculous.

[Pte Socks]

ha, like in Meaford! 20 foot high snow drifts. My car is lowered on eibachs and I lost my front air damn ( correction, my WIFE lost he front air damn :( ) Ive been through winters in the west ( edmonton and area ) and now in the east ( Borden, Barrie )and I can tell you, lowering shoulding be that much of a problem for you. Oh, and no matter how much snow or how much ice, I drive through anything, why else do you have ABS and traction control? :). oh, and a side note, bandit307, what are you doing over in cold lake,? dont you know it sucks there buddy? ;), Ive got a buddy who just got posted there and he definatly was not looking forward to it

[Andrew05SE]

At least with 20 feet of snow, you don't need to worry about busting a knee or an ankle in a tank rutt.

Meaford sucks.

Originally posted by Pte Socks
ha, like in Meaford! 20 foot high snow drifts. My car is lowered on eibachs and I lost my front air damn ( correction, my WIFE lost he front air damn :( ) Ive been through winters in the west ( edmonton and area ) and now in the east ( Borden, Barrie )and I can tell you, lowering shoulding be that much of a problem for you. Oh, and no matter how much snow or how much ice, I drive through anything, why else do you have ABS and traction control? :). oh, and a side note, bandit307, what are you doing over in cold lake,? dont you know it sucks there buddy? ;), Ive got a buddy who just got posted there and he definatly was not looking forward to it

[sunrunner_pei]

We get tons of snow here, but honestly I'm more afraid of not being able to get a jack under the car than I am the snow.

Those with lowered cars: How do you get around the jacking problem? My jacks hardly fit under at the stock height. :(

[Colin]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
Those with lowered cars: How do you get around the jacking problem? My jacks hardly fit under at the stock height. :( Drive the car up on something first ( block of wood etc.) then put the jack under .... ;)

[VanishingImage]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
We get tons of snow here, but honestly I'm more afraid of not being able to get a jack under the car than I am the snow.

Those with lowered cars: How do you get around the jacking problem? My jacks hardly fit under at the stock height. :(

Well since Iv got a body kit I just have to take my side skirts off then I can fit my stock jack or a floor jack underneath then just do one side at a time til the car is up off the ground and on jack stands.

When I get my own house Im just going to buy a Rotary lift it'll pay for itself after a few jobs off friends

[bandit307]

oh, and a side note, bandit307, what are you doing over in cold lake,? dont you know it sucks there buddy? , Ive got a buddy who just got posted there and he definatly was not looking forward to it

Well my dad joined the military when i was born, and Cold Lake is where he got posted. Lived here 19 years of my life so im used to it. Plus now i have been working out here in the Oil Fields for the past 2 and a half years and just cant justify leaving the money im making. Didint graduate so im a lifer out here.

[AAS SC/T]

Get a low profile racing Jack mine is only four inches at the jack pad.

[roksoc]

:lol: Jacking problems (me being childish)

[Manny1117]

.

[Manny1117]

Originally posted by tommyortom
I am considering lowering my Malibu 1.5" all the way around, solely to make my car handle better to my likings. I have stock 15" wheels and tires. The only reason that I am still thinking about lowering my car is that I live in Michigan and would have to drive it through the winters, which can be rough.

I'm just looking for any input from any N-Body owners who drive with a lowered car through the winter....

I drove my 1.25" lowered GA in MI (that included driving up 127 everyday, from Jackson to Lansing to work) last winter (first winter since lowering) and I had absolutely no problems. My worry came from the fact that my Avids weren't as good in snow as I thought they'd be.