How Low is LOW?
 

Hey guys,

So i'm planning to lower my wrx 2001 but I am not sure how the system works realistically. In terms of documents I've read a couple things here and there and they say that as long as it is 100mm above the ground it's fine or a maximum height chance of 50mm. But as I give places a call they say that 50mm is illegal and the legal height change is 30mm (to lower).

Essentially, I am directing this towards those who know a lot about height modifications and the legal system or who have a lowered car and have experienced any form of hassle from the law. I've heard a lot of people just get away with it, I know my friend drives his car pretty low (can't really remember how low) he acts like he doesn't know a thing and get's away with it. I'd like to know more experiences and knowledge on this before I make the decision to modify my springs.

Also, I am speaking to those who own a low car (not necessarily wrx):

1. do you carry certificates? (if I do end up having to get one, do any of you's know someone who is qualified to inspect for a lower price? they want $90 bux just to see if it's compliant).
2. Have you ever been pulled over? (constantly/once)?
3. Where did you get yours done and how much? (I got a quote from wilkinsons for about $620 with low king springs, this gives only a 30mm height decrease =[ forgot to ask them about the super low's but according to pedders and wilkinsons that's illegal =/).

[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQw5HG3W27OzPD95tERIqq6sxQDwVdO4MAGWVCioWHB9vkDjA1P[/IMG] that's the kinda look i'm going for. (But mine will be slightly higher), also without the hideous roof racks.

Any advice/help/knowledge would be appreciated.

cheers

general rule is if u can drive over a coke can roughly 150mm then its legal anything below that, youll basically be running the risk of getting canary's. In saying that it really depends on the cops you get on to whether theyll let you slide with the car being to low.

im pretty sure if you want that hella flush stance look you wont get away with it for all too long depending how often u get pulled over.

at the end of the day its upto to see if u wanna roll the dice every time you go driving

Yeah that's a good point... the only reason why I would consider such modification is because I've seen so many cars (generally commos) that are low assssssss. I believe the lowest point of my car hits ~140mm. In my eyes... it's not that low but yeah according to shops it's illegal... question is. If it is illegal, why the heck would you sell it in the first place >_>, yes it's for car shows but how often do people do their cars up for car shows for stores to make profits on illegal modifications...

Also depends how you drive, if your car stands out, if you are a dickhead etc.

I used to have my STI lowered with around a 1 finger gap all round withthe front lip being 9cm off the ground....got pulled over a couple of times but the policeman stood back and looked at it like "HHHNNNGGGG", then let me go.

But realistically, being that low is stupid, so i had it raised.

Seen the figure of 100mm from the lowest point of the car thrown around a few times.
Not too sure if this was lowest structural part of the car or not.

[QUOTE=jaygee;716270]it's not that low but yeah according to shops it's illegal...[/QUOTE]

I would be asking for references/sources/facts to back up their opinion.
As far as I know, ADR > their opinions.

Lowest point of the car must be no less than 100mm from the ground.

Get a 100mm long stick/bit of wood or metal (or coke can) and move it around under the car. If this does not fit (including under cannons/cats) then it is not legal. Making it 100mm or higher will not prevent you from getting a yellow as the cops will say "It [I]looks[/I] too low". It will only help you pass pits.

I am currently poor spec so I don't have any engi certs for my coilovers although afaik the law has changed and now coilovers are illegal without a permit (before you could wind them up to legal height and soften the damper).
I got them from Evolution R for ~$1350. There was a 17cm gap in the wheel arches beforehand and now there is virtually none.

I have been pulled over a few times and given death stares by plenty of cops but have not been stickered yet. In fact, I got pulled over more when it was stock height, however that was probably due to the fact that I used to drive like I was in fast and the furious.
I'll upload a couple of pics if you want.

mmm... not the type to hoon around that much. When I get it lowered I plan to cruise like a lowrider, only take it to high speeds when I really need to (which is quite rare). I usually go 10 above speed limit, but recently after taking off my spoiler (which I believe had psychological impacts that gave incentive to drive faster HAHA) i've been driving 10 slower or on the dot. I've given up going for the aggressive "come at me bro" kind of look, i'm heading towards a more low'n'slow kinda look.

[QUOTE=jaygee;716270]Yeah that's a good point... the only reason why I would consider such modification is because I've seen so many cars (generally commos) that are low assssssss. I believe the lowest point of my car hits ~140mm. In my eyes... it's not that low but yeah according to shops it's illegal... question is. If it is illegal, why the heck would you sell it in the first place >_>, yes it's for car shows but how often do people do their cars up for car shows for stores to make profits on illegal modifications...[/QUOTE]

in the eyes of the government your car is perfect stock therefore it's illegal to modify. my front bar sits probably 90mm off the ground never had trouble yet but havent been pulled over, had integra type R which was 75mm off the ground and only got yellow stickered because i doing stupid speeds but they couldnt prove it so they so pinged me for what they good :P

if the car is nice and clean and not impractically low and u dont drive like a tool youll be right as rain, unless u get pulled over by a douche having a bad day :P

100mm lowest point under car as said ^^.. for me it would be my exhaust around the rear diff area

OHHHHH... I only counted skirtsssss my exhaust is low asssss! gotta check it out!

[QUOTE= if the car is nice and clean and not impractically low and u dont drive like a tool youll be right as rain, unless u get pulled over by a douche having a bad day :P[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's what I'm concerned about...

I lol'd at 150mm. It's not a land cruiser

Does anyone know anyone who qualifies to fill out a certificate for this modification? If anyone does that would be great it would reduce my hassles with the cops completely, i'll just flash it and say it's all goood. Problem is... it costs quite a bit just for some papers ($110 with the cert) =/

Or does everyone just do mods on their cars anywayz without getting that approval LOL

[QUOTE=Sharpy.au;716283]I lol'd at 150mm. It's not a land cruiser[/QUOTE]

what do you mean?

150mm is a rediculous figure, a lot of cars wouldn't clear that from factory

Just lower it

[QUOTE=jaygee;716286]Does anyone know anyone who qualifies to fill out a certificate for this modification? If anyone does that would be great it would reduce my hassles with the cops completely, i'll just flash it and say it's all goood. Problem is... it costs quite a bit just for some papers ($110 with the cert) =/

Or does everyone just do mods on their cars anywayz without getting that approval LOL[/QUOTE]

Fair certain engi permit is a LOT more expensive than that and a lengthy process. It doesn't stop a yellow sticker if the cop is a cunt.
If you play the mod game, you also play the police game. Most people don't run permits. If they do, fairly certain that your car still has to be higher than 100mm for it to be valid (for coilovers).

if you can clear speed humps you may as well burn the car with yourself inside

In my experience (4 defect notices -all corrected when went over the pits) 100mm clearance under the car is what they look at but if there are signs that the car is not handling correctly with any aftermarket setup they won't pass you. Yes cops can be c&#ts and can defect u for anything (carefull of ur attitude) If ur car has been setup right it can handle brilliantly, be fast, be legal and look good . . .but if ur gonna do it, do it properly.

Just something I found out, back when I was a mechanic. The little curb your car has to clear at the pits is 80mm high.

Last time I went the had a really technical tool (wooden thing with rubber fin) they run it under you car if they think its to low

i think the patrolman's ticket book is 100mm high from memory

[IMG]http://streetfx.com.au/store/images/detailed/30150_wheelgap.jpg[/IMG]

Remember the 100mm is the lowest point of your car, not just your front lip AND that is with the car fully loaded.

Just keep it at 110mm and everything is fine.

You are more likely to get pinged for having wheels poking out the guards than whether you are 95mm high.

[QUOTE=Kato;716361]
You are more likely to get pinged for having wheels poking out the guards than whether you are 95mm high.[/QUOTE]

This ^^ my last two defect was due to my tint and my rims...

even tho my car is very loud and very low on the front, it [I]doesn't[/I] really gets noticed/written down

just keep your stock bits and you're be fine

also when you lower the car beyond a certain point it stuffs up the geometry of the car or something along those lines. You are recommended to buy other bits and pieces like a roll Centre/bump Steer Kit to make it equal again

Cheers everyone for your help! I am now saving up for a super low king spring set =d

[QUOTE=jaygee;716405]Cheers everyone for your help! I am now saving up for a super low king spring set =d[/QUOTE]

wilkinsons $620 vs evo r $450
save yourself some dosh!

Awww mannn.... my exhaust in the middle area is sitting at like 130mm-ish at the height it is now if I drop her any lower she's gonna scrape thangssss =/ SOLUTIONS?

Get a decent exhaust

Lol, it is decent except it's big =O is it even a dangerous height? it's ~80mm of the ground.

I don't plan to go track racing or into the country. Pure street cruising car.

[QUOTE=jaygee;716412]Lol, it is decent except it's big =O is it even a dangerous height? it's ~80mm of the ground.

I don't plan to go track racing or into the country. Pure street cruising car.[/QUOTE]

have you driven on perth street's ?

if you get yellowed because your exhaust is 2cm too low you're driving like a tosser and drawing attention to yourself, and you have bigger problems

[QUOTE=jaygee;716412]Lol, it is decent except it's big =O is it even a dangerous height? it's ~80mm of the ground.

I don't plan to go track racing or into the country. Pure street cruising car.[/QUOTE]

[I]just take the exhaust off then, a down pipe is all you need[/I]

[QUOTE=ImPreSiV;716415]if you get yellowed because your exhaust is 2cm too low you're driving like a tosser and drawing attention to yourself, and you have bigger problems[/QUOTE]

LOLOL... well said, will proceed with desire to lower. cheers

[QUOTE=ImPreSiV;716415]if you get yellowed because your exhaust is 2cm too low you're driving like a tosser and drawing attention to yourself, and you have bigger problems[/QUOTE]

Yes and no. I got done in Albany when i went down with Prototype, Jester, Jimmy a few years back. I wasnt doing anything out of the ordinary but because my HSD's were fairly low (I still blame Simmo7, you bastard!) the cop felt the need to yellow me. I was as polite as i normally am too the plod. I actually followed the road rules too the 'T' as i normally do aswel (despite the fact half of Perth doesnt know how to navigate a greasy stick up a dogs arse, let alone a round-a-bout).

When going through booze buses i've noticed police 'probing' their light wand underneath the side skirts - if it fits under, no worries ... if it doesn't ..

[QUOTE=RichX;716528]When going through booze buses i've noticed police 'probing' their light wand underneath the side skirts - if it fits under, no worries ... if it doesn't ..[/QUOTE]

Not to mention when the [I]cunts [/I]set up the portable speed bump there with cones around it so you can't go on an angle.

Yeah boozes bus are ghey, u get all the recruits using all there new found power trying to screw every man woman and child into a fine to make them look good, everyone knows even cops hate traffic cops

Not seen those bumps. Recently got pulled out of the car for a drug test, made me mount one of those massive kurbs in the centre median, did not go well.

Yeah, I got told the search people with performance cars because people like us sell drugs.... While the preceded to make a German Shepard sniff every inch of my car ?