Want to lower car about an inch

[Martinld123]

I would like to lower my 1956 BN2 about an inch so tires fit wheel arch better but worry my wider than stock tires might hit side of wing on rough roads. My tires are Continental, ContiProContact, 195/65 R15 91H which look good and stick like glue. My front right tire opening is 3.25" while other three are at 2.75". Would I be taking a chance to drop right to 2.25" and other three to 1.34"? If it would be okay what is best method? I think I would put a one inch block spacer under front shocks?? Not sure on tires back arch. Thanks Marty

 

[John Turney]

I also have 195/65 R15 tires. I lowered the front about 3/4" by putting spacers between the front spring pans and the lower A-arms. Looked good and didn't hit the fenders, but did keep hitting the oil pan. I reduced the thickness of the spacers to raise the car about 3/8". The oil pan appreciated it.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Martin--

You may find it cheaper in the long run to get a tire that fits so you don't have to lower the car to make it "look" correct and risk ripping off your sump in the process. I believe the diameter of your tire is about 25" whereas the Michelin XAS's I use are almost 2" greater in diameter and fit perfectly.

Looks are in the eye of the beholder said the man as he kissed the cow, but I don't believe Healeys, much less 100's, are graced by lowering or by small diameter/low aspect tires.

 

[Martinld123]

Martin--

You may find it cheaper in the long run to get a tire that fits so you don't have to lower the car to make it "look" correct and risk ripping off your sump in the process. I believe the diameter of your tire is about 25" whereas the Michelin XAS's I use are almost 2" greater in diameter and fit perfectly.

Looks are in the eye of the beholder said the man as he kissed the cow, but I don't believe Healeys, much less 100's, are graced by lowering or by small diameter/low aspect tires.

Thanks. My tires are 24.5 inches so two more inches would be what I want. Tires only have a few thousand miles but maybe next year I will look into getting ones that fit better. I like the wide stance but larger diameter would be the answer. These tires cost me $500 installed so might be worth it if the other set cost about the same. Thanks Marty

 

[Martinld123]

Martin--

You may find it cheaper in the long run to get a tire that fits so you don't have to lower the car to make it "look" correct and risk ripping off your sump in the process. I believe the diameter of your tire is about 25" whereas the Michelin XAS's I use are almost 2" greater in diameter and fit perfectly.

Looks are in the eye of the beholder said the man as he kissed the cow, but I don't believe Healeys, much less 100's, are graced by lowering or by small diameter/low aspect tires.

My tires specifications state my diameter is 24.98". Then looked up your tire diameter and it is 25.42". Less than half inch difference might not be the answer I am looking for. Am I reading the specifications wrong? When these cars are restored one or more times these dimensions might change. Thanks Marty