I'm switching classes from GSX to STX, and had a question about ride height. Here's how the car will be set up, suspension-wise, once I get all the parts installed:

2006 MCS Cabrio
JIC / CROSS coilovers (separate adjustments for ride height, damping and coil pre-load). These coilovers also have built-in camber plates. Springs are linear, with 393# front rate and 225# rear rate.
Autocross wheels/tires are 15" X 6.5" with 205/50-15 tires.
Adjustable rear lower control arms (H-Sport)
Rear Sway Bar (H-Sport)
Powergrid adjustable endlinks for front and rear sway bars.

I'd like to lower the ride height, both to improve handling and because I like the looks, but don't want to go "too low". Problem is, I don't know what "too low" is. Am I fine as long as nothing's rubbing while I'm out on the course? Or is there some height below which I'm going to screw up the handling, even before parts start to rub?

Also, I'm not likely to change ride height before and after autocross events, because after spending the time/money to get the car aligned and corner-balanced, I'm not going to want to mess with the settings too much.

Thanks a bunch,

 

i have run autox and track events lowered about 1.25-1.5" running 17" with a 45et offset and 215/40/17 tires without any rubbing/problem. keep in mind i have my rear wheel wells trimmed out a bit too.

i would say for auto-x , realistically, you will want to stay around a 1" drop for stx. not to keep the tires out of the wells, but i have run on a lot of uneven ground ax courses where the rise and falls can quickly destroy your front lip if you are too low.

at 1" you will be pretty safe from rubbing (if you are using coils). just get the proper offset of tires and you will be fine.

 

Thanks - my stock wheels are Webspokes, which are 17" X 7", ET48. The Konig Heliums I'll be using for autocross are 15" X 6.5", ET40.

I know I've seen people with 1" drops on the Web-spokes, and running the numbers, the Konigs should give me 14mm more clearance on the backside, and only push the wheels 2mm further outward when compared to the Webspokes. So, I should be able to find settings on the coilovers that will work with both my street wheels/tires and my autocross setup.

 

also just as i was thinking about it , a stock mini with some azenis and a good driver can dominate stx with no problem. most of what runs in stx are hondas more "rice" tuned cars.

then again i have been whooped in stx by a civic si. damn that guy was good...