passing inspection with lowered car?

[Holy Hair]

Alright, so today I just purchased my Tein S Tech's for my Civic, and ran into a little problem: Well my dad is a mechanic, and tells me I wont pass inspection with having the car lowered. He says having the car lowered will put more wear on the tires, and will mess up with the alignment.. I understand that MAYBE your tires will wear a little, but far as alignment goes, there's alway the option of getting a camber kit, to fix that. So having all this in mind, I searched online, checking to see if there are regulations regarding to the suspension, and the only thing I came across was: When pressing down on each corner of the car, one at a time, if the car bounces more than 2 times, it can result in a failure.. I dunno....Maybe I'm wrong, and I'm missing something here. Can you guys/gals help me out, and let me know if I'm wrong. I'd like to prove him wrong, and be able to get this car lowered!!

Oh and btw.. I just went through inspection 2 months ago. So I still have 2 years till my next visit.

[LadyTSi]

I don't see why it shouldn't pass inspection. If the shock and spring combo seem to be safe and working it should pass a safety inspection. Unless you get a total dick or its obvious that the springs are cut and the car bounces when you push on the car then it might fail.

I haven't heard of anyone failing because of springs. When you get a proper alignment after the install you shouldn't see any more tire wear than you do now.

[Holy Hair]

ok so now my dad is saying that putting different springs on the car, will lower it(yes i know that) and that it will change the factory settings from when the car was built.. blah blah blah... he won't let me put the springs on, cause of that, and he still says i won't pass inspection.. omfg... -_-

[poolmike]

All cars/trucks have to meet certain ride height requirements for state inspections. As long as your car is safe to drive and doesnt bounce all over the road, you should be fine. I have had a few lowered vehicles and never had a problem with inspection.

[Sincere]

you need to correct the camber(lean) on the wheels that the springs cause. you can pick up a camber kit just about anywhere. as for alignment, if your father is a mechanic he can realign your car.

[95nracer]

ok so now my dad is saying that putting different springs on the car, will lower it(yes i know that) and that it will change the factory settings from when the car was built.. blah blah blah... he won't let me put the springs on, cause of that, and he still says i won't pass inspection.. omfg... -_-

Haha, sounds like your dad doesn't want you to do anything to the car.

[the mike]

My lowered WRX passed Tuesday. As long as your shocks/struts are in good shape, you should be OK.

[99SL2_Modder]

All cars/trucks have to meet certain ride height requirements for state inspections. As long as your car is safe to drive and doesnt bounce all over the road, you should be fine. I have had a few lowered vehicles and never had a problem with inspection.

I think it's something like 2" (at the lowest) clearance from the road surface. Honestly, if you get harder shocks and springs to reduce bounce, scrapage and bottoming out happens less because there's less rebound. Of course, then you've also got a rough ride. It depends on your preference. I don't mind riding like I'm in a brick, but then again, my stock suspension made septa busses look smooth and un-bouncy, so...

If he's a mechanic, no offense, he wouldn't feed you the BS that a lowered car won't pass inspection. I honestly think he's trying to keep you from modding the car. My parents were all for me playing with my car, because it was something to keep me out of trouble (which didn't help).

Ask him what his real reasoning is.

[Gohan]

:bs: he's just being an effing d!ck, trying to exhibit his control and rule over all in the household.

that's my opinion

[PSI Chick]

i passed with coilovers on, i was never even asked about it. as long as your car isn't sitting on the ground you shouldn't have a problem.

he's right about the alignment, make sure you get one after you put the springs on.

[Raven18940]

If it's in PA your car will pass, I know cause I used to do inspections.

[Aaron]

Haha, sounds like your dad doesn't want you to do anything to the car.

+1. Depending on how old you are and whose money is in the car, it might not be a bad idea to respect his wishes. Maybe he just doesn't want the car to look like too much of a kid car, have you get pulled over, and your insurance rate skyrocket.

[Twin_Cam]

I had a lowered car pass two years in a row, different shop the second time, too. As long as it's not scraping the frame over small bumps I don't see how they could fail it.

[PaleDSM]

Sounds like pops is feeding you BS.

[SexyDSM95]

I had a lowered car pass two years in a row, different shop the second time, too. As long as it's not scraping the frame over small bumps I don't see how they could fail it.
x2 IMHO, if you really want these coilver/springs on your car. Do it yourself then go to PennDots website and look through all the regulations for inspections and terms. If you are going to mod your car more then this and the law enforcement in your area are very strict make sure whatever you do, print out the regulation/law stating that it's okay or you are within the certain limits. You can also show your father and in a sense tell him to "shove it". I agree with what was said above, I believe he is just trying to get you to not mod the vehicle. I have had 3 lowered cars and one lifted Jeep pass inspection just fine.

[99SL2_Modder]

Just had my 1.5-1.75" lower-than-stock car pass inspection today.

(though, I got a warning from running so rich...hahahaha.)