Wheel Gap, lowering, and symmetry/concentricity

[86-tundra]

I was looking at someone's thread and saw another "slammed" car, and I'm wondering if I am the only one driven crazy by the lack of symmetry (or concentricity) introduced with lowering your car / removing the wheel gap.

I did a quick photoshop to maybe explain what I'm talking about



The circles covering the wheel wells are the exact same size, and just moved across the x axis.

The car on the left has a significant drop, and you can see how the symmetry of the wheel to the wheel well is pretty off. Stock, the symmetry of the wheel well is dead on. Nearly exactly symmetrical.

So, what are your thoughts?

[Juvenile]

Jeebuz, and I thought I was a anal nut job...

I did vote though

[DAEMANO]

No, I don't think it looks worse to lower a car despite the change outlined by OP.

Lowering a car gives the illusion of the cars belt line being lower and sleeker by placing the highest point of the wheel/rim closer to the highest point of the belt or fender line. This has a foreshortening effect to the eye making it see a car that is not nearly as wide on the side and therefore sleeker.

Yes this changes the wheel arch/tire "symmetry" describe above, but it also tricks the mind into believing the car is not nearly as slab-sided.

In the 50's-70's the belt line of most cars was rather low. That made cars look sleek and fast, but did very little to protect the occupants. Over the years the belt line of cars has gotten higher as crash safety requirements have grown more protective. As a side effect of that wheel size has grown from standard 13"-15" wheels to standard 16"-20" wheels. It's also the reason why newer cars tend to look "better" lower.

[OICU812]

Some folks slam because they like the look and that's fine it's their ride. Some who race also go very low slammed but they also use roll center ends up front and do necessary changes to keep the symmetry in line. There are several reasons folks do it and yes there is a point where it affects the cars overall handling. As moto here had a very lengthy read past 40mm requires you are aware that changes that need additional mods are inevitable however above doesent seem to be much (-) to speak of. I personally don't care for stance or slammed but I certainly prefer looks and feel of this car lowered and inch or just over. To me stock clearance looks off I suppose each to own indeed.

Unless you are a seasoned racing pro how many are going to truly note the changes and so fourth? Those who go real low racing always make more changes anyhow. As a DD I'm betting 90% + don't notice what they think will wreck their experience.

[ericmpena]

I voted. I hate wheel gap, but I also hate ruining the semetry. I was hoping when I went from stock to 18" wheels it would fill in some of that side gap, but it didn't. Would 19's fill it out better? Or does wheel size really not affect it?

[Turkish]

The lack of symmetry is why I will be doing a very modest lowering of my car, I'm looking at maybe 0.5" drop.

[troek]

who is lowering their car this way? every pic ive seen on this site they all sit pretty level.

Originally Posted by ericmpena

I voted. I hate wheel gap, but I also hate ruining the semetry. I was hoping when I went from stock to 18" wheels it would fill in some of that side gap, but it didn't. Would 19's fill it out better? Or does wheel size really not affect it?

it will only fill it out of the tire is bigger. for example, if you go to 19 inch wheel, but get a lower profile tire, you could end up with the same overall sized wheel/tire. however, getting a wheel/tire combo that is a different outside circumference will throw off your speedo.

[FR-S Matt]

This is showing a slam vs no lowering. What about a moderate 1-1.5" drop? I think my symmetry is just fine and it looks pretty nice sitting lower. Definitely not a fan of the complete slammed look.

[FReSh]

Agreed. Slammed looks awful in my opinion. At the same time, stock ride height leaves way too much gap. Somewhere in the middle is perfect.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

I don't like slammed and I don't like stock, in between with a 1"-1.5" drop is where I think the car looks best.

[troek]

ohhhh gotcha. yeah i dont like to have any of the tire hiding in the fender.

[86-tundra]

I agree - maybe the poll should say "slammed" instead of "lowered"

however, I still think lowering the car ~1", the symmetry is off a bit. anyone got a side profile pic of a car lowered about an inch? overlay on pic?

[OICU812]

Originally Posted by trevorovert

I agree - maybe the poll should say "slammed" instead of "lowered"

however, I still think lowering the car ~1", the symmetry is off a bit. anyone got a side profile pic of a car lowered about an inch? overlay on pic?

Motos long sticky post discusses where it changes and in short above 1.3-1.5ish inches it's not really all that affected. After that mark lower you're on your own. Only consideration of change would be front roll centers.

[hanabie]

I would use the word concentric over symmetric

I'd never go back to stock after 1.5~1.7 drop. This car should look that way, imo.
Oh yeah, my friends are so jelly about my rear neg cambers (-2.8deg). Sometimes they talked shit about it how my tires were gonna wear fast, but I knew they loved it :P