I am looking at lowering my mk2f coupe using springs, first question is could I do this on standard shocks? Secondly how low, I dont want to be scrubbing or have it too low, just enough so it doesnt look like it is on stilts!

You can buy a springs and shocks kit from philj on here, hes also got pics of different ride heights etc to get an idea :)

..but the cheap stuff is rock hard.

If you want comfort get 40mm springs and standard replacement dampers.

If you want to go lower, you'll need a kit that includes uprated dampers. But don't go cheap, pay asuch as you can justify (H&R kit is well acclaimed).

I would say get as high profile tyre as you can under the and arches. To give more clearance for your down pipe , mine was low 60 on front and it scraped no matter how careful I was. Also remove the centre section of the exhaust and replace it for a straight through pipe, as that scraped every thing on mine , even going over large flat speed bumps that you can't go through the gap in the middle because there isn't one. And it got caught on train lines . when I had low 40 it was all OK , how ever keep rears standard and have larger tyres than the front to fill arch gap, as a 40_40 kit looks naff as the front looks higher than the back .

Thanks for the advice, I was planning on 40mm kit. As much as it looks great being on the floor its not always practicle and the road round me are dreadful! I just want a a height that stops it looking like it is roaming round on stilts.

I'm at least 60mm lowered, my exhaust hangs low and still rarely have issues?

I'm down 60mm on TINY front tyres and my exhaust doesnt catch.

Maybe mine was to do with s 4-2-1 manifold then

Iv got a 6n 4-2-1 mani which sits lower than yours anywau

The 4-2-1 mani fits an aee same as my abd apparently

Yeah, fits the same but the 6n ones sit lower than one for a mk1/2/3 usually

My center box scrapes being down 60 with 175/50/14 tyres. I did have some powerflex exhaust hangers mind which seem to be really 'soggy' despite offering a lifetime waranty

My side exit was hanging really low, you can tuck the exhaust up more using lockwire round the fuel tank clamp

Tried cable ties but the bastard just kept melting them