coilover vs spings, lowering and shocks/structs FAQ

[HotSauce GS N/T]

After searching for close to 3 hours, i still could not find a definte answer to my question on suspension.

I want to lower my car with coilovers or possibly lowering springs and i want a shocks that will be good for a 1.5 - 2.0" drop

Also i am budget minded (in other words CHEAP) and i know the 2 dont go together but i happy middle would be great. All together < 400$.

I also know that rates and uses is also in issue. Im looking mostly a better or equally good ride to stock with a 1.5 - 2.0" drop with only occational trips to the drag strip and no auto-x at all.

As you can tell i am a newb when it comes to suspension so just be nice and dont flame

And maybe we could get enough people together to build upon the REAL suspension FAQS page pinned to the top of this forum with everything you need to know for your specific needs. i.e. ride, hieght, use, etc. that would be great for the newbs as well as the wisemen that complain about ppl like me posting new threads every other day asking the same question. Maybe a moderator or wiseman could bring this up to Chris, thanks in adavnce....

-hot sauce

 

[PaulPDX]

I honestly don't see how you couldn't find any info. Did you search for H&R sport, H&R race, or Eibach? Koni, AGX, Tein, JIC, or Tokico? There was just a thread on the H&R sport and race springs yesterday.

Amount of drop has less to do with shocks. It's in the springs. Go to shox.com and check applicable products for your car. You will see a chart listing the springs they carry along with information on amount of drop. That's a good starting point. Cruising sites of other vendors will also net you some information. Tirerack or any of the site sponsors should and usually have information on the amount of drop.

It is possible to get shocks that are too long and don't allow enough travel with a lowered car. I know the Koni Sports (yellow) are right. I don't know about the other brands, since Koni is really the only brand I'd trust based on past experience (aside from Bilstein, but they don't have anything for the DSMs). I know the KYB AGXs are pretty crappy from actual experience on a 2G. You may also have to cut down the bump stops to gain some of the travel back.

You will not be able to get a coilover setup for $400 unless you prowl eBay or get something used. A Koni and spring combo alone will cost you over $600.

My advice to you is to save up and do it right the first time. Suspension is probably the most important thing on a car next to tires. It's the interface between the road and you. You interact with it every time you drive. If you go cheap, you may end up spending more before settling on the setup you should've gotten in the first place.

Keep looking.

 

[igs]

try here

www.tein.com

they list amount of drop and spring rates, etc

 

[HotSauce GS N/T]

i searched, and i found so much stuff it just got confusing.........i looked on ebay and they have a few shock/spring kits that look good for under 400$

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33590&item=2471731970&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33590&item=2471599848&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33590&item=2472303853&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33586&item=2472524230&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33586&item=2473038831&rd=1

any of these look good.............i really like the dz ones..........any input would be great

thanks


hot sauce

 

[STECARS]

I'm no suspension excpert and i am having same dilemna but with your budget and my research on these threads, and my personal; preference, i would go with the tockiko illumina sospension. Shock/spring = 1.5 drop with adj shocks cant go wrong for $450. they got them on ebay , i think thats were im gonna get mine. Or you can get eiback pro or sportline springs for $150 and illuminas for $300- 345 on ebay. hope that helps some . also your not alone but , i cant see soending more than 5oo bucks on suspension, when the money can do so much more in horespower. Also thats just shoch/springs, then you got coilovers, camber kits, bushings , etc. I agree that every car needs some mods but this all can add uo to thousands and to me i doesnt justify. These cars arent bmw's.

 

[HotSauce GS N/T]

Originally posted by STECARS
I'm no suspension excpert and i am having same dilemna but with your budget and my research on these threads, and my personal; preference, i would go with the tockiko illumina sospension. Shock/spring = 1.5 drop with adj shocks cant go wrong for $450. they got them on ebay , i think thats were im gonna get mine. Or you can get eiback pro or sportline springs for $150 and illuminas for $300- 345 on ebay. hope that helps some . also your not alone but , i cant see soending more than 5oo bucks on suspension, when the money can do so much more in horespower. Also thats just shoch/springs, then you got coilovers, camber kits, bushings , etc. I agree that every car needs some mods but this all can add uo to thousands and to me i doesnt justify. These cars arent bmw's.

thank you for the info.....im glad someone is in the same boat with me, you type in "best suspension set-up" or something like that and i get like 2,000 results and they all contradict themselves, would more people please give their expert opionon to my specific case

thanks
-hot sauce