Don't Know What Shocks/Springs To Buy.... HELP!

[SlowButSpeeding]

Ok guys, I am really in need of some help here. My '97 Spyder GS-T has about 150,000 miles on it and as far as I know it still has the original stock suspension. I'm well aware that I need to replace it. The ride is terrible, and there's even an ugly "knocking" noise coming from the front driver's side when I go over bumps, accelerate and decelerate. What I need to know is, first, do I need to replace the springs as well as the shocks? I'm really not big into lowering the car, so do I really need to replace the springs. If so, what springs can you recommend that won't lower the car too drastically. Pulling out of my driveway is hard enough not bottoming out now with the stock setup, let alone if the car is lowered. Do ya'll recommend I replace anything else while I'm tearing out the suspension? Any advise you can give would be great. I don't really know that much about suspension, and I want to be sure to buy all the right parts so I don't run into trouble when I'm installing everything. Thanks for the help!

Drew

 

[GimmeMoeBoost]

I just put in Progress springs (1.5" drop) and all my shocks were dead, but didn't knock like it was bottoming out. As advice I would get shocks first, then springs if you have the money. I already have Tokico HP's on the way (best bang for the buck in my opinion). Maybe you should get Eibach Pro Kits if you dont want to go too low. Check the VENDORS list for springs also.

 

[GimmeMoeBoost]

Come to think of it... I heard a knocking noise last time I drove around with my lug nuts loose. Just something you might want to check.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Ok guys, I am really in need of some help here. My '97 Spyder GS-T has about 150,000 miles on it and as far as I know it still has the original stock suspension. I'm well aware that I need to replace it. The ride is terrible, and there's even an ugly "knocking" noise coming from the front driver's side when I go over bumps, accelerate and decelerate. What I need to know is, first, do I need to replace the springs as well as the shocks? I'm really not big into lowering the car, so do I really need to replace the springs. If so, what springs can you recommend that won't lower the car too drastically. Pulling out of my driveway is hard enough not bottoming out now with the stock setup, let alone if the car is lowered. Do ya'll recommend I replace anything else while I'm tearing out the suspension? Any advise you can give would be great. I don't really know that much about suspension, and I want to be sure to buy all the right parts so I don't run into trouble when I'm installing everything. Thanks for the help!

Drew

Allow me to lay this out for you.
You have blown struts and something else possibley ary (knocking sound).

Now your clearest solution is to replace the shocks.
These are my suggestions in order of quality and subsequently price:

Koni Sports $$$$ (The best off the shelf shock we can purchase for our cars, but very expensive and probably overkill for your needs - but they would handle anything you wanted to do. They include a lifetime warranty)

Tokico Illuminas $$$ (I run these, they are fantastic for the money and can even handle some fairly decent drops. They are a good middle ground for good performance, lifetime warranty and nice adjustability)

KYB AGX $$ (A decent adjustable shock absorber that will probably be more than fine with a mild drop and will be just dandy with stock springs. Users who drop more than 1" on these shocks usually have them blow. These are not designed for large drops nor amazing performance. But they are adjustable and cost effective. Much better than stock and well suited for H&R OE springs (1" drop) and maybe even Prokits (~1.25" sometimes a tad more).

Tokico HP $ (Non-adjustable shocks that have proved to serve many members fairly. Again, not ideal for large drops and lack adjustability. If I was intent on keeping stock springs and my goals for the car were soley for the purposes of daily driving I would replace my old stock gear with these.)

KYB GR-2 $ (These are stock equivelant shocks. KYB is reported to have been the original manufacturer for the shocks equipped on 2g DSMs. Not good for a drop, but just fine for replacing busted up old equipment for a stock ride)

Now after deciding what shocks you will replace your blown gear with you need to consider springs. I realize you think you're low enough already and scrape excessively. I thought the same before I upgraded to Illumina's + Pro-Kits. New springs, in most cases, provide increased handling through a lower center of gravity and enhanced spring rates. This may or may not be of benefit to you.

Again, the springs you choose should you even replace the stock ones are greatly dependant on your goals for the car. If you are satisfied with a mostly comfy ride and have no desire to lower the vehicle, by all means, keep your stock springs.

Lastly, please go get an inspection. Knocking sounds anywhere near the suspension could potentially lead to fatalities. It could be a loose lugnut but it could also be your strut mount ready to tear itself from the body of the car. I hope some of the information was useful for you!

 

[ziggys95tsi]

if yur not looking for great performance and stock comfort and height, id recommend KYB GR2's with your stock springs if they are still in good condition. Many of my friends have the GR2's with Eibach Pro-Kit and they love the drive for the prive they paid.

 

[turbosax2]

If you're willing to spend the extra money, a nice set of coilovers will allow you to change the ride height and on most you can also control the dampening. They do cost more but the adjustability is well worth it in my opinion.

 

[artindsm]

what do u suggest though if u want the stock hight but want a really stiff suspension i am thinking of gr2s as the replacement nothing adjustable honestly how many people adjust there shocks ever after installing them... but gr2s is what i was thinking of using i just would like some input on the best for maintaining stock ride hight with stiffening it up a bit

 

[shaunp]

Tokico Illuminas and Eibach Pro Kit.