How to lower my car? What struts/springs to buy?

[KCz Eclipse]

Okay, my struts are horrible, i know this because my car almost bottoms out on minor bumps. So ive been looking around at coilovers, struts, springs, and lowering springs. I really want to get lowering springs, but im afraid they are a little pricey. It would just be great to raise and lower my car when i want. So with coilovers being to expensive, my search has turned to struts and new springs. I went to a shop to get an estimate, and was told it would cost 700 to get the front and the rear struts replaced with monroe struts, which includes labor, but i would have to keep my stock springs. That sounded a little high to me, and i dont want to keep stock springs. I want to lower my car. So i need a little help. To lower my car, do i just buy struts like normal, like maybe some kyb's or something, and then lowering springs. My questions are how do i know if the springs i buy will work with my struts, and what brands are good. What do you guys think. I know its a lot of info, but i need some input. Feel free to throw out some recommendations for struts and springs.

Thanks

 

[SmoochDarling]

Look for some Sportlines or H&R springs, both offer a slight drop. As for the struts, regular oem KYB replacements will do the trick. This setup is fairly modest but it is effective, and probably your cheapest route.

As for the install it is fairly straight forward. Most part stores will loan you a spring compressor. If you can take off your tire, jack up the car, take everything off the strut, you can do it.

But please use a spring compressor! Don't try any crazy redneck stuff you see on youtube...

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Will most springs fit most struts?

 

[talon2gbuyer]

it depends what your looking for. Most springs offer a 1.5'' drop, while some rare spring makers have made 2'' drops. Struts its basically up to your discretion. You could also look into coil overs..

 

[KCz Eclipse]

What are some set ups you guys would recommend. I have been looking at coilovers, but are pretty expensive. a 1.5" drop would be fine, and i dont want a ride to stiff but i want something stiffer than stock.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

I run the eibach pro kit, provides a 1.5'' drop over stock, try Intrax if you want more than 1.5'', ive run those on numerous cars and loved them. haven't done struts yet though so i would be the wrong person to ask about those..

 

[91stocker]

Whats your budget?

Koni yellows w/ ground control coilovers are going to be the most recommended set up.

There are a ton of threads on the install.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Coilovers, i already found out are too expensive. I am looking to run new struts and springs. I dont really have a set budget, but 500 or so would be proly max. But im open to any recommendations.

Okay, so after looking around, im considering the eibach pro kit to lower it with some kyb gr2's. I found the struts for 190 for all 4 and the kit for 220. What do you guys think. Will that kit work with those struts?

Will kyb gr2 struts and the eibach pro kit work together. I know the two work with my car, but will they work with each other? Will the springs go on the struts with no problems?

 

[91stocker]

Okay, so after looking around, im considering the eibach pro kit to lower it with some kyb gr2's. I found the struts for 190 for all 4 and the kit for 220. What do you guys think. Will that kit work with those struts?

It works, as long as the drop isnt too dramatic. The kyb's are an better quality oem replacement. Not meant to ride at lower then stock ride height. But some of my friends have used gr2's with eibach springs with success.


The ideal set up if you care about ride quality would be

GC kit $399
http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=51/CA=26

Koni f $170
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=16846&cat=345&page=1

Koni r $150
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=16845&cat=345&page=1

 

[LxiMax]

What are other options that are less than a 1.5" drop?

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Are there any other setups that arent so expensive?

Does anyone know of some less expensive struts that will work well with lowering springs?

 

[pauleyman]

Read the part on eibach pro kit
Road Race Engineering's Eclipse Suspension Upgrades

Do you want the car to drive well or be lower? There is no good cheap solution. Relatively.

 

[91stocker]

Are there any other setups that arent so expensive?

Does anyone know of some less expensive struts that will work well with lowering springs?

The gr2 with a basic drop spring will work. Not the best option but it fills some fender gap and doesn't ride like complete ass. The factory replacement struts like the kyb's will wear out prematurely since they will be out of the proper ride height. So expect a shorter life span. Not a real big deal though if the car is not your primary means of transportation.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Well are there any other struts that will work with a lowering kit? Im trying to not spent a fortune

 

[sypherzero]

Well are there any other struts that will work with a lowering kit? Im trying to not spent a fortune

Yes. As long as you purchase a set of shocks/struts that are made for your car. You can honestly use a set of generic shocks (Monroe, SenSen) and a set of lowering springs and have a decent ride. The only fall back, the shocks/struts will not last as long as they typically would under normal circumstances due to the new, added strain being put on them by the lowering springs. I ran a set of Eibachs on OEM shocks/struts on my old Ford Focus for over 60k miles with zero problems.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

when you say they dont last as long with lowering spring how much life am i losing

 

[2gtalontd]

I've ran Eibach pro-kit 1.3 drop all around and Tokico Illumina 5 way adujustable for 5 years now and they still feel the same as day 1 of the install.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Man, 130 a piece. I want to use eibach springs. But want to find some cheaper struts that will be okay with the lowering kit. I'm sure the tokico's are great but that price hurts. Any more recommendations?

 

[dsm_92_fwd]

KYB AGX you can find them for 400ish for all 4 struts brand new. and Eibach Pro Kit

 

[91stocker]

KYB AGX you can find them for 400ish for all 4 struts brand new. and Eibach Pro Kit

Thats a complete and total rip off for those struts. You can get koni yellows for $320ish.

 

[4g63tc]

KYB GR2's are OEM, and are now called Excel-G.
KYB
189.00 bucks, will they wear out in 6 months of normal driving? probably not, but then again we don't know how many miles you drive a day, what your road conditions are like, do you consistently bottom out on potholes?

Yes lowering springs will cause struts to have a shortened travel distance, but how often does your car reach full travel?

If you buy GC Coilovers, remember to be Strut specific when purchasing.

Yes Kyb GR2's and the Eibach Prokit will work just fine together, and you should be under budget by about 50 bucks, too bad Eibach doesn't offer the damper set like they do for civics. ( I just did a full Eibach kit on my brother's 99 Civic. Springs, Dampers, and front and rear sway bars. )

Bottom line, if you're on a tight budget, it will work, and give you the time needed to save up for a decent set up.

 

[1Badvan]

KYB AGX you can find them for 400ish for all 4 struts brand new. and Eibach Pro Kit

I'd go with these shocks with what ever springs you select, if it were me. My little van has KYB AGX adjustables on the front and you can definetly tell a difference in dampening between the settings.

Thats a complete and total rip off for those struts. You can get koni yellows for $320ish.

Are the Koni's adjustable like the KYB AGX's?

 

[RamenPride]

Thats a complete and total rip off for those struts. You can get koni yellows for $320ish.

They're like $175 each at Extremepsi and 1G rears are no longer available

 

[LandoAWD]

They're like $175 each at Extremepsi and 1G rears are no longer available

This. Mild drop and GR2s; Pro-Kits will work great.

 

[chinola69]

It works, as long as the drop isnt too dramatic. The kyb's are an better quality oem replacement. Not meant to ride at lower then stock ride height. But some of my friends have used gr2's with eibach springs with success.


The ideal set up if you care about ride quality would be

GC kit $399
Ground Control - Coilover Conversion kit, 89-94 Mitsubishi Eclipse/Talon

Koni f $170
EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts

Koni r $150
EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts

This is the best recommendation if you care about ride quality. You can put any strut spring combonation together and it will work but none of them will be recommended. Of course a good set is going to cost you. It always comes down to you get what you pay for.