I'm giving up on the third set of lowering springs I've installed. Currently on H&R springs that claim a 1.7" drop front and 1.4" drop rear. The one's before were a claimed 2" drop. I really see no difference with these. I am wondering if coilovers can be used to raise ride height, or if the highest settings would be lower than factory still. My car is way too low. Scrapes and hits over every bump. I'm on brand new struts and insulators too. I dont want a stock spring with low handling characteristics. That's why I have been going for lowering springs. Typically they are spring rated for a stiffer feel and obviously we all like the lowered look. But nothing is cutting it. The car came with some weird skunk2 springs that didn't even fit and let the car basically scrape on the road. So it's at least derivable now. The tire size on it is 225/40-18. Probably a little to wide for this car as I can see rubbing on the inner fender well and along the top from bumps.

I need something to raise the car up, and not let it bounce so much over bumps so it doesn't scrape. I know adjustable dampening and ride height would take care of both my concerns. But how do I know if the coilovers will be able to raise it enough? Not a cheap set of parts to gamble on. I want the performance feel, lowered look (just not ridiculous), and still a smooth comfortable ride. I'm on a budget because I only paid $500 for this car. But with what I've been dealing with, I may have to fork over some money for coilovers to get this thing to ride right. Suggestions? I won't be spending over $500 likely. I'm talking the best ebay deal possible.

Its a 98 GST by the way

Yes coilovers can be adjusted for ride height. I have my front lower than my rear to make up for the sag when I launch. I have DGR's 13k front/10k rear. I don't have a picture of my car right now but you can see it in my video:


You just need adjustable coilovers.

Hmm, the max ride height will depend on the brand. I know Feal offers multiple products with different max/minimum heights. You are wanting performance, lowered, smooth comfortable ride for $500 max eBay deal? I don't think you'll find that.

Agreed. You can't have your cake and eat it too on this one. You'll have to fork over at least 700 for any regular coilovers (Megan streets etc.) And I would recommend Feals, which will typically run 1400 or more depending on options.

You could always run coil spacers with lowering springs, for the ultra budget setup, but it's not ideal.

It's will be interesting to see how you rationalize new tires when the time comes. A good set of 225/40-18's will be about the price of your car making it a "total". Hell, your car is totaled just with buying the parts for basic maintenance.

There are sets for 350 with ride height adjustment, not dampening. Some closer to 500 with both. Just not high end name brands. My C5 Vette received high end parts. This car doesn't rate it in my opinion. The "total" thing doesn't make sense.. Its a clean title complete car that had timing off and a bad injector among suspension issues. I can sell it in my area (southern cali) for 5 g's. So affordably making it run and ride right is what I'm after. Thus far my expenses have been minimal. I haven't decided if I'm keeping this thing yet. Otherwise I'd put stock springs on and call it good. I'm a technician by profession and have access to tires and a great many things. The cost for me to do anything is minimal and the labor is free. Just my time.

These for example are cheap, but no damping adjustment. But I don't know how low it would sit.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-Coilo...ED-/132135195160?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

Ghetto but works. I had em on my tsi awd for years because my st springs were too low on the awd. Raised it about 50% Like $8 each at advance auto

Boomdeeze said:

. I have DGR's 13k front/10k rear.

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How is the ride on those? I ask because that's basically the spring rate my Megan coilovers had (12k/10k) and it was INSANELY stiff. Undriveable on the street. Like shaking your tits off uncomfortable, even on the softest damper setting. In fact, changing the dampers basically had no effect on the ride at all.

UNTIL I swapped the Megan springs to Eibach springs with 450lb springs up front and 400lb springs in the back. It still launches crazy hard when the coilovers are set to the hardest setting, but when I turn them down to the softest setting they actually ride decent on the street.

ErikTande said:

How is the ride on those? I ask because that's basically the spring rate my Megan coilovers had (12k/10k) and it was INSANELY stiff. Undriveable on the street. Like shaking your tits off uncomfortable, even on the softest damper setting. In fact, changing the dampers basically had no effect on the ride at all.

Click to expand...

It is a stiff ride but honestly it does not bother me. I agree the damper setting doesn't affect much but the car handles amazing.

I'm gonna try those cheap jack looking rubber things that go between the coils first and see if it makes any difference. My main concern is to get it raised up just enough to not rub over every flaw in the road. I want the lowered look, but it's just a little too low, and still kinda bouncy considering I have name brand springs.. apparently the H&R's are 430 front and 260 rear. Stock is 246/151. So kinda surprised there.. I know its cheap and ghetto, but all it requires is raising the car enough to shove them in, I'm tired of completely removing the struts to try this and that. Next time will be coil overs going in if I have to go that far. The jacks in effect will raise height and slightly act as a stiffer spring rate hopefully stopping the annoying rubbing sounds over bumps and going through intersections etc..

Well if your gonna be a cheap ass, get some stock springs off a partout or a junkyard and cut the top coil off.

If you want a slight drop and good ride then get a set of koni yellow shocks and either ground control coilover sleeves, or a set of springs with a 1" drop or less. I do seem to remember finding a set of springs that were ~.75" drop last year when I was looking. But I decided just to get stock springs until I can get a set of Feal Coilovers.

^^^Already have new struts and insulators. I either have to make my setup work or go with coilovers. Trying to avoid that for now.

if you are on a budget get some KYBs and stock springs. If you want a quality set up get some Konis with stock springs. Ground Controls makes a good set up for the konis.

I ended up using the spacers that PlanZero showed. Life saver for now! So thanks for that. The rubber jacks I tried first split in half the moment I lowered the car. With these, I have about a half inch raise and no more rubbing issues during normal driving.