Best shock/strut for H&R OE springs

[airFS]

I'm leaning towards getting the h&r oe springs because they only lower the car about one inch, but will this effect the choice I should make on the shock. I'm really only intrested in the "better" shocks like the illuminas, agx, or maybe even the koni yellows eventhough I dont know if I want to pay the extra $$$ for them. My car never really sees the track, but is daily driven and there are some pretty nice back roads around where I live but some of the roads seem a little rough.

 

[RamenPride]

Illuminas if you don't want to spend a lot of $$$, Koni Yellows if you do. Don't even consider AGX's

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

^^^ Exactly.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

Can you guys chime in on why to stay away from the KYB AGXs for the 2gs?

Some people who run them (2gs) say they are fine, then I heard OLD stories about some design flaw in them. (only for the 2gs, 1g versions are fine)

I am curious to know because I might consider them, I'm sure they will be better than my Tokico HP (blues) non adjustables.

 

[RamenPride]

Can you guys chime in on why to stay away from the KYB AGXs for the 2gs?

Some people who run them (2gs) say they are fine, then I heard OLD stories about some design flaw in them. (only for the 2gs, 1g versions are fine)

The old design flaw was that the body was 1" longer than stock. However, there's a new part number now for the 2G FWD and that's no longer an issue.

I went through 2 sets of AGX's. I was using them with coilovers, though (which automatically voids the warranty). Anyway, first set lasted about 2 years with Maxspeed coilovers (spring rates were 572f/472r). After about 6 months, the ride was too harsh, so I put the rear springs in the front and bought 350lb/inch springs for the rear. A few months later one of the rear shocks blew. I couldn't get the collar off, so I decided to go with Ground Controls and new shocks all around. The first set of AGX's were the old part number, so I figured I'd just replace all of them while I had everything apart. Anyway, had the Ground Controls on there for about 2 years also. Originally started off with 450f/300r, and then 425f/250r. Those AGX's blew also, but this time it was all four (I think).

I don't know if it was the spring rates or not, but having gone through two sets of AGX's discouraged me from ever using them again. I know the OP wants to use them with lowering springs which have a significantly lower spring rates compared to what I was using. However, I still cannot recommend them.

 

[airFS]

Will new shocks lower the car any more? Which one is better for the street?

 

[1PhatACR]

Koni Reds!

 

[asian312]

I would recommend the Konis for the H&R. If anything on the lifetime warrenty alone.

The H&R/Koni makes for a nice ride, but excels at improving the car for track purposes. If it was more for daily duty, I may consider the Eibachs w/ Tokicos or GR2 for the softer ride.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

RamenPride, thanks for that information, it is discouraging me even more to use the KYB AGXs.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Koni Reds, Tokico Blues (HPs), and the KYB GR2s, are all the lower model of their more popular ones, that are NOT adjustable, and is said to just be slightly better than stock.

You want to look into the Koni Yellows, and the Tokico Illuminas, as mentioned the KYB AGXs is riskay business. I have the Tokico Blues on Progress Sport Springs which drops it 1.5-1.6 I believe, and it is not very comfortable. It would be nice to be able to adjust the settings depending on the current driving situations.

 

[airFS]

Are the koni reds any good??

 

[asian312]

The lower end models are good if they are matched to the spring rates they are valved for. The adjustables give you a larger range in which to tune them in.

 

[EnticivEclipse]

i plan to get the same spring... would putting it on the stock shocks be a possible horrible bouncy ride?

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

i plan to get the same spring... would putting it on the stock shocks be a possible horrible bouncy ride?

I would do it right the first time, if you know you will be getting shocks anyways, get it all done at once. Save you time maybe even money in the long run.

 

[asian312]

The problem with the stock shocks is the length of the spring. The new springs lower the ride and/or physically shorter while the OEM shock is designed with that extra difference in travel.

 

[kidrabbit84]

I would definitely stay away from anything Tokico. I haven't used them on a DSM but have on VW and BMWs. They are junk. 10 years of Autocross experience talking, and I am not the only one in the Rocky Mountain Region with this view.

I have had nothing but problems with their shaft seals and thus leaking all over. I went though 2 sets of Blues before going to Koni. Also they have bad customer service.

Koni's are good. I have their double adjustables on my GTi for 2 years now. Plenty of tack and auto-x use with no troubles.

Adam

 

[airFS]

How are the koni yellow's for daily street use?

 

[Zmann42087]

I am curious to know because I might consider them, I'm sure they will be better than my Tokico HP (blues) non adjustables.

Yeah, I'm kinda in the same boat. I have the same shocks as RedTurboEclipse... the Tokico HP "blues" along with Tein S-Tech springs. While the HP's do offer more damping force than stock, they offer no adjustability and make for a pretty harsh ride on the street. The only reason I have the HP's is because they were on the car when I bought it. If I had been the one to purchase the suspension setup, I would definitely have spent a little more for the Illumina's.

Now I think I'll be upgrading my suspension some time in the near future. Same as the OP, I'm considering the higher end shocks like the Illumina's and the Yellow's. Then again, I might just shell out the dough for a full coilover setup.

 

[asexton6969]

I have KYB AGX's and Eibach Pro-Kit springs. I love them, they are a bumpier ride, but if I wanted something to ride nice I wouldn't have bought my car and lowered it..... Plus I get compliments on how it looks all the time. Haven't had any problem with the above mentioned problem that others have had. I guess only time will tell.