Prokits are too low. Blown shocks?

[Lethal GST]

Car is lowered on a Prokit/AGX setup. Shocks were installed in 2005, and springs installed in 2007.

Lately though, looking at pictures of other lowered DSMs, my car looks more like it's dropped on Sportlines. I know my shocks are gone; it's been over 6 years of daily driving, and I can easily press down on the car and make it "bounce."

My question is, will replacing the shocks regain some of the the ride height back? Or are there other factors that can contribute car's lowered stance?

 

[El Cuervo]

When replacing shocks, its best to replace springs as well. It's not a good idea to have new shocks and old springs or new springs and old shocks.
If I were you, I'd replace both, springs and shocks. This way you won't question which one is the one thats bad. Do it right, do it once.

 

[Lethal GST]

Hmm, good point. I've also been looking at springs with an even milder drop than the Prokits, specifically H&R OE Sports and Tein Htechs. Might also have to start looking into some coilovers if they end up being only a hundred bucks or so more expensive than the traditional spring/shock combo.

 

[El Cuervo]

Supposedly prokits lower your car about 1 to 1.5 inches from stock. Sport lines are supposed to be 2 to 2+ inches. It might vary from car to car. If you want some inexpensive, decent drop and firmish shocks and spring combos, you could go with the tokico blues. I had those on my 2g back in 2003. They were like 300 bucks. The drop seemed to be like 1.5 to 2 inches.
I now run the megan coilovers. Been running them since 2008. They might be a bit stiff for some people. I like them. Daily drive them. So far, so good.

 

[CODE4]

My question is, will replacing the shocks regain some of the the ride height back? Or are there other factors that can contribute car's lowered stance?

Struts/shocks being worn do not affect your static ride height. Your springs are sagging/worn, or you have something else affecting the suspension geometry.

 

[jtmcinder]

Struts/shocks being worn do not affect your static ride height.

Actually, they do. Brand new high-pressure mono-tube shocks can raise the nose of a DSM by a 1/4" compared to blown versions of the same.

And the idea that you have to replace your springs when you replace your shocks (and v.v.) is just plain silly. Where do you guys get these ideas?

 

[Lethal GST]

jtmcinder,

Thanks for the input. I probably will just order a set of struts/shocks (still TBD as to which ones).

During install, I'm considering changing out the strut mounts, bushings, and other components, seeing as the car is over 16 years old with nearly 240k miles. I found these two strut mount kits on ebay. What do you think, and are they fair prices?

95 99 Eclipse Talon FR & RR Upper Strut Mount Full KIT | eBay

95 99 Eclipse Talon FR RR Upper Strut Mount KIT | eBay

 

[jtmcinder]

Here's the issue with fancy upper shock mounts on 2Gs: you want them stiff in the direction of the shock shaft so that the shock has a chance to do its job. But, if the shock-shaft bushing is too stiff, then the shock's shaft is put under bending forces when-ever you steer, due to the totally funky twin offset lower ball joints. A little bending force on the shock causes stiction and a nasty ride. A bit more force and you bend the shaft. The little red bushings that Ground Control used to include in their kits bent a Koni shaft on my car in about two months.

Upshot: there are really only two good options for the upper shock mount on the front end of a 2G: something squishy like stock or pillowballs. If you're not that serious and want your shocks to last and keep the ride nice, stick with stock. If you want better front-end grip and don't mind a slight decrease in ride quality, jump all the way to pillowballs. RRE used to sell them. Maybe they still do. And there's a company in Canada that seems to be making pillowballs that look 99.99% identical to RREs.

I'm serious. No middle ground will work. Squishy or pillowball.

If you'd going to stay low, just get a set of Koni Yellows with the fronts shortened by an inch. It's a special order, but doesn't add that much to the cost. Gets you another 1/2" before you hit the bumpstops. (Any more than this is a waste, as your upper A-arm will hit the fender.)

 

[bmoha7321]

As per usual.
Side note* why aren't you a wiseman?
I'll nominate you

 

[jtmcinder]

I was for a long time, but that was years ago. I sold the car and got an Evo. I'm not around here much. But thanks. That was very nice of you.