Lowering as a daily & sometimes spirited driver

[vividracing]

I also contemplated this same scenario with my car. In the end I just invested in some stance coilovers. If money plays some kind of factor hit me up and I can make sure you get your money's worth no matter what direction you go.

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by ericmpena

I kind of wish I went with a Pro-Kit instead of Sportlines. From what I've read you don't really need to upgrade your shocks if going with a Pro-Kit. My problem with the Pro-Kit is that some pictures they look great, and then other pics I see you can't even tell the car is dropped. I think it all depends on the tire you use.

Pro kit and the Yellows have this similar problem. They literally "take the edge" off the height of the car while improving handling. With a minor drop, there probably won't be issues with the shock failing or blowing, but life will probably be decreased. The good news is that with the spacers the car will look a little lower anyway….at least mine did when the rear tire was no longer tucked. I went with a 20mm spacer in the rear only.

@1086, another thing you might want to think about is wheels. If you ever want aftermarket wheels, 9.5 inch wheels (which is what I'm looking at) won't fit with the stock perch. I bought my springs a month after my car and LOVE how it handles and looks, but I want some wide wheels and they won't fit on the current set up. Like mentioned, don't cheap out, if you decide to go coil over.

[1086]

If I were to get wheels, I would probably only go 8 inches width max. For now I am happy with the stock wheels though.

So did you add the 20 mm spacers first before dropping it with the eibachs? or did you add spacers and added shocks at the same time?

Would you agree that if I go the route of stock struts + eibach pro kit + 20 mm spacers all around that I will be fine, especially on relatively harsher turns? I just don't want any rubbing or something to eff up is all.

Plus, if I have to replace the stock struts with Konis eventually, that is completely fine.

[fooddude]

I've been curious on the Tein's cheaper offerings/models too as compared to Lowering Springs + Koni's/Tokico's.

Specifically: Are the Tein Street Basis shocks/struts short-stroke???

If, yes, then I would assume that the cheap Tein Basis setup would be much better than a lowering spring (eibach, tein, etc. etc) + koni/tokico combo for this reason alone; and would also be in a very similar price range to each other.

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by 1086

If I were to get wheels, I would probably only go 8 inches width max. For now I am happy with the stock wheels though.

So did you add the 20 mm spacers first before dropping it with the eibachs? or did you add spacers and added shocks at the same time?

Would you agree that if I go the route of stock struts + eibach pro kit + 20 mm spacers all around that I will be fine, especially on relatively harsher turns? I just don't want any rubbing or something to eff up is all.

Plus, if I have to replace the stock struts with Konis eventually, that is completely fine.

Actually dropped the car for awhile before adding the spacers. You will have no issues with rubbing.

[zooki]

I have Eibach Pro's on stock struts. 40K on the car and no problems. I have aftermarket rims, but with any rim flush in the wheel wheel it definitely makes the car look lower.

[Racecomp Engineering]

IMO with a lower end coilover you are making big sacrifices in the quality of the damper itself. That is the most important part and with a koni set up you get good solid valving. No height adjustability, but I'd rather better valving and a preset drop.

- Andy

[1086]

So you think it would be OK to go with the Eibach pro/RCE on Stock struts or is it safer to go with the Koni + Eibach Pro/RCE?

[car_roll]

Option 2 sounds the best. As racecomp said, you really want your dampers to be up to par. I know others recommend BC BR coilovers but from my personal experience, they aren't great, at all. For looks yea they get the job done but I didn't like the valving (dual adjustment one knob bs). I couldn't seam to get it to feel the way I wanted. ST coilovers is a great other option as it's made by KW. They will also most likely give you the best ride quality out of the sub 1k coilovers.

[OICU812]

Another thing to note is Konis don't come as a bolt in strut, you need to mod with existing struts. To some that dont have the tools or know how that is something to consider. If you were to go coils and budget minded based on all you've said then go with STs or The lower line Bilstein (or) save up and go a little bigger. As mentioned the "cheap" lines of chinese types coilovers are not going to give you a great ride that you'd be happy with.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by 1086

So you think it would be OK to go with the Eibach pro/RCE on Stock struts or is it safer to go with the Koni + Eibach Pro/RCE?

Both are fine. We've had TONS and TONS of test miles putting the car through hell and we've got owners with them on the car since the car came out. They can handle it. Remember the stock car rides on the bumpstops...we only do a mild drop and shorten the bumpstops. We know the stock strut can handle it. Lots of people that lower much more than us too and the shock is fine. The car doesn't handle or ride great that way though...

The Konis are an improvement for sure but a mild pain to install since the fronts are inserts. I'd be tempted to wait for Bilsteins. I'd prob run Yellows on stock dampers and then put the Bilsteins on when they're out.

- Andy

[nyfries]

Originally Posted by OICU812

Another thing to note is Konis don't come as a bolt in strut, you need to mod with existing struts. To some that dont have the tools or know how that is something to consider. If you were to go coils and budget minded based on all you've said then go with STs or The lower line Bilstein (or) save up and go a little bigger. As mentioned the "cheap" lines of chinese types coilovers are not going to give you a great ride that you'd be happy with.

Does this mean u rather lose the adjustability you get with the BC racing? I'm consider either the bc or the st. Adjustability and not needing oem top hat seem appealing


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[Racecomp Engineering]

I'll take good preset fixed damping over crappy adjustable damping. Every time.

There's a lot more to it than just "soft" and "stiff".

- Andy

[wparsons]

^^ This, plus just because they're adjustable doesn't mean you have the know how to properly adjust them. I'll take something tested that I don't have to mess with unless you're willing to spend time doing proper testing to see what works well with the damper settings.