Hi,

I was looking at a set of new springs purchased but never used in the for sale forum. They answered my question of:

If lowering you car do you only do the springs. Yes was the answer.

However thinking about it doesn't lower springs effect your struts and shocks performance?

Sorry I always thought they went hand in hand.

Technically I thought you can only do springs but that the ride wouldn't be the same.

Take care,

Brian

 

You should get shocks and springs. After you install them then get an alignment. If you get adjustable shocks then also consider getting corner balanced for even better handling.

 

It is true that you can only do springs. Most will suggest that you do shocks at the same time, since it is the same amount of work wether you do or don't.

If you decide to go with just the springs, keep in mind that your factory shocks will wear out more quickly because they aren't designed with lowering in mind, nor are they designed to handle the increased spring rate of aftermarket springs. The stock shocks are underdamped from the factory so this can only increase with aftermarket springs, but if you are just doing it for looks go ahead. I had Tein S-Techs on stock shocks for 7k miles or so and never had a single problem with my stock shocks.

If you don't have the money for both, just go with the springs for now and then later when the stock shocks go out, you can get some nice aftermarket shocks.

 

you can lower your car with just springs: yes.
You can also add Struts as the work is the same. (as Juice mentioned)

OR

you can buy coilovers. Usually much more expensive though.

 

Since you are just starting out with suspension modifications keep thing simple.

Switch just your springs to lower your car to start. No need to spend tons of money on suspension that you may not even like for the type of racing you plan on doing.

If your car is just for the streets and you're a tech noobie, I'd recommend just swapping the springs and driving on your stock struts... people say that stock struts will die on you if you lower the car with just springs but don't put too much weight in their advice. I have yet to personally know anyone with blown stock struts due to spring lowering. All shocks will eventually leak and when they do leak on you buy an upgraded performance set, or maybe by that time you'll want something more tech and adjustable.

 

Yes, this is just for street. I think 1 - 1 1/2 inches makes it look a lot "different". So with that in mind how would just spring effect the "ride" so on bumpy roads or just in general?

I also called a local Midas (yes, sigh). They stated even with springs and shocks that it will cause undue wear on the rubber/tires. Are they full of it or ???

Thank you for all the responses so far. I plan on keeping this another three years as a daily driver so I don''t want to do anything that will "hurt" it's use.

Take care,

Brian

 

See red!

 

what Dann?? I'm not good enough to quote?1

Listen to Dannobre, The Force is strong in him.

 

If you install something as agressive as the Tanabe GF 210 on the stock shocks, you will considerably lower the car and lose the ability to get to the stock camber in the rear. This is something I was not aware of entirely when I installed mine.

Basically by lowering so much the camber adjustment maxes out with -1.6 to -2.0

I have yet to see if it will increase tire wear. I don't know how it can't seeing as the camber is noticable to the eye. However, I have to say that my DSC light comes on a lot less now and my cornering speed has only increased. My car doesn't pull to any side and the ride is pretty good.

Check out this DIY page for great instructions:

DIYs

I like them a lot and I look forward to getting some nicer adjustable shocks within the next year and installing them as well. I wish I had done them at the same time so take that into consideration. It would have been a lot easier. Now I have another 2-3 hour operation on my car. But I consider it bonding time.

Give yourself at least a day (6-8 hours) for the springs/shocks, unless you have experience working on these kinds of things.

 

Here you go

I wish there was more searching.....

everyone wants to re-invent the wheel

 

What am I not good enough to quote

Plenty of good advice to follow if the OP reads and then follows the correct responses.

 

Dannobre...don't tell anyone else...but I have a great idea for a new type of wheel! It just requires a minor change to all of the roads.

 

Just make sure you get a four wheel alignment after installing the springs and shocks. Do not listen to the people that tell you NOT to get shocks. I highly recommend getting fully adjustable shocks so you can get corner balanced as well.

 

You can't corner balance a car with adjustable shocks.

 

Need height adjust ability to corner balance...you can corner weigh...but just can't change anything

 

Why is that?

 

And of course this is what I meant by adjustable

 

In order to move weight around...you need to raise/lower the corners slightly.

Kinda a leverage thing

 

My comment was not directed towards you even you it is below your post When I said adjustable I was implying height adjustable. Obviously it did not come across that way.

 

Don't get an alignment until the car settles.