New Lowering springs, old shocks?

[konkman]

Listen,

I know that to lower my car the right way to do it is with springs and shocks together.  But what can I say, I'm impatient.  

If I install an Eibach prokit on my 91 struts (55K miles on them), will I do any damage to the car?  Does anyone have this done to their cars.

I am planning on getting the struts in the summer, when I'm out of school and working fulltime.

[CP]

You won't damage the car, but the shocks could eventually break. There is not really a set time period for when this would happen. Some people lower their cars and run stock shocks for years with no troubles, and others aren't so lucky.

[HippoSleek]

Blown shocks are about all I can think of.  Your handling will suck when/if they go, but otherwise, there shouldn't be any other damage unless you drive into a foot deep pothole w/ no strut left.

[drifterx]

i cant think of damage to your car except blown shocks also... this would suck if u go over a big bump with blown shocks... then u would mess up your car, say if u were on a highway, it would be easier to lose control orf your shocks bounces the frame into the ground from a pothole, that would also suck.....
save time and frustration and wait to get the shocks
also  i wouldnt want u getting sea sick riding with blown shocks

[konkman]

Thanks for the input.  How do I know when my shocks blow?  

And as long as I replace the shocks when the blow, will I be okay???

i say don't risk having problems..... just go ahead and get it all done at once.... plus ur handling will be good but not best until u have it all installed

[konkman]

My problem is that I don't want to wait, and don't have th cash to do shocks and springs at once.  $1400 bucks (Canadian) for suspension work is a more then I can afford.  But I will be working full time after Christmas so the shocks will be my next job with sway bars.

[drifterx]

then stock pile the parts u have.... u will end up paying more for labor if u do it 2 times (given that u dont know how to do it yourself)
if u wanna save money, get some non-adjustable shocks like tokicos (they have a nice soft ride) or the GR2
and for springs i am using Sprint, they cost $130 USD
1.8"-2" drop

[konkman]

Drifterx,

For the price, what do you think are the best parts to get.  I want a drop of 1.5-2" and better cornering is a big issue for me.  Looks is a by-product, performance first.

Lots of guys are talking about using KYB shocks, and intrax springs.  What do you think?

[drifterx]

that is a very good combo
i like the intrax better than eibach cuz i think they are basicly the same but eibach has the higher price for the name
i have the AGX shocks.... i love them.... this week i started feeling the pain from going into the city filled with potholes so i set my shocks  at the gas station and now i am riding stock "feel".........
i wanted to have good cornering too........ but i didnt have alot of money so i got the sprints cuz i heard they were good and so far i am  cornering alot faster (my front tires are bold after 4 months in the outside corner)
none of my friends with dropped cars can out corner me.... i am about the same as my friend's S2000 in corners or  maybe better....... but he hit a wall going 120mph

intrax + AGX was the way i was going to go but i am happy........... i cant tell u if the sprint springs is hard or soft cuz i have the AGX.... i can have it stiff or smooth depending on my setting.... even on the stiffest, my friends can feel they r performance springs but they like the ride cuz it is not too harsh

[drifterx]

Item: KYB shocks and Sprint springs 2" drop
Description_and_Price: KYB shocks and struts, also included Sprint 2" lowering springs, used for 4 months then got coilovers. Good condition and will fit any 89-94 240sx  $275
Name_and_number: Adam / 469-964-7720
Location: Carrollton / TX
Email_and_homepage: [email protected]
Date: 30-Oct-2001


i saw this

[HippoSleek]

Okay, I thought you were a bit impatient - not being able to wait a few months to do it all, but I assumed you would be doing all the labor.  This is a whole other story...

First - if you have to pay to get it done - do it once.  I costs the price of springs just to swap them in.

Second - do it once, do it right, hope that you never have to do it again.  If you have to pay, don't double your loss by swapping new stuff in later.  Make an informed choice so that you won't complain in 6 mos about how you should have waited.

Third - most important:  Get Good Stuff!!  There is a reason Eibach springs are more expensive.  There is a reason people with BMWs, Audis, etc. and not just import drivers use them - because they are probably the best progressive spring manu in the world.  I could tell you about the special equipment that Eibach is the only US company to possess, but the bottom line is that they make the best product for a very reasonable price.

As for the struts - don't throw you money away on something that is marginally better than stock.  If you are going to spend the money to upgrade - get AGXs minimally.  Anything less and you are just setting yourself up for a shoulda, coulda, woulda let down.

Used springs - sure... used shocks/struts - not unless you know the person, the former use, and the driving habits!

Finally, beware of big drops.  Sure, you don't have wheel gap, but keep in mind that this causes a reduction in performance and in tire wear.  Drifterx - with a drop that big, the tire wear you have is likely from the need for an alignment, at the very least.  A good handling/prepared car doesn't eat the shoulder of a tire in daily driving.

[zephyr]

is it okay to get new struts and not new springs?

yah get new struts without new springs that's fine, and i would say its not as necessary to do the springs as it is to get high performance struts.

[konkman]

Okay,

So we have established that my dumb ass (jk) should stock pile Eibach prokit springs, a camber adjust kit, and what type of struts? Koni's (I hear they are the best, but a pretty penny), KYB (less expensive, but how good are they really), or Toiko (I don't know the spelling).

I'm not doing it myself, but I can get it done a my dads friends garage for free labour.  What's the next step?

[S13Grl]

Drive, drive, drive, 'till your wheels fall off!

[konkman]

No,

You see if I did that then I'd be a Honda owner.

I want my car to run, run, run, forever; without my wheels falling off.  But I get your point.

[Yoshi]

Actually, if you want the best, look up TEIN <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

-Yoshi

[Yoshi]

Ooops, I should prolly mention, those are coilovers <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
sorries <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

-Yoshi

[konkman]

We all must remember I'm a struggling student. &nbsp;Coilovers, and top end stuff is a little hard to save up for.

[burgy240]

I'm embarrassed to say this but my shocks/struts are blown right now. Have been for about 2000 miles. &nbsp;I couldn't get all the parts to do it right. &nbsp;Finally got shocks/struts and springs this week and will be on my car within two. &nbsp;Your handleing will go....especially at high speeds and your tire wear will probably be really bad. &nbsp;As long as you don't hit any major holes or bumps at high speeds you might not do any damage to anything other than the shocks/struts. &nbsp;Definately try to do it all at the same time though. &nbsp;Good Luck!

[HippoSleek]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from konkman on 3:32 pm on Nov. 5, 2001
Okay,

So we have established that my dumb ass (jk) should stock pile Eibach prokit springs, a camber adjust kit, and what type of struts? Koni's (I hear they are the best, but a pretty penny), KYB (less expensive, but how good are they really), or Toiko (I don't know the spelling).

I'm not doing it myself, but I can get it done a my dads friends garage for free labour. What's the next step?
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

You catch on fast... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

No need for a camber kit w/ Pro-Kits - the drop isn't that extreme. &nbsp;Maybe in time if you want lower in the front, but you can align Pro-Kits w/ no problems.

Konis are legendary - but I think they are overrated, personally. &nbsp;They are good, but too hard to adjust and the fronts are just cartriges. &nbsp;KYB AGXs I've had on other cars (and other friend's who've had them) have had great experiences. &nbsp;They also get excellent reviews from 240 owners. &nbsp;Plus they are easily adjusted and are a full strut replacement. &nbsp;Tokicos (sp?) suck b/c the cheapos are too much $$ for non-adjustable and the HTS's are a JDM piece (that is great, but way more expensive!). &nbsp;Grand total of $0.04!

[konkman]

Thanks Hippo,

I'm taking Eibach prokit, NO camber adjustment, saving for the KYB shocks/struts, and doing it all in a few months. &nbsp;

Any objections or suggestions let, as Hippo so delightfully quoted, let my &quot;dumb ass&quot; have it.

[NemeGuero]

don't go with the pro-kit, do the sportlines same thing lower drop

[Silvia_Fanatic]

Can someone tell me if what I've heard is correct? Ground-Control coilovers with Koni adjustable Sport Shocks. I actually called Groundcontrol and they quoted me $949 for that setup and $775 with non-adjustable KYBs