PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

thats called a coilover buddy, and the **** on top is to adjust the damping, not the ride height.

steveski

You may want to figure what you are going for - that is, do you want to go low or low with really good stiff handling. If you want to just slam it there were some VIP springs offered in the classifieds's recently that would lower it big time and eventually blow your struts. The lowest you can get with spring/struts (and for the struts to last) is probably around 2". If you want 2" drop plus the ability to adjust ride quality then look at Megans (cheap).

steveski

Forgot to add I have about a 2" drop now using Bilstein HD's set on lowest spring perch and they have lasted for 2 years now. I am also using rubber coil spring wraps to increase spring rate an additional 40lbs. I had to do this because by increasing the drop from 1" to 2" the H&R's are exceeding what they were designed for and thus lowering their spring rate. This made the car handle a little more sloppy. The rubber coil wraps still allow for a low stance however they increase the spring rate, preventing the suspension from sagging. It all goes back to what you are looking to do bro. I wanted a low stance but a firm ride (what coil overs will give you). The way I have it set up now is 99% where I want it so I am happy. I spent a lot of money on custom sway bars, bushings and strut tower bars so it was all about handling for me.

BTW, I have a set of Tanabe Sustec springs (about 1.5 to 2" drop) that I bought on this forum around Christmas. I am pretty sure they were cut because they actually lowered my car more than 2", especially in the rear. The stance was awesome - tires tucked nicely inside the fenders. I installed them and removed after I drove it because it made it handle sloppy.

19psi

i have the megan coilovers on mine, had them for about 3 months now. they're great so far, esp. for $800 shipped.

steveski

Absolutely coilovers are the best way to go - not sure of this guy's budget. Definitely a 2"+ drop will kill a stock strut and even the Bilstein HD I think. lad your Megan's are holding up wekk. If they were available when I modified mine I probably would have bought them to try them out. You can't go wrong for $800 shipped as springs and struts are nearly that especially with labor

genetic

iTrader: (1)

steveski, do you have any pictures of your ride with the springs?

steveski

I don't have photos of my car with the cut Tanabes - I am dumb for not taking some at Christmas since I have hundreds of photos of the car's progress. Here is what mine looks like with H&R's (1") and Bilstein HD's on lowest perch. The total drop is between 1.5" and 2". I have 40 series tires (18's). The Tanabe's lowered it at least another inch from my current setup though. I removed them because they were too soft for my driving taste.

PK_Celsior

iTrader: (18)

Im about to sell my Bilstein\Tanabe setup once my coilovers come in.

19psi

yeah i'm very happy with them . i had them on full soft when i first installed them and it rode just like stock; floaty but smooth.

yesterday i turned them up to 12 in front and 15 in rear (out of 36). made a huge difference. now it handles much more like a sport sedan and not a lexus boat. i don't care that much about the handling in this car, i have 2 other sports cars, but i kind of miss it too you know? so i figured i'd play with them and see how they do. i just wish i didn't have to take out the back seat to adjust the rears....
it's no WRX, but i'm sure i surprised a couple people yestrday on a curvy road near home when this huge LS on 19's comes flying around the corners!

steveski

That's awesome the Megan's are working out. For the money you can't beat them. I wonder if you can get an old rear deck and modify it so you could reach the top coil over adjustment (cut out flap with velcro)? Taking the back seat out is the worst part of changing struts IMO. If they were only available when I got into the lowering thing I would have them on mine.

It is good they can get stiffer with the heavy LS - wasn't sure how they would allow the car to handle. Sounds like the are working out

19psi

i've thought of that also; modifying the deck panel. some speaker grill cloth around a small velcro'd frame would cover the small hole and never be noticed... one day as time allows i might do that.

Lexkost

Make yourself a tool bit that will fit over the damping screw head and then drill a !/2 " hole into rear deck above the damping screw and then use a plastic cap/ plug.

steveski

Not a bad idea at all - tiny enough to use an interior plug from Auto Zone and under $5

salsaboi

vinhcibLe .. I like your sig.
Sweet.
And I agree with TJW98LS .. lol @ Jabba!

19psi

excellent idea; however the megans use a knurled **** that must be lifted out of a detent to be able to rotate it.