OK - this is the deal. On the 92 RS I just bought, the person that had the car before me decided to take it upon themselves to cut the stock springs. So now I am trying to get an idea on what springs and shocks/struts I am going to use to replace these current worn out pieces. I am looking for a setup that is practical; Something that will lower the stance of the car, but also will be able to clear speed bumps and not scrape the front chin spoiler all over the place. I also have to consider driver + passenger weight. I am a decently big guy (250 lbs), and I constantly have front passengers that weigh anywhere from 100 - 350 lbs.

This is what I'm thinking so far...

SPRINGS: I was looking at the Hotchkiss 1 inch drop springs available @ Hawk's, because I believe these will be very practical compared to other springs out there. I will get a small drop, but it should not ride harsh or make the car go too low when I have other passengers riding shotgun. Or at least I am hoping.

SHOCKS/STRUTS: Really looking for opinions here. I was looking into the KYBs, but I did overhear from someone else that they are quite a harsh ride. I was thinking maybe Bilsteins?

Thanks for any info or opinions.

 

Since most of us have to angle through speed bumps, dips, and so forth with stock front springs, you may have a long road ahead. Perhaps stock replacement springs might be an option to consider.



JamesC

 

Yeah, I scrape driveways, dips, speed bumps all the time with my stock ride height. I have to drive 5mph for most dips in my area. Don't expect much luck getting ground clearance with a drop.

 

To the previous two posters, are these stock springs a few years old, or are they the original 15+yr old springs? I know my springs are "stock" (The GM factory tags are still on them), but at 115,000 miles and 15 years, they are much lower than stock ride height. With these stock springs, I also have to slow down for every dip/parking lot/driveway/etc.

Search for pics of stock replacement springs in these cars, and you'll see the stock ride height gives about 3 to 4 inches of fender gap in the front. I doubt that will be dragging all that often.

I'm getting Eibach Pro-kits and expecting to stay the same height, or even to raise it a bit, but giving the appropriate spring rate for the ride height.

 

If the ride height is the same, whether OEM springs have sagged or whether lowering springs have been swapped in, won't dips, speed bumps, etc. create the same problems?

JamesC

 

Definetly, but the problems shouldn't get much worse. I'm used to driving with care in the streets. I'll take the better spring rate and better driving over the mushy springs I have now, and still keep the aggressive stance.

I have an RS with the F41, but I'm not sure if that came with stiff Z28 springs. So my mushy ride may not compare to the ride of Z28s. Just wanted to throw that out there.

 

Well trust me, I am used to slowing down, or should I say nearly coming to a complete stop for all dips. All driveways I always enter/exit at an angle. My main concern is just not bottoming out or rubbing the tires on the fenders through dips and what not when I have extra weight/passengers in the car.

I am basically set on the 1" drop Hotchkiss springs, so going back to part of my original question, what would you guys prefer as a good shock/strut combo? Something that is stiff and can handle extra weight/passengers, but also have a decent ride at the same time?

 

LOL wasn't me, I swear but I feel you man. I cringed going over speed bumps. but anyways hows she coming together man? any pics?

 

Depends on how much money you want to drop. Many swear by Bilstein, but thats nearly $700 for shocks and struts. A lot of members say Koni Yellows are hands down best for performance and autox, but they are just as expensive as the Bilstein (but the Koni Yellows are adjustable).

Theres Tokicos, KYB AGX, and Koni Reds, much lower price than the yellows and Bilstein, but less performance oriented.

And then theres the just about as-low-as-you-can-go with drop springs KYB GR2 struts and KYB Gas-A-Just shocks. There are members who swear against KYB in every way, but there's a few supporting them. I know Zepher has the GR2/GasAJusts setup with Eibach Sportlines and he loves the ride.

I'll be going ProKits and GR2/GasAJusts next week.

 

i got the Moog IROC replacement Springs from Spohn. and put them in, car sits a 2 inches higher than before, after 2 weeks fo driving it around and having them settle... im planning on taking them out, and cutting off 1/2 a coil to drop the car an extra 1" ina few weeks when i get time


shocks struts - i also put on new : Tokico Illumina 5 way adjustable .. let me say, im a very happy with them. ride quality, bumps, response, etc is so much tighter than i am was used to..... if i want, i can lower or raise the settings with the turn of dial in the strut cover, and (have to remove the rear shocks to change dial, but fairly easy neways).. i have it set on level 4 out of 5 levels.. 1 is softest, 5 is harshest.. i paid $425 for both shocks and both struts including shipping... off of ebay.. greeat deal, wonderful rpoduct, etc.. sjut my opinion, ive had no experience with any Bilstiens, kYB, koni, or monroe..

later