Gwozdz

Sooooooooo I need new shocks. I have no idea on what to buy. I was wondering what you guys would recomend. I would also like to drop the car a little, are cheap Ebay springs a silly idea? What kind of springs should I get. Aslo, could someone explain the difference between shocks and struts. That would help a lot. Thanks for the help.

KrayzieFox

Let's take this one step at a time.

1. Shocks and struts are really the same thing. It's just a matter of preference on what you want to call them. Kinda like endlinks and swaybar links ... same thing.

2. Recommended shocks, in my opinion at least, are Tokico HP or Illuminas. HP are blue and Illuminas are white. I would say go with the blue HPs and save yourself some money, since the only real difference is the fact that the Illuminas are adjustable. Unless you AutoX a lot you probably won't find the need to adjust your shocks and the price difference is about double for Illuminas vs. HPs.

3. For a good drop, you'll want good springs. Cheap eBay is suicide so don't even think about it. I would recommend Eibach Pro-Kit or the Tein S-Techs as they don't drop it too much, but enough to make it look good and not ride bad. Drop too far and you sacrifice ride comfort and your shocks will wear faster too, so chose wisely. I went with a set of Falken springs, which aren't offered anymore, and the drop is 1.5" all around. The ride comfort is not very different from stock, but it looks a million times better.

Also, if you look for Tein S-Techs on eBay beware counterfits. A lot of eBay ones have a Tein sticker on them which means they're not real, but if the Tein logo is inscribed into them then you'll be ok.

macdaddyslomo

wow.

Krayzie is turning into a real wealth of knowledge here...

KrayzieFox

I learned it all from you guys ... it's what happens after hanging out here for 4 years.

Also, found some more info about something that I misinformed you about. I guess there is a difference between struts and shocks. Shocks are used on the rear axle of rear wheel drive vehicles and on the front of 4X4s. One simple way to tell the difference is struts are surrounded by their associated spring, so our cars have struts.

KrayzieFox

Also, one more thing about springs to take into consideration when making your pick. There are two types of springs, progressive and linear. Progressive springs are coiled tighter at the top than the bottom, and linear springs are coiled the same distance apart from top to bottom. A lot of people perfer the progressive springs because i think they ride smoother, but i am not 100% on that. Linear springs offer better handling, but a harsher ride, whereas progressive springs will match your stock springs more. Like I said, I'm not 100% on that, so if anyone else has any input on this please correct me.

In case you wanna know which springs are which, and how much they'll drop your car, use this chart as a guide.

kargoboy

Wow is right.
I agree with Mac on this one. All hail the KrayzieFox. Even if he does live in Iowa.

KrayzieFox

It was a slow day at work .. I had nothing better to do so I did the research for him.
That's what we're all about here right? Helpin each other out as much as possible.

Gwozdz

thanks krayzie. You are making my life better.

mazdabel

Go with Eibach Sportline. Almost a two-inch drop all around looks sharp on my pro, IMO. Good thread!!

bkra13

Welol, there's a few more differences between shocks and struts than all of that. First off, struts actually support weight, they're an active part of the suspension and support the vehicle together with the springs. The pressurization in a strut will aid in pushing a tire down the back side of a bump, whereas shocks will simply slow down the upward/downward motion of the tire. They also perform the same damping function that shocks do. Shocks are simply damping mechanisms to stop the oscillation of the suspension after a bump - with a shock suspension the springs support the vehicle weight on their own.

Shocks can also have springs around them (they used to be called "coil-overs" )and are generally used on non-independent suspensions - they work better with heavier springs. Struts and independent suspensions are "generally" on lighter or sport vehicles - struts aren't as good at carrying larger loads.

bk