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Drop springs + KYB's review

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Old 02-04-2006, 11:40 AM
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Default Drop springs + KYB'* review

Alright so I just got an alignment today so I guess it'* about time for a review.
I have http://www.coilsprings.com/ springs and I requested a 1.5" rear drop and a 1.75" front. I also asked for F41 spec stiffness.
As for the shocks/struts I have KYB GR2s.
Heres how it looks right now:
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The rear:
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The front:
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When I recieved the springs the front set had paint that was flaking off a little but the rear had a nice thicker coating on them. I'd suggest to get the extra coating since my front springs already have some rust.

Cornering/Handling:
The difference is night and day compared to my 130k old stock suspension.
There is no more floating around turns as it has lost it'* 'boat' ride.
I'm loving how my car stays flat an I am thrown side to side.

Stiffness:
It'* much more firm than stock. You can feel bumps more and it gets harsh if you don't dodge the larger ones. IMO it'* not too stiff but that my be up to preference.

Pogo?:
On the highway at around 60 or so there is some pogo/bouncyness. It happens rarely and it'* not bad so it dosen't bother me.

Overall:
IMO it'* well worth it for a SE. I've never driven a SSEi so I wouldn't be able to compare. But like I said for me the the difference was huge .


Some other things:
I did need camber bolts for the rear, just the +/- 1 degree ones. And there was about a half an inch difference between when I first installed everything and after the shocks settled down. Also, there is no rubbing with a 42mm offset rim.
Old 02-04-2006, 12:02 PM
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Pogo? Sounds like your shock/strut response isn't quick enough for the stiffer springs? Rumor has it that you can get the Reflex still (old stock) as long as you don't need ELC. They respond much quicker to road conditions than the KYB GR-2 or Sensatrac. But the last thing you want to do now is change shocks/struts again.

Is it perhaps more front than rear? Or the other way around?

Did you upgrade your swaybars?
Old 02-04-2006, 12:02 PM
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Have you tested the springs with a car full of people yet. I know when I switched to KYB'* on the rear I would bottom the car out going over moderate sized bumps if the back seat was full. No ELC and old springs are a bad combination.
Old 02-04-2006, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by willwren
Pogo? Sounds like your shock/strut response isn't quick enough for the stiffer springs? Rumor has it that you can get the Reflex still (old stock) as long as you don't need ELC. They respond much quicker to road conditions than the KYB GR-2 or Sensatrac. But the last thing you want to do now is change shocks/struts again.

Is it perhaps more front than rear? Or the other way around?

Did you upgrade your swaybars?
Yeah in normal driving there is no pogo but i guess at 60 or so the KYBs can't keep up 100%.
I'd say the pogo is more front than rear.
I mean for me its not worth taking everything apart agian. If I had some extra $ and time I might consider it though.
The sways are stock as of right now. I'm keeping my eye out at the wrecker though.
Originally Posted by 96SSEi_tampa
Have you tested the springs with a car full of people yet. I know when I switched to KYB'* on the rear I would bottom the car out going over moderate sized bumps if the back seat was full. No ELC and old springs are a bad combination.
Well last weekend I had 5 30 lb bmx bikes hanging out of my trunk and 5 150-180lb dudes in my car. Only the one rear wheel rubbed and I saw today that that wheel had positive camber so that'* probably why.
Old 02-04-2006, 02:05 PM
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sweet...this is all i need to know...ill be contacting you here in a few months
Old 02-07-2006, 02:06 AM
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Mike, did you know that the W Body Store has a Lowering Spring Pogo Eliminator kit? Only $30. Maybe you should check it out if you haven't already.
Old 02-07-2006, 04:05 AM
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They will not work for the H-Body platform they only work for the W-Body platform.
Old 02-07-2006, 11:12 AM
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Yep. I actually confirmed that when I did the suspension on my friends w-body regal.
Old 02-07-2006, 11:15 AM
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Oh well.

Is it possible you could have something fabricated similar to their product but for use on the Bonnie?
Old 02-07-2006, 11:20 AM
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That would mean fabricating new strut plates. IMO thats a little out of my league. It would be nice though. Too bad there isn't a demand for something like this like the w-bodys.
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