Lowering the MkIII, but keeping stock feel
- Thread starter 89MkIII
- Start date
Eibach+KYB GR-2 = FTW.
Really nice setup. Not super stiff. Think of it as a upgraded stock setup.
Really nice setup. Not super stiff. Think of it as a upgraded stock setup.
I prefer the feel of Koni's - you can adjust the rebound to fit your needs/springs. They if you want a stiffer feel, then bilstiens are your fit. I went from stock to JIC flt-2's to koni/tanabe. The latter is much more fitting to a GT car - not nearly as nimble at the JIC's, but the ride quality/ handling compromise is perfect for my needs.
btw (just my opinion) I have never ridden in a car with eibachs where I liked the ride (supra's included). Eibach/koni was the best eibach combo I've ridden, but I like the tanabe springs so much more that its a non-comparison.
my $.02
btw (just my opinion) I have never ridden in a car with eibachs where I liked the ride (supra's included). Eibach/koni was the best eibach combo I've ridden, but I like the tanabe springs so much more that its a non-comparison.
my $.02
89jdm7m said:
Stock = 4x4
Stock w/ blown shocks = Buick 4x4
kthxbye!
Seriously though, I can tell you what not to get if you want a stock feel. H&R springs w/ Koni Yellows are great if you don't have to worry about ground clearance or bumpy roads...but if you do, you'll probably need to see your dentist to have your fillings replaced after the first 5k miles and possibly your downpipe replaced too, especially if you encounter any speed bumps.
I've got Tein HRs now and they're much better. Still not stock, but actually less harsh than the H&Rs -- probably because I can dial in a little more ride height/travel.
I am going to be going with the JDM JZA70 Springs, and KYB GR-2's...I have no idea how it will feel, but people seem to like it...right now I have BLOWN stock TEMS struts, and I must say, it is very scary to drive on te freeway, it bounces so much, you feel like you're either going to flip over, or lose control. I will post my review once I get them installed.
I have the Tein SS's and I find them a bit too stiff for my liking. The only option I can think of would be the Tein Flex which lets you adjust spring pre-load to you could dial in the stiffness you want. They are $$ but are the best. Also the EDFC controller adjusts your shocks from the dash. I have it and it is pimp!
The D2's are excellent quality, with less unsprung weight than stock components. Definitely they are more oriented for track use, and not anything close to a stock ride.
Stock spring rates for a MKIII are 461 ft/lbs front, and 215 ft/lbs rear. The D2's are shipped with 671 ft/lbs (12 kg/mm) front, and 447 ft/lbs (8 kg/mm) rear. Even with the minimum shock setting, these spring rates are quite punishing for a street car, particularly the rears.
Eibach Pro's are a progressive spring, fronts are 343-628 ft/lbs, and rears are 126-257 ft/lbs. Coupled with Tokico or KYB shocks you can obtain an uprated stock ride, sufficiently stiff to provide much better control, ride and handling.
Looking at the various springs given here, one can see what is a reasonable spring rate for a street MKIII.
Running D2's on my MKIII, I found the rear spring rates too high for street use. The front spring rate was stiff enough to give the car that 'bouncy' characteristic, and not very pleasant on broken up road surfaces even with shocks adjusted to the softest setting possible.
Since I really like the D2's for quality, weight and adjustability, I'm going to swap the rear springs to the front struts, and order a softer spring for the rears, probably the 196 ft/lb (3.5 kg/mm) setting. This will give approximate 'stock' spring rates on the car, and allow me to use more shock adjustment to balance out the ride and handling to my liking for street use.
D2 has replacement springs in stock at their place in Durham NC, I believe at $50 each.
Once I complete the swap, I'll post my findings on the results.
John
Stock spring rates for a MKIII are 461 ft/lbs front, and 215 ft/lbs rear. The D2's are shipped with 671 ft/lbs (12 kg/mm) front, and 447 ft/lbs (8 kg/mm) rear. Even with the minimum shock setting, these spring rates are quite punishing for a street car, particularly the rears.
Eibach Pro's are a progressive spring, fronts are 343-628 ft/lbs, and rears are 126-257 ft/lbs. Coupled with Tokico or KYB shocks you can obtain an uprated stock ride, sufficiently stiff to provide much better control, ride and handling.
Looking at the various springs given here, one can see what is a reasonable spring rate for a street MKIII.
Running D2's on my MKIII, I found the rear spring rates too high for street use. The front spring rate was stiff enough to give the car that 'bouncy' characteristic, and not very pleasant on broken up road surfaces even with shocks adjusted to the softest setting possible.
Since I really like the D2's for quality, weight and adjustability, I'm going to swap the rear springs to the front struts, and order a softer spring for the rears, probably the 196 ft/lb (3.5 kg/mm) setting. This will give approximate 'stock' spring rates on the car, and allow me to use more shock adjustment to balance out the ride and handling to my liking for street use.
D2 has replacement springs in stock at their place in Durham NC, I believe at $50 each.
Once I complete the swap, I'll post my findings on the results.
John