freetors

I noticed my front shocks have started to leak with about 70k mile on them. I want to get something that will improve the handling of the car without sacrificing street comfort. I also am not willing to spend $2k on a nice set of coilovers. I do the occasional autocross also and my 9" wheels all around put me in STR but my car is a real handful (very tail happy), even though it drives beautifully on twisty roads. My car has Swift Spec R springs on it and I like the ride quality and height with them. I wouldn't mind having the ability to adjust my ride height a little more though, but I can't go much lower before it gets impractical. The choices I've seen so far are the CR stock shocks and Koni Yellows. I also noticed the Fortune Auto 500 coilovers (that's my absolute spending limit). I'm a little hesitant about using coilovers though because I don't want to waste time and money having to rebuild them every few years. Any opinions on these choices? Is there another option I'm looking past?

Also for thread economy, I need new rear brake pads. I'm leaning towards OEM and the price is pretty decent on them. Are there any other good options for spirited driving and the occasional autocross? I want something that won't eat my rotors up too much and don't make ridiculous amounts of dust.

jdblood202

I'm kind of in the same boat as you, except I had koni yellows for a bit, right now I'm on oem AP1 with eibach sport springs. I want to upgrade, except I'm not a professional racer, I don't need anything crazy. I'm looking to pick up a set of oem cr shocks and swift spec r springs basically for the fact that it's simple. I don't have to mess with setting the ride height, stiffness, or anything like that. I liked my koni yellows, I had GC coilover sleeves, but getting the ride height and stiffness figured out so it wasn't a total pain in the ass dd'ing was, well, a pain in the ass. And then I hit a pothole and blew out the bottom mount bracket on one of the shocks. That's when I decided that I want to go with the cr/swift springs. As for pads, you're probably going to get a lot of different opinions, I'm running hawk hps pads, I have no complaints about them. They've been a very decent brake pad for me.

Jet3010

If you are entirely happy with your swift springs then I'd say just look into the cr shocks. They will be closest to stock while being just a hair stiffer. If you feel like you need more adjustability for autocross than go for the coils.

JCCs2k

I remember I originally was looking to get some CR shocks as well to go with the Swift Spec-R's. However, I realized that the Koni yellows were substantially cheaper. Not to mention that they are adjustable (rebound only) should you desire that. I have my koni yellows set to 1 full turn from full soft in front, and 3/4 turn from full soft in the rear. I can't see myself fiddling around with the settings because it rides just right right now. I say go for the koni yellows unless you come up on an awesome deal on the CR shocks.

deepbluejh

You can pick up a set of nice AP2 shocks for incredibly cheap ($150-$200). CR shocks are a little stiffer, but carry the "CR" tax and will probably run you $350. Konis have some height adjustability and will run you $500-$600.

Personally I think a set of used CR shocks - if you can find them - would best suit you. Also look into EBC red pads for the back.

Bama Dave

My first suspension modification on my 06 S2000 was 08 struts with Eibach's pro kit lowering springs. I have been to the dragon and done some autocrossing really enjoying that set up. I began to notice the the front liners having rubbing issues with 225 and 255 star specs. Decided to go another route and found 4 TRM C3 17x9 rims and tires. Installed a new set of Koni yellow with CR springs. Taking a couple of week to firgure the right suspension setting with the Koni's and the all square set up. With some help from a friend we came up the 1/4 of a turn from full stiff in the front and a 1/4 of a turn from full soft in the rear. Now the car is almost a neutral handling car. With the CR spring I don't have to worry about having a lowered car around town. Hope this answers any questions. Later BD

freetors

I don't really want to get a set of used shocks. Also the prices for new CR shocks are exactly the same as new regular OEM shocks.

deepbluejh

Fair enough then. If you're buying new, I can't think of any reason to get non-CR shocks with aftermarket springs. CR shocks + swift springs on a very mild drop (<1") is a great setup. There is a running thread in the CR forum about this very setup and people are very happy with them.

lltysonll

Im in the same boat. I just ordered Swift spec R springs and koni yellow. I wouldn't mind going with spec r and cr shocks.

I have 80k on the current stock suspension and having gone over board with the suspension on my previous S (kwv3) which I didn't put to use(no track/autox) I felt that I would take it easy in that dept this go around and go with a spring/strut combo.

My stock suspension has about 80k and I would have paired the shock with the spec r but, the mileage is a bit to high. Thus, I was deciding between yellows and cr shocks. In the end I purchased the koni but, I would have preferred the CR shocks.

freq

This is my set-up. Lots of track time and it works nicely.