I want to lower the S this summer, nothing serious just enough to do away with the fender gap, but there is one thing that I need to be convinced of before I will even consider this:

Handling won't be compromised but rather improved.

I wouldn't mind a stiffer handling car, something that will go in and out of a turn 100% flat. I'm 19 and don't care if the car is a little uncomfortable, and my GF and I recently broke up so I won't have to take her bitching into account (like I did when I bought an exhaust, and took the A/C out of my last car).

I would like to get some coilovers, and braces, but yeah.... I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to suspension. Here are my questions:

How do the dampers affect handling? Spring rates? Chassis stiffening?

This is my DD, but I'll say again I want something more aggressive.

 

Im looking to actually do the same thing.

After looking at alot of different setups i decided to do more than springs because alot of springs will lower the car but not really help handling.

So i decided on Koni Yellows + Ground Control Coilovers. They run about $800-900 new and are an amazing combol. On GC's you \
\can pick what spring rate you want and its an adjustable height. Im going to go with a higher rate in the front than the back.. Also If you use just springs on your shocks after awhile they might give out.

Also im doing a Cusco 32 mm front sway bar. You don't need a rear bar.
Everything else you see like "strut" bars etc dont do much on this car. The only thing im going to try is an X-brace. Some people have liked it while others said it didn't do anything. but hey it cant hurt to try.

Also i DD this car. 1200-1500 miles a month atleast.

 

Shy Guy - If you want to go all out with handling I would get an AP2 rear subframe it will tighten things up and should make the rear end a little less twitchy/unstable. I have used springs and they did help, but after going to coil-overs I would have to recomend them over a spring set-up.

Maybe get some KWV3's/Bilsteins or if you want even stiffer Tein SRC's or Motons/Penske/etc. and then have the car corner balanced and then get used to it and see what else you want to change from there.

I have a X-brace, Floor ladder bar, tie bar and for looks a tower bar along with my KW's and I love the set-up though I doubt everyone would like the car to feel the same way I do. It really comes down to driving style and preferences.

Good luck!

 

What a breath of fresh air.

 

if you've looked around for braces (x brace & shock tower brace). they only make your car a lil stable in the streets. once u get on the track it doesnt really do anything.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...5&#entry4292323

 

I was thinking about lowering my car, but I decided not to for several reasons:
-If I lower it, the front lip will scrape
-The suspension on the car is perfect from the factory, stiff enough (the car handles better stock than my modded turbo LS that I used to have)
-btw, If you stiffen up the car too much, (x-brace) i read that it will decrease free tire movement and cause the car to skid and wear tires faster.(remember, stiffer suspension needs to be balanced by stickier tires)

 

I'm considering the KW V3's and the X bar.
I know nothing about coilovers but this seems to be at least above average. If I knew something less expensive would work just as well, I'd buy it.
I'm not counting on the X brace to do anything except to protect the pan. This to my mind, this will justify the cost not to mention the added peace of mind.
COILOVERS= Pleasure and fun.
XBRACE= Insurance

 

u can get buddy club or tein flex relatively around 900-1100ish
cheaper used like 500-700
if you're only DD'n it and like a few spritied drives/track day you'll be fine with those

 

eibach springs ftw. one inch drop, then throw some koni yellows on there, i have eibach now and am getting koni yellows this summer... if u got big money tho get T1R coilovers or KW3's

 

if you're just gonna drive on the streets, and your car is your DD. i wouldnt suggest coilovers. save your money on something else. If your just buying it to be "cool" its really just a waste of money. Most people i've seen with coilovers for the streets only buy them to slam the car, or buy them because they are misinformed. Alot of people set up their expensive coilovers to make it feel stock. IMO thats the dumbest thing ive seen on s2ki.
If your just gonna drive around town, messin' around why do you need to modify the suspension? Thats a lot of money spent, just to go to the track 3 times a year. but in the case you do go with the coilovers. i'll suggest KW Variant 3's or 2's. 3's have adjustable bump and rebound, and the 2's can only adjust the rebound.