I think you should raise it. that would be hot!

 

if you drop your car 2" on 18's, you're going to be looking at rolling your fendors as well.

espilir makes some nice springs and i know a lot of people running them on stock shocks.... (but i think most of them were running 17's, not 18's)

 

I don't really want to drop it a whole lot...just enough to make 18's look ok.

 

Only if your offsets are not optimal.

 

and not rub?

 

I have the Eibach's with stock shocks and get compliments about how nice it rides. On my last car I had the KW shocks and strut set up. My grandpa told me it was like riding in a covered wagon

 

If you have optimal offsets, you can lower 2" and not rub. You did know this, correct?

 

First off guys have been cutting springs since the beginning of time. All you are doing is changing the effective spring rate and shortening the travel. Pretty much what some aftermarket springs do. Problem is you end up messing up the suspension geometry (something all lowering springs do to some extent) and you end up with shocks that are no longer properly valved for the springs. At least with good aftermarket springs (I like Eibachs) you end up with a decent spring/shock combination. None of this matters as long as you don't drive the car close to its limits.

And second, you can run 18s and NOT roll your fenders and NOT rub and NOT look goofie IF you use a lower profile...which you should anyway if you are upsizing the rims. The wheel wells will still look "fuller" with the visual impact of the larger rims and the diameter (and height) of the tires will remain the same. Go to TireRack.com and check their articles about upsizing.

 

I'm wondering how the Tein S.Techs compare in handling to the stock springs?

Stiffer?
Bumpy?


What about the H.Tech?

 

I've had H&R's on stock shocks for the past 10k miles. They lower the car .75" in the front and .6" in the rear. Not a HUGE drop, but enough to close up some gap and make my 18's look good. The ride is probably pretty close to stock. No harshness or wallowing or bouncing. I don't track my car and I don't think I've ever even driven it 7/10's. I can't remember how much I paid but I'm thinking in the $200 range. Here's a couple of pics to give you an idea.