How well do stock ap1 struts do with lowering springs? I'm purchasing an ap1 on stock struts & skunk 2 springs. Will the struts last or will the aftermarket springs shorten their life?

Thanks.

 

If you're going in there, do it right! Get a decent pair of replacement struts since i'm sure they need to be replaced soon anyway. You'll be glad you did because of safety, ride quality and handling.

 

btw, I'm in Tampa also.

 

The S2000 does not have struts. The stock (OEM) suspension uses non-adjustable Showa coil overs. Lowering the car does not change or exceed the limits of the shock stroke as long as you don't cut too much off the bump stops. As long as the drop isn't too great, the only issue you're likely to have is the old wear pattern in the rear inner CV joint buckets, and you can solve that by flipping the buckets side to side.

I'm not familiar (no experience) with the Skunk 2 springs; I'm running Eibach Pro Kit springs for a 1" drop, very close to UK alignment, and flipped CV buckets, and the setup has been problem free (except for the limited clearance over speed bumps and steep driveways).

 

Good info. I was basing my answer on experience w/ other cars that they are separate on.

 

[QUOTE=XScarAudio,Dec 12 2008, 01:56 PM]Good info.

 

I would suggest getting a descent set of coilovers. Most people buy springs, then they sell them for coilovers after they get used to it.

 

Any data to back that up? What I have found is that most people who plan on spending big bucks on the S2000 suspension, but try a set of good aftermarket springs, decide to stay with the OEM Showa's. Of course if you upgrade the rubber for more grip, then different spring rates and shock valving are in order, so my comments here only refer to street cars running street tires. LOL, after all, this isn't R&C, and nobody has said anything about autocrossing or racing.

 

Its all preference. Alot of coilover users are previous spring owners. It all depends on what you build the car for.

 

Exactly!

Most people who drop do so entirely for looks (to "get rid of the gap"), and just want to make sure that they're not going to ruin the car's handling or have other problems as a result. Most haven't got a clue how to corner weight their car or how to tune the handling with the shock valving, so they miss all the real benefits of adjustable coil overs.

I do plan to upgrade the non-adjustable OEM Showa's to the fully adjustable Showa's, and I'll be sticking with the Pro Kit springs. The upgrade will let me corner weight, and let me raise the front slightly. That's got to wait until I wear out the OEM shocks first though. LOL, the only reason I left the stock shocks on the car in the first place was becasue so meany people here told me that I'd "blow out the shocks" and I wanted to prove to myself (beyond any doubt) that they were full of beans.