I've seen a bunch of H&R Sport pictures for the 1.3" drop or whatever and it looks really good. However, are people just swapping springs? I've got a 6MT sport package car, so maybe the shocks can take it, but is that what other people have been doing w/ success and no blown shocks?

 

I haven't really heard of shocks blowing. IMO, keep the stock shocks until they go bad, then switch to aftermarkets. No sense in switching right away ... they stock shocks would just take up room in the garage.

 

hehe Yup, I have a "S" 07 and just Installed Eibach springs, I'll just use them until they wear out, then replace with Aftermarket ones! There should not be a problem putting Drop springs with Stock shocks! I done it many time's from Honda's to Mustangs. When the time comes throw away the Stock ones and Buy Good Aftermarket ones.

 

how bouncy is your ride with the stock shocks on the higher-rate springs?

blown shocks are not the primary reason to change them on a lowering job. it's to get the damping rate matched to the spring rate. when you see the ghetto rigs on the freeway bouncing like hawaiian dolls it's because they owner has severely lowered the car with very heavy rate springs, but left the shocks alone.

the rates on the H&Rs may be within the damping range of the stock shocks, but it's not ideal for handling.

 

well, except for the convenience of already having the shocks out, and not having to do two alignments.

 

Good points. I have a T-Bird SC with Suspension Techniques springs and 110K+ miles on the stock shocks and it still rides / handles great.

As for the ride quality in the G, most H&R / Eibach users have said the ride is perfect ... not jarring and not rockin' like a boat. I've had my Eibach springs on for a while now and everything has been fine so far, even with 4 passengers.

Progressive rate springs are great for normal day to day driving, so the rates are matched very well to the shocks. Fixed rate springs would be more predictable in agressive driving, but would probably need shocks that are valved differently. I would consider coil-overs at this point.

 

very true. typically fixed rate springs will be set up stiffer because, well, that's the point. it's difficult to valve a shock for progressive rate spring, but they make sense on the street because suspension motions are rarely to the extreme.

i still really wish koni would make an FSD damper for the G. i'd totally buy that and stick with the stock rate springs. i like the spring rate on our cars, but not the damping rate (even on the sport model).

 

Another thing to keep in mind is the shocks are different between the Journey and the Sport. Both versions have been lowered without negative comments, so everything should be good.

Stock shock part numbers:

Sport
Front Pass Side: E6110JK01B
Front Driver Side: E6111JK01B
Rear: E6210JK01A

Journey
Front Pass Side: E6110JK00B
Front Driver Side: E6111JK00B
Rear: E6210JK00C

 

yes, i know:

i dont like the rebound rates on either model, frankly.

 

I wonder if the coupe has stiffer shocks besides stiffer springs? I was thinking my slightly tighter sprung coupe rode smoother and more predictable than my new G35S sedan. Sedan needs tighter shocks maybe to compliment the tighter springs? Its all little confusing sometimes.

 

likely. i don't see why a car running different spring rates wouldn't have shocks with different valving. it's the easiest thing to change anyway. just change the shim stack.