Question on lowering my car

[baby_blue_jeff]

I recently bought a S13 (around 6 months ago) and I am just using it as a daily driver. The car is at stock height, which sucks because the S13 wheel-well is HUGE. I'm thinking about getting Tein S-Techs (~$180), but ONLY the springs. I don't wanna get shocks because they're way too expensive and I don't wanna spend that much on a daily driver. I am willing to at least buy nice brand name springs though. So my question is:

Do I really NEED shocks? Or can I just lower it with the springs and leave it at that? I was told the car's ride wouldn't be all that if I lowered it on stock shocks, but I'm willing to live with that. HELP! Thanks in advanced!

[impact240sx]

The shocks have othing to do with ride height but you will want new ones because lowering springs put more stress on your shocks , i think, don't quote me, plus shocks go bad and if your car has alot of miles and noone has replaced the shocks then they might be blown.

[baby_blue_jeff]

The shocks have othing to do with ride height but you will want new ones because lowering springs put more stress on your shocks , i think, don't quote me, plus shocks go bad and if your car has alot of miles and noone has replaced the shocks then they might be blown.

Since the car is 20 years old, I'm assuming they're already blown cuz the car is so old. Even if I lower the car on blown shocks, is there any REAL side effect?

(My car is an '89, but only has about 142k miles. I'm not sure if the previous owner changed them or not.)

[impact240sx]

well other then the effect of going up and down bouncin around, i guess it wouldn't be too bad, jk but seriously i'd save up and get the struts. if i were you and couldn't replace both i'd just replace struts. Blown struts are sort of unsafe because the car can be very unpredictable.

[96NismoZ]

is there any REAL side effect?

Yes, there is. Do not put just springs on your car. impact240sx is right, if you only do one of the two, do the struts. Safety always over appearance. Your car will handle better on new struts rather than springs. And finally, I once did just spring and kept my blown struts you will bottom out and your tires will rub the fenders... all the time. But if you wanna build a death box, go ahead! Just don't forget to update us with photos and stories!!!

[gtc_240sx]

How hard is it to replace struts and spring?

[Elbowblk]

its a pretty simple bolt off and bolt on thing if you have the right tools. you'll need a spring compressor. and a good amount of time to kill.

[hbpignosePA]

to OP don't half *** something as important as suspension. period

save bodywork for the hack jobs, at least the only threat you have is causing other people to crash due them gawking at a fugly car

but seriously its not safe... your struts might not be blown yet but they will if you put more stress on the stock struts than they originally were designed for.

to above poster springs/struts are easy few bolts and your done. you will need to compress the springs to get the top mount off, or you can be lazy and have shop do that if you dont have all the tools

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Why isn't this in the suspension forum?

OP, save your money and do it right. You can deal with stock ride height for a few more months until you get enough cash for struts right?

[nismoracingsx]

Just keep your eye on the classifieds, people upgrade all the time and sell off struts and springs for cheaper.

[Justin35ll]

I have lowering springs on my stock struts. They are blown to **** and yours prob will be too. Everytime I turn the wheel the spings spin in the struts and make a loud *** popping sound, sounds like my car is falling apart haha. And the rear has no springs just bottomed out shocks. It's really low and solid. Just temporary cause I had no rear lowering springs to put in. Don't flame me cause the car isn't registered or anything so I don't drive it anywhere but up and down my road. (it's pretty fun though lol)I'm putting in stock suspension so I can get it inspected then buying stance gr +coils

so my sugestion is buy a spring/shock combo or at least buy new oem struts to go along with the springs or some cheap used coilovers

[S13Teddy]

Just cut your springs until you can afford real suspension.

[impact240sx]

Yeah dude leave only 3 coils left. FTW!! LOL

But in all seriousness if you didn't catch the sarcasm don't cut them.

[baby_blue_jeff]

Sooo...I guess I'm not getting lowering springs unless I get some aftermarket shocks as well. And if I lower the car WITH aftermarket shocks, how long will the shocks last me? I'm checking out prices, and KYB GS2 struts aren't as expensive as I remembered. They're about $200 shipped brand new.

Does anybody have an experience with KYB GS2s and would you guys recommend them? And what about Tein S Techs?
Modified by baby_blue_jeff at 8:08 PM 1/1/2009

[xX RB Xx]

Sooo...I guess I'm not getting lowering springs unless I get some aftermarket shocks as well. And if I lower the car WITH aftermarket shocks, how long will the shocks last me? I'm checking out prices, and KYB GS2 struts aren't as expensive as I remembered. They're about $200 shipped brand new.

Does anybody have an experience with KYB GS2s and would you guys recommend them? And what about Tein S Techs?

your stock shocks are designed for stock springs.. aftermarket shocks are designed for lowering springs, or oem replacements. SO getting aftermarket shocks with aftermarket spings will last. you can easily get 30k out of them if the roads you live on arnt ****ty.

GR2's are good struts for the price.. i say get them. Tien springs are tien springs.. they are good stuff.

i am personally using kyb agx and eibach sportsline and i love the setup.but that is a $600 setup brand new.

[baby_blue_jeff]

your stock shocks are designed for stock springs.. aftermarket shocks are designed for lowering springs, or oem replacements. SO getting aftermarket shocks with aftermarket spings will last. you can easily get 30k out of them if the roads you live on arnt ****ty.

GR2's are good struts for the price.. i say get them. Tien springs are tien springs.. they are good stuff.

i am personally using kyb agx and eibach sportsline and i love the setup.but that is a $600 setup brand new.

$600 is a little too much for me to spend on a daily driver, so I guess I'ma go with the KYB GR2s ($200) and Tein S Tech ($180). I'm willing to spend $380 for a daily driver, especially since I'm pretty sure the shocks are already blown anyways.

Thanks for the help guys!
Modified by baby_blue_jeff at 8:22 PM 1/1/2009

[S13Joe]

you really cant tell if the struts are blown or not? cut your springs fool. it will be so sick.

[nifares240]

the gr-2 are not design for higher rate spring like s-tech. get the agx once and for all. you will save some headache later. gr-2 are match for the stock spring rate.

[hbpignosePA]

those shocks are OEM replacements basically

just get the agx's

or leave your suspension alone

would you rather spend almost 400, when for 200 more you can get something that is at least going to not fall apart.

and if you don't want people's advice dont ask these questions. half *** it and your back where you started with 380 dollars less to your name

i went with koni/ RSR combo which is around 800 new; i sourced some of it used but i figured why buy something if its gonna make the car handle worse... and this was when i dailyed my 240

[baby_blue_jeff]

the gr-2 are not design for higher rate spring like s-tech. get the agx once and for all. you will save some headache later. gr-2 are match for the stock spring rate.

Hmmm...I just I'll really have to think about it then. AGXs are pretty pricey for just a beater. Thanks for all the advice! I would have done it all wrong w/o you guys.