Im sure weve all seen this somewhere, but i wanted to know. Im putting KYB AGX gas shocks and struts on my car, and i want really nice handling, and still keep it streetable. are the sports too low? and i heard that the prokit has a progressive spring rate as the spotlines do nt they have a fixed rate, does this make any sense, and if so someone help me on it, im gettin everything at wholesale price. and installed for next to nothing.
thanx for any inputBryan
Sportlines VS. Pro-Kit
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ShifDown96240SE
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Is this an S13? If so, there will only be a .75" drop with the Pro Kit. They suck, im sorry to say. The spring rates are the same as stock too (saw that somewhere else on this board). The Sportlines will drop your car 1.75", still very streetable and looks good with 16" wheels (again, on an S13). I believe both are progressive rate springs, but stuff like Sprint or Intrax are not, so they will handle very good.
Im sorry i just realised you have a 96. Not sure what prokit lower an S14.
Im sorry i just realised you have a 96. Not sure what prokit lower an S14.
I just had Sportlines and Koni adjustables installed on my 95, and if anything it is still to high. I still have stock 15" alloys so it will look better when I get some wheels, but the sportlines are for better handling than the pro-kit according to Eibach and the car is still very streetable. You will be pleased with Sportlines. I think they lowered my car by like 1.5" or so
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ShifDown96240SE
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bwalker240
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Ace wrote:I just had Sportlines and Koni adjustables installed on my 95, and if anything it is still to high. I still have stock 15" alloys so it will look better when I get some wheels, but the sportlines are for better handling than the pro-kit according to Eibach and the car is still very streetable. You will be pleased with Sportlines. I think they lowered my car by like 1.5" or so
Actually, I believe it is the exact opposite of what you said. The pro-kit springs have higher spring rates than the sportlines: pro vs. sport (sportlines very close to stock rates even thought they are progressive). Call Eibach and ask to speak to technical support and ask them. They will tell u the truth. If their response is "stiffer than stock", indicate that you already have springs but need to know Eibach's spring rates so you can compare because you want something stiffer - then they will tell u the rates. Thats what I did. If i recall correctly, the sportline rates were 180/140 lbs. at the most progressive rate. I believe the 140 lbs. for the rear is almost the stock rates.
Compared to the Tein Flex coilover system (spring rate = 340/280 lbs.) I have on my S14 now, the Koni adjustable (yellow) and sportline setup really didn't even compare - still a lot of slop and a horrible ride on rough surfaces. I really hated the setup. I love my Teins though and am really happy about the results - great on the street or track. If people are interested in performance, i wouldn't go with Sportlines.
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bwalker240
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So your saying that the pro kit will lower the car more than the sportlines. Ok but why would Eibach put in their phamplet and I quote " Pro Kit: High Performance handling, Progressive Spring Design, lowers vehicle 1.0" to 1.5", Excellent ride quality""Sportlines: Extreme Performance, Race-Car like handling, progressive spring design, lowers vehicle 1.75" to 2.25". Now I have't talked to a Eibach service rep but I don't think they would put something on one product that was meant for another product they sell and visa versa.
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bwalker240
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nope - sportlines will drop the car more.
The amount the car is lowered does not necessarily equate with increased performance. If so, then the guy with cut stock springs and a slammed car would be king.
Ideally, you would want to have the car as low as possible with a very stiff spring rate.
I went to the Eibach site to take a look:
Advantages of the Eibach Sportlines:
Extreme Performance Race-Car Like Handling Progressive Spring Design Lowers vehicle 1.75" to 2.25"
Advantages of the Eibach Pro-Kit:
Excellent ride quality - comfortable in cruising Sportive handling in cornering, resulting in improved performance Lowered center of gravity, increased stability Enhanced appearance of vehicle
However, upon closer inspection, some of the other wording sounds suspicious regarding the Sportlines:
"Created for the extreme enthusiast, who wants that "race-car" attitude...designed for maximum street performance"
Also, the Sportlines are USA only and were released around the time the import market exploded to try and satisfy the need for slammed cars.
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Lastly, I care very little about the way Eibach markets their product - what I know is what their tech division told me. For the 1998 S14, the Pro-kit has a higher spring rate (stiffer) than the Sportlines. I bought the Sportlines myself because they lowered the car the most, but regretted it - just trying to help someone else avoid the same.
Last tip. If any go ahead and still buy the Sportlines, make sure you change to shorter stroke shocks all around (especially the back). Since the car is lowered so much, the stock struts and shocks at the extreme edge of their proper working range and thus wear out very quickly. You'll you'll need to replace them within 6 mos or so, so might as well take care of it when you change the springs.
The amount the car is lowered does not necessarily equate with increased performance. If so, then the guy with cut stock springs and a slammed car would be king.
Ideally, you would want to have the car as low as possible with a very stiff spring rate.
I went to the Eibach site to take a look:
Advantages of the Eibach Sportlines:
Extreme Performance Race-Car Like Handling Progressive Spring Design Lowers vehicle 1.75" to 2.25"
Advantages of the Eibach Pro-Kit:
Excellent ride quality - comfortable in cruising Sportive handling in cornering, resulting in improved performance Lowered center of gravity, increased stability Enhanced appearance of vehicle
However, upon closer inspection, some of the other wording sounds suspicious regarding the Sportlines:
"Created for the extreme enthusiast, who wants that "race-car" attitude...designed for maximum street performance"
Also, the Sportlines are USA only and were released around the time the import market exploded to try and satisfy the need for slammed cars.
---------------------------------------------
Lastly, I care very little about the way Eibach markets their product - what I know is what their tech division told me. For the 1998 S14, the Pro-kit has a higher spring rate (stiffer) than the Sportlines. I bought the Sportlines myself because they lowered the car the most, but regretted it - just trying to help someone else avoid the same.
Last tip. If any go ahead and still buy the Sportlines, make sure you change to shorter stroke shocks all around (especially the back). Since the car is lowered so much, the stock struts and shocks at the extreme edge of their proper working range and thus wear out very quickly. You'll you'll need to replace them within 6 mos or so, so might as well take care of it when you change the springs.
Yeah I do agree. I had sportlines on my Integra w/ stock shocks for a year and the ride was horrible. But when I put in Koni "Yellows" the handling was greatly improved. Anyway I'm not a guy that goes for all show S#$% I would go with a set of Teins or JICs but the cost is pretty high, so I went with the spring and strut combo. The spring didn't really matter to me I just wanted Koni adjustables with it, so I went with what I knew and got the sportlines. I heard that 240s are hard to lower, so I went with a spring that would take me down a bit.
Anyway I think it is a great setup for spring and strut. Coilovers are great but you need to fork over the $$$.
Anyway I think it is a great setup for spring and strut. Coilovers are great but you need to fork over the $$$.
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bwalker240
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I'll try and see if this works:
Here is the car with Koni Adjustables (yellow) back in the KA days:
Here is the car with the Tein Flex coilovers currently in the SR days:
I think I spent in the neighborhood of $700 - 800 bucks for the eibachs and Konis. You can get one of the lesser expensive coilover setups (Apex world sport, Tein HA, etc.) for around $900 - 1000 (or cheaper maybe).
Also Ace, what are you doing for your rear camber. With the Konis and eibachs, you're probably running -2.0 or more for the rears aren't you?
Here is the car with Koni Adjustables (yellow) back in the KA days:
Here is the car with the Tein Flex coilovers currently in the SR days:
I think I spent in the neighborhood of $700 - 800 bucks for the eibachs and Konis. You can get one of the lesser expensive coilover setups (Apex world sport, Tein HA, etc.) for around $900 - 1000 (or cheaper maybe).
Also Ace, what are you doing for your rear camber. With the Konis and eibachs, you're probably running -2.0 or more for the rears aren't you?
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bwalker240
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GoofyATX240
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The ProKits will make so little difference in your ride height that they wont need a camber kit. Every other spring ive seen is correct in their advertised lowering height, EXCEPT EIBACH. Pick up a 5 year old issue of SuperStreet or Sport Compact Car, look in there, and you will see: ProKit .75", Sportline 1.75". Even if you dont get Eibach at all, get something that you will enjoy. ProKits, last i lookd, go for $225. You could get Intrax for $175 and then get the camber kit. Just be sure you do it right the first time.
Well you need a camber kit for your specific car. Your alignment shop should have or be able to get this, but if you want to bring them all the peices for the intall, check http://www.tirerack.com under suspension. I believe its like $25 or so.
For me its Eibach sportlines (low drop and great handling) with good shocks. Ive heard too often that Intrax and Sprint are just for looks. I got the KYB GR2s because its what i could afford at the time. Even if i had gotten the adjustable AGXs, i doubt i would ever adjust them. Set it once and stop fooling with it. Suspension Techniques makes upgraded sway bars, i am interested in those right now. Front strut brace, i might go with a beefy one from Stillen or JIC or something, again my GREX was $99 and was what i could afford at the time.
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skydragoness
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I have the pro-kit and I think they are relly good. Stiff but yet comfortable. I like the way it handles without loosing the camber or the ride quality. I didn't need a camber kit because it doesn't lower the car that much but enough to notice and feel the suspension working better... I am also running on my stock shocks... as of 6 months into it.. they are working beautifully... I know when I switch to some good shocks I will get better perfomance but as for right now, it is holding up just fine and so I don't see te need to spend money on it. once my shocks go out, then I'll upgrade...
Sportlines ride exceptionally. They are extremely harsh on some of the crappy potholes on our crappy local interstates, but then again, my bone stock Porsche 944 hits the same holes just as hard. I definately recommend the Sportlines. You will not be dissappointed. If you didnt want to go as low (1.75" isnt low enough in my opinion), then i owned H&R springs for 5 years and LOVED them. But they are only a 1.25" drop (for like $100 more).
What i cant wait to fill you in on is how my new Nismo Power Bar 2 and Nismo T/C bushings work with my Sportlines and KYBs. My car has been under the car cover for 3 months now while i rebuild my SOHC. But im putting the engine back in tomorrow and hope to be able to fire her up by Sunday!
Some good places to get Sportlines:
http://www.Optauto.comhttp://www.NOPI.c ... rerack.com
What i cant wait to fill you in on is how my new Nismo Power Bar 2 and Nismo T/C bushings work with my Sportlines and KYBs. My car has been under the car cover for 3 months now while i rebuild my SOHC. But im putting the engine back in tomorrow and hope to be able to fire her up by Sunday!
Some good places to get Sportlines:
http://www.Optauto.comhttp://www.NOPI.c ... rerack.com
Yes coilovers are the best... I dont think that anyone needs to explain that. Props to the people who can afford them, not all of us can. For those who are in my situation the sportlines are awsome but are slightly harsh, I personaly like the feel though, makes you feel stuck to the road especially in corners. It you have the money go with the coilovers but otherwise Eibach Sportlines are an awsome inproment in performance and looks.
