Strut/Shocks/Springs Questions

racinmy99 · Aug 18, 2006

I think I have settled on the Tokico Illumina's as for springs I am not so sold on who to buy yet. So what are the preferences out there, I do not want to go lower than 1.5" at the most.

Also where is the cheapest place to order them from?

bakos24 · Aug 18, 2006

Stangsuspension has good prices. As far as which springs. Everyone is going to say H&R. They have either the super sports(Nice stance, but drop it more than 1.5" i think) or the sports.(which would drop it where your after).
Steeda also make good springs.

Jakes · Aug 18, 2006

Eibach, H&R, Ford Racing, Steeda are all good, well used and trusted brands. Pick your drop and go with one of these guys. Just remember the lower the drop the harder the ride.

BMan5150 · Aug 18, 2006

I've got steeda sport springs, Tokico Illums on the front and bilsteins on the rear along with MM LCAs. The ride is way more controlled, a little less brake dive and in no way is the ride harsh. Taut - yes; harsh - nope. Drop is mild - maybe 1.25 in the front and about 1" in the rear if that. Totally recommend this setup.

san~man · Aug 18, 2006

BMan5150 said:
I've got steeda sport springs, Tokico Illums on the front and bilsteins on the rear along with MM LCAs. The ride is way more controlled, a little less brake dive and in no way is the ride harsh. Taut - yes; harsh - nope. Drop is mild - maybe 1.25 in the front and about 1" in the rear if that. Totally recommend this setup.

Why in the world did you buy 2 different brands for the front and rear?

To the thread maker:

Stick with one brand all around for better overall performance.

You may also want to re-think the Illuminas. Are you really going to adjust them that often to warrant buying an adjustable shock/strut? Most do in the beginning, but don't in the end. You also have to cut a hole in the trunkliner unless you plan on taking it out every time you want to make an adjustment. Consider some Bilsteins, you can't go wrong with them and they have a lifetime warranty too.

You also should consider your overall goals, suspension wise, before you buy a single part. Are you into corner carving or going fast in a straight line? That will ultimately determine and guide you as to what to buy.

Good luck.

97gtconv. · Aug 19, 2006

i have wEibach Pro kit springs, there 1 1/2". those are what are on my 97 gtconv.

BMan5150 · Aug 19, 2006

san~man said:
Why in the world did you buy 2 different brands for the front and rear?

Why not? They work well. I seriously doubt any of these aftermarket shock/strut combos are "tuned as a set" to the point that anyone would notice it. MAYBE the Eibach set, but even that I doubt.

To the thread starter - I have mixed and matched, and no it's not a big deal. I speak from personal experience. I have non-adjustable bilstein shocks on the rear, which is why I never had to make holes in the trunk liner. The front struts are easily adjustable.

Sanman is right about the adjusting part. I've only adjusted mine about 6 times since installing them in the early spring. Some back and forth initially to get the setting I like (which incidentally is the hardest setting) and then before/after the drag strip (softest at the drag strip.)

black_96_GT · Aug 19, 2006

If you are not looking to spend 200.00+ go with ford racing C springs and cut approx 1 coil off of the rears. Otherwise I hear nothing but good things from Steeda and H&R. many people believe the ford racing and Steeda provide close to the same performance. That is just what I hear. I'm still putting on my C's, struts/shocks and ball joints. Give me to the end of the weekend and I'll let you know how they are.

Pennywise2 · Aug 20, 2006

H&R Sport springs will give you the drop you
are looking for.They will also get rid of the 4X4
stance!

san~man · Aug 20, 2006

BMan5150 said:
Why not? They work well. I seriously doubt any of these aftermarket shock/strut combos are "tuned as a set" to the point that anyone would notice it. MAYBE the Eibach set, but even that I doubt.

For one, they are valved differently and to different specs.

No car designed for good handling ever, to my knowledge, had different brands front versus rear. None from MM or Griggs I know of at least.

But, if you think it works for you, then I'll leave it at that.

Pennywise2 · Aug 20, 2006

san~man said:
For one, they are valved differently and to different specs.

No car designed for good handling ever, to my knowledge, had different brands front versus rear. None from MM or Griggs I know of at least.

But, if you think it works for you, then I'll leave it at that.

Two totaly different spring rates.

san~man · Aug 20, 2006

Pennywise2 said:
Two totaly different spring rates.

No he has different shock/strut brands...Tokiko front, Bilstein rear.

Pennywise2 · Aug 20, 2006

san~man said:
No he has different shock/strut brands...Tokiko front, Bilstein rear.

Ooo o.k. I read that wrong.
Running Tokico front and Bilstien in the rear doesn't sound right.
I'm surprized he hasn't ran into any issues so far.

Kilgore Trout · Aug 20, 2006

I have to agree, matched sets are best. The manufacturers design these sets to work optimally together. Personally, I think that the sets listed on Maximum Motorsports are an excellent choice and if I was upgrading that is what I would do.

www.maximummotorsports.com

Also, there is some great info on their pages about suspension setups. Lots of cool stuff The have some interesting installation instruction articles as well.

007 · Aug 20, 2006

My 0.02. Get KYBs instead of Illuminas. The adjustment is on the side of the rear shock - easy to grab. They are much cheaper. With the money you save by LCAs and do them at the same time.

smueller · Aug 20, 2006

I am also having a hard time deciding on springs. It's either going to be the H&R Sports or SuperSports. I want my car dropped but not the slammed look. I am going to be running 18 inch Saleen wheels. Any comments on this...?

007 · Aug 20, 2006

smueller said:
I am also having a hard time deciding on springs. It's either going to be the H&R Sports or SuperSports. I want my car dropped but not the slammed look. I am going to be running 18 inch Saleen wheels. Any comments on this...?

If you have a vert beware of the H&Rs. They are meant to drop a bit more than the coupe springs. The front of my car was slammed - big rake. I could barely get 2 fingers between the tires and wheel arch (with 365/35/18s - slightly smaller than stock) and I grounded out everywhere. I got fed up of banging the K member on every rough road and got Roush front springs. The car sits perfectly level now with the H&Rs in the rear and I havent grounded out since. The wheels look better in the arches - before they were too high.
Just a warning if you have a vert, doesnt apply to the coupe springs at all.

Now that I've sold them so well. Who wants to buy a pair of front H&R vert springs? Any offers!!!

madmatt · Aug 21, 2006

Love my steeda sports. Great stance and the handling is much improved.

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