choice of springs

[Bix VT]

alright, well I just recently took a trip up the east coast to NY, and my OE struts (123k miles) went out on me. I've purchased a set of KYB GR2s, as well as the KYB strut mounts. my question is: what is the best spring out there for handling? ride quality is a slight concern, but the amount that my car is lowered is not, as long as it doesn't affect forward traction.

basically at this point my choices are:
Eibach pro
H&R Sport
H&R Race
Sprint 2.0
Sprint 2.5
ST springs

I remember back from a sticky on TSN that the sprints have a front spring rate of around 200, while the rears are almost identical to stock. wouldn't this provoke understeer?

however, th H&R sports have around 200 front and back, which sounds good to me, while the H&R Race springs have an even higher rate (but I don't remember exactly). I believe the eibachs are about the same front and back as well, but with a spring rate closer to 170. I have no idea what the spring rate the ST springs offer.

I'm hoping for advice from people that have any of the above springs, and have paired them with the GR2s.

thanks in advance [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]

[SupraCharged007]

i would say, if you arent worried about drop and want performance over ride quality = H&R.

if you want ride quality over performance = Eibach.

both handle pretty good but the Eibachs will ride much better, and the H&R's will out perform the Eibachs

edit: H&R sports, the race ones will prolly ride like complete ass since our stock design struts blow.

[DasPirate]

You really don't want the H&R race springs. KYBs have so little damping that they'd probably make your handling worse compared to the sports.

[Plastic Fury]

I run the Eibach pro kit with KYB's and have been satisfied with them on and off the autocross. The ride quality is decent.

I did run the H&R Stage III's (race) for a time on KYB's and there is a BIG difference in ride quality lol. I would have kept them as I loved the handling they offered but a good friend of mine who runs the same springs on a Koni/Carrera setup told me that H&R Stage III springs will actually kill the KYB struts pretty quickly and that if I did want to get the true benefit of the race springs I would have to change to the setup he had.

[Bix VT]

I had been leaning towards the H&R Sports when I posted this...thanks for the input guys, I think I'll go with them.

I should have joined this site sooner...

[saturn_06]

i ran the prgress 1.75 inch springs ont he wagon on stock struts and the ride was unbelieveable

[DTDSasquatch]

Whatever you do, do NOT buy Suspension Techniques springs if you are going for a performance-oriented spring. The rear spring rate is actually LOWER than stock (115 lbs/in. if I remember correctly).

I will most likely be buying a set of Eibach's or H&R's from one of the guys who are buying AMR coilovers (I'm guessing that there will be a plethora of used springs available at that point, hehe), and just sell these ones on eBay (or Saturnfans [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/wink.gif[/img] ) to someone who is just going for looks.

EDIT (12/7/07): The correct spring rates for Suspension Techniques springs (P/N 60445) are: 157 lbs/in Front, 109-155 lbs/in Rear.

[scottyr94]

Yup, the Progress springs do ride awesome. That's all I heard before I bought mine, and I have to 100% agree. Although not really geared towards performance, the drop is perfect IMO, and the ride can't be beaten for a lowered vehicle.

[Bix VT]

H&R Sports have been ordered...I'll update in a couple weeks when I get everything installed [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]

thanks again!

[RotorNutFD3S]

So I guess that means that we'll be bringing your car here to the shop to install it all and align everything after? [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]

[Bix VT]

I was planning on doing it all in your driveway, but using a lift sounds MUUUUUUUCH nicer!

[ProDarwin]

i would say, if you arent worried about drop and want performance over ride quality = H&R.

if you want ride quality over performance = Eibach.

both handle pretty good but the Eibachs will ride much better, and the H&R's will out perform the Eibachs

edit: H&R sports, the race ones will prolly ride like complete ass since our stock design struts blow.

I'm suprised this is not a sticky by now.

Been over this way too many times [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]

[Jamie Q.]

Look at it this way, it gives people something to talk about.

I always say it depends on the roads you have, rough roads and you would get a better performance form Eibach; smoother roads and you get a better performance from Sprint or H&R.

[liamrh]

The ride is fine with the KYB's and H&R race springs I have on the car. I think they are 305 front and 290 rear or something like that.

[speedracer5057]

When it comes to handling, how much better are the H&R's compared to the eibachs, i cant make a decision.