I am doing a "budget build" on my girlfriends 2005 Cavalier Ls. I want to use drop springs, but the only height I like with springs is with the Eibach Sportline, however I have heard they ride pretty rough. If so, why do so many people run them? Is there anything else with a similar drop that doesn't ride like a log wagon? I know Ground control is an Eibach spring with an adjustable perch, but what about those? Your help would be appreciated. Thanks!
"Road Magnet" springs are one choice that provides a drop comparable to Sportlines but with improved comfort. They're only available from Road Magnet directly.
Struts are also a major factor in comfort. Proper struts for that kind of drop are fairly costly. Two popular choices are Koni Yellows and Tokico D-Specs. Anything else would be unsuitable and likely fail quite quickly. Another popular combo is Eibach Pro-kit with KYB AGX struts -- which wouldn't ride as low, but would be more affordable.
Ground Controls are coilovers, which are a bit more money again but would provide adjustable height. They are definitely a valid choice as well.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Thursday, October 04, 2007 9:54 AM
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you need struts and anything that low will require tokico dspecs or koni yellows. both are about 550-600 brand new. suspension and budget dont go together
I got sport lines with kyb agx and my butt is paying the price, plus anyone in my back seat gets well acquainted with the roof on bumps. it's worth spending extra for tokico's and softer springs, I'm getting a new setup asap
Geeky wrote:"Road Magnet" springs are one choice that provides a drop comparable to Sportlines but with improved comfort. They're only available from Road Magnet directly.
Struts are also a major factor in comfort. Proper struts for that kind of drop are fairly costly. Two popular choices are Koni Yellows and Tokico D-Specs. Anything else would be unsuitable and likely fail quite quickly. Another popular combo is Eibach Pro-kit with KYB AGX struts -- which wouldn't ride as low, but would be more affordable.
Ground Controls are coilovers, which are a bit more money again but would provide adjustable height. They are definitely a valid choice as well.
Does anyone here run Road Magnets? How is the ride compared to stock? Anyone have experience with Ground Control?
you pay for cheap you get cheap
I have heard of people using the Ksport coilovers on the TLs on my Acura forum. (I drive a TL-S, the cavy is the girlfriends)
Tommy Cissell wrote:I have heard of people using the Ksport coilovers on the TLs on my Acura forum. (I drive a TL-S, the cavy is the girlfriends)
They are probably fine, but don't expect a lot of feedback. Ksport doesn't (yet) have a big name in the J-Body community. The main problem for people with backgrounds in other cars is learning that J-bodies have some of the absolute worst OEM struts going. As long as you know enough to replace the struts with proper ones during a drop, any halfway decent spring will work. The springs are still where ride quality starts though, so I wouldn't let price sway your choice too much.
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Where is a good place to look for struts for this car?
And what would be the best choice? We aren't autocrossing it or racing it, she just drives it.
Unfortunately, from the struts available for these cars, if you want struts for lowering, you also get performance features like adjustability and high price tag. The cheaper struts just can't handle the higher spring rates, and tend to be bouncy up until they start leaking.
As I posted above, the options for proper struts are rather limited:
Up to 1.5" drop - KYB AGX
Beyond 1.5" - Koni Yellow or Tokico D-Spec
There are several trusted dealers on these forums that can provide these parts. The first that comes to my mind is
Jason at A-Plus Performance. There are others, but I'm too sleepy to list them at the moment. Other members can chime in.
One possible solution that has be discussed recently is that Tokico has supposedly claimed their "HP" line of lower-end struts can support some drop, and they even sell them a package that does about 1.5" of drop. It has been suggested that they have the same internal parts as the D-Specs (but without the adjustable valving). Without more feedback on this in actual testing, I can't suggest this is a great idea -- but it is a cheaper option. Try at your own risk.
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