As the subject states do i need aftermarket struts right off the bat to lower to 1.1 or 1.4 inches? I heard somewhere that struts where not necessary unless you was lowering past 1.4, is this true??
Personaly I think its OK. BUt many will argue this.
Many people are driving on blown struts already with stock springs.
I am all that is man
You can do it, but the ride will suck. Especially if you have anyone in the back seat. The rear struts are usually the first to go or at least the first to be noticed. I drove for 3 weeks on the factory struts, but in my rear Konis, but left the front factory struts in for almost 2 years before finally getting around to getting them installed.
No not coilovers. THe spring rate is to high even if you have the coilovers set at stock height.
I am all that is man
I wouldn't lower on stock struts. You would be fine with a 1.4" or less drop on KYB GR-2's or some other aftermarket shock/strut.
What are you planning to do with the car? If you want to do any kind of autocross or something you should really use an adjustable strut like KYB AGX's. If your just doing it to make the car more appealing to the ladies you should be fine with GR-2's.
^^^^ no because the gr2's are meant for stock springs only and so not very appealing to the ladies.
Read the suspension FAQ. Pleanty of people have had problem free drops on GR-2 that were less than 1.5". The GR-2's carry a warranty to a 1.5" drop.
You're thinking of the kyb-agx's. Here's what the FAQ YOU pointed me to says:
"OEM REPLACEMENT struts, are just as that. OEM STYLE replacement struts. Sure some say, valved stiffer etc, but when it boils down to it, they are not valved for lowering. Many have argued that KYB are not oem replacement struts, but if you take a few minutes out of your day and contact KYB AMERICA by phone, they themselves, will tell you that they WILL NOT honor the warranty these struts if on a lowered vehicle. So much for the ability of them to be lowered. Granted some do and have lowered on them for a while, don’t be shocked if yours don’t last long. Generally a strut should last well up to 5 years or more if not abused. But choosing a strut from this category and lowering past 1.5 inches or so, and you are definitely chancing it. If it does blow before time, then that’s more money to spend on new struts, alignment (you will need an alignment after every major suspension component change), and time wasted changing them, or time and money wasted for a shop to do so. These however have proved to be good for springs like the 1.2 inch lowering springs by progressive technologies and stracing. Anything more than that and you are chancing it.
A list of all the OEM style replacement are:
-KYB Gr2’s
-Gabriel VST’s
-Monroe (Sensatracs included)
-GM stock or upgraded suspension packages."
GR-2 do not carry a warranty on them. I have e-mail KYB on more than one occassion with that same question. Each time was no. Not everyone had good experiences even at 1.5" The thing is some people get use to the ride till they get better struts then they realize the ride was not all that.
As said some people will argue for and against. I personally if i mod another car will not lower with out some aftermarket struts.
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all the time
any lowering on stock struts is bad. for any lowering 1.5 inches or less get the KYB AGX shocks. they have a warrenty up to 1.5 inch drop. anything greater than 1.5 get koni yellows
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The GR2 will work fine. In all actuality, you should be able to use pro-kits or High-techs with your stock struts. Yes, it will ride harder than stock, but no aftermarket is as cushy as stock. At least, noen that I have seen yet. Maybe the new gravana coilovers or the tein system would, but I doubt it. Tein springs are high quality and will ride as close to stock as possible (according to them). Go with those.
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they would work for a 1.2 or less... and yes there NO waranty
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98' Pontiac Sunfire SE
I am looking at AGXs but can't decide on Suspension Tech 1.2in drop or the Tein 1.1in drop.
So with any type of drop you will want lowering struts as well. If not you'll have a bouncy and unsafe ride.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
well im getting the GR2's with the tein 1.1 inch drop springs. There is a warrenty on them acorrding to the site, i emailed them and still waiting for the reply. Here is the link to the site.
http://www.kyb.com/service/warranty.php
When you get a chance, can you please post some pics of it?^^^
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
