Installed new suspension **Pics added**, Megan Racing lowering springs with GR-2s Options

[flyinglizard]

Just installed this setup with the help of a buddy on friday. Here are my impressions:

The ride is now VERY harsh. Way firmer than stock. Normally I am tolerant of firm suspension, but just driving to the grocery store kills my back. Everyone who has ridden in the car thus far complains

The car is only about 0.5 inches lower all around as of today. I'm assuming there is a break in period for new springs to settle.

The car feels much tighter and more responsive, at the cost of ride quality of course.






This post has been edited by flyinglizard: Oct 20, 2009 - 9:04 PM

[samir0189]

i have the megan springs, it took a few days to settle into and the drop is about 2". I like the firm ride ...

[trdproven]

i dont think its .5 that would be a pointless drop needless to say almost didnt do anything. You just need to settle them in and also get used to it.

[flyinglizard]

It could be that my tires are too low of a profile. I'm running 215/40R17. But I have driven my friend's RX-7 with coilovers and another friend's e36 m3 with H&R race springs and both are less stiff than these megans. It's almost intolerable. I probably have about 10 new rattles in my interior panels since I installed them.

As of 5 minutes ago the front has settled to a 1" drop and the rear is still 0.5". It's been 3 days and they still haven't settled yet, which worries me.

[SwissFerdi]

Were these the $100 springs? Let me know how things go, I might be in the market for these in the future. Please post pics as well.

[flyinglizard]

Original post edited with pics.

[Euphoria]

did you change your struts?

[samir0189]

flyinglizard, if it helps you any, here is a pic from today of my drop.



your tires do seem to have a small sidewall, but i dont think that your springs have settled completely yet, give it a while..

This post has been edited by samir0189: Oct 20, 2009 - 9:33 PM

[flyinglizard]

Yes I did a complete overhaul: KYB GR-2 struts/shocks, strut mounts and lowering springs.

Thanks for the reference pic Samir, your car looks great.

My next tires are going to be 225/45R17, so maybe that will improve the look and ride quality.

[SwissFerdi]

I'm loving those rims though...they look flush as hell.

How hard were the springs and shocks to install, and did you use a compressor? I'm thinking about doing the install myself when the time comes, might as well learn something about my car and save some money.

[flyinglizard]

The flush-ness can be attributed to 20 mm wheel spacers otherwise they would be tucked as hell.

[SwissFerdi]

I'm surprised it looks good then, you're running 225 now? I thought the tires/rims would look too pushed-out from the center of the car.

[flyinglizard]

As far as installation goes, everything went smoothly except for when I had to remove the retaining nut for the front struts that holds the shock inside the strut assembly. It basically came down to using a vice and a pipe wrench.

I used a spring compressor for the left front spring, but after everything was taken apart I realized it wasn't necessary at all for stock springs since there is so little spring force. For the right-front I just unscrewed the top retaining nut, aiming it away from myself and it only shot about a foot. The spring compressor only came in handy when putting everything back together, although it could have been substituted with a 2nd person pressing down on the spring while screwing the top nut back on.

Basically if you follow the how-to article on this site everything should go smoothly. It probably took me about 2 hours with breaks here and there.

Yesterday I took it into Sears to get an alignment and the mechanic complemented me on the "professional looking" installation so apparently I did everything right.

[SwissFerdi]

You mean that the spring kind of flies out once the last retaining element is removed, and that's really the only thing to be cautious of? Honestly, I'm not mechanically inclined at all...but I'd love to do this myself. I can definitely find the 2nd person to help.

[808celica]

MOAR LOWER!!!!!!!!!

[flyinglizard]

No I'm running 215/40 right now, wanting to upgrade to 225/45 for a thicker sidewall and more grip.

The offset on the rims is +45 so they looked terrible without spacers. Almost as tucked in as steelies.

MOAR LOWER!!!!!!!!!

I feel the same way. I'm pretty disappointed with the result. Back-breaking ride with barely any drop to speak of.

I'm wondering if my front isn't as low as samir's because he has a 5sfe which is quite a bit heavier than a 7afe, thus making the springs settle lower.

You mean that the spring kind of flies out once the last retaining element is removed, and that's really the only thing to be cautious of? Honestly, I'm not mechanically inclined at all...but I'd love to do this myself. I can definitely find the 2nd person to help.

The spring doesn't really budge at all. Just the retaining nut and mount gently shoot off about a foot.

[Euphoria]

Now that I recall my springs do feel less harsh than they first did, but im not sure if that's in my imagination or just getting used to it.

Just wait a bit, and the tyres will definitely make it a bit less harsh but don't expect miracles

[Mstoochn]

do figure 8's in a parking lot @ about 35mph as tight as u can and maintain speed
ull break em in pretty quick worked for my Tein's took me 2 hours and half a tank!

[95CelicaST]

do figure 8's in a parking lot @ about 35mph as tight as u can and maintain speed
ull break em in pretty quick worked for my Tein's took me 2 hours and half a tank!

This is probably one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

When is it legal or smart to drive in 35mph figure 8's in a parking lot? Why don't you step away from the computer and go play in traffic or something. Anything that is more constructive than what you're doing here on 6GC.

[terbear4god4life]

how do you know when there broke in doing that????