Lowering or Shocks

Ok, I honestly tried searching, but I could not find any good threads on the matter that I am facing. I want to see if I can get more benifit from buying a set of KYB AGX gas adjustable shocks for my 98 GSR, or from getting some TEIN lowering springs 1.7 in front, and 1.9 in back or reversed, can't remember right now. Also, would I have to do any support upgrading if I go with either? The only thing I can see having to work on is getting a camber kit for the front and back if I use the lowering springs, to save the tires because of uneven wear and such. Am I right in thinking that? If I get the shocks then there will be nothing that I have to replace, right? What kinda benifits would I see from each? I believe that the springs will reduce quality of ride, more so than the shocks, this is my daily driver, so I just want a little better handling, enough to play around some corners every once in a while. Thanks for your input guys and gals!

now correct me if i'm wrong but i believe you don't need a camber kit unless you're going below 2 inches. also springs don't necessarily reduce the quality of your ride..it made feel a little more rough but in the corners it'll improve...but also lowering with just springs will make your shocks deteriorate over time...happened to me with my coilovers..not sure how low i dropped it but it's pretty low and my shocks are blown..i'm not too sure about shocks themselves since i never had any but my suggestion is get them both that way you don't have to replace later and remember that your suspension is what your car rides on so do it right the first time

if it were my car I would install a camber kit on any thing over 1.5".
the closer you stay to a stock suspension the better ride quality you will get.

Once you start getting into lowering, then you also start getting into stiffer suspension components which will allow you to handle better but the the ride quality will suffer.
what you need to look at is the spring rates of the springs you are looking at compared to the stock spring rates. I believe that a higher spring rate means a harsher ride. (not positive though) As far as shocks go i'm not sure how they are measured but I do know that if you lower you have to go with a shock that is designed for lowered vehicles. A stock shock will not last long as already stated.

maybe if whtteg sees this he could move it up to the Honda/acura suspension subforum. I'm sure jackasssi or civicsiracer will have a much better answer than any of us in here.

stock shocks have worked for me havnt failed yet and my car is lowered 2". I would suggest camber for pretty much any amount you lower your car. anyone that lowers it is going to go at least 1.5" otherwise what is the point? The amount of tire that is actually contacting the road is pretty damn small. lower your car and do not get camber, it could cut that contact patch in half. I dunno about you, but february is when we see most of our rain. If it were me, id much rather spend the extra $200 and get front and rear camber and have maximum contact with the road. besides you will be saving money anyways on tires. dont be cheap do it right

the best bet. get both. its like peanut butter and jelly with no bread. it can turn into a mess. you want the best ride quality. and bouncing is bad. if you blow a stock shock you are in a dangerous vehicle. mine is a daily driver and sometimes my kid is in there. i want the safest ride possible. for his sake. camber is a good idea too but you dont need it on all four... if you go below 1.5 then get the front done. anything after that get all 4

Whether you believe it or not shocks (with stock springs) will make your car handle better than just aftermarket springs on stock shocks.

Reason being is that you can control (on some models) compression and rebound with shocks.

On the camber kit issue. The toe adjustments will wear your tires alot quicker than camber will. So, if you have your toe set correctly, that will prolong the tire wear, until a camber kit can be installed.

Myself, I am not a fan of the squashed look. So I have always picked up the camber kit at the same time as any other suspension drop.

The amount of tire that is actually contacting the road is pretty damn small. lower your car and do not get camber, it could cut that contact patch in half. I dunno about you, but february is when we see most of our rain. If it were me, id much rather spend the extra $200 and get front and rear camber and have maximum contact with the road. besides you will be saving money anyways on tires. dont be cheap do it right[/QUOTE]
As far as camber goes in a straight line negitive camber does not help but on cornering it does and you will have more tire on the road at that point. But to the question you can get some good springs and shocks for a good price check out this site as a refrence the only shocks i dont see is koni yellows and tien setups http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxshop/productsdisplay.php
hope this helps its for inegras 94-01 except type r i belive

sorry that was suppoused to be the beginning of gsr916 quote(you from sac?)