Re-Lowering/Suspension HELP PLEASE

[cody_stl]

Ok,i have been hearing and seeing just how expensive new suspension is when you want it done right. i have some questions about some products i found. Matrixracing.com has some NRG innovations coil over(non-complete) for 100 dollars,now if i were to get these and combine with some decent say koni or tokico shocks,do ya think my ride would be improved.Now it is VERY bummpy and it is slammed 3",i want it lowered maybe 1.50-1.75 inchs,so my camber will go back to normal,and i can drive less cautiously.And with these coilovers all i need is shocks right?is the install terribly hard or time consuming?Didnt have time to surf the other threads,hope someone can answer me direct.
Thanks

[BullShifter]

If you don't need the height adjustability stick with normal lowering springs like H&R's. The only way the camber will be normal is if it's a "stock height" camber won't be terribly off with a 1.75" drop. Tire wear won't really be an issue. If you have expensive tires I would suggest camber kits. Depending how many miles are on the car all you should need is new struts and possibly new upper mounts if there is a lot of miles. The install of struts and springs is simple IMO but it's what I do every day. You may be able to get away without a springs compressor since the struts your taking apart has a 3" drop and the new struts/springs will have lowering springs. The hardest part usually is removing the rear lower strut bolts, sometimes they are frozen in the bushings.

[cody_stl]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

If you don't need the height adjustability stick with normal lowering springs like H&R's. The only way the camber will be normal is if it's a "stock height" camber won't be terribly off with a 1.75" drop. Tire wear won't really be an issue. If you have expensive tires I would suggest camber kits. Depending how many miles are on the car all you should need is new struts and possibly new upper mounts if there is a lot of miles. The install of struts and springs is simple IMO but it's what I do every day. You may be able to get away without a springs compressor since the struts your taking apart has a 3" drop and the new struts/springs will have lowering springs. The hardest part usually is removing the rear lower strut bolts, sometimes they are frozen in the bushings.

Thanks alot for the repl.It helped a lot. If you or anyone else has some product recommendations and setup for under $300 i would like to know this as well.I'm Prolly gonna use this car for audio rather than performance,so i dont need a suspension with high performance rather than a sporty handling feel with enough give so i dont feel EVERY bump in the damn road.I was informed un-officially that what is on my car might actually be only a 2" drop...little is known what the HICKS that owned this car before me really did to it,i know when they lowered it they didnt install new shocks,which is why i think the front end makes so much noise,i think the shocks are shot,but the steering feels tight and there isnt any play so i hope the ?tierods? arent worn or the balljoints.Excuse my lack of knowledge i am a novice in the suspension area.Thanks for any replies.
P.S. just out of pure curiosity,anyone out there reading this know how much a b16 wtranny swap could cost?B16 with under 60k prefferably?

[cody_stl]

Oh,and if anyone knows of any cheap setups i heard that a .75" drop is a good one,gives a little handling and appereance with out saccrificing ride.Any manufacturer known to have this,maybe a whole setup involving this?Thanks

[BullShifter]

.75" drop? You could go with H&R's OE springs and some KYB GR2's if your looking for "cheap" When it comes to suspension there really isn't cheap if you want a decent ride & handling. Anything more than .75" drop I suggest at least Tokico HP's. It's better to spend the money on the struts than it is the springs but a good combination of both would be the best choice. I wouldn't suggest reusing your current struts since they have been used with junk springs & lowered too much.

The noise could be a number of things - spring collars rubbing on perches, upper mounts, struts, control arm bushings, tie rods, or ball joints. One way to know for sure is to check. The easiest way to do a front end inspection is to lift & support the front end with the tires off the ground. Grab the tires and shake in all direction listening for similar noises or feeling play. Usually a tire rocked front to back is a tie rod and rocked up and down is control arm bushings or ball joints. To check the upper mounts, springs, & struts you will need the car back on the ground and bounce it from each corner with the hood open and/or trunk depending where the noise is coming from.

[cody_stl]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

.75" drop? You could go with H&R's OE springs and some KYB GR2's if your looking for "cheap" When it comes to suspension there really isn't cheap if you want a decent ride & handling. Anything more than .75" drop I suggest at least Tokico HP's. It's better to spend the money on the struts than it is the springs but a good combination of both would be the best choice. I wouldn't suggest reusing your current struts since they have been used with junk springs & lowered too much.

The noise could be a number of things - spring collars rubbing on perches, upper mounts, struts, control arm bushings, tie rods, or ball joints. One way to know for sure is to check. The easiest way to do a front end inspection is to lift & support the front end with the tires off the ground. Grab the tires and shake in all direction listening for similar noises or feeling play. Usually a tire rocked front to back is a tie rod and rocked up and down is control arm bushings or ball joints. To check the upper mounts, springs, & struts you will need the car back on the ground and bounce it from each corner with the hood open and/or trunk depending where the noise is coming from.

Thanks for the replies guys. I figured buying some cheap springs with some good shocks would be my best bet without spending to much.I think i'll search e-bay for some Tein springs and some KYB shocks,should do the trick.Thanks again.