| 1.) Shorter springs, e.g., Eibach, Tein S-Tech. These have a moderate drop, averaging between 0.8" and maybe 1.5". However, to compensate for lost spring height (which provides the lowering drop), they all have to increase spring rates so the vehicle doesn't ride on the bumpstops. This increase in spring rates is anywhere between 20-50%. 2.) Coilovers w/ a replacement spring. Kuah said you can take a regular coilover setup and find softer rated springs to replace the ones typically marketed as spring/shock replacements. The average spring rates on most coil overs start at 8kg/6kg (front/rear) and go up to 14kg/12/kg. Replacement springs can be located which are as low as 3kg/mm or roughly equivalent to OEM rates. They are available in half kilogram increments. Asked about shock valving, Kuah says that it is usually OK to dial down dampening to mate with softer spring. The valving issues normally arise when people try to valve-up to work with spring rated at higher values than the shock was designed for. So it is possible to lower the car, and maintain OEM ride. Although you have to first buy the standard coilover setups and then modify them with replacement springs in the neighborhood of $300 per set of four. Not cheap, but a way to lower the vehicle w/o compromising comfort.
_________________________________________________
|
