I know they make a bunch of performance shocks for the FB's but I'm looking for the caddy like ride. I know thats impossible but I'd like to get it as close to it as I can. So I figure all the high dollar shocks are going to be a more firm ride for handeling. The KYB shocks are like 39 dollars here in town. Would these be close to a factory replacement? The roads in kansas are pretty cracked up and again I'm looking for comfort not handeling.

Also what springs would you reccomend? Every car I've ever lowered with springs the ride quality has gone to crap. I'd like to replace my factory springs as well when I do the shocks. Is there a lowering spring (maybe 1 ") that helps or at least doesn't hurt my ride quality?

Thanks

 

I have tokico blues and suspension technique spring - you DONT want this setup. It handles great but the ride is similar to a go kart.

 

You get what you pay for, best shock are still the adjustables from Koni or even Tokico, they can be tuned for a more pliant ride but have much better damping ability, just use a stock spring rate to keep the ride supple. Also replace your old rubber with new, poly is more accurate but less flexible so rides firmer.

 

i just put racing beat springs and konis in my car this is a stiff ride also. the ones the previous owner put in the are from midas there pritty soft and the stock springs are soft also. u can buy this stuff from me cheap its pritty soft.

 

I would stay away from the adjustable tokicos, I had a set and they were the wrost! They blow very fast. I have tokico hps and racingbeat springs, really nice set up if you like driving a gocart, lol not really what your looking for but, a nice set up. I would stay way from the adjustable tokico, there garbage.

 

So I know now what not to buy, any ideas on what to buy? I think a set of progressive factory rate springs will help the most, but i don't know where to find them? Still not sure what I'm looking for in a shock. Has anyone installed just the cheap KYB GR-2 gas shocks?

 

???

OEM Springs, bushings and stock/elcheapo shocks are gonna be the best you can do.
If that's not enough, you need a different daily driver.

 

kyb are some of the best feeling ones. too soft for me but could work for you. i had rb springs w/tokico, switched to NEW stock springs and those kybs and it was like night and day.

 

These are not up to serious performance abuse but for a softer ride and better than stock quality I still think they are a good choice although Koni reds are better. For a person seeking a soft ride they'll last many years.

 

I'm going to go with the kyb gr2's. I'll let you all know how they work out. Still having trouble finding stock spring rates that are lowered slightly. The factory springs are 100 each. Aftermarket sets are much cheaper I'd like a goo dprogressive factory rate spring that's been lowered?

Anyone know of such a thing?

 

No doubt that they ride softer but im not the only one that has had problems with the illuminas (the tokico adjustables) I have talked to lost of other people that have had the same problems with them. I would go with the Koni befor the tokico adj. anyday.

 

I have never heared of any.

ST is supposed to be the softest lowering spring available.

 

Would leaving on the factory 20 year old springs I have now be a horrible idea? I'm sure they have sagged over a little the years. But after 20 years are the spring rates shot?

 

Your 20 year old springs have already lowered the car, more than likely. Most aftermarket shocks, often even the cheap replacements, are a little stiffer than oem. This is to make up for suspension wear.

All of the aftermarket springs are stiffer, there are several threads that list the rates, maybe on the RB or Mazdatrix websites, or in the race tech section.

If you want a fresh factory style ride, install oem springs and shocks. If you want it lowered or at least no higher, put on a set of blues and be done with it. You will not find aftermarket springs that will give you both factory ride and lowering.