So I get this FB that runs fantastic but the suspension and tires are total ****. Now I replaced the tires with Sumitomo HTR 200 205/60/13's and I just bought some KYB GR-2 shocks and struts. The Tires are on and I'm waiting for my racing beat springs so I can get it finished. Now I only spent $500 for the tires, struts/shocks, and springs brand new so I'm curious as to if its going to rock or is that only half of what I need to get decent handling?

 

I get pretty decent handling on my setup. I know I can do a HELLUVA lot better though.

I still have the stock swaybar (it's my biggest weakness, I'm sure).

Running on BF Goodrinch with smaller sidewalls than you normally see. Generic tires, really.

I have . . . . damn. . . . what's that company. Koni I think. . . . . shocks. Probably matching springs.

I can't give you skidpad ratings, but I can vouch that it handles fairly well.

 

Hmmm, stock springs and shocks that are twenty years old w/195,000 miles on them and 4 old snow tires... I can still outrun almost anything out there.

Although my buddie's STI leaves me in the dust in fairly short order.

 

What you need to do is replace all the bushes with the best poly ones available. Replace the rear sway bar with a thinner one. as this will certainly improve the handling.

I like your tire choice, wish I could get the same here but performance tires under 16" are very limited. The KYB shocks may be too harsh, I am going back to Koni adjustables. Presume you are also lowering the suspense, about 3/4" appears to be a good compromise.

Keep us posted as to the success of the final results

 

Ok got the shocks/struts yesterday and the springs today. They're purty lookin'. Anyways this rear end is hammered and leaky so I'm going to try and snag a GSL rear end and get it all done. Sway bars and bushings will come later because shocks and springs are a must because the ones on are shot! Anyhow I went with the KYB/ Racing Beat spring setup over the Tokico/Eibach setup because it was about $100 cheaper but I'm wondering if that would of been much better. Not looking for competition handling. Just something I can swing around corners to scare the **** out of passengers.

 

Ok heres an update. Seeing as how I have to have it installed for a hefty $70 an hour I thought I'd save some money and install the rear shocks because they appeared to be easy to install. So shocks went in with a success but now the rear is much softer. The springs , which are in really bad shape, are still on however. The ride is smoother but the rear end is really soft. Will it stiffen up with the new springs?

 

The stiffer the spring the harsher the rise. If your springs have gone soft, the usual result is a wallowing ride, decrease in ride height, and increased bottoming out.

 

can you change the front springs and shocks yourself?? or do i need to compress the sprig in order to get then in..
i just helped my friend put coilovers on his 240 but that was coil overs that were already compressed

 

Yeah they do have to be compressed. Don't even try and get that on yourself or even take the old one off. Not unless you don't mind a spring being inbedded in your skull. Anyways my rear isn't bouncy but its alot softer than the shot *** shocks that were on it. And these springs are really soft. I can squeeze them off myself. By the way I have to drop the axle to get the springs on but what do I unbolt to do this without having to take the whole damn thing off?

 

You need a compressor to get the stock springs off safely but depending on how much shorter the new ones are you might be able to get them back on without one.

 

I've got the RB springs and while they are shorter, you still need a compressor to get them installed.

As for the rear axle, I used a spring compressor to remove and install my springs, but I bet if you unbolt the shock and jack up the opposite side of the axle, you could get them off without much trouble.

 

rear springs are easy to change.
Jack up the body.
Unbolt the sway bar.
unbolt the shocks at the bottom.
Have someone stand on the rear tire.
Pull the spring out.
Put new spring in.
Repeat on side two.
reattach the shocks.
Then bolt the sway bar back in.
Drop the car back down onto the ground and your done.

You do need a spring compressor for the fronts, but you can remove the entire front strut assembly, and compress the springs after you have them off of the car.


Its easy to change all 4 springs. And only takes an hour or so.

 

I Think your experiencing a much softer ride because you chose the GR-2 series KYB. I too was decieved by their attractive price, but i ended up selling the GR-2s and Buying Tokico blues. Let me tell you, the difference is amazing. The GR-2s are a very soft shock, The KYB Gas-A-Just would have been a better choice. When I owned the GR-2s I was very easily able to compress the Shock by hand, With the Tokico's its much harder, and the rebound is much faster. Just my 2 cents, but if you want a better handleing car and a stiffer ride, pay a few dollars more, and go for the better product. Not to bash the GR-2s tho, if your looking for a smooth comfortable ride they are probably for you, but from reading your posts, looks like the only thing your passengers will be affraid of is the body roll that the GR-2s induce.

Good luck!