Now I know this has been discussed about a million times and I've
searched through countless threads but there seems to be so much
variation between drops.
GXE's and GLE's have softer suspenion than SE's (obviously)and
it seems to me that they sit a little higher in stock form. So someone with a dropped GXE is going to have different results than someone dropping an SE if they use the same spring. The ride quality will be different as well as handling because they are coming from a different suspension setting. The drop also may differ because
of the difference of weight between the two.
Now, I have a 97 SE 5 speed and would like imput from all the
SE owners that have done suspension. That way I can get an accurate
idea of what the set up will be like compared to the stock SE
suspension ( not what it is like compared to soft gle/gxe suspension)
I live in Michigan (AKA, bad road central) so I would like something not too stiff and not slammed because I have to drive in the winter. Also I don't want a real uneven drop and don't want to
cut any coils. I'm mainly interested in H&R's, Maxspeed, Progress and possibly B&G. I've pretty much ruled out sprints cause there too low and stiff and Eibach (too stiff). For struts I'm leaning towards the GR2's because I don't need the absolute best handling(AGX).
Can you guys please tell me what your running and how it
compares to stock SE suspension as far ride and handling.
Also the actual drop after settling and if your an auto or
5 speed. Any pics would also be appreciated.

P.S Sorry about the length, just wanted to clearly explain
Thank you to any on who replies, any other suggestions?

 

i used to think my stock SE suspenion was a little stiffer than most cars I've been in. When I put the B+G / AGX combo in, the SE supension would feel like a lincoln towncar compared to it. I think the GR2 would be it a little softer maybe.

I dunno if I would get B+G springs, they have a larger drop than H&R's, but my front does sit a little higher because of my 5 speed. The different in drop from front to back is not glaring, but its there if you look closely.

Overall, the ride quality can be gotten used to, but you're gonna have little rattles in the cabin, and over really bad roads it can get rough.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

FYI, the only difference between the SE suspension and the rest is that the SEs have slightly firmer rear struts. The rest is the same.

 

Really? I wasn't aware of that. Why do SE's seem to ride stiffer,
do they have stiffer springs?
Anyone else want to coment on their suspoension setup.

 

struts/shocks affect stiffness too you know. the SE just have stiffer rear shocks, as mzmtg said

 

Well I have Koni adjustables and Neuspeeds and they ride great. Only lowered about 1.5" and the wheel gap isnt bad either, you can fit about 2 or 3 fingers in it. I haven't seen many maxes with these struts so I can't give you a real heads up on them but in Reno we have varying winters and so far they ride fine in the snow and i haven't had a problem.

 

If that is all that is different, then what is the point? Do stiffer struts really affect all that much?

 

This is incorrect.

There are two different types of coilsprings for the front- one for automatics and one for manual trannies, regardless of trim.

There are two different types of coilsprings for the rear- one for SE regardless of tranny type, and one for GXE/GLE regardless of tranny type

There are also differences in the front sway bar bushing.

Regarding dampers there are 2 different types of front/rear dampers for the SE models , and 2 different types for the GXE/GLE dampers too

There are also 2 different types of control links that connect the panhard rod to the axle (95-96 All+ 97-99GXE/GLE vs 97-99 SE)

There are seperate part numbers for the above references. This is why the dealer asks for you VIN because the changes were split mid-production.

 

Thanks for the info
Can anyone tell me how H&R, Progress,or Maxspeeds are.

 

I got my 98SE with 38K miles. Added an FSTB and RSB. That was good for quite a while. At 100K miles, I put on H&Rs and Tokico Blues. The car dropped a bit (1.5 ", very noticeable at 1st, but over time )and the ride got just a bit stiffer. Very nice compromise between ride and handling. I really wish for the ride I had with the stock SE setup and the RSB and FSTB. That was perfect, but the 4X4 look totally sucked. H&Rs and Toks are pretty much very mild compared to what most everyone else has on the org. AGXs, Eibachs, coils etc are stiffer.

DW

 

I have a 97 SE. I put in H&Rs a while ago.
I did it mostly to close the gap, and secondarily for the handling.
I live in CT and the roads aren't great here either.
The ride is a bit stiffer/harsher but not to the point that I am sorry I did it. I don't really push it and I didn't do a "side by side" comparison, i.e. take a corner flat out with the stock springs and then take the same corner with the H&Rs, but the handling does seem better. I also have a stillen FTSB, and 17" Kosei K1s with Kuhmos. I find the steering to be a bit "twitchy" meaning that the car kind of darts or travels with road irregularities. Not bad or uncontrollable, just, well, twitchy. Another way to put it might be "responsive". I think this has more to do with the FTSB than the springs. I just put blizzacks on my old stock 16" rims and the twitchy feeling seems a bit less. So there you go, not very conclusive I guess. Put the H&Rs on, close the unsightly gap, and eat a bunch of donuts to pad yer ****.

 

Even I ride on Sprints, Go with the H&R. Had them on the integra- gs-r and they are great quality springs. Wouldn't recommend maxspeed.

 

why not maxspeed?? what is wrong w/ them?

 

I did Eibach pro-kits with Koni Yellows. My stock shocks lasted only a month with the Eibachs. If you thought the ride in the SE is stiffer this combo is even moreso. At times the ride feels like a go-kart and, depending on my mood, I either like it (like when autocrossing) or I don't (when cruising). My wife objects to the extra stiffness once in a while. It lowered the car nicely though and matched the wheels to the wheelwells.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied, I LOVE the org.