Ok,

So my '95 GLE with just about 100k on it is ready for a new suspension. I would like to get something firmer/sportier, but I'm not too crazy about dropping the car.

My first thought was this: get a set of used SE springs from someone, and combine those with a set of KYB GR2s (or AGXs). I'm not sure however if getting used springs is a good idea... Do they go bad or get bouncy over time or anything? Also, I've never been in an SE, are the springs noticably firmer?

If I chose to get lowering springs, what will give me the least drop, but still make the car ride firmer?

thanks,
joe

 

Firm + less drop = eibach springs + kyb agxs

 

If you don't want to drop the car and maintain a smooth factory like ride with improved handling, just toss a set of Tokico Blue's on.

If you'd like to really firm things up a bit, toss a set of KYB GR2's on.

If you'd like the best of both worlds, tap into your wallet deeper and get the Tokico Lllumina's.

If you want to lower a bit, get H&R springs and couple them with Tokico Blues up front and AGX's set on 1 or 2 in the rear. That combo yields the best ride on a lowered car. Almost smoother then stock, yet very flat around the twisties.

 

but what about getting a set of SE springs, do you think they'll be a noticable improvement over the GLE springs i have now? Also, how reliable are used SE springs?

 

Waste of time and money.
The ride control (firmness) comes from the struts.

 

cool, thanks for the heads up... do you know of any pictures around of the H&R/blue/AGX combo? That sounds like it might be doable if it looks ok...or maybe GR2s in the back?

 

are GR2s okay with stock SE springs or do they have to be pair with aftermarket ones?

 

Here is another way to get a really stiff ride but maintain stock height. Buy coilovers with an adjustable shock and put them on the stock ride height.

 

The spring rate of steel never changes over time. They don't "get bouncy". Springs on some models have been known to "sag" a little over time but the actual stiffness never changes. With a "sagging" spring, only the total weight load capacity is affected.

Motivational.Net sells a rear upper mount that recovers an inch of suspension travel when used with lowering springs. An H&R or Eibach Pro-Kit will drop the car 1.3 inches in the back. The loss of suspension travel in the rear is virtually un-noticeable with those mounts if you lower your car. They can recover a similar amount of suspension travel with a modified front strut housing if you go with Koni strut internals.

 

Any shock is okay with OEM springs

 

springs are pretty much indestructble unless u try hard to cut them or put a bow torch on them for like 5 mins.. used se springs will do you fine if thats what your looking for.. fair warnign though, even the se springs are pretty soft..i havnt driven a gxe, gle yet..but i can tell you the "stiffer" se springs are still really soft performance wise.. go with h&r, or eibach with agx or gr2.. even after the drop you'll still have abuout a 3 or 4 finger gap and still wont really need to slow down for speed bumps..looks stock honda height.