Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

A lot of orgers say differently. They say that they have the Progress Springs with their GR2's and they like them. I like the drop that the Progress springs give, but I don't want to pay quite as much as the AGX costs. The Maxspeed springs that are recommended to go with the GR2's don't provide enough drop for me. I just want a little more than that if I am going to spend money on lowering. I want it to at least be noticeable.

Any comments? Please say what you think....esp those of you that have the combo I was referring to.

Will the Progress springs blow out the struts because of the drop?
Will the ride be too stiff?

Thanks for the help.

felix

iTrader: (13)

What's up Bruce. Do what you want with the springs but keep in mind that anything lower than 1.5" will void the warranty on the GR-2's. Just something to keep in mind.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, felix. What set up you got, man?

JeffesonM

iTrader: (5)

Spend the extra dough and get illuminas. You'll only need to buy them once.

dmontzsta

iTrader: (8)

I have gr2/progress, rsb, fstb and sfcs and the car still handles like poop.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

I am thinking of getting in the GD from Cattman for the GR-2's and Progress springs.

I hope the ride is good.

Shift_VQ

Why dont you look into the tein h techs?

felix

iTrader: (13)

I have Intrax springs with GR-2's.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

kevlo, I was thinking about getting in on that too, but the only thing is that I don't want to void the warranty of the struts, however cheap or expensive they are. I mean, there is no need for me to get some cheap GR2's if I am going to have them blow from the Progress Springs.

Shift_VQ, how much drop is the h techs? I know the s techs are too much for my taste.

Jefferson, Is it worth the extra $100 or so for a good deal on Illuminas? When you say you will only need to buy them once, do you mean that they are that durable? Are the Illuminas the springs or struts? if they are the struts, which springs do you recommend with those?

JeffesonM

iTrader: (5)

Yes, it's worth it. I say you only need to buy them once because they come with a lifetime warranty. Tokico Illuminas are adjustable struts. I have them with Progress springs, and am completely satisfied. The drop looks good, but isn't too low. The ride is nice and firm, but not rough by any means... very similar to H&Rs. Handling is far better than stock.

MaXAnDy

iTrader: (1)

I have Progress with KYB Gr-2 and the ride is great and the car handles great.

felix

iTrader: (13)

I believe that GR-2's also have a lifetime warranty.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Well, that's good to know.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Felix....why did you get Intrax if it voids the warranty like you said? Just curious, man.

felix

iTrader: (13)

To tell you the truth, the KYB rep said that 1.7" and 1.5" is not that different and I should be fine as far as them blowing the struts. And as far as warranty goes, they don't actually check what drop you have. You just send in your blown struts and they send you new ones; you know what I mean...

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

*wink* "Gotcha"

What is the ride like in detail with the setup you have? I mean, I know it is sportier, but is it too stiff? What roads do you drive on most? Supposedly the Intrax are rough ride....

Street Reeper

I have the Progress and GR-2 combo. I couldn't be happier with them. The ride is like stock, the car sits very nicely, and it handles really great (I have Nitto 555's that really help too, but that is another thread.)

GR-2's are basically AGX's set on level 2. If you don't autocross in my opinion you should save your money for future mods. More than likely with adjustable struts you will set them once and rarely if ever use the adjustable feature again.

Get a quality tire and your new suspension will blow you away.

felix

iTrader: (13)

They kinda are stiff. You don't have too much strut travel, so you feel a lot of bumps. I drive on all kind of roads, smooth and rough. Sometimes, I try to avoid the rough ones, that should give you an idea. On smooth roads, they're awesome.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Jefferson..............
1. how would you compare the stiffness of the setup you have to stock SE?
2. Do you really ever adjust the struts? I mean, c'mon?

Torgus

iTrader: (10)

i wouldn't skimp on the suspenion. the suspension is much more important then say a cai or exhaust...you can go cheap on those and get about the same performance...a suspension is an very important part of the car and i would stress you spend you cash on Tokico Illuminas or at least AGXs...anything else imo is doing it wrong.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for posting your comments and opinions, guys.
Torgus, good post....gives me something to think about.
Street Reaper.....danka shea(sp?) ha ha.......
Thanks for that, I needed to know all about it. That is what I kinda figured about the GR2. You just get those if you don't auto x. I just don't see people adjusting all that much.

JeffesonM

iTrader: (5)

I've had three suspensions so far...
Stock SE - nice and smooth, but makes the car feel like a boat.
Cattman coilovers - handles like a racecar. truly incredible. too stiff for crap NJ roads.
Illuminas/Progress - IMHO, a perfect balance between ride quality, drop and handling. Compared to the stock setup, you can definitely tell it's not the same, but I would not go as far as to say it's stiff or uncomfortable. Just firm. And it's nowhere near what the coilovers felt like.Nope. Since installing them I've adjusted them only once. But I also didn't really buy them thinking I'd be switching it around all the time. From what I had read it sounded like the Illuminas were better qualified to handle the stiffer-than-stock springs, and the GR2's are more of a stock replacement, so I went with the Illuminas.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Very informative. That gives me a lot to ponder. Thanks. I would love to get the Illuminas, but I just don't know if I have that kind of money right now. That is why I was considering the GR2's.

ha ha ha....I can't believe you would say that the stock setup feels like a boat. ha ha ha. I guess compared to any of those others(esp. coilovers) it does. However, a boat would be more of the Buick LeSabre that I am driving right now so that my broken right arm can heal. I called the doctor and he recommended that my baby and me be separated(no shifting for a little while). Meanwhile, I am stocking up on parts and stuff. Right now, I already have a full day of stuff to do when it gets better: Paint the calipers, put on y-pipe, change out fuel filter, change out spark plugs, change oil, Rotate Tires, Put on RSB(I am about to buy one), and then possibly struts/springs. That will make my car go from cool to awesome instantly. ha ha ha.

Jefferson, Would you go with the GR2's if you didn't have the money to spend on Illuminas? I mean, I just have a hard time dropping $600+ on something that does not increase the value of the car. You know?

Broaner

iTrader: (10)

My AGX's will be on tomorrow. I will post my opinion here and on my homepage once I get it aligned. I hope my thoughs will help influence your decision. How much are the GR2's? Spend the extra $$$ and get the good stuff.

Street Reeper

If you were talking about intrax or sprint springs than I would say go with the AGX's, but I have this exact set up and it really is great. Very comfortable and the ride is very smooth. Progress springs are not a huge dramatic drop, they just make the car sit like it should have from the factory. Get the dust boots with integrated bump stops and you will love the ride. I can't say enough about the handling and have surprised a lot of my friends with how this four door grips (these are true enthusiasts with 800rwhp Supras, and 400whp eclipse with fully adjustable or complete coilover suspensions.) If you get a good tire on your wheels this suspension really does handle. With my Nitto 555's I can maybe get one bark out of them and that is taking a hairpin turn as if I am wanting to make the car severly understear. The body roll is greatly improved as well as the understear. You will love it, don't beat yourself up financially, just get the GR-2's, you won't be dissapointed. Save the other money for boost.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Looks like I am gonna go GR-2 and Progress

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

See, I was thinking about that Reeper. Saving up for boost. I mean, if I would have had the money a couple of days ago, someone sold a full V2 Vortech kit(like Stillen.com has) with set up for a maxima and only like 700 miles use for a little under $2500. There was no reserve and I think it ended at like $2,425 or something like that.

I might just go with the GR2/Progress setup because I am about to have my Progress RSB to put on. Then, it will start to be a good set up.

JeffesonM

iTrader: (5)

To be honest, I'd just wait. How much more do the Illuminas cost? An extra $100?

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

They are like 500. thas more then the combo(380 shipped)

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

I am so confused. ha ha.
Maybe I ought to just wait and find some used. I don't know.

Street Reeper

Jump on that group deal unless you want somthing that really looks slammed. Progress has a clean drop and for a daily driver surprising comfort, you will not be disappointed.

Shift_VQ

Tein h techs drop the 4th gen (1.6F 1.2R) with a near stock ride.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the input, guys. This has helped a lot.

bhmax

I've had my H&R/Illumina setup for about 6 months. When making my decision, I knew I wanted the H&Rs since I do a lot of highway driving and people said they were the most comfortable. I wasn't sure about the shocks/struts. I first was planning on Tokico HP up front and GR-2 in the rear, as this was reported as a good combo. I decided to go with the Illuminas just so I could fine tune them to my liking. It is kinda cool to be able to change the settings occasionally when you want to have fun. You can get the Illuminas for $425-440 shipped through ebay or a group deal. Like a lot of you guys I was worried about the cost. I ended up spending more than I wanted to with Motivational mounts and other replacement parts, but I am happy with my setup.

On another note, be sure that you can deal with a stiffer ride. At first, it was a definite character change for the car. If I was to ride in my car for the first time not knowing what the setup was, I would not have guessed the combo based on feedback from other guys. It took a little getting used to, but I love it now.

DoGGy

do it once, do it right and SAVE ur money.
if u dont, u gonna regret it.

i want progress myself and im goin right after illuminas, not even AGX's.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, Doggy & bhmax. I appreciate it.