natty99

iTrader: (6)

Hi all.....I know this type of thread comes up all the friggin time, but I would really appreciate your opinions and/or experience.

I plan on upgrading the stock struts/shocks with KYB GR-2s when the time comes. I'm pretty set on getting these as I've heard good things about them. However, I'm a little lost as to which brand of springs will give me what I want. I'm looking to drop the car, obviously, however, I don't want the thing so slammed that I'll scraping anything underneath the car, nor do I want to worry about my tires rubbing in the wells when the suspension compresses. On the flip side, I just need to get rid of that damn 4x4 look, however, I would like to have a LITTLE gap to account for practical, everyday use. I don't plan on using my car at the track, so no, I don't want (adjustable) coilovers. I just want a sporty, practical use car. I also won't be putting any heavy system in the trunk, so whatever springs I get will have to be fairly level without the influence of trunk weight. I was thinking about getting Megan Springs just because of their price and their proposed drop, but I don't know if that's too much. I know there's guys on this forum who've gone through many brands of springs on their max's, hence my query......

In case it helps....I plan on upgrading my stock 5-spokes to either 17 or 18in Tenzo RS-5s

Thanks in advance for the help guys

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

eibachs or progress soudns good for u....progress with gove u a decent drop still with a fairly decent ride.....eibach will give u less of a drop but stiffer sportier ride......

Mxrider52

iTrader: (8)

Eibach is the closest you can come to coilovers

But with the struts you selected they are like a stock strut so I wouldnt really drop to low if you are gonna drop close to 2 inches I would go with Illuminas or AGXs

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

h&r's are great and i'd advise anyone on that combo...i have it on my max and it looks and drives great.

nexgenmax

iTrader: (14)

adjustable shocks would be your best bet.

Stuntin' 101

number one.. eibachs and h&r's are the same drop.
number two. eibachs are 50% stiffer
h&r's are 30% stiffer
number 3, you wheel and tire size will also play a large role in how you car rides with any lowering method
finally- kyb gr2 struts are by far the worst struts you can buy for a lowering application. i had them on my last 2 max's. do yourself a favor and either save up for illumia's, or at least agx's.. you WILL NOT be disappointed.
your car will ride much harder with any combination of lowering system, at first all will seem fine. as time goes on, you WILL devlop alot of rattles that will annoy the living hell out of you.. i had h&r's with gr2's and 18's for a long time.. the car got to the point it rode so bad and had so many rattles i was embarassed to even have people in it. go with the h$r's and the illumia's.. its a world of difference

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

man dont go with the gr2 they SUCK!!! omg go they are so stiff the interior rattles like crazy... cant wait to get tokico illuminas

Lumberg™

iTrader: (6)

i got gr-2's with s-techs for a year now with no problems....no rubbing, no rattles, no scraping....yes its noticeably stiffer but i don't mind it....i recommend

the_3d_man

iTrader: (1)

GR2s are not strong enough. They are not stiff enough! Car bottoms out on big bumps and the struts will wear out very fast. If I had known what i was doing when i got the car I would have never put GR2's on. They are great for stock replacment only. Not with lowering springs...

Poowill

iTrader: (12)

I'd reccommend a strut with some more stiffness and adjustablity as well. AGX's are stiffer but if you want to spend a little more go with Illuminas.

95GLEMAXX

iTrader: (15)

i just bought some tein h techs and i was looking at these struts too...i hear their ok with springs that dont lower too much....the htechs lower 1.6 in front and 1.2 rear...it doesnt look like anyone likes gr2 around here....i keep hearing that they are good for mild drops....whats goin on here? will i be okay if i buy these or should i just save up for agx's?

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

DONT LOWER WITH GR2... please.. just save money and get illuminas..

ive gone through 3 sets of gr2s ... within 1.5 yrs.... they wreck your strut mount ... and the bearings... there freakin crappy on bumpy roads.... i hate em... and i have 215 45 17 rims and tires..

my alignment gets thrown off easyly in nyc...cause there just so stiff... and hitting holes is like.. murder...

only tiem i like em is on smooth highway... because there soo stiff you can take corners nice...

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

i'm assuming most of the people complaining about them went with a much lower spring than H&R's...because many people use that combo and it's fine. illuminas would be better, but there's nothing wrong with gr2's unless you go with a spring that's simply too low for them. i'm pretty sure that maxmods website and others talk about which springs are best for which strut and what not; you should check those out and find out what's best for you...

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

GR2's are the worst riding replacement strut for our cars. Combined them with a sport spring, and the ride is nothing short of harsh.

Spend some $$$ and get a set of Illuminas.

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

Tom didn't you use to praise them until Illuminas became the popular choice?? I know MANY members who have been happy with them and recomend them, and I have no complaints whatsoever with them. I'm not saying there aren't better struts out there, but for the price, I was very happy with them.

mbandi

iTrader: (1)

I agree with the others. If you are dead set on using gr2's then stay with a stock spring. If you are lowering (even a little) you need a different strut. The gr2 is 15% stiffer than the stock strut. At least the AGX's and many others listed are adjustable or not as stiff. I have Tein h-techs because I like the ride height and AGX's. But, my AGX's are on the softest setting. It is just what I wanted. If you lower and use gr2's, you will not be happy!

Adrian112597

iTrader: (1)

I agree, I regret getting my GR2's with my Eibachs, worst choice ever made with my car. As soon as W2's come, getting Illuminas.