Thinking about getting this setup for my 99. I am in desperate need of lowering my car. Will the following setup fulfill everything listed below? I need all the feedback you guys have!!

-Smooth ride (not jumping up and down like riceburners)
-Great looks (no UGLY 4x4 wheel gap)
-Supreme handling (for cutting in between traffic)

-What else do i need BESIDES struts and springs?
-How much did all the parts cost you guys and installation?
-Any rubbing at all with 5 people in the car?
-Are you satisfied with the combination?
-Any problems in the winter?


Pleassssssssssse respond, I am thinking about this investment and i wanna do my research before. Thanks!

 

I don't have Illuminas (AGX) but I have no gripes with the S.Techs. Some say they are harsh, I don't think there that bad, and i'm very particular. Depending on miles, you may want to do bushings/front suspension overhaul. I can;t align and shake on the highway (160K) after lowering, might be something you'll want to look into.
I think you will like the look of the S.Techs, check my page, the pics are old, but theres some lowered on there.

 

-Smooth ride (not jumping up and down like riceburners) FAIL. you will bounce more with s techs than coilovers
-Great looks (no UGLY 4x4 wheel gap) somewhat, still a lot of wheel gap left
-Supreme handling (for cutting in between traffic) somewhat. will still have body roll


you've been on the org for 7 years and u are just lowering your car???

 

It's still smooth when the roads are at worst decent but bigger bumps/potholes WHATEVER and you'll hit the bumpstops. Honestly it's not bad if your roads are not too crappy and you aren't or don't plan to run 18/19 inch wheels. You will NOT bounce around. Believe me.

It's about a 1 finger gap difference between the front and rear (auto). I personally think the front sat fine one of the major reasons I switched over to coilovers was that I felt the rear sat too high. It'll be more even when a stick and if you have or plan or have a system in the trunk.

No rubbing whatsoever. Not low enough for that to be a problem. Overall I was happy enough with the setup (I also ran extended travel rear mounts) I did have to cut up most of the front bumpstops (I think I left about 1cm) to avoid banging them a lot. Shouldn't have any problems in the winter time either.

 

Yeah ill be on 18's with 235/40 tire size. So ill be fine with the whole bouncing situation? haha yeah im finally after so long plannin on lowering. Money doesnt grow on trees

 

No bouncing, unless the struts are blown. The S-Tech springrates are pretty soft so don't expect super cornering capabilities.

 

When it snows 1 inch+ an hour, how are you goina get home? The road behind a snow plow certainly won't be smooth.

This is your spare car??

 

S-Techs are too low for our cars. They ride poorly, and aren't stiff enough for the drop, so you will constantly be on your bump stops. Look at either H&Rs or Eibachs.
Illuminas are OK, but Konis are superior.

 

does any one have pictures of the front and rear bump stops?? i've been wondering if the ppl that bottom out on them cut the bump stops or not and i'd like to see how much you can chop off.

 

you can get s-techs for like $155 on ebay, and KYB AGX adjustables for like $330, 350 something on ebay as well....

 

I've had S-techs and AGXs for a few years, the setup is fine on smooth roads. It really hammers over expansion joints and potholes. If you want to be low like the S-tech setup, I would suggest coilovers. I wish I had went that route. I love the look of the S-techs, but that's it.

 

^^^ more side pics please,

yeh... 3rd gear was a bad choice lol

 

Here's a few not in the "pics" under my sig.


a few track shots S-techs in action

 

How much are you all trimming your bumpstops? I had no problems with that setup when I had it. The springrates are not up to serious canyon carving duty but for the street they are more than capable. My only apprehension with them was the rake I had. FWIW I replaced much of the mounting bushings/hardware when I installed mine.

 

My bump stops are not trimmed, Tein did not recommend it. I also used the KYB boot/bumpstops (I forgot the part #s Mustang/Miata IIRC), I destroyed the factory ones running S-tech/stock struts for a few weeks. I figured I would rather hit the bumpstop VS bottom out the strut.

 

look in sig Stechs ang Gr2, my best frined has Stech and Toki's same height, his ride is much stiffer than mine.

 

I thought thats what the orgers concluded about S-techs, that they were purely more of a "for looks" spring rather than performance? Z32drifter seems to have put them to use though.

 

The bumpstops go from a soft foam to a rubber to a hard poly, or progressive so to speak. Trimming them does not insure that you will be blowing the strut. I hit my bumpstops ONE time when I had that setup and it was hitting a metal road cover at night @ 40mph or so. The stock suspension would have bottomed out as well.

I realize the consensus around here is that you will be riding on bumpstops from some of the most trusted members on here but I can only convey my experience and local people know my car was driven hard at times.

 

As I ordered Illumina back then, hoping that this will be a good setup with S-Tech. Got the illumina, it's says that the strut will support the 1.75 inch drop and S-Tech is 2.2 at the front. Meaning that the strut do not have a full strut travel with S-Tech.

With G35 coupe rims and tires, the back fender will rub.
Front: 235 45 18
Rear: 245 45 18
Offset: 30 (correct me if i'm wrong)

For average driving, it should be okay.

 

No i have 235/40/18, the recommended tire sizes for 4th gens.

So to avoid bottoming out, do u guys suggest also getting KYB boot/bumpstops and putting those in also?

Im pretty close on deciding to get S-teins and illuminas. The only thing scaring me is these damn bumpstops and buttoming out. DAMN it!

 

There is 0 travel qwith s techs even at a stand still. You cant get any travel back with drops that low with out shorter Koni inserts. Dont buy that combo EVER, hell dont ever buy either.

 

now im thinking just D2ing it str8 up...

 

If I ever have to do it all over again, I would get coilover, but I never had spring + koni struts combo. Still curious how it rides. Good luck!

 

I like mine, but I want my car to be lower, so I'm thinking about switching to KSports or Tein Basics this fall, but it'll all depend on finances and time

overall I like mine, but there are better choices out there, they just cost more

 

If this is what you're looking for

-Smooth ride (not jumping up and down like riceburners)
-Great looks (no UGLY 4x4 wheel gap)
-Supreme handling (for cutting in between traffic)

I would go with Tein H tech instead and illuminas

 

Get coilovers... I'm getting Nex GTs... more suspension travel, better handling, better ride

 

I just did it the setup is ok but not the the best coilovers cost!

 

For comfort and handling without the 'ricer bounce', try H&R/Illimina. Not as low as most, but mine have settled to 1.5" or so.