Alright,

I've read the numerous threads on suspension, but still can't seem to find an answer to my question. Keep in mind that this is for my fiance's car and won't require something drastic (i.e. illumina's).

Already have S-tech's on the car and the stock struts are completely shot. Having a hard time deciding on which struts to get and narrowed it down to the GR2's or HP Blues. I've had the Blues before on my other car, so I know how they feel, unless the max is completely different. My MAIN concern is that I do not want her to have to worry whether or not she'll be rubbing in the rear with a load of passengers or a full trunk. Right now the stock struts are doing a decent job of not rubbing/sagging too much and would like to keep that. Thoughts/opinions?

 

stock tires/rims? going to depend on rubbing or not.. if stock then i would go with the blues over the GR-2s... the gr-2s are pretty stiff ....

oh and fyi... the s-techs are pretty hated on this forum by people who know this car well... for lack of better words.. the suck lol... they might blow you new struts.. if i were you i would browse the f/s threads and pick up something for her that she will enjoy.. this should help slightly

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html

 

well, first of all s-techs should never go on stock struts! i had s-techs paired with blues, and the ride was quite rough, especially with garbage CT/MA/NY roads, but they never blew the struts are sagged. the fit well with stock 17's and even with the 18's i had at the time.

i'd spend the money on the illuminas, especially if you're keeping the s-tech drop...or get another drop that's not so aggressive.

 

I personally would upgrade to Tokico Illuminas to have some adjustability....GR-2's are for light drops and softer spring rates...anything more than 1.5" with GR-2's will result in shorter life....

 

as of right now, stock rims...looking at 19x8.5 with a 38mm offset later down the road. I guess if I hold off on spacers, rubbing shouldn't be an issue, but just wanted to make sure the struts would be stiff enough to support passengers in the back.

And yes, I know the springs should never go on stock struts, but they were shot anyways and I had the springs laying around with nothing to do, so I decided to just go ahead and do it. And I definitely feel you on the Northeast roads; origionally from RI.

I understand the illumina's are the shiznit, but for her car (since she doesn't pay attention to setttings, etc.), I wasn't planning on spending over $400 for struts. Thanks for the help thus far...keep 'em coming!

 

oh, and thx for the link mist max!

 

man i felt the same way....BUT BELIEVE ME, you wont regret getting the Illumina's

I almost went half assed on my suspension, and luckily i decided not to....I've got 19x8.5 38mm rims myself

im dropped on H&R's and i ride my illumina's on 5 ALL THE TIME, lol

but believe me.....ILLUMINA's are what you want....unless ur gonna go coilovers

 

^^^she won't require CO's....I've got those now, definitely too high tech for her. I'm assuming 5 is the hardest...how's the ride? problems with rubbing in the back with passengers with those rims?

 

5 is indeed the hardest...the ride is pretty stiff, but then again, ive always loved a nice firm ride...but ironically i dont really have complaints from passengers......I never carry more than 3 people in my car...and the few times that i do, i dont get any rubbing....not to mention amps and a pair of woofers in the trunk

I can tell that since ive installed the 19 inch wheels, and have less sidewall than i did with my stock 16's that the ride got a bit more HARSH. But i can deal with it....i just recently turned my fronts down to 3 for a bit more softness because took a highway trip.....

but my rear never changes from 5.......ive had 4 people in the car including myself and i never detect any rubbing

 

^^thx...that helped a lot!

and just to confirm...your not running spacers, correct?