I realize this topic has been beaten to death, but i don't think this particular aspect has. I want to replace my springs and struts, but I want the KYB AGX struts and I really don't feel comfortable with the 1 yr warranty that Cattman has, so I would like to wait until the beginning of next year before changing out the struts. However, the mod bug has hit me hard and I don't think I can wait that long to lower my car. My question is does anybody think the stock struts will have a difficult time getting to that point without breaking? I have an SE w/4000 miles on it if that info helps at all. And I have searched this topic to death so I'm pretty sure this info isn't already in here somewhere. Thanks for any info.

 

I had the same question, as far as how long STOCK struts would last with H&R springs (or Eibach for that matter). I didn't get a response. However, I did see that people are saying the Maxspeed springs are made to work with the stock struts.

 

I think Maxspeed are, and Eibach too. I could be wrong, but I thought I remembered these both being ok. They only give a 1 1/2 inch drop though, give or take.

 

As far as stock struts (SE) goes, i've seen a couple of members get several thousand (even couple of dozen thousand) miles on them w/o a problem.

This info is based on Maxspeed springs.

 

Just so you guys are not misinformed, the MaxSpeeds are not "made" for stock struts. I can tell you that first hand (I have MaxSpeed’s on my car). I have had them on my 2k2 for about 2k miles before I swapped out the struts. It is a world of difference. It rides so much smoother and controlled than with the stock struts. I am riding on Tokico blues in the front and AGX in the rear. I have not had the time to install the rears yet, but the front alone is a world of difference. This has been one of my favorite mods to date.

MaxSpeed on stock is fairly harsh. Not as bad as some of the other lowered cars I have been in, but noticeable. Putting in the Tokico fronts has made my ride improve 1000%

Brian

 

True. There's not a lot of springs out there that will ride better than the stock SE suspension. It's a given that lowering the car on stock struts will give a slightly harsher ride.

Even HR/Eibach's will ride better with aftermarket struts. The point in this post is that the stock struts won't prematurely blow with Maxspeed... well, it might actually get harsher with time but based on other people's experience the stock se struts can handle it for several thousand miles, which i think was what Y2K2Driver wanted to know.

 

That is hard to say. I would not feel comfortable passing that advice on. In my experience, I would agree. However, I think it all depends as I have heard people on this board say their struts blew within the first 100 miles.

Regardless, I would not buy lowering springs unless you are ready to buy struts too. You don’t have to buy them together, but be ready to purchase struts in case of emergency.

Also, I installed my springs and my struts...if I can go back, I would have done them at the same time just to save the hassle of doing the install twice.

Brian

 

I think others will concur that none of the lowering springs currently available for 5th gens are "made for stock". Some work fine on stock struts for a while, but they will deteriorate a stock strut much quicker than stock springs. Having said that, I have Eibachs on my stock struts currently and am very impressed with the ride, although it is noticeably less well damped. Not stiff in my opinion, just less controlled, especially in the rear. I have 28k on my 01 SE and have had the springs for about 5k of the mileage and haven't noticed major deterioration although its hard to tell with shocks in general. I have ordered Tokico blues up front and 4th gen AGX rears and both sets should arrive no later than Friday so I'll be able to tell you how much better they are next week. Based on my short run time though, I think the sooner you put lowering springs on then the longer they'll last with stock struts. Anything more than that is speculation. Sorry so long!

 

You found somewhere that had the AGX in stock? I am still waiting for mine. I installed the blues this weekend...you wont be disappointed.

Brian

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info. I guess I may just have to suck it up and risk the Cattman modified AGXs. Has any one who has them had any fitment issues or other problems?

 

In the FAQ section on Eibach's website they say that the pro kit is designed to work with the stock struts. I am not saying they won't be much better with aftermarket struts, but Eibach states themselves that the stock ones should work fine.

 

Hell yeah Brian, I ordered from shockwarehouse.com and the rear AGXs arrived today. I pick them up at the local UPS tomorrow. I waffled back and forth between Tokico blues and KYB GR2s up front and just flipped a damn coin and ordered the blues. They will arrive Friday so I should have the rears done no later than Wednesday if it doesn't rain. I can't wait to have them installed!

 

And I would say the FAQ is correct, that they will work with stock struts...just not nearly as well damped as stock springs are. You are correct, they have done a great job with my stock struts, but I noticed immediately that they stockers are not ideally damped to handle them and likely won't last anywhere near the mileage that stock struts on stock springs would.

 

YES I HAD ISSUES. DO A SEARH, BUT I DON'T WANNA DISCOURAGE YOU...IT'S YOUR PREFERENCE