Anyone changed their shocks and struts and springs?
What setup did you use?
Did you do the work yourself?
Where can I find a how to for this?

 

You can look up the poll in the 5th Gen forums, but basically,if you want a close to stock feel with a nice drop, go with H&R(1.4F, 1.3R), but if you want it slammed, TEIN S-Tech (2.2F 1.6R) is I believe the lowest you can go. Everyone seems to be using Tokico HP's, or for a lil bit more, you can get the fully adjustable Tokico Illuminas.

I am using H&R's on stock struts. I will soon be purchasing the Illuminas.

Yes, you can do this work fairly easily by yourself. Took me around 5-6 hours, only because I had to redo the rear springs. I mounted the struts backwards. (woops) FYI, sadly, my sig is outdated, and it doesnt show the drop.

You can pick up the spring compressors for 40 bucks(fully refundable deposit) at your local auto-zone through their loan-a-tool service. You'll get all that money back when you bring the tool back.

Here's the how-to that everyone refers to for struts:
http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/strut_install.html

 

i had ksports but i will admit coilovers suck for street. Right now i switch to tokico and teins and love em. Much better comfort and overall ride compared to coilovers. i do like the adjust everything with coilovers but comforts overides all...

 

Tokico Illuminas and drop springs (1.5'' front; 1.3'' rear). Did work myself (just like everything else done to my car)... all day job though and you will need sring compressors. Get a Haynes manual to guide you... it's pretty easy.

 

Illuminas and H&Rs on my A32.

It took about an hour, maybe two, but I have access to a lift and air tools.

I dont know if people's advice is model specific, but mine doesn't feel anything like stock, even with the dials on the softest settings.

 

Huge fan of Eibach springs and adjustable Tokico Illumina struts. The ride is definitely more firm, but I would not go as far to say they are uncomfortable. These are arguaby the best handling springs available for our cars. Car stays flat and pulls through corners like your wouldn't believe. As for the drop (1.5"/1.3" I think), these cure our huge fender gap quite well. This even drop is just what the doctor ordered.

So if you are looking for performance, Eibachs are the only way to fly. If comfort is more of a priority for you, stick with the H&R's.

 

Where is the best place to purchase a set of Illuminas? I have had good luck in the past from Shox.com and they sell Illuminas for $538 a set. I found them on eBay for $438 shipped. I was a little concerned that they may be fakes as I know a lot of counterfeit stuff goes through eBay.

I got the car on Saturday and ordered Tein H-Tech's on Sunday, now I need a good source for Illuminas. Thanks.

 

I got my Illuminas from eBay IIRC. It's been a while.

 

got mine through www.southwestautoworks.com although I think the name has been changed to www.sportcompactonly.com now. The have decent prices, but I did have a bit of trouble ordering a replacement illumina from them. It took them over a month and a half to ship my order. So make sure they have them in stock and ready to ship.

I had to straight up rage at three different people before they gave me to someone who could get things done. Then I had it the next day

 

Got mine through CE.

 

I h3ar KYB's ar3 g00d .. i wanna dr0p min3 t00 but think i'll wait till spring .. 0r w3n th3 sn0w pass3z .. which 3va c0m3z first .. l0l xD

 

Stick with the Illuminas. They are a fantastic strut and dont have to be modified like the AGX's to fit an A33.

And what is with the lettering in the above post? I hope that is a bug of some kind...

 

1996 called, it wanted to tell you that l337 speak isn't cool anymore.

 

so the agx will require mods to fit a 98 i30?

what will the ride be like on stock shocks/struts. i want the most comfertable ride while having a little lower ride height (to cure the ugly fender gap). what are recomendations? H&r?

 

Yes, H&R's are the closest to stock. As far as using stock struts, they will last ONLY a short while. I have had mine installed for 2-3 months and I am noticing the ride is slowly changing. I will probably be going to Illuminas at the end of January or so.

 

Thought it was my car for a minute.
Anyways, I need a drop too!
Has anyone had just drop the front of the car? I kinda like the stock drop in the rear.

 

If you EVER type a post like that again, I will ban you permanently.

 

May I ask what's wrong with his post?

 

Having to read text that is posted in that stupid format that he used is annoying.

 

Awesome.

I'm definitely at the right place.

 

not to mention

 

The AGX's WILL fit your car. i30's from 96' to 99' were the A32's. 2000 and up they are A33's.

 

For a 1995-1999, H-Techs are the way to go. I had several setups on my A32s, and the H-Techs with Tokico Illuminas (or Tokico HPs, if money is tight) are definately the way to go.

 

thanks guys, my i30 is my daily driver/business car so i haven't touched it except for basic maintenance.. but my front shocks are blown and it's bouncing around everywhere and i'm getting too annoyed by it.. i'm still not going to lower it, but found a lot of good info about the i30 suspension..

 

IMHO, stay away from AGX's. I put them on my car with stock springs and they are bouncy as h***, even set on "1" front and back.

If I had the money to swap them out, I would in a heartbeat.

Then again, I'm still dealing with permanent neck and back injuries from an auto accident I had six years ago, and I feel the effects of driving on them in the city.

On a smooth blacktop, they are fine...but around town they can get to be a bit annoying.

On a positive note, they do improve your handling considerably, even with stock springs, especially on takeoffs and braking. NO more tail and nose dives.

However, if you want adjustables, and can afford them, stick with Illuminas.

 

what do u guys all think about this coilover system? i kno all everyone said its not as nice as getting new springs and struts but it looks like its 800 shipped for everything and its easy to install.

http://www.paradox-systems.com/produ...153204212513aa

 

Running the tokico illuminas and CE springs has worked well for me. Still a nice ride around town but definetly handles well. Install time can vary depending on the condition of the car. On mine there were several rusty bolts that added considerable time. If the bolts come off easy you could do it in as little as 2-4 hours.

 

I'm running Illuminas (set on 3) on Eibachs. The ride overall isn't bad at all. It handles great, stays flat. I'm thinking I might adjust them to be a little harder when I get more aggresive tires for Xmas The drop looks perfect although I seem to bottom out a little bit every now and then.

 

The drop does look good! I have'nt had any bottoming out problems with the illumias and CE springs (they are the same as the tokico springs, that you can get with the struts from Tokico.) I'd go with the CE deal. The look is good and the ride is sporty. But very nice on everyday roads as long as you want a perfomance ride (It is stiff, but smooth, and I'm riding mine at the 4 front and the rear at 3.) This car can handle with this setup and I love eating Audi tt's for BREAKFAST!! Even through it is a front wheel driver the I-30 can really move with the right springs and struts. I have out manuevered my cousins 03 Audi A4 3.0. The audi is expensive but I'm not impressided. 40 GRAND FOR A PIECE OF S**T .That a fourth gen can take without braking a sweat, I eat TT and Mustangs for breakfast with my minor mods!!!Sorry if anybody likes those Cra*py cars. I just couldn't amagine spending that kind of money on the German CR*P.

 

Why are you running the front stiffer than the rear?? Our cars suffer from understeer enough as it is.