Comfortable Suspension for Daily Driving

[YoshiHNS]

Finishing up a major rebuild and combing over of my '93 GT NA. It has 170k miles on it with the original suspension. I have the front suspension off the car to replace the dry-rotted insulators. I will be checking the condition of the dampers when I pop it apart. With the mileage on it, I'm expecting them to be quite worn and ready for replacement.

I've been searching for a suspension to replace the OEM system. This car will be driven on the street as a DD. I'm not going to do any street racing, or drag racing, or autocross. It might see a track once just for the giggles if a buddy drags me along. I have other toys for such things if I am ever in the mood.

I want a system that retains the original ride height. No lowering what-so-ever. Something comparable to the stock suspension. The only possible solution I have seen is using the KYB GR-2 struts. Haven't found a spring that looks like a replacement yet (maybe Swift springs?). I have a feeling that sway bars may be a welcome update on top of this.

Anyone have any suggestions? Trying not to spend too much on this. Not much more than $1k if possible. Thanks.

[Maximal]

If you want to retain the original ride height and feel it's best to go OEM for springs and either OEM struts or the KYB's.

There aren't many spring options for the NA, only really Eibach, and all of them are going to lower your car.

Another option would be coilovers but then you're going to lose some of the ride quality.

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

hell your everyday parts store monroe type setup would probably be find for DD.

[YoshiHNS]

Yes I'm not looking for anything fancy. I just cannot find replacement springs. If I have to stick to my worn OEM springs I will.

What's the least lowering springs out there then? Vogtland shows 1.5". Their audio kit would be nice for those times where I have heavy stuff in the back or and towing something. Eibach and Tein lower 1.5" as well. H&R listed as 1"-1.8". Think I've seen a few topics of KYB & H&R on here.

[YoshiHNS]

Just realized that H&R do not seem to make springs for the NA. Their OE Sport Springs look like what I'm looking for too.

[JasonY]

Why do you want to change the springs? Just leave the stockers in and get new struts up front and shocks out back.

Jason

[YoshiHNS]

I figured that the springs are probably a bit softer than they used to be. New struts will make difference enough.

[Maximal]

If you are going with springs I think Eibachs are the best you can buy for the NA's. The stock springs should be good I'd say though. KYB's are pretty standard for a replacement, especially if you don't have ECS as you'll lose that with them if you do.

Shameless plug: Front: KYB GR-2 Struts - All 3S Front - Maximal Performance (http://www.maximalperformance.com/store/suspension/kyb-gr-2-struts-all-3s-front.html) Rear: KYB GR-2 Struts - FWD Non-ECS 3S Rear - Maximal Performance (http://www.maximalperformance.com/store/suspension/kyb-gr-2-struts-fwd-non-ecs-3s-rear.html)

[IPD]

i'd say either buy from terry or get generic crap on rock auto. either way, make sure you replace the mounts.

[duke3k]

Shamless plug: Did you ever consider retrofitting in the ECS struts? Thatd give you some nice adjustment control for your daily driver. When i did mine total cost(not including springs) of all the necessary strut mounting HW including 4 new ECS struts was right at $900 from Cherry Hill.

[HLxDrummer]

Ya I would go KYB or stock with the original springs for sure!

[Valhallaz]

I have a fwd on eibach springs and stock working ECS struts, and another with Vogtland springs and GR2's. Both have addco sways front and rear (single best suspension upgrade, imo, if you do nothing else). The Vogtlands and GR2's have the better ride, on any terrain. If you want stock height, I'd go with stock springs, gr2's and addco's.

The vogtland springs dropped mine 1.3 front and rear. Drop is pretty much identical to the Eibachs.
The car in my virtual garage is the one on Vogtlands and GR2's if you want an idea of ride height. I wouldn't change a thing on it's suspension, and it's my DD.

[Emilie@GZP]

Does your car have electronic suspension on it? That changes things greatly as far as recommendations go.