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Shocking! Talk Shocks here!
Performance shocks - not just for everyday driving?
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idahodoug, "Toyota Land Cruiser" #2373, 10 Feb 2003 8:24 pm
Steve, Host
I think "wimpy" is a good word here. It's like the guys who are sold on using stock brake pads and spark plugs, because "that's the way the factory wanted it"...although, for example, Car and Driver did a brake system test on a WRX and run of the mill performance brake pads made the car stop 17 feet shorter from 60-0.
I agree that the "one size fits all" attitude doesn't work when selecting shocks, struts, springs, brake pads, or tune-up parts, but a little research goes a long way.
The front driver shock broke first about 3mos later and the other one went about 6 weeks after that. They were making noises and were not able to properly dampen the oscillations of the higher spring rates. Now the H&R OE Sports spring rates are only 276lb/in. front and 220 rear compared to the '94-01 Integra springs that are 212F/117R. It just so happens the Neuspeed Sports springs have the same spring rates (it 's always been suspected that H&R makes the Neuspeed springs). If your Neupseed RACE springs are anything like H&R Race springs, then your new spring rates are: 583F/450R!! That's almost 3 times stiffer up front and 4 times in the rear! The stock shocks will not be able to handle these springs and will start deteriorating slowly. The failure will be gradual and you probably won't notice it for several months. If your OEM shocks have many miles on them, they 'll fail quicker. My stock shocks only had 15k mi. on them but I felt the deterioration quickly because I was racing (auto-x) the car at the time (still do). My times were gradually getting worse (slower) so I was able to tell the shocks were failing even before there were any noises coming from them.
Do your self a favor and get some Koni Yellows (Sports) adjustable shocks. You can get them for $499 shipped. The best mod you can do to your Integra for the money. Shocks play a more important role in handling than the springs. This way you pay for installation only once, not twice like me, if you 're not doing it yourself. You should also invest in a 22mm rear sway bar. Integras come with small 14mm rear sway bars. The larger sway bar will decrease body roll dramatically and noticeably improve handling. That along with the Konis will transform your car into a great steetable handling car.
I have some more advice for you. I 've been through several suspensions in the last 5yrs, and do not recommend the Neuspeed Race springs for the street or if your car is a daily driver. The car will sit way too low, although the Konis can help that. They have different spring perches on the shock body. I recommend installing the springs on the top ones to raise the car a little. You will be rubbing, bottoming out over speed bumps, scraping on the curb while parking, etc. Ride will be very crappy as well because of the relatively high spring rates. I would try exchanging them for the Neuspeed Sports springs if I were you. Do not buy cheap shocks like Tokiko blues (Tokiko Illuminas - adj. shocks are ok but Konis are better) or KYB AGX crap. The Koni is the best bang for the buck and they can be rebuilt, revalved or shortened in the future by Koni America or Truechoice Inc.
Integras do not have much suspension travel as it is. Installing race springs with such a dramatic drop will have you riding on your bumpstops and can you can also bottom out and damage your shocks, aftermarket or not. The best thing to do for our cars (for the street) is to get the Ground Control coilover kit with your choice of 350Front/400Rear or 400F/450R springs (GC sells the Eibach race springs - high quality 2.5" inner diameter springs) so you can adjust the height, or get the H&R/Neupseed Sports springs (or Eibach Proline), in that order. These are just your spring options. For shocks you want to get the Konis or Tokiko Illuminas if you can't afford the $40 higher price of the Konis but I wouldn't go cheap. You want to do this once and you want to do it right.
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
Usually the aftermarket product is sold for a range of different vehicles, unlike the OEM spec item that's engineered for a specific platform. I'm a bit suspicious of a one size fits all part.
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
The option is to trade for a large SUV as the prices are pretty good right now...
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
"i have a 1995 infiniti j30 and i need some struts and shock on it. the car rides ok but bounces like crazy at about 100 to 110 mph. help please also if i could get part number that would help too...."
Take a good look at your tires. If they look good, and are not more than about five years old, have them demounted, inspected inside and out, and remounted with no powder or fluid inside, then inflated with dry nitrogen and properly balanced.
Does the steering wheel shake up & down? Then your wheels need to be balanced and/or there's something wrong with one of the tires. If they 're a few years old just get rid of them and get new ones. If they look fine and are not old, get all 4 statically balanced again (weight on both sides of the rim). If you have custom or aftermarket alloy wheels and it still does it after a wheel balance, then have them do a static & dynamic balance. If they ask you "what's that", just leave and go to another reputable tire shop. It could very well be a tire is defective, because if the balance is off on one or more wheels, you usually feel it way before you hit 100mph. Around 65-70 or even 80mph, not 100. Let us know how you make out.
As far as shocks go, your 10yr old OEM shocks probably need to be replaced depending on the mileage and your driving style. Since you 're in a speedshop/modifications forum, I will recommend you get some Bilstein or Koni gas shocks for your car. They will improve handling without comprimising the ride or comfort.
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)