Fairly Simple Question

[imported_Banana]

I finally got around to buying my Kyb-Gr2's, full energy poly-bushing kit and some cheap coilovers. My question is, do cheap springs make a substantial difference in ride quality? Because I've been in a few "dumped cars", and the ride quality is poop. And beyond that, is there anything else that would make my ride more comfortable, because my biggest worry is getting it all on, and then having a crappy "non-daily driven" ride. Opinions please, and thanks in advance.

[imported_Lacuna]

springs adjust your height, shocks adjust stiffness.

[Smooth_Imports]

If you have cheap or poor quality springs yes it will make a differance in the ride. the springs don't only adjust the hight of the body, it holds all of the weight. springs control your body roll under hard turns and control the pitch unber heavy acceleration and braking. if you have shitty springs and hit a speed bump the recoil of the spring can lift your rear off of the ground and on the return it will put alot of stress and over compress your shocks.

This is from tire rack it will give you alittle info on how everything works

The springs in your suspension hold up the weight of your vehicle and help resist pitch to the front and rear, and (in conjunction with the vehicle?s sway bars) resist lean to the side. Your shock absorbers are the primary suspension components that actually help "absorb shock" preventing continued bounce every time you accelerate, stop, corner or hit a bump. Shock absorbers are designed to slow and reduce these movements to help control the weight of the vehicle during transitions and allow your tires to perform better as they accept your input.
When shock absorbers wear (often very slowly over tens of thousands of miles, making the deterioration less noticeable), their resistance to movement weakens, your vehicle?s handling suffers, and tires and suspension components wear abnormally. New shock absorbers can restore the performance that has been surrendered by weak shock absorbers on used cars. Even new cars can improve their performance by upgrading their shock absorbers.

Shock absorbers work by converting suspension movement (kinetic energy) into heat (thermal energy). Fluid in a telescopic shock absorber is forced to pass through restrictive valves as the shock?s piston is compressed (bump stroke) and extended (rebound stroke). Many shock absorbers are gas-filled to reduce foaming as their piston is forced through the fluid, and have a "floating" piston to separate the fluid from the gas. This helps eliminate performance fade to maintain good ride and handling characteristics, even in demanding driving conditions.

Most "heavy-duty" shock absorbers, by means of larger diameter rods and pistons, better seals and valves, more fluid, and stronger mounting points, are stronger and better suited to the demands of hard driving, than are Original Equipment shocks. Some performance shock absorbers are adjustable allowing the driver to tune the behavior of the vehicle to meet their preferences for ride comfort and handling balance. This feature also allows the driver to adjust the shock absorber?s dampening to compensate for the wear that occurs over tens of thousands of miles.

[dubcac]

Originally posted by Lacuna@Apr 16 2004, 07:09 AM
springs adjust your height, shocks adjust stiffness.

Springs can also alter stiffness.

Most people have poor ride quality because:

a) they go too low
b) they lower the car on stock shocks, and then shocks blow

[imported_Banana]

alright. thanks for the help, i appreciate it a lot. One more minor question, for a daily driven car what would you reccomend for ride height, nothing below 2''? if i remember correctly the Kyb-gr2's dont reccomend lower than 1.5'' . . . oh, and will a camber kit be necessary, or can i get away with just an alignment/ heel-toe?

[dubcac]

I love my H&R springs...1.75" front and 1.5" rear drop. I have the KYB AGX adjustable shocks, and a skunk2 front camber kit. As for the GR2's, they are nonadjustable, but still a good shock. I doubt the extra .25" drop is going to do anything drastic. I love the ride with my setup. As for a camber kit, it never hurts to get one. I needed one...some people havent needed one...as long as you get an alignment after, and rotate your tires regularly.

[cynosurecivic]

Originally posted by dubcac+Apr 16 2004, 01:38 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dubcac @ Apr 16 2004, 01:38 PM)</div>

Springs can also alter stiffness.

Most people have poor ride quality because:

a) they go too low
b) they lower the car on stock shocks, and then shocks blow[/b]

when i was younger and cheaper, i lower my crx with stock struts. ride was shitty as all hell. li have since learned my lesson.

[imported_Banana]

I changed my mind with the "cheap-o" ebay coilovers, and i want to do it right the first time, like everyone has already stated. What are your opinions on H & R Sport Springs and Tein S-tech springs. They both offer the same drop, are there any benefits of one over the other; any personal use of either, also?
*Will be using full energy poly bushing kit and KyB-Gr-2's.*


Thanks

[cynosurecivic]

Originally posted by dubcac+Apr 16 2004, 01:38 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dubcac @ Apr 16 2004, 01:38 PM)</div>

Springs can also alter stiffness.

Most people have poor ride quality because:

a) they go too low
b) they lower the car on stock shocks, and then shocks blow[/b]

i lowered my crx the cheap way...cheap coilovers, stock struts, and friggin slammed it. ride sucked, but looked friggin tight. lol

now i have KYB's on my civic, slammed, and rides pretty good.

[imported_Banana]

So. . . H & R Sport Springs or Tein S-tech's? Keep in mind my shocks arent adjustable; is one better suited for road use than the other, does one have any other benefit over the other, or should i just buy one at random and stop asking these questions ?