OK, I am currently sitting on Tokico Blues and Tein S-Tech. I am not liking the somewhat bouncy ride and harsh, at times, bumps. It is also kind of easy to bottom out and hear the tire rubbing, on hard long turns. I wanted to redo all my bushings with Energy Suspension master kit PLUS the trailing arm bushing which are shot which will undoubtedly firm everything up even more, so my question is: which spring/shock setup do you people prefer to retain comfort in my situation. I do not race, but drive it aggressively in traffic. I drive to the point of almost losing control as I turn into an exit off a highway, but I am thinking that because my bushings are shot, the new ones will help with that. I do not mind going back to stock height if I have to to get comfort back. Remember, even with the current bushings, I find the ride somewaht uncomfortable, especially on long rides. I'm putting in the bushings this weekend and anticipate losing my mind with the ride quality afterwards, but loving the control. ANY suggestions as to what shocks and springs will give the control and comfort I am looking for? If I have to go back to stock, which brands will do that? Most springs I have seen on the internet are lowering springs. Some nonames offer OEM replacement, but I don't know much more than that. Thanks much in advance!
Regards,
Steve

 

Just wanted to update some more information that may make a difference in your decisions/help:
1. I have SPC rear lower control arms and still need to get a toe adjuster as the stock one does not allow for any more movement and I am chewing out the insides of my second set of tires in a year right now (each side off by about +1/8" from zero).

2. Just saw one single post on this website that actually said NOT to put any polyurethane bushings on the car as they will bind and will not be good...

A) Should I just replace the rear trailing arm bushing with the polys I have and sell the master kit that I also already have or go with stock rubber replacements?

B) I still want to soften up the ride, and heard that Tokico Blues suck and maybe the Illuminas with my Tein S-Techs will be a better (softer) combo? Thanks in advance again!

C) Just offer your opinion. Thanks

Steve

 

There's more than one post about the pros and cons of poly urethane bushings. Finding and reading through those threads will probably also help you make your decision on shocks and springs as well, in addition to what to do with your bushings.

Based on what you described, I'd recommend:
1. OEM springs, shocks, and bushings
2. Get an alignment.
3. Quit driving on public roads to the point where you're losing control of the car. It's not the bushings.

 

Well if I wanted OEM I wouldn't have gone for a mild drop in the first place. Secondly, you implied that I am losing control on public roads on purpose. No, just sometimes when I am exiting off a highway at the last second, which is rare, my front steering response is messed up as I try to brake and follow up with the turn. Thirdly, the alignment is only a small issue, but it is currently NOT alignable due to the absence of the toe adjusters in the rear. Everything else has been aligned to spec. A better response would have included suggestions on softer springs than the S-Techs, for example, the H-Techs, but I have no idea how they will perform and how much of a softer ride it will be. I have seen many threads on the shitiness of the Tokico Blues, so which shock should I get? I need people with experience with different setups and preferably someone who has driven this current setup who has a better suggestion. Please.
Regards,
Steve

 

1. You asked what brands will bring you back to stock. OEM will bring you back to stock.
2. Whether or not you're doing it on purpose, you're losing control of your car. Again, it's not the bushings.
3. 1/8" of toe out on both sides is hardly a small issue. That you can't bring it back to 0 doesn't change the fact that the alignment is severely affecting the handling of the car.

There's only about 50+ threads a week suggesting better alternatives to the Tokico Blues, including the Illuminas. You might want to start there.

 

Difficult decision but after putting a box full of audio equipment into my back seat I scraped the bottom while going over a small bump slowly. Since the box didn't have all the components and the sound deadeding, all of which will eventually be installed and place significantly more weight, and scrapage, I decided to go back to stock. NOW my question is, what else other than the springs struts and spring compressor will I need?? Any rubber components to put everything together? Bump stop, etc...? I don't want to dismantle my current setup but simply pull it out in one piece. Thanks in advance.
Steve