andrewcarr1993

iTrader: (5)

No offence but why different sized wheels? Can rotate the wheels but change up the look, especially when your front wheels will wear so much faster.

GBRunner24

iTrader: (1)

No offense taken, that's just the way I bought them. Picked them up off craigslist less than a week ago and the previous owner had the tires mounted like that. On my next commission check I'll be swapping the fronts to 215/45/17 to match the rears.

andrewcarr1993

iTrader: (5)

Okay makes sense.

S13rra175

So one month later and I'm just about at 13.75in center wheel to fender on all corners on ksports. I'm still on stock fe1s so hopefully when I move up to 5s maybe I'll get sometHing, who knows. I expected more but once I put 18s on I think it'll look much better.

chevygirl2006

Struts and shocks don't affect ride height I believe.

andrewcarr1993

iTrader: (5)

It's always amazed me how much I have to say that the shocks/struts make no difference in the ride height, only how it rides/handles.

chevygirl2006

Lots of people think that. Lol

andrewcarr1993

iTrader: (5)

I was once told that my car looks better than most on YYZ springs because it's riding on Koni's so it's probably lower. The front struts need to be modified, technically their still the FE1 housings I used to have.

chevygirl2006

Looks like a regular yyz drop to me

JWhit197

Guys I've read this entire thread and you're making this a very difficult decision for me hahaha.
I should note, I am running 215/50R17 on 17x7 Enkeis, brand new FE5 shocks and struts in the mail.
Now I just need springs to put on them....

I've narrowed it down, but with some concerns:

B&G: Lowest, but what about ride quality? Could these rub with my fat sidewall?
H&R: Probably closest to buying these, until I saw that someone said they sit unevenly (Maybe he was shipped the race instead of the sport?)
CM: Ride quality is great, but not sure if they will be low enough. Also easier on the wallet.

This is my daily driver, mostly highways. YYZ is out of my price range and I want something lower with that, while still maintaining DECENT ride quality. I know that any lowering spring will decrease the quality, but I want a good balance of both. From what I've heard, Eibach is out of the question lol.
Thanks!!

nobody2u

B&G don't sit even either, they sag in the rear. If you want an even ride height front and back then sportlines may be the way to go, though the ride and handle like ****. I had CM springs before, you're right- ride was perfect, drop wasn't enough. I'm not on H&R sports, which I like better than the CM springs, they are definitely lower- about a 1 finger gap in the front and 2 in the rear. (Where CM was 2 in the front and 2.5-3 in the rear. Ride is definitely a bit firmer, but the springs feel very high quality and they are made in Germany. Keep in mind these cars aren't meant to ride at an even ride height, being front wheel drive it likes to lean on the front wheels a bit.

If you're going to go springs, I say go H&R, and make sure you get the sports with the .2 or -2 at the end of the part number. Now I'm no stance or fitment guy, but I do like a lowered car, and that being said I sort of wish I just bit the bullet and went coilovers all along and to hell with springs. I'm 90% happy with my H&Rs and they go pretty low for springs but I still get tempted by coilovers- but I'm trying to save for a rear wheel drive car. I'm on my phone right now, but I hope my insight was helpful on the topic.

JWhit197

Very helpful input from someone who owns the product, thank you!
I am thinking that H&R will be the best bet, and I did read the horror story thread about the people who didn't buy the -2 part number lol thanks for making sure.
Even after purchasing the H&R springs and the FE5 shocks and struts, I will still have spent a great deal less than buying coilovers, and when I pay this car off I don't plan to keep it that long; this is really just to last me a couple of years while looking good and providing a decent ride quality.
Furthermore, I would rather go with the larger brand H&R just because of their reputation for building a good product. I have spoken with people who use these springs on all kinds of applications and they have very few complaints.

One last thing, I am not huge on fitment either, but I was thinking about finding some spacers to even this thing out a bit. Is anyone running the 25mm spacers on the 4x100 LT with H&R springs? I'm afraid I will get too much poke, and to my knowledge, 25mm is the minimum width when it comes to SAFE spacers for our cars. Please correct me if I'm wrong, and provide a link where I can find some
As always, thanks everybody!

nobody2u

I'm not sure if it's the same for the 2.2 cars, but for the SS cars the biggest spacer you can run on the stock studs is 5mm.

JWhit197

Hmmm, that is odd. The only thing I have seen for the 4x100 is 25mm (1in) for the Cobalt. 5mm seems almost unnoticeable, and I definitely need more than that for my wheel to sit flush to the car. I'm just worried 25mm will be too much. Although I am talking about the hub-centric spacers that have new lugs attached to them in the opposite position. I haven't seen any that slide on and use the same lugs, is that what you're referring to?

nobody2u

25mms would be a huge difference. I'm not sure- honesty I don't know much on that front.

JWhit197

Yeah me neither. I found Wheel Adapters, Wheel Spacers, Hub Rings, and much more! | Motorsport Tech from another thread and emailed the owner. He said he can make whatever I need so once I get the suspension installed and settled and aligned I'm going to measure to see exactly what I need. I was just hoping some else had some 17x7s with spacers so I could get an idea.

Anyways, the H&R's have been ordered! I'll post pics when I get everything installed. Thanks again for the help!

M@chine2006

anyone know anything about TEIN suspension or riding on them currently?

JWhit197

All done and settled! FE5 shocks & struts on H&R sport springs (-2). Rear sits a bit lower now, and the e-brake is on so it doesn't look as good in the pic as it does currently. Ride quality is awesome on flat roads, not nearly as bumpy as I was expecting although I was on stock LT suspension with cut springs lol. Handling is 1000000000x better than before. Feels like a whole new car. Let me know what you think!



Next is to paint the drums, 12mm spacers, and dip the roof!

riceburner

iTrader: (66)

car looks really nice, never seen those wheels. sideskirt looks good too!

BlackielawlessSS

iTrader: (1)

nice car

GBRunner24

iTrader: (1)

Any chance you could grab a ground to fender height measurement for me? I'm on CM springs right now and wanna know the difference between those and H&R's.

JWhit197

Thanks guys! Just recently realized that when I park on my slanted driveway and put my e-brake on the rear sits a bit higher than normal. I'll post a couple more pics on level ground, looks a lot better.

Absolutely, let me snap a couple on level ground and I will also measure for you.

Sorry for the late responses, haven't been on here since I posted the pics.

Spawne32

iTrader: (1)

Anyone having issues with CM springs rusting incredibly fast?

GBRunner24

iTrader: (1)

How fast are we talking? I had mine on from February to August and they look great aside from where the coils touch together on compression.

Spawne32

iTrader: (1)

both coils up front the coating is peeling off all around the spring and the coils are visibly rusted, and the rears are rusting on the tops where the coils are in contact with each other. Had them on since last ...october or november.