Just thought I'd give my 2 cents to those who are thinking of buying sportlines for your Balts. I have a 2.4 with 400 miles on her. Stock the car rode like a lexus to me. Pillow soft. Actually quite enjoyable compared to my 95 wrangler and 92 mustang gt (with sportlines). So I was a little worried about changing things. Now..after about 50 miles after the install I can honestly say I am quite impressed with the results so far. Thought I felt a little vibration on my first drive on the floorboard by my feet. But haven't felt it since. In a straight drive the ride is noticeably rougher than stock..but in a good way. You feel as though you have more command of your vehicle (kinda hard to explain). To be honest It still rides "soft" to me. Which is great for me and those morning coffee commuters. I no longer need those coffee balancing skills. Or memorizing where the bumps are at on my travels to work. As far as handling..I really havent pushed it too hard yet but can easily tell the car grips better. There are no rattles or squeaks to speak of yet..but.. I do hear the occasional thunk that wasn't present with the stock setup. That's a tradeoff that I easily can live with. Plus I got what I really wanted.. a mean stance that turns heads.

For those install it your self-ers.. that top bolt on the front strut is next to impossible. I followed the instructions on this site- strap wrench, allen wrench etc.. and couldn't do it. I appreciate the info though. I have installed sportlines on 3 other vehicles and quickly saw I was in a losing situation. How in the hell??....I envy you guys. Impact gun is the only way I can see. I ended up paying a shop $110 plus a $20 side tip to installer (to give my car the love) for the fronts and did the rears myself.

If anyone is interested I will report back in after I log more miles on these springs. My grade so far is an A-

 

pictures?

 

LMAO! I know that was coming! I would say the same thing. Give me a hour and I will. It's drizzling here and really wanted my first pics to be cherry but I'll do it anyway. By the way my friend and I installed the rears yesterday in the pouring rain. Not to sound like a wimp but once the lightning rolled in..it was super scary..but we kept going. Even had a couple strikes that shook the ground. Figured If I was going to die It would be modding my car. Unfortunatley my friend didn't have the same enthusiasm lol.

umm..stupid question.. how do I get pics on here? I started myspace account to get URL and the pics came up here really small. Nvrmind.

Proof its mine and not some parked car

Why this ended up stretched I do not know








Anyone see the monkey with the raised arms? Strange..

 

upload your pic to the gallery on here and use the img code for posting, just keep an eye on the oem shocks depending on how hard you drive they could be gone within a few thousand miles.

 

Cool. Will do that.. thanks bluebalt. Shocks done in a few thousand?? Isn't that what irresponsibly wasting your money is all about?? Just hope there are more choices than konis 4 me by that time. And what the heck!? Why no aftermarket on the stock 18's (high polished preferred) for us??? Even tried to bribe my dealer to slip them on 4 me. Didn't happen.

 

yea if youre into keeping a semi smooth ride the koni's arent for you. they stiffened up the ride alot more than the springs did.

 

Good "review" on the sportlines. All I can say is I pretty much feel the same way.
The sportlines have a very different ride to them, but it's just that. Different. It is in no way a worse, or less comfortable ride. Sure, I feel groves in the road more, but I still 'glide' over them comfortably. One of the things that I love most about the sportlines, is that the factory springs have a certain "bounce" to them, which is now gone. When I hit a bump, I get the first jerk and nothing more. It is noticably the same with cornering. No more body roll.

 

Exactly.. the "bounce" is gone but still rides really nice.

Suprised no one has seen the little monkey thing in that sixth pic. And no I wasn't referring to myself..it's to the left of me next to the wheel well. Went back outside and still cant figure out what was reflecting there.

 

haha yeah i see it that is hilarious

 

LOL!

I don't want to sound like I'm being a jerk. But it really is you.
If you follow the body line on the fender, where if folds outward. The "monkey" thing is right down the middle of the bend. Basically what you are seeing is about shoulders out on both sides of you without the middle of your body...

 

Yeah, and if you look real hard, you can see my tiny little toes where the monkeys feet should be. I went outside to see If I could mimic it again but 2 much of a pain. Wanted to make a lil dancing monkey photo slide show 4 you guys.