as far as i've been able to find Koni makes the only replacement struts for lowering the cobalt on springs. they seem to run about $600 for a full set (F&R). springs anywhere from 150-250 depending on the spring and the store/site. thats $750-$850 for springs/struts right now, when coilovers run about 1k. thats at most 250 savings, but considering that coilovers are adjustable it seems that it would be better to just save the extra 250ish for coilovers. unfortunately for me, lowering w/o struts just isn't an option. i dont like blowing up parts of my car. what do you guys think?

 

Coilovers are basically for adjusting spring height and ratings. They are not for absorbing...they are just another way to setup an actual spring. You would need the proper struts/shocks.

The Coilover setup you're referring to that is 1k, what set is this? If it's 1k, it probably comes with a strut/shocks already (which I think is what you're trying to say). Adjustability isn't that important honestly. How often are you really going to need to adjust? You find a ride height and you'll basically stay with it. Most people think they will change it like they change their underwear...they don't.

 

really you're looking at paying more for coilovers. I'd go with around 1200 -1500 is a decent set

ok so coilovers vs cup kit

coilovers usually offer a harsher ride even with a dampening shock due to compression of the spring. but they are the ultimate performance upgrade to any suspension now days, asuming you have all the proper hardware to go with them camber plates and that you get a fully adjustable setup. they give you the ability to balance out the car to an even weight ratio on all four tires. if you can find some automotive scales anywhere. for style purposes they let you go low some lower than others but still pretty dam low.

cupkits are good for a more comfortable ride, lowered look and more agressive handling capabilites. with adjustable struts can be stiffffened up for autoX days or trips to the strip. all in all they are a pretty easy care free suspension set up where as most people with coils love adjusting them all the time. I know there is more but i smashed my finger in a door the othe day and it hurts



yeah i dont think he's talking about a coil sleeve... we're talking the whole setup.

and I agree on a daily driver I dont really consider coils to be necessary but people want to act like they have real race cars on the street now days.

actually I have a lot of friends that change their height all the time but mostly for tunning purposes until they get it right. puls some of them went too low and are trying to make themselves low but not too low.

 

how long can you go without getting new struts with Sportlines??

 

mine have been on for a like 16000 miles and no worries yet. but it all depends on where and how you drive.

 

I believe it also has to do with how many miles you have on your struts before you lower your car. The longer your struts have been riding on stock springs, the strut will only travel a certain distance up and down. Once you lower the car, the strut has a whole new area of movement. If you lower your car when your struts have low milage, you might get longer life out of them.

 

I have had tons of lowered cars and have never had a problem with my struts.

 

i was just basically comparing the two due to cost, and with all that coilovers seem to offer (the ones with the full strut/springs) it just seemed to me that with only a $250ish price difference ya might as well go with the coilovers. more capable than just a replacement spring/strut setup, like was mentioned if you want to play around and find what suits you. and i was just browsing CA and Gravana's sights when this thought kinda poppped up

 

my stock struts lasted about 10000miles with the eibach prokit, the koni's are amazing.

 

good to know, just for reference, how hard do you drive on em bluebalt? and what kind of road conditions are they used to seeing?

 

i drive pretty hard most of the time, texas roads arent the worse but theyre not the best either. lots of uneven cracks and dips.