Unimpressed with lowering springs...what's next?

[Palifter21]

Hey everyone,

Recently installed SR lowering springs on my 2017 GT auto coupe. These springs provide a 1in drop on all 4 wheels. I also did a 25mm wheel spacer on the rear wheels. Although this combo made the car have a much more appealing stance, i'm not thrilled with the handling. Not sure if its worth noting but the car has a MBRP street catback, Lund 93 tune and JLT cai.

I almost feel as if the springs are too much for the stock shocks...if that is such a thing. The car also has a Steeda strut bar up front and upgraded vertical links by SR performance, they greatly reduced wheel hop and make the back end much more confidence inspiring when spirited driving takes place.

So my question is, what can I do to aid in handling and overall feel? Is it time to replace the stock shocks? Something else?

Thanks in advance!

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[MaskedRacerX]

No experience with SR, but my BMR SP080s - in addition to looking fantastic - also substantially improved the handling, and the "feel". They're linear (vs. the OEM progressives), and specifically designed to work with the OEM shocks.

Note that I have PP car, so my shocks and stabilizers are a bit improved over your non-PP car.

Shocks would clearly improve things, but I'd make sure to get a good match for your spring rates - I'd reach out to BMR and Steeda, with the existing spring specs, give them an idea of your goals.

Some shocks and a set of aftermarket stabilizers and you can get a real tight setup, though you'll start encroaching on "street comfort".

 

[tj@steeda]

Hey everyone,

Recently installed SR lowering springs on my 2017 GT auto coupe. These springs provide a 1in drop on all 4 wheels. I also did a 25mm wheel spacer on the rear wheels. Although this combo made the car have a much more appealing stance, i'm not thrilled with the handling. Not sure if its worth noting but the car has a MBRP street catback, Lund 93 tune and JLT cai.

I almost feel as if the springs are too much for the stock shocks...if that is such a thing. The car also has a Steeda strut bar up front and upgraded vertical links by SR performance, they greatly reduced wheel hop and make the back end much more confidence inspiring when spirited driving takes place.

So my question is, what can I do to aid in handling and overall feel? Is it time to replace the stock shocks? Something else?

Thanks in advance!

Shoot me an email & we can get you situated ([email protected]) - we have a great set of fixed shocks that can pair well with the SR springs.

I look forward to hearing from you!

TJ

 

[NightmareMoon]

Yeah those springs rates are going to be a bit much for the stock shocks, even the PP ones. You need stiffer shocks to dampen those increased spring rates.

1in drop also makes it hard to stay off the bumpstops, i hope you trimmed yours when you put the springs on.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

I installed my steeda springs on my 16 vert with 3500 miles on the car. So, the factory struts were still pretty much new. The dampening of the factory struts wasnt up to the springs. It wasnt horrible but it was obvious. I changed them to the steeda non adjustable setup with the rear billet mounts shortly after. There was a noticeable difference between the two. The latter was much more controlled and predictable.

 

[Norm Peterson]

So my question is, what can I do to aid in handling and overall feel? Is it time to replace the stock shocks? Something else?

It won't cost you anything except a few minutes time and a little sweat to pull those rear spacers off and see if the situation improves. Adding spacers adds leverage to the loads that make suspension bushings distort. There may be other effects.


Not changing out the shocks and struts has moved the relative amount of damping down (away from where best tire grip lives). It would be giving a softer ride that could be acceptable if you're OK with the car moving around more on its suspension.


Norm

 

[Shermanator]

Thanks for the feedback thus far. I did take off the spacers recently, has no negative effect.

I’m thinking it’s time for shocks to be upgraded. I have 2 questions:

1. Any feedback on the KONI orange non adjustable shocks? Anything comparable in price?

2. Do all 4 shocks need to be replaced at the same time or can I do the rears first, wait a few weeks to assess how impactful they are then do the front?

 

[tj@steeda]

You can do just the fronts or the backs ... but you won't notice the full difference until you do the full set-up.

The Steeda Pro Actions are a great price point & many great reviews!

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-pro-action-shocks-and-struts-for-s550-non-adjustable-en.html

Happy to help - you can email me at [email protected].

Best Regards,

TJ

 

[Shermanator]

Thanks TJ, I like the price point and reviews on those shocks. I’m going to shoot you an email.

 

[SVT-DADDY]

I did the same thing as you, except with BMR 089. Handling actually deteriorated as the stock non PP dampers weren't up to the task. I got a good deal on PP dampers and the car handles much better.

However I will say that I think your on the right track with TJ. Kinda wish I went that direction.

 

[texasboy21]

Suspension components have to work in harmony. A proper set of shocks should bring the handling back to normal/improved.

 

[Shermanator]

Narrowed it down to Steedas non adj shocks and Konis non adj (Orange shock) along with camber bolts to help with negative camber after installing the SR springs with a 1in drop all around.

I’m really on the fence here. The Koni has the lifetime warranty while the Steeda is slightly cheaper with the forum discount. I’m guessing both are a pretty significant upgrade over the stock non PP GT shocks and I should just choose one..?

 

[texasboy21]

Narrowed it down to Steedas non adj shocks and Konis non adj (Orange shock) along with camber bolts to help with negative camber after installing the SR springs with a 1in drop all around.

I’m really on the fence here. The Koni has the lifetime warranty while the Steeda is slightly cheaper with the forum discount. I’m guessing both are a pretty significant upgrade over the stock non PP GT shocks and I should just choose one..?

Koni orange wouldnt be considered an updated, and likely are less dampened than the OE PP shocks.

Koni yellow (sports) are to be matched with lowering springs. That said, in my experience Bilstein B8s (sports) are far superior to Konis.

 

[tj@steeda]

Steeda has a lifetime warranty too - send me an email at [email protected] and finalize your search .

 

[Shermanator]

Koni orange wouldnt be considered an updated, and likely are less dampened than the OE PP shocks.

Koni yellow (sports) are to be matched with lowering springs. That said, in my experience Bilstein B8s (sports) are far superior to Konis.

Haha just when I thought I had it all figured out.

I had bilsteins on my 2017 Ram 1500 to level it and they were great.

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