Suspension noob thinking of getting Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs
 

Hey guys, noob here. I have zero knowledge on suspension.

Currently have a stock setup with stock rims & tires. Looking to lower the ride by approximately 1 inch. Can someone explain to me what spacers are? Do I need them if I get the lowering springs? Also - can someone explain how lowering springs can blow the shocks? Just additional stress? Lastly, what does a typical spring installation cost?

Thanks!

What type "spacers"? wheel spacers just move the wheel outboard.

Generally, lowering springs won't blow out shocks, unless you go to an extreme. The shock has a certain amount of travel, ie it's working range. If you lower the car/truck too much, you move the common travel range closer to the end of the working range. Too close to the end, and you'll bottom it out. 1" isn't going to change where the shock is working enough to be an issue.

My spacers…pretty obvious what they are in the pic.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...ps0281b463.jpg

And I am on eibach pros…

Before (look at the rear end)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...pse1ff76a0.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...psee21dc4a.jpg

And after. I just have a 20mm spacer in the rear only.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...psc2de85a6.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...ps908a937b.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h8...pscbb5f483.jpg

As above, you will notice when you lower the car that the wheels and tires look like they have sunken in towards the car, especially in the rear, hence the reason some people get wheel spacers.

The additional stress may blow the shocks prematurely, but that is heavily dependent on how stressful the road you are driving on are to begin with, and how low the springs drop the car. The pro-kit is a moderate to subtle drop and as long as you are not off-roading and/or hitting bad potholes constantly, you should not have to worry about the shocks for quite some time, if ever.

Install I believe is more or less $200 at most shops. (2-3 hours labor)

The kit is pretty easy to install. So far the FRS has been one of the easiest cars I've worked on (knock on wood). Some jacks, the right tools and a friend will make the job go quickly. I did it myself in about 2 hours

Thanks for the replies. This really clarified my questions. Looks like I'll take a dive and get the springs.

With regards to spacers - I definitely don't like the sunken look, so I'll pick some up for the rear. Does installing spacers require the car to be aligned?

spacers no. springs yes.

You may want spacers for the front also. When I dropped my car on Sportlines I went with 20mm front, 25mm rear spacers. It makes a huge difference on appearence. I got mine from B2 Auto for about $200 for all 4 I believe.

Anyone know if 25mm in the front is too much poke? Will it cause rubbing or issues on stock wheels/tires?

If on stock wheels I don't think it would poke or rub, but I wouldn't put anything more than 15mm up front.

Ok, I went ahead and pulled the trigger and purchased the kit. Now quick question - what kind of spacers should I get for the car? I'm running stock rims & tires. In the future I may want to upgrade to 18" XXR 527 rims. Vender I'm considering buying from said 20MM front, 25MM rear. Some say 15mm front, 20mm rear. What will give me that clean lowered look?

It's kind of car dependent. How much camber are you planning on running? With just springs, now camber adjustment parts, 20mm in the rear was perfect. If I were to put anything in the front, I would go 15mm. If you're gonna run some decent camber, 20mm front and 25 back would be fine. I started with that and literally pulled them back off the second the car hit the ground. Just a touch too much poke for me, but I seem to be in the minority on this one.

I'm running stock camber right now, whatever that number is. So right now I'm thinking of doing 15mm front / 20mm rear on stock rims. Sound good? lol kinda doing this blindly with little knowledge, but I'll definitely post up pictures of the finished ride.

Sounds like a winner to me