Suspension Review: Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs

[boredom.is.me]

Originally Posted by ericmpena

I just received my Sportlines yesterday. I found a place that will install them but here's what they're telling me:

I will need a camber kit. I should not install any spring without a camber kit. If this is true, what do you all recommend? I'm really trying not to spend too much money. It's already $200 for the spacers and $240 for the Sportline. I'm sure it'll be another $250ish for install. That's a $700 project already. Do I need both front and rear cambers?

Also, the auto shop is telling me that I need to get the allignment the day that I get the springs put on, and that costs $90. Is that BS? I've read everywhere that you're supposed to wait about 2-4 weeks before your first allignment. This mechanic was swearing otherwise.

Personally I'd like to just be able to have the Sportline installed and be done with it. If there's going to be much more to this project then I might just sell the springs and not stress myself with it. I don't want my tires needing to be replaced every 3 months or having my tired rotated every 400 miles. That's just too much crap to worry about instead of me just being able to enjoy my ride.

Bottom line, what exactly do I need in order to not mess up my car with these springs?

Do them yourself. It takes less than two hours and all you needs is two jack stands, a jack, and wheel chocks.

I ordered front camber bolts and control arms. I may not even install them.

[DarrenDriven]

DIY: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10842

[ericmpena]

I understand I can do it myself, but that still does not answer my questions. So my basic questions are:

1. Will I run into any issues if I do not install front and rear cambers?

2. If cambers are needed, which do you recommend for me to purchase?

3. How long do I wait before getting my wheels alligned?

[DarrenDriven]

1. The only issue will be increased tire wear on the inside of your tires over a longish period of time. I have often lowered my cars and not corrected camber, although it forces tire replacement about 25% sooner than you otherwise would need it.

2. Can't help with this one... anyone?

3. I would wait at least 24 hours before getting an alignment as the lowering springs may settle slightly once they have been installed.

[ericmpena]

I finally got my Sportlines installed today. I don't have a full car picture because it's already dark outside, but here's some close-ups of the wheels before and after. I'm very satisfied with the look!

[ck-GT86]

Originally Posted by ericmpena

I finally got my Sportlines installed today. I don't have a full car picture because it's already dark outside, but here's some close-ups of the wheels before and after. I'm very satisfied with the look!

Can't wait to get mine!

[ericmpena]

When I saw my car finally finished with the springs on, I could not stop smiling! The drop looks so perfect to me. It's exactly what I was looking for. I'll post some more pics when the sun comes up.

Originally Posted by ck-GT86

Can't wait to get mine!

[ericmpena]

Here's a full car pic with the Sportlines. The new wheel gap is a little hard to see so I included half car pics that show the new gap clearer.

[ericmpena]

I just noticed the the rear passenger side of my car sits a lot lower than the driver side. I can easily place 2 fingers between the tire and frame on the driver side, however on the passenger side I can barely fit 1 finger.

I've always thought that the rear looked a little saggy from the passenger side, but after looking closer I'm seeing a big difference of almost half an inch. Any suggestions? I've had the Sportlines installed since Sept.17th. Here's some pics.

The pics are in this order:
1. Driver side close (Picture taken with camera sitting on the street)
2. Passenger side close (Picture taken with camera sitting on the street)
3. Driver side far
4. Passenger side far


Update: I read some people saying on various forums that this could be due to a the gas tank being full. I'm not sure about that as I only have half a tank, but maybe I'll check it when I'm closer to empty and see if there's any difference.

[Shad0ez]

Any luck with finding out the reason behind the uneven look?

Originally Posted by ericmpena

I just noticed the the rear passenger side of my car sits a lot lower than the driver side. I can easily place 2 fingers between the tire and frame on the driver side, however on the passenger side I can barely fit 1 finger.

I've always thought that the rear looked a little saggy from the passenger side, but after looking closer I'm seeing a big difference of almost half an inch. Any suggestions? I've had the Sportlines installed since Sept.17th. Here's some pics.

The pics are in this order:
1. Driver side close (Picture taken with camera sitting on the street)
2. Passenger side close (Picture taken with camera sitting on the street)
3. Driver side far
4. Passenger side far


Update: I read some people saying on various forums that this could be due to a the gas tank being full. I'm not sure about that as I only have half a tank, but maybe I'll check it when I'm closer to empty and see if there's any difference.

[ericmpena]

Yes I did.

Prior to taking the pictures I had just installed wheel spacers on my rear wheels. I did the passenger side first, then the driver side.

After finishing up with the rear driver side wheel I lowered the car off of the jack and then was checking out the finished job. That's when I noticed that the passenger rear was a lot lower than the driver rear. I started freaking out!

I didn't hit me until I went back outside later in the day and saw that both sides were sitting even.

Raising up the car to install the wheel spacers took the stress off of the Sportlines, so when I took the car off of the jack it took a few minutes for the Springs to settle back into their normal drop.

Since I did the passenger side first, it had 10 minutes or so while I was working on the driver side to settle back down to it's regular drop.

So in conclusion, it wasn't that the passenger side was sitting low, it was the driver side that was sitting very high. It eventually settled back into the regular drop and now all is well! I meant to post a follow up but I've gotten busy with other mods. Thanks for reminding me!

[Shad0ez]

Not a problem, I'm exploring as many different options as possible before deciding on what I will be doing and would like to know the pro's and con's of each set up.

So wheel gap all around is about 2 fingers, or does the front have more space than the rear?

[ericmpena]

Originally Posted by Shad0ez

Not a problem, I'm exploring as many different options as possible before deciding on what I will be doing and would like to know the pro's and con's of each set up.

So wheel gap all around is about 2 fingers, or does the front have more space than the rear?

On my car the rear sits a little lower. I have about 1 finger space in the rear wheels, and 1 1/2 finger space on front wheels. Can't quite fit 2 fingers for the front.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Is this still 1 of the biggest drops you can get from springs or is there something else?