springs- where do i begin??

[chad86thai]

ok ive been searching a lot but im not quite sure what to look for. i have a 98 2.8 FWD with stock non sport suspension. with that said, i want to lower my car but i only have enough money for springs.. (shocks will come when i get more money). my problem is that i am totally new to this stuff and dont know what to look for. can someone point me in the direction of what springs to look for and let me know of anything else i need to be aware of when lowering my car.

[Cronogr]

if u just want to lower ur car i doesn't matter buy a good brand like eibach or h&r and u will be fine

[big_greasy_taco]

Just wait and find a cheap set on the classified. Either eibach or h&r should do the trick. Just keep in mind that the stock shocks tend to go pretty quick on lowered springs

[Vreihenmotor6]

F=-kx

[Mike@PureMS]

We've got Vogtland and H&R springs to help you get started. Both offer a nice drop without making the ride unbearable.

Vogtland Springs

If you're in the area, we can also help with the installation.

[big_greasy_taco]

F=-kx

??

[Vreihenmotor6]

F=-kx

[chad86thai]

ok so i have found three that i really like.. eibach pro kit, Vogtland sport, and H&R sport. reading about them though they all see to be exactly the same.. even the prices are pretty close but vogtland seems to be the cheapest.. are there any other differences that im just missing. they're all about the same ride height as well right?

[xraycer2012]

??

Force = -spring constant * distance traveled in x direction, in this case, distance compressed. The negative means direction not a negative value. Simple physics

to answer your question, imo h&r are the best, but they are all basically the same, ride heights are slightly different and the spring constants are different giving different ride qualities, I cant tell you which ones are the best, but, I've always used h&r's in the past and I've always been more than happy. They sit low enough, greatly improve the handling, but they still give you a comfortable ride.

If I were you, I would save up some more money until you can afford the springs and shocks. You'll save alot of money in the end because the labor to install new springs is pretty much the same as the amount of labor needed to replace the shocks. If you do them both at once, you only pay for labor once.

[kingtr]

You'll save alot of money in the end because the labor to install new springs is pretty much the same as the amount of labor needed to replace the shocks.

Not pretty much, the exact same. In reality, it is LESS labor to install new spring/shocks than to reuse old shocks. The old shock/spring combo will need to be taken apart, then new spring(s) installed (and recompressed). As opposed to new both, they just need to be put together (and compressed). So there is technically one LESS step with NEW both. Is this much time, no probably not more than 10 minutes.

Either way, I agree with xraycer and you will regret not installing the right kind of shocks (new or even used sport/HD ones) the first time around. Unless of course you are doing the labor yourself and enjoy wasting time. The shocks you have are meant to sit higher and are matched to the non-sport springs. You are going lower than SPORT height, so sport shocks is the LEAST I would do. You will blow you stock non-sport shocks right away and your car will be bouncy and ride like hell.

As far as the springs go. I got my vogtlands from Mike (purems.com) and I liked them a lot (paired with bilsteins from purems). I have eibachs on current car and I do not like them as much. I had koni adjustables and didnt like how they felt up front. Current setup is Eibach pro with bilstein HDs up front, and Koni adjustables in the rear.

Pick up some vogtlands from purems and either a set of used OEM sport shocks (should be really cheap --> if can find) or used/new other shocks. I just sold my front koni adjustables for 120 shipped, so just keep an eye on the forums/classifieds and good deals can be had..

[JMG]

I would save up and wait until you could get BOTH. Reason: you will save 1 install charge which could be as much as $100.

[kingtr]

Install charge which could be as much as $100.

Per CORNER?? Pulling ALL four spring/shock combos will definitely be more than $100. Paying for labor twice will probably cost him an extra 300 minimum. (granted will be easier second time around because bolts will not be seized)

[HOFFY11]

pretty much just google this and look for the cheapest price..i dont know if there is a good or a bad do just springs..they are metal coils..hard to mess them up

[HOFFY11]

get money then get coils..dont waste your time

[kingtr]

pretty much just google this and look for the cheapest price..i dont know if there is a good or a bad do just springs..they are metal coils..hard to mess them up

I do not think you should follow his advice. "They are just coils hard to mess up." First off, different springs are made to have varrying spring rates AND heights. If they are just coils, and he currently already has coils, then why not just stick with what he has since they are all the same..? You might as well tell him to cut the springs to lower his car. Thats the cheapest solution right?!

Also...

"Get money then get coils." What does that mean?? Are you suggesting he get coilovers?? He wants to use stock shocks, trying to talk sense into him about that, you are suggesting he jump from more affordable spring/shock combo to coilovers?! Just trying to follow your thought process...

[HOFFY11]

I do not think you should follow his advice. "They are just coils hard to mess up." First off, different springs are made to have varrying spring rates AND heights. If they are just coils, and he currently already has coils, then why not just stick with what he has since they are all the same..?

Also...

"Get money then get coils." What does that mean?? Are you suggesting he get coilovers?? He wants to use stock shocks, trying to talk sense into him about that, you are suggesting he jump from more affordable spring/shock combo to coilovers?! Just trying to follow your thought process...

ill refrase...you have an audi..dont be cheap buy coilovers..springs are gay..thanks..im 16 and i work at wendys..dont tell me price is a problem

[lawnferie]

^^^yeah he's obviously on a budget. coilovers are ~3x as expensive if not more.
go w/ a spring/shock combo though. I have the sport shocks (came stock on my 99.5) and I'm still going to wait until i have money for combo instead of just getting springs.
Like everyone said, might as well do it together since you're right there. Whether you do it yourself or have it done at a shop...

[lawnferie]

lol. welcome to Wendy's can i take your order? ;)
Totally just messing with you. Get free food right? Hells yeah

[kingtr]

ill refrase...you have an audi..dont be cheap buy coilovers..springs are gay..thanks..im 16 and i work at wendys..dont tell me price is a problem

Let me REPHRASE, spring/shock kits are hardly “being cheap.” I would NEVER take the time to raise/lower coilovers, therefore, there is NO reason I would buy them. He on the other hand has clearly demonstrated his desire to lower his car in the most AFFORDABLE manner possible. Your opinion is great and all, but is not really useful to him or the discussion.

Also, since you are talking about coilovers, are you suggesting that ALL coilovers are “the same.” That is even further off than all springs being the same. Stick to what you know…

Also, at 16 I somehow doubt you have the same expenses as the majority of people on here... Then again, based on your theory of buying the cheapest coilovers, I probably spent MORE on my spring/combo.

[llewop_211]

im on neuspeeds and bilstiens on my 2.8. the drop is amazing and the rides not to bad

[speedydragon]

Occassionally, there are great deals on used coils in the classifieds.