9000revs

Sorry, I know I have asked my fair number of questions in this area, but want to make sure I dont sacrifice too much ride quality from the LS. I am looking for a mild drop with smooth handling and tighter steering responses around curves. This car is a DD for me, so not looking for sports car handling. Thanks.

18" wheels and 245/45/18 tires are also planned for this setup. FYI.

Stroock639

the KYBs are equivalent to the shocks it came with so probably those but i can't speak from experience, yet... gonna be getting the H&R's installed soon

and do you mean 245/45-18 or are they actually 225/45-18

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Depends on your backside relative to smoothness, etc. The Bilstein HD's have been in ours for 100K miles and coupled with the Eibach springs, I'm still pleased. The Bilstein has two perch settings so using the lower one results in about 1/2" additional drop if you want that. Tire choice also plays a part if you choose all season or summer types.

Bilstein HD to me is

9000revs

Sorry meant, 245/45s.

9000revs

Will be choosing all seasons, quieter ones.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

all other things being equal, the KYBs will ride considerably softer and floaty-er than the Bilsteins. The bilsteins will offer more damping so if you want more roll control they're the best bet.

9000revs

I agree with what you say, but how stiff (est) is this combo going to be (H&R + Bilstein)? 10-20-30%? Will I be feeling all imperfections on the road suddenly? How about H&R + Kyb in this respect?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the springs are a fair bit firmer than stock, There's no numerical value I would give but i would feel comfortable saying the bilsteins make it drive more like a sports sedan.

9000revs

Hmm, therein lies the dilemma. I am not looking for sport sedan ride, rather a slightly firmer luxury sedan car, if you get what I am trying to say

SocalBobby

I have H&R with KYB struts. The ride is still firmer but still has some body roll. It is a good combo for freeway driving. Under moderate to hard corners their is some body roll. Still has a slight floaty feel but barely.

I also cut the rear H&R springs because it was too high (raked) for me.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

in all my past exerpieces with various other makes and models, H&R always runs raked! it's fine to the cut the dead coils to make it even.

i'm with bilstein as well. you will want a stiffer shock to combat a stiffer spring rate. KYB is more like an OEM shock for OEM springs. we all know it's not recommended putting an OEM shock with aftermarket springs. my $0.02.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Performance tires can be reasonably quiet. Many areas to ponder about ride qualities, handling, traction...etc. The past threads we've read of the KYB's and Tokico Blues blowing out. So if you plan on having a huge audio system that adds 200#'s to the trunk a stock type replacement shock may not last.

Stroock639

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ml#post8844459

in this post was the initial shot with the stock wheels taken before you cut the springs? is that what i should expect after putting the H&R's on? people have said that the H&R's run raked, does that mean it'll be a bit lower in the front? i kinda want the same height front and rear

Mocchan

From personal experience, the KYB GR-2/Excel G struts seem to be EXTREMELY soft in the rear but reasonably firm up front. I'm not sure if it was my particular set of shocks but the rear felt slightly floaty while they were on my car.

Moving from KYB/Tanabe combo to coilovers, it makes me realise that combination was reasonably firm yet still very soft and cushiony if that makes sense. I don't have any experience with H&R + Bilstein combo so I can't comment there.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the softness you felt was the rear springs extremely low springrate and the fronts pushing the shorter stroke shocks out of their ideal range, increasing resistance.

the KYB/H&R combo will feel better, but less ship-like.