not to be a dick or anything...but i think theres something to say about the importance of a complete suspension. I dont know much about the SC300/400s but I do know that in many applications throwing on a set of springs without changing the rest of the suspension is going to give you problems with proper camber. In some cases really bad(damaging) negative camber can occur. Am I wrong in pointing this out? Personally I wanted to hear what everyone had to say on what type of suspension component combinations are desirable in the SC300...shocks, struts, etc.
can anyone help me out?

 

I completely agree Cundiffw...I personally would do coilovers...doing just springs is the cheap way out (which is why all the ricers do it)...I won't get into doing cheap things to luxury cars though...

 

I'm not so sure about coilovers in a luxury car like an SC... there will be a compromise in ride quality, and many coilover kits are actually noisy, due to the sperical bushings they use- not a compromise I would live with given my 100 mile/day commute.


I recently had the 'pleasure' of driving a 996 Cabriolet Turbo (the yellow one that was on the cover of European Car magazine last month): it handled well, but I thought the H&R coilovers were a bit noisy and had quite a bit of impact harshness for a street car (note to car buffs: that's right, Porsche doesn't make a Cab with the twin turbos... this car was converted from a regular Cabrio by transplanting Turbo running gear & body parts).

That's not to take away from the good things coilovers will do: if you're looking for maximum outright handling, coilovers are the way to go.

If you're just looking to improve the appearance of the car, springs do the trick- although I would insist on replacing the shocks, too. The OE shocks aren't valved to control the motions of a stiffer lowering spring: this is why you see all the slammed (cut springs/stock shocks) Civics bouncing up & down the freeway. My MR2 is slammed pretty well (1.5"), but has nice, controlled ride motions due to the Tokico Illuminas.

The bottom line is: I'd consider coilovers for my SC, but not unless I could test-drive one so equiped first...

 

Well I have H&R's (which fit in the SC430 BTW) and they are SILENT. I have NEVER had ANY noise problems. And they're not what I would consider harsh...the Porsche was probably using the Cup Kit or a more advanced set of coilovers that are made for straight out performance...which why noise didn't matter...

 

It's all in your tollerance. I have friends with GS400s using HKS and Tein coilover suspensions. I find both very nice, but prospective buyers think the ride is rough. Can't please everyone.

 

Eibachs are $240 on some places online, I forget where. Someone is also selling the Eibach springs with Tokico shocks used for $400 or so in the SC classifieds. Another listing in the classifieds for Eibach Pro-kit for $200. I can get Eibach Pro-kit springs from Diablo AutoSports in Livermore for $235--probably cheaper if I asked. The one-inch lowering springs alone will not affect camber.

 

The H&R's that I have are Coilovers, not just springs. We're talking a $2200 set of coilover vs. a $200-$300 set of springs... just to be clear....according to H&R they lower up to 2" up front, and 2" out back...but I think it's more like 3" up front and with the new springs, should be 3" out back (H&R is manufacturing new rear springs for these Coilovers to lower the back more)