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Hi, what do you guys think would be a good strut spring set up if not interested in lowering? I live in a rural area and bottom out all the time at stock height, I want better than stock strut spring setup for cheap, I'd like a good tight feel for twisty backroads but don't race so don't need anything too extreme, I got the impression from reading that the zx2 setup would lower no matter what, I am also wandering if there are any slavage parts that maybe a better than stock option, again hopefully for cheap?

Sorry if stupid questions, I read a good bit before posting, but most everybody seemed to be lowering. Thanks

joetoken wrote:I want better than stock strut spring setup for cheap, I'd like a good tight feel for twisty backroads but don't race so don't need anything too extreme, but most everybody seemed to be lowering. Thanks

For the most part, simple OEM replacement strut and springs is going to give back a lot of that original "tight feel". Going to the junkyard may give you what appears you already have - old, tired suspension. "Better than stock set-up for cheap" - what does that mean? Price check in you area for different brands as an OEM replacement so as to retain your original ride height. I too live in a very rural area. As to specific brand names of struts and springs that will not lower your car - I believe by simply stating you want brand X or Y to replace original equipment should be suffice. Deciding which X or Y to get - lots of research on old forums and threads. Search function is quite thorough. Good luck.

After doing some checking it looks like the zx-2 set of struts from oemford are cheaper than buying monroes. At 150 for 4 and $9 shipping that only $40 bucks each, I can mount and modify the trust bearing myself so no expense there, I won't have enough money for springs so I am wondering if I can use stock springs until I can get after market?

Bear in mind that the ZX-2 struts are apparently half an inch shorter than the stock ones, so they WILL lower your car a little bit. The firmer damping should help to control the motion of your stock springs a bit better though, so you MIGHT be able to get away with it.

It's worth a try, because if you end up not liking them, I'm sure you'll be able to find a buyer for them on this forum...

Here you want a nice strut that is a direct bolt on? These are nice for lowered or stock height vehicles. I just put them on my car with lowered springs. Handling is Awesome!!! Oh & to mention they have a pretty good price tag too.


http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e ... eName=WD1V

Why go with stuts you have to alter to make it fit on the car when you can get KYB GR-2's for 50 bucks a piece at NOPI.com?? Good Brand name and if you want to spend the bling get the gas adjustables for 89 dollars and they both bolt up just like stock and are a hell of a lot cheaper and have a lifetime garauntee???? I just picked up the gr-2's and put them on my car in 2 hours!! Granted I have an areospeed lowering kit so I don't have to compress the springs, but I just don't see the point of getting struts that you have to mess with and the performance of them is almost equal if not the same!!!

thanks for the input, the ebay struts end up costing more than the the zx-2s with the $30 shipping, I was also wondering if the kybs were really as good as the zr-2s, I don't know but there are about 100 post here on the zx-2s and not too many on the kyb's (if any). I don't mind modifying parts and as far as I can tell all you have to do to get zx-2s to fit is to bore out the thrust bearing and you can use the rest of the stock parts if you are not lowering. (If I am wrong let me know). So all in all it looks like the zx-2s are the better strut compared to the other options and they are cheaper.

Basically, I need to change struts since I bottomed out on a railroad crossing and blew the front two struts out. If any of my reasoning is faulty let me know, thanks.

the ebay struts end up costing more than the the zx-2s with the $30 shipping,

Are you sure your $9 shipping isn't $9 per box. It costs about $10 to ship just one box. Besides you still have to buy the bearings & drill out your mount for them to fit.


Just my .02 cents to keep options open

Yeah I paid 23.75 in shipping for my gr2's and the total was $215. I just think for the price and not having to wreck the mounts and all that other hoopla it was well worth the extra $50!!!! That and I like KYB quality!

If you want good handling without lowering, Konis + stock spring.
and maybe a rear swaybar.

nope-mx3

Just to be sure, if I widen the stock front bearing, then I dont' need to replace, ie., all I need to buy is struts and boots, correct?

I have access to any tools that may be needed to take a 19 mm hole to 22mm, if thats all that needs to be done then I'm there.

they also mention in the faq to get camber bolts, I would guess these are not needed if only lowering 1/2 in? can camber be adjusted at all on this car with stock parts?

I appreciate all the input, thanks

I doubt you would need camber bolts if you do not lower your car.

1/2" should not throw it off that far, just a simple alignment should do the trick

Thanks for the input, by the way, where can I get a poly bushing set for front sway bar? they seem hard to find

pretty sure corksport, maybe srd?

joetoken wrote:Thanks for the input, by the way, where can I get a poly bushing set for front sway bar? they seem hard to find

me...i still have a set that no one wanted.