Looking for advice on what shock and spring set up to go with on my 06 S with 190k on it. I am focused more on ride quality than performance, but wouldn't mind accomplishing both. I'd like to keep the ride height as close to stock as possible, but willing to accept some drop. Based on some research and review of other threads, it seems the H&R sport springs and the Swift Spec R springs have the least amount of drop and have strong reviews.

My initial thought was to go with Koni Reds and buy new stock replacement springs or H&R Springs/Swift Springs. I noticed that the Reds note that they shouldn't be used with lowering springs, but it seems like a ton of people on here have done this given the drop on these is so modest. Does anyone have experience with REDs and stock springs or Reds with the H&R/Swift Springs? Also, will I need to install adjustable rear control arms with this setup or is the drop modest enough that they aren't needed? If anyone has stock brings that they are selling, let me know!

I could go with the oranges instead, but somewhat more concerned with the ride quality. I'd love some feedback on everyone's experiences thus far.

Thank you much!
Bryan

 

Then the Swifts are not for you.

I’m very happy with mine, but the spring rate is quite a bit higher than stock. I have Koni yellows, so I have no firsthand experience with FSDs/special actives, which is what I assume you’re referring to. And yes, the general consensus seems to be to not use them with lowering springs.

Also, you will need adjustable lower control arms if you lower the car and want your rear camber to be in spec. At least my alignment guy said he didn’t have enough adjustment with the eccentric.

 

HA! Thank you!

My goal is to make the car a comfortable and fun little cruizer by bringing back to health so I don't really want to overhaul the entire suspension. I'm thinking new or lower mileage OEM springs and the specials (sorry, I call them reds) is probably the best bet. Due to the vehicle's high mileage, I am thinking it would probably be the best idea to at least refresh the springs. I would maintain stock ride height and wouldn't need to upgrade to adjustable rear control arms.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

Take some measurements to see if you have any issues with your ride height being significantly lower than another stock height car. I can't imagine your springs needing replaced.

FSDs are supposed to be really good for what you want, but I would suggest that you might be happy with new B4s. That's what I did, with stock springs, and I've been happy with it for spirited street driving. If you shop them hard, you can save a couple of hundred bucks going with B4s

 

If your looking for a good combo then KONI YELLOWS and SWIFT springs are a good choice. Your gonna want the features of the yellows over the reds in my opinion.

 

Also a set of H-Sport Rear control arms is never a bad idea or addition if you are tuning your suspension.
https://www.detroittuned.com/h-sport-control-arms/

Detroit tuned is a great company with great service and prices. I would check them out and if you have and questions just talk to Chad.

Hope that helps.

 

I have Koni yellows with Tsw springs , I didnt want it slammed .
its a good ride but I also did all my bushings ,sway bar and links

 

@deepgrey what rear camber did you end up setting with the adjustable control arms? Did your alignment guy tell you what he could get the negative camber down to with just the eccentric bolt?

 

Well if you are looking for ride quality the H&Rs are NOT the way to go. They will drop it too much and loose the shock travel causing a harsh ride. People think the cars handle great, but in reality they are just riding on the bump stops and think stiffer is better for performance.

If you want ride quality just go with the Koni FSDs on the stock springs and that will maintain shock travel and have a good ride. We use these for all our normal shock replacements in our shop and everyone is happy with them.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html

If you did actually want to lower it our TSW springs are the best option for the R53 as they are only an approx 3/4 inch drop so you can keep travel, and they are a linear setup matched to the car to provide a firm but not harsh ride and perform like no other as the linear setup is the most predictable.
Then match them with some Koni Yellow or Oranges to really have a matched setup.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/02-06-...ion/coilovers/

 

I'm running 1.4° of negative camber.

He didn't say, and I didn't ask. He just said that he did need the adjustable arms when I asked if they had been necessary. Way might know a ballpark number. There's supposed to be about a 1/4" difference in the rear drop between the Swifts and the TSWs, IIRC.

 

If ride quality is your goal... do not lower your car one bit.

The stick R53 already has limited travel... and, in a street application, taking that away can detract from performance more than any miniscule decrease in CG can affect your handling... Dedicated track car... maybe... street car... cons outweigh the pros hands down IMO.

I agree with WMW... the FSD koni shocks.... stock springs, get new bushings and jounce bumpers, and add a good swaybar that WMW can recommend as a compliment to FSD's...IMO, the car will handle better, on the street, than MOST of the lowered modded cars out there with expensive coilovers or strut/shock/spring combos.

 

Thank you all for the replies. I agree completely. Since the original post, I purchased the FSD's, replacement mounts all around, bump stops, and front lower outer ball joints. Which bushings are you referring that you recommended?

WMW - I've seen a lot of discussions around a rear sway being the biggest improvement. As suggested, could you recommend something for this setup?

Thank you again, I really appreciate the insight.

 

The bushings being referred to are the Front lower control arm bushings. The stock ones wear out every 40k miles, that is why they get replaced with the powerflex as they will never need replaced again.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...shing-kit.html

For the rear sway bar our WMW bar set on the middle setting is perfect for any R53.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-rear-sway-bar.html

 

I refreshed the suspension on my '06 R52 a couple years ago. New bushings and ball joints everywhere and new B4s all around. Tightened it all up without spending too much.