23109VC

If I lower my RL on the stock 17" wheels, OR on 18" aspecs... and I lower it via H&R springs on stock shocks...

does the car drop so much that the wheels look "sunken" into the wheel wells..and it would need spacers?

anyone have pics from the rear of their car lowered on H&Rs to give me an idea how the wheels look - flush with the wheel wells or sunken in?

on some cars, if you drop it enouhg, you get so much negative camber, that the tops of the tires tuck into the wheel well so much that from certain angles...the wheels look too far sunken in...and you need spacers to fix it..

what happens on the RL??

thanks.

oo7spy

Blazing's was on 17" OEM TL wheels with H&R's. Should be nearly identical.

andrewmr

How far does the HR springs lower the car?

Can you not get the alignment back to factory specs?


The Aspec suspension lowers the car a little less than an inch and I think it looks ok.

oo7spy

There seems to be varying measurements. From stillen.com, 1.5" in front, 1.4" in the rear. Some reports go as low as 1.7" in front.

DanL07RL

H&Rs gave 1.5" front, 1.4" rear.
Here's mine with A-specs and H&R Sports
Love the look; love the ride.

23109VC

Dan-

thanks for the pics. you have any other photos from angles? or the rear?

i do like that look.

i'm leaning toward getting OEM aspecs. I found a place online that sells remanufactured / refinished OEM wheels..they are not knockoffs..they are OEM wheels that they redo in hypersilver.

I can get the entire set - no tax, free shipping total cost of $605. not bad!

I think aspecs + H&R lowering would look cool.. just want to make sure the ride isn't bone jarring stiff..

i want turn in to improve, kill the floatiness, have flatter cornering...but still keep a nice ride on the freeway...

you think your wheels do that??

i like your other car!! I had a 986 boxster until recently... THAT was a fun far. maybe someday I'll get another one... the 993s are classics!!!

tnobori1

I like the look of the H&R drop better than the Aspec, personally. I just love the ride of the Aspec too much to change!

DanL07RL

The ride got nice and firm but not bone jarring--unless you're on roads like our's with expansion stirps totally destroyed by the winter. On the freeway it seems more solid. And get this--my gas mileage went up 8-10%!! The only other change I made was an engine air filter--maybe the lower porfile? I think the ride highth is just right.

The cornering is noticalby flatter (the cg is 1.5" lower) but not like the Porsche and the ride on the 18" tires feels really solid.

Best of all they look great--though I would be really careful of redone wheels. I had a Porsche guy buy wheels second hand and they cratered on him--no injuries fortunately.

Thanks for the compliment on the car. Yeah, Boxster folks really like their cars and fun--I just cringe at the H2O!! Porsche is making that Cayman R a REAL screamer!! My only other picture:

23109VC

Thanks for the other pic...lookin good! I like thirds eels and the drop. Ever consider the decklid spoiler???

The redone wheels supposedly are just cosmetically redone...they are not fakes..they are oem wheels repainter with the rash fixed....used and cosmetically fixed....don't seer how those would break?


What happened to your friends wheels?

Neekaleek24

I just dropped my 06 NBP last week and the rear is kinda of sinking in after it settles. my avatar has it the day of the drop. So it looks dropped but more like aspec. As soon as I get my camera I'll get pics up and posted with it settled, and hopefully waxed too. This Chicago weather hasnt given us 5 straight days of non rain, so its kinda of hard to keep a car clean. I love the drop with the H&R, handling is amazing, the ride is a little bumpier but not as bumpy as i thought. You will notice it because obviously stock you barely felt anything, but after a week Im used to it and I love it. Now looking for some aspec wheels, or probably 19s. I feel a lot better on the hwy with the drop, cornering ramps are so much nice, and even just daily turns are easier. 23109VC dont think about it anymore just do it. i thought about it too much and I regret not doing it earlier. It makes driving everyday so much more fun. Except on some streets in chicago (too many potholes)

23109VC

Post up pics Neekaleek! Maybe I'll just do it!

How does it look on 17s? Ok?

How much did u pay for install?

Neekaleek24

well i have the broke hub cap looking rims that the RL came with, it looks decent as long as you keep your tires shiny haha... I need to set up a flikr and as soon as i get my camera back will do..i paid 200 for install because it was a friend...most shops were charging 325 or more with alignment.

Neekaleek24

those are the rear
here are the front

Neekaleek24

will post better pics, these are phone pics..sorry...pics don't really don't do them justice.

DiabloSVRacer

dan, i didn't know acura made red rls. first time seeing a red rl, and it looks spectacular, makes me think i should paint my car red.

guss_90

See. 2nd Photo. H& R on Stick 17".
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3380732/2005-acura-rl

Neekaleek24

If you sell them shoes lemme know...looks sexy

Ballinger

What's the link for the refurbed aspecs at $605 shipped?

LeftCorner

iTrader: (1)

I might be a little late, but here are a couple of mine on stock 17's w/ H&R springs. Honestly, the neg. camber is noticeable, but not ridiculous. I notice it more w/ bigger wheels than compared to the stock 17's.

S2K_MoZo

Not to hijack the thread but I have a couple of questions for people here on H&R with Stock shocks.

How many miles since you changed springs? Did you notice shocks going out?

I know stock shocks are not meant to be on lowered springs and they will go out sooner than later but just trying to figure out how long so I can save up for a-spec shocks.

And can we adjust camber in the rear without a camber kit? So basically after dropping with H&R, were you able to align it back to factory spec without adding anything else?
Thank you

23109VC

Left Corner -

thanks for the pic. are you still on stock 17s?

how did the ride change for you once you put the springs on and were running on the stock 17s?

if you upgraded wheels - how did it change??

is cornering much better?? I recently test drove a 4th Gen TL FWD that I had as a loaner. it was bone stock with 18" wheels..although the tires were just the plain jane MXM4s... and honestly, that car handled half way nice..the chassis felt noticeably stiffer than my RL...but the absolute handling was lesser as it lacked SH-AWD...if my RL rode like that TL but had my SH-AWD... I think it would be fine.

to me.. the aspec RL I drove seemed to ride much firmer than the TL I recently had was a loaner... would HR springs be more like the TL loaner? that I wouldn't mind.

DanL07RL

Only about 2-3K miles since switchover; shocks seem OK. As for camber, I had the alignments checked after install and though they were out a bit, no big deal. Certianly no need for extra hardware.

Very pleased with the change. Great aggressive stance when viewed from the front!!

DanL07RL

It's called Redondo Red. I also had a 99 TL that was red.

IF you paint the car, be sure to do the inside of the trunk, hood and doors or it looks rediculous!!

LeftCorner

iTrader: (1)

The ride on H&R's w/ stock shocks is not as stiff as the A-spec setup, it's much more comfortable but provides a "sportier" feel. I'm on 19's now w/ 245/40 tires. Obviously when adding 19's the ride will stiffen up a little more, but ultimately you need to know what your goal is. Are you going for looks, performance, comfort, etc.?

23109VC

Left corner -

I want the car to look lowered, and want better handling, but do not want to totally sacrifice comfort.

H&Rs on stock shocks, is probably the best bet / and bang for the buck. nice drop, but retains more of the comfort.

at that point - I'd want to do wheels, but not sure which ones. 18 aspics or maybe some nice 19s. there are SO FEW wheels out there that really look good on the RL, it's hard to find some that i like.

I think the RJ Legends look nice... but I think they look better on silver cars... super green had pics of his posted.. he did the aspic front lip, 19" legends, and H&Rs. his car looked really good... but then on the RJ website, I've seen some of the carbon gray pearl RLs with the legends and they look funny... maybe the wheels don't blend with the color???

aspics look good to me... but 19s look better... but 19s m ight run too rough.

I honestly wouldn't mind running the H&Rs with stock 17s.... if I do upgrade.. I don't want to spend a ton of money.. so the high dollar / flashy 19-20" wheels are out for me. I'd want to spend $250/wheel or LESS on wheels.... I can get refurbished aspics for under $200/wheel....

any wheel suggestions??? what wheels are you getting left corner?

ichi d

dude h&r are only 250. pull the trigger and get them already. cant go wrong at that price.

rtr

If you do the spring do the shocks! Trust me... H&r + A spec shock. Im on 19's

white05rl

Maybe I'm totalling missing it, but where can I find Aspec shocks/struts? I like the idea of using H&R springs (approx $235) if they provide a smoother ride than the Aspec springs, yet still give handling improvements AND a better "stance".

So H&R springs plus Aspec shocks/struts sounds like a good idea. A couple of quick questions: will there be any alignment issues (what's up with all the camber kits I keep seeing online); and will this setup be MORE expensive than just purchasing the full Aspec spring/shock/strut kit (approx $590)??

oo7spy

Here ya go.
If you have 60k+ mi on your stock struts, I would consider replacing them along with H&R springs if you go that route.

white05rl

Thx 007spy, that's what i was looking for. Call me Mr. Obvious, but wouldn't it make more sense for me to purchase the complete aspec kit for around $600 (with springs), than to purchase the aspec shocks seperately for over $700?

Just to make certain I'm "getting this": aspec springs and shocks - buy the kit for $600. H&R springs and aspec shocks - $235+$725=$960.

oo7spy

I am not sure I follow your logic. Why would the Aspec shocks cost $700 if the whole set is $600? Regardless, it would make the most sense to pay the least for whatever it is you need. If you buy the whole set and want to use H&R springs, I would be interested in buying the Aspec springs from you.

white05rl

LOL, that's my point - I can't find the aspec shocks for less than $700 (for the set of four). So why WOULDN'T I just purchase the aspec complete kit for $600. I was hoping that someone who had the H&R springs with aspec shocks had a cost effective recommendation for me.

DanL07RL

23109VC: Maybe this approach makes sense.

1. Get the H&Rs and put them on--remember there will be a labor charge for that to add to the cost of the springs and mine was $375. Then see what the car looks and drives like. H&Rs will be the least harsh ride for sure, and you may decide you don't want or need 18"s

2. Drive it a while and do research on the wheels--if you're like me you have some tread left so you have time.

3. Then decide on the wheels. Do it all incrementally; that's an approach that was recommended to me on this forum.

BTW the whole "replace the shocks" thing is not a big deal IMHO. I've owned 2 TLs that I drove past 80K and then gave to my kids who drove them past 150K and no issue with the shocks. Plus this is an RL!! They are not going to equip that car with shocks you have to replace at 80K or 150K. In fact I drove a VW Golf for over 150K and gave it away with good shocks. I put the springs and wheels on my RL at 61K and the shocks are solid.

The rest is up to you and good luck.

Dan

white05rl

DanL07RL i like you thought process. I planned on doing the springs myself, so i thought doing the shocks while everything was apart might be a good idea, but I don't want to spend $1,000.

what should i expect in the way of the alignment? if the springs are done, i'll certainly need an alignment...right? i want a "tighter" ride and more high speed stability, i'll get that with just the springs right?

white05rl

DanL07RL i was reviewing the posts listed above and see your comments on the alignment. so it looks like nothing major was required, just a camber adjustment.

oo7spy

I bought Legend #1 at 114k mi. The car rode great and I always got compliments from back seat riders. However the car frequently bottomed out. I replaced the struts around 150k, and the ride was far superior with no bottoming out. Shocks won't last forever and it is such a gradual change that you may not notice how bad they really are (compared to new). I was just sayin that H&Rs will only kill them faster, and you may consider changing them while everything is off if they already have some miles on them.

DanL07RL

Shocks: Yeah, I only spend money when I need to and even if you're in there doing the shocks now might be premature--certianly your call.

Alignment: Again, I happened to be in the dealer and just had the alignment checked--there was adjustment needed on the camber and toe on the front and back both, with the back the farthest out. Cost for that was $90.

Cornering: Definately a better ride and stability--far less lean in the turns.

And 007spy's comment is correct. Shock degredation is insidious and you have to keep and eye on them although most techs use the "bounce test" for checking.

theNHBRL

wow i like this, might do this mod. I saw a guy selling shocks with h&r for a good price but sold quick,even within a day. i appreciate all the help on finding the best route to take. i think i will take your approach dan, and doing the hr springs on oem struts, and see if i like and move on.