I am planning on lowering my TL-P. However, I'd like to know whether using either H&R sport springs or Comptechs will prematurely wear my shocks. By extension, the next question is: do I need to replace my shocks too with beefier ones? I am planning on keeping my stock 16" rims and tires for now, preferring a gradual modding approach. I'm not a racer (though I play one on the road sometimes ), but would like to improve the handling on my car.

Before you ask, I did do a site search here and didn't find a satisfactory answer.

Thanks again!

 

Yes, putting in lowering springs of any sort will prematurely wear out your shocks, since your shocks will be more compressed than they are designed for. Roughly speaking, the more you drop your car, the more quickly your shocks will wear out.

People who have gotten Comptech springs seem to have been able to keep the stock shocks for quite a while before replacing them, but I'd think you'd need to replace them after 1 or 2 years still. I decided to get shocks and springs installed at the same time cause I wanted the extra edge that higher performance shocks would give too, didn't want to have to wait another 1 or 2 years for the stock shocks to die.

The decision is yours of course.

 

well sooner or later your stock shocks will be done... but you don't have to replace them right away... I would rather get coilovers thought...

 

When I got my springs I got Koni's that are ride firmness adjustable and two position ride height adjustable too. Have been very happy with them. Cornering is unbelievable, there is no sway and the ride is still nearly luxury car so to speak.

 

So aprox. how long can the stock shocks last with H&R sports springs?

 

That's a good question, I'm interested in that answer too. Thanks for your answer, bebber. Sounds like another reason to go with Comptechs. My limited understanding is that Comptech has a special relationship with Acura/Honda, and their products are more specific for our products than H&R, which is largely a supplier for the European market. This was the main reason I was leaning toward Comptech springs even though they cost more. Or does that matter?

Thanks folks

 

If you can afford new(better) shocks, then it is a good idea to put them in at the same time if you are just getting springs.

It takes the same amt of work to put the shocks on as it does the springs, so if you don't want to pay for install costs of the new shock later on, get them at the same time. When they replace your springs, they have to take off your stock shocks anyway.

 

Not at all. There is no special relationship between comptech and Acura/Honda. Both springs are made for the Honda Accord V6. Which fits our cars. The only difference between the two is that one cost a lot more. I believe they both have the same or about the same spring rate. Also both have about the same height, if not the same. In other words one should NOT wear out your shock before the other one. I personally like H&R better since suspension parts are all they make. Both springs fall into the Stage 2 category (comptech/H&R sport). Second you shouldn't go by years only. I drive around 35k miles a year someone else drives 15k miles a year. So they might last me 2 years while they might last 4 years for someone else.

My front shocks started to feel weak after 50k miles. Shocks are made to last about 100k miles under normal driving conditions and with stock springs. With my driving the could have gone to 60-70k miles. Even thought they felt weaker they were still in good condition at 50k miles. Another question is when the aftermarket shocks get installed. Mines where installed at 20k miles.

There are many other factors like Road conditions, hard acceleration, hard breaking, tight curves at high speed, etc. That would make your shocks go faster.

BTW the rear shocks should last longer than the front.

My guessing is that on average OEM shocks (comptech or H&R) springs installed < 20k miles will go bad between 60-80k miles.

 

I'm assuming one feels more bounce than normal when the shocks are wearing out.

Thanks for answering my (admittedly) basic questions, I'm planning on learning as much about this car as possible before I mod it, as anyone should. And what you're saying is that there's not that much of a difference between the H&R sport springs and the Comptechs in your opinion. So what's the reason for the price differential? ($100+ in Tim's stock, more elsewhere) Additionally, it sounds like I don't need to change out the shocks right away, though, as always, the final decision's mine as it can easily be done at the same time the springs are placed. It makes sense to me to just use the shocks I've already got, and then plan ahead 2-3 years (I put on about 18-20k miles per year) to replace the stock shocks. At least I'm getting some use out of the stock shocks rather than having them waste much needed space in my garage.

Can others (preferably with TL-Ps please, I know a lot of you have used them in your '99-up cars and have lots of miles on them) post their experience in shock life with either the H&R Sports and Comptechs?

Thanks again!

 

It feels less responsive and lower reaction. In other words it takes longer to control the springs. So no "no more bounces" but longer bounces which make feel like it bounces more.

No problem, you should learn as mcuh as you can't before you do anything. This site is probably the best source after the helm manual of course.

In my opinion there is NO difference between H&R sport and comptech. There is not much different as a fact between the two products and per specifications of each one just price.

The price you will have to figure out yourself. I can't help you with that

 

Hmm, I'm thinking of getting the H&R OE springs which lower the car only about 0.5" from stock. I don't think my OEM shocks are in any mortal danger, right? Right?

 

Right. For a drop of 0.5" your hard driving will make more impact on the shocks than the springs

 

hey NeuronBob,

Why haven't you asked about Eibach springs?
I'm thinking about getting springs myself and have gathered from this site that Eibach's provide a good ride as well with a 2.1/ 1.7 inch drop (for the Pro-Kit).

BTW, maybe we can get together once one of us gets his/her springs. (Trying to be non-sexist)

-Daddio.

 

I personally don't like eibach and also because of past experiences and a friend of mine has them. My opinion is they Suck.

 

If I get H&R Sport springs, which aftermarket shocks will fit this set up? In addition, I understand that H&R Sport will lower my car by approximately 1"? Is that correct? If not, which springs lower our cars by 1"?
Thanks

 

His.
I'm just looking for better handling, and the drop is actually secondary, though it looks good. My big problem is that while the handling on the TL-P is good, it tends to be unpredictable in turns. Not sure whether you are East or West sider, but you'll know what I'm talking about if I mention the I-77-I-480 interchange. Those curves are perfect for trying curves at high speed (60-65 mph). In my last car, a Dodge Intrepid, with wider rubber and lower stance, I could take the curves at 65 mph and my wife wouldn't even notice. Now, with body lean, narrow tires, and a relatively high center of gravity, I have to use both hands to make the turns at 60 mph, and don't DARE try then at 65 lest my wife gripe at me as the car moves laterally. Thus the reason for wanting springs. The next step, once the OEM tires are worn, is to replace them with wider tires.

The Eibachs have too much of a drop for me. Others on this site, as I'm sure you know, swear by them. Bitium has his opinion (that's why I asked for it! )

You'll find a few more of us Clevelanders on the site. Maybe when it gets warmer we all should have a meet.

 

Hey NeuronBob,

I'm planning on meeting with jkozlow3 (fellow clevelander) in the upcoming 1 or 2 weekends (preferrably weekend of march 23). I live on the east side but I travel to west side almost everyday. I know its not warm yet but it would be cool to check out each others rides'. I want to meet sooner cuz jkozlow3 has comptech springs and I want to buy springs soon.

 

I met jkozlow3 last month, very nice guy!. In fact I had a self-inflicted accident in my car while I was in the parking lot to meet him. Embarrassing as hell..... All fixed now, car rides better than new. Despite the accident, I took a ride in his TL-S, the Comptechs on Cleveland roads don't feel that different from my stock TL-P (a major plus), would love to see how they handle in the turns. Any case, if he doesn't mind, I wouldn't mind getting together with the two of you. I'm an East sider as well.