I have read a lot about suspension and I am just curious about what options I have. I will say that I want about an inch drop and a comfortable ride and a bit stiffer ride then stock. I am stuck on the TEIN basics, but is that what I want or is there anything else out there that I can look into? Maybe get a certain brand shocks with a certain brand springs?

 

I'm also interested. Like Ack, I'm looking for about an inch drop without sacrificing comfort too much. How does the A-Spec suspension compare with aftermarket shocks/coilovers?

 

never had the a-specs but the description of what you're looking for sounds exactly like the aspec spring + damper combo haha

i have the H&R sport springs (1.4in drop) on OEM dampers. ride isn't harsh, but bumps and small road imperfections are definitely more pronounced with this setup. nevertheless i love my suspension setup. looks close to stock but you get the better handling capabilities associated with the lower center of gravity. i'll admit that i do scrape the plastic air deflector from time to time on steep inclines. no actual body/paint damage though.

 

Hmm... been reading other threads on experiences with H&R springs and they seem to be pretty good. Provide decent drop with slight handling improvement.

Also considering the "Supercup kit" (Koni's w/ Neuspeed springs) here: https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/neuspeed-sp3-shocks-cup-kits-sale-731198/

 

Does that set up provide a stiffer feeling? I don't wanna bounce like I was in a cadilliac. I also have the xlr8 j pipe so it sticks out a little which kinda sucks and the reason why I want only about an inch or so.

 

here's a review on them:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/neuspeed-supercup-kit-installed-pics-inside-715003/

 

Don't quote me on it but I personally feel that the H&R sports felt stiffer than OE suspension (I have the 08 type-s 6MT). If you want more stiffness, you should couple the springs with Koni Yellow dampers (although this might lower your car another 10-20mm). I'll warn you though, I scrape the plastic air diffuser occasionally; you're j-pipe might not be safe.

A-spec will definitely give you a stiffer ride and better handling. Less chance of scraping as well.

 

I just installed the H&R sports with the Koni's, and all I can say for now is WOW!! On full soft on the Koni's (per the break in period) they ride so smooth on good roads, and not that much different than stock on not so great roads. I believe you could adjust the perch level on the koni's to fit the 1" drop you want, but don't ask me what perch level (I don't know). I set my koni's on the 2nd perch all around, and with the H&R's I achieved almost 1.6-1.8" in the front, with 1.5-1.6" drop in the rear (approximately). I have scraped the front plastic diffuser once so far.

 

Thanks a lot for the info. I honestly don't know what to look for when it comes to suspension. I just know that I want a 1-1.5" (just enough to fill the wheel gap when I put on my 18" aspec wheels) and a comfortable ride.

H&R springs + Koni shocks seems to be a pretty good combo from the reviews I've read. I haven't heard much about the Neuspeed springs so I'm kinda hesitant to get the supercup kit.

 

what do you guy's think about the new Tokico HTS shocks Excelerate is selling? They're are on sale right now for $500.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-tires-wheels-suspension-97/excelerate-performance-introducing-great-new-shock-choice-776522/

 

I haven't found any reviews on the Tokico HTS. I'm looking into getting new shocks as well and I have Koni Sports in my sights. The price of the HTS shocks are very appealing though... if I could get some good reviews on them I might just go for the Tokicos given that it's almost a $200 dollar difference in price.

I haven't experienced the differences between the shocks personally, but people around the forum say the KONIs are a better build than the Tokico Blues (no info on the red HTS though). I'll let you know if I find anything!

 

If you're looking for a 1" drop, you best bet would just be to go with the ASPEC suspension. It will probably give you the look you're going for, while retaining that OEM feel. Coilovers, especially Basics, would be a waste of money if you only want to drop the car 1".

If you want to go a bit lower, I would suggest a set of H&R Sports (mentioned above), Neuspeed Sports, or Eibach Sportlines paired with a set of Tokico HP's. This setup will be a little bit stiffer than stock, but not bone jarringly stiff. A set of brand new HP's goes for about $280 IIRC from Excellerate, springs could be had used in the BM for between $100-200, or about $250 new.

The next step up from this would be something like an H&R Race or Neuspeed Race spring. With a spring like this you are going to want something like the Tokico HPS or Koni SP3's with adjustable dampening becasue the ride is going to be MUCH stiffer than stock, but you'll see a big performance increase when paired with other suspension upgrades such as a Progress RSB.

When you get into setups such as the one above, is when you should be weighing all of the advantages and disadvantages between that, and a coilover setup. I am on H&R Race Springs and Tokico HP's. I love my setup, but I wish my ride height was adjustable as well as dampening. If I don't go with air next, it is damn sure going to be a fully adjustable full coilover such as the FF Type Two.5's, KW's, or Megans.

 

BTW if you're looking for an ASPEC suspension (springs and struts), I have one in great shape with about 50k on it I would sell for $300 shipped to NJ.

 

If I do that, I don't have to set it any stiffer after the break in period right? I can just keep it at full soft? I actually prefer a more comfortable ride but lowered.

 

I've decided to go with the Koni sp3 shocks on my H&R sport springs. Installation today, i'll post my opinions here after I take a few rides on them.

 

please let us know. i have those springs, looking to buy those shocks in the near future. thanks!

 

+1 I'm lowered on Tein Stechs now, and was planning on buying the koni shocks with 20mm of adjustment so I can go ~1" lower.

 

Just went for a ride with the Konis on but I think I need to adjust my dampening rates. I'm 3/4 turns from the stiff setting and it's just a bit too stiff for me. It's going to be a PITA adjusting the dampening since the rear seats have to be removed to adjust the rear dampening and the front tower bar needs to be removed to adjust the fronts.

I've heard that these Konis ride great once you get the dampening adjustments right, so i'm sure I just need to tune it to my liking.

BTW I've only taken my car for one ride so far so no adjustments have been made yet. From what I've heard these shocks can give a very comfortable ride. I set my SP3s on the middle perch all around; kind of wish I lowered it a quarter inch more. The H&R sports didn't lower the car quite enough for me; still a two finger gap

@AMUA6: you probably already know this but i'll say it to let others know. The Koni Sports allow you to adjust your car's height 20mm. The Koni Sport SP3 shocks allow you to adjust the height either 7mm or 14mm only. You can achieve a more drastic change in height with the traditional sports.

I'll update more after I get an alignment and get the right level of dampening.

 

Glad to hear you like them! When I first started looking into the Koni's I was so confused Koni isn't very creative when it comes to naming their shocks haha Post some pics up man! I figure since I'm dropped ~1.5 inch now, with the koni's I can go another ~1 inch. There are ~25mm in one inch, so it'll be close.

 

That is correct! I wouldn't say more comfortable than stock, but very close, with more road feel. If that makes any sense?

 

dont mean to still your thread bro but im new so i cant open a new thread so i was wondering if i can share ur thread...well i have an 05 tl aspec with aspec suspension but i want to go a bit lower...is there anyway i can use diff springs (the h&r sport 1.4 fr and 1.3 rear)? is it going to affect the suspension? bad or good?

 

Well that is a good question. I have no idea, and have not read anything about changing the springs with a-spec shocks(or coilovers???)<-read somewhere they were coilovers but unsure of this as well. I assume that you could change out the springs just as some do with the stock shocks. IHC would be the person (I think) to answer this question the best. Check back any hopefully he can shed more light on this.......

 

I'm really whoring these pictures out but here's mine with the MT a-spec springs with Koni Yellows in the stock position in rear, lower position in front. Those that have a-spec and want just a little more, the Konis are a great solution.

Keep in mind, shocks are not meant to make up for too soft of a spring. They're only meant to control the spring and the car's body. For example, mine handled best with the stock suspension with them nearly at full soft. With a-spec springs along with larger swaybars both front and rear (they are a spring), I have them 3/4 turn from full firm and they provide the same amount of damping as almost full soft on the stock suspension.

 

thanks...hope the person reply back...i see that ur setup is h&r spring wit the konis...im thinking of doing thata setup too since alot of people have it but its a waste since i have the aspec suspension...well urs is a 1.3/1.4" drop right? is there any caber wear? or needs camber kit?

 

Alright I just got my alignment done but i'm still not sure what level of dampening I want. I'm currently one full turn from full soft in the fronts and half a turn from soft in the rear. The ride feels pretty decent with my H&R sports on this setting; almost as smooth as stock but you can feel the bumps and little things in the road more. That added road feel could be a plus or a minus depending on who you're asking, but I don't feel that it takes away from the ride comfort.

Overall I think the Koni SP3 + H&R sport could ride very very similar to stock if you get the settings right. Its comfortable enough for me, but i'm a young guy and I don't have much to complain about haha

I don't detect any noticeable change in height from before and after the Koni install (I set the springs on the middle perch all around). Here are some pictures:








Note that I have a 6MT TL type-s with some minor weight reduction. Your cars might be a bit lower with the same setup depending on if you have done weight reduction or have the heavier automatic transmission etc. Wheel gap is 2 and a half fingers if that means anything to anyone

 

Yup, 1.3" drop in the rear and 1.4" drop in the front. I didn't bother to get a camber kit since anything below a 1.75" is considered a pretty conservative drop, I just set my alignment with 1 degree more toe in than factory spec all around to make up for my increase in negative camber. Surprisingly i'm getting accelerated outer tire wear--which is the opposite of what you expect to see from camber wear. So I guess my answer to your camber wear question is... no? haha maybe you could get Koni Sports and use them on the lowest perch setting (lowers the car an additional .78") with your a-spec springs. I'm no suspension guru, so I'd ask IHateCars and MrHeelToe if that would be alright. Goodluck!

 

i got the h&r sport but still debating if i should use the aspec shocks struts or get koni...if it work with the aspec i just might as well put it on and then get the alignment is goof right? no uneven wears? cuz my old accord switch tires every 6 months...

 

every 6 months?! does the commute to your workplace involve several back to back downhill hairpin turns and the autobahn? I don't think that kind of tire replacement is acceptable for anything short of race cars haha. Yeah, with a moderate drop of H&R sports paired with a-spec shocks all you would need would be a good alignment with maybe one extra degree of toe-in when compared to the factory alignment specs.

Keep in mind though, the a-spec shocks were designed to work at a certain ride height. H&R sports make the shocks operate at a lower height than they were designed to work at. Your a-spec shocks will wear prematurely. I'm not saying they're going to die within a few months or maybe even a few years, but you're not going to get the optimum life or dampening from the shocks if you pair them with the H&R sports. It's fine to use them, but I would think about getting some Konis to go with the H&Rs in the future.

 

Yes the drop is correct. I bought a rear camber kit (see sig below) to prevent any uneven tire wear, allthough I have read many get away with it, I didn't want to have to replace tires because of the uneven wear. Hope it helps.........

 

thanks i probably get the konis and sell my aspec..ahah

thanks

 

Hello peeps,

Anyone knows where I can buy a-spec suspesion for MT 04 tl. been searching for weeks and all I can find is AT.

Thanks guys and happy 4th of July weekend!

Rolan

 

try ebay they always have those aspec for sell...

 

I managed to buy a new set of a-spec springs with shocks on craigs list for $400 shipped. The drop was just under an inch. During their install I had a Type-s FSB and a Progress RSB, soft setting, installed. I noticed an obvious reduction in body roll as well as a tightness in handling. Also on the highway when cresting hills the TL didn't seem to float, rather it stuck to the road. I live in Michigan where we have steep entries to driveways and parking lots so I'm glad the a-specs didn't drop me any lower.

 

Hey, might be a dumb question but I have a 2007 Type S does anyone know if the Tokico HP's fit the Type S models as well? I'm sitting on Tein lowering springs. Thanks