best suspension for good but low ride?

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Sun May 25, 2008 2:06 am

Hey guys... This has probably been discussed, but what would be a decent suspension set up that is low(er) but still rides similar to stock??

i've got 1st gen ACR springs, and after a 18 hour trip to and from galveston I'm pretty much fed up with them. Honestly, I was seriously considering buying a 300c, but my wife reminded me of my cheap car/insurance payments... and that I'm not through with college! LOL!

Anyhow, I know there isn't really any comparison between the 300 and the neon, but I wan't a smoother ride now. But I still gotta keep it low.

So help me out here! Searching through many many posts is pretty much kickin my ass!

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Don't say air bags! I don't have that kinda dough!

krc21 · Post by **krc21** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:29 am

progress springs are the closest rates to stock and they have 1.8in drop. mine according to ups will be here on the 28..

ewetho · Post by **ewetho** » Sun May 25, 2008 10:50 pm

Remember if you do not have enough rate increase on the lowered springs you choose, you risk damaging the suspension due to bottoming out on larger bumps not necessarily the big ones it used to take with stock suspension. This is the reason for the rate increases and the lower the drop the more rate you really need added to stock to prevent damage.

Sure bump stops do have some safety margin but still it is a concern to be aware of. Want to go low you will need to gie up ride quality. Koni strut inserts or adjustable KYB, Tokico's from an SRT would help too but only so much.

krc21 · Post by **krc21** » Mon May 26, 2008 12:00 am

well yeah obviously the spring rate is more im just saying that its close enough to stock so the ride isnt so bad..

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:04 am

Thanks for the advice guys. I understand how spring rates and all that works. I just wanted to know what springs or spring/strut combinations give a good ride and look.

Hey Balla, aren't progress springs like mucho denero???

I may be better off jerry rigging some stock springs... or maybe some 1st gen stock springs. I'm just tired of the solid ride and really want something smooth.

ThrIsNoSpork · Post by **ThrIsNoSpork** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:13 am

progress springs are around 180 last time i checked.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon May 26, 2008 10:02 pm

Another factor, tho it goes against looks is wheel/tire size. Smaller wheel diameter and taller tire side wall will improve ride somewhat, but the looks aren't as nice. Not to mention a slight decrease in handling. Larger diameter sways will also firm up the ride. Of course if those fuel taxes were better spent on highway maintenance.....

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Mon May 26, 2008 11:28 pm

Yeah, there is a lot that goes into suspension. Thats pretty much what I focused on since I got the car.

I've got 1st gen ACR springs on stock struts. 24mm front sway bar, 19mm rear R/T sway bar. Front and rear strut tower bars. Super light wheels and I think 4mm spacers on the rear wheels. The only thing that has kept this thing from riding on rails is the crappy tires I've got right now.

I just bought a set of 16" PT wheels that I want to throw on there soon. But I need to wait for the dough to buy the tires.

I don't really want to sacrifice cornering ability, but I know that there are drawbacks to having any suspension from soft to stiff.

Like I said though, I'm just fed up with the actual comfort level. And honestly Tulsa has some of the shittiest roads in the nation (i think so).

I wish there was an inexpensive set of springs that were identical to stock but shorter. Anyone know how bad regular 1st gen springs are??? Non R/T?

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Mon May 26, 2008 11:59 pm

Just roll stock springs. Get a nice beefy sway bar and strut bars, Get some nice shocks and call it a day. You can't have a nice low ride and still ride as good as stock. Just don't happen. Specially if you are penny pinchin. Just sell the lowering springs. Even if you do find some soft springs they won't be stiff enough and you will spend more money on struts and still have a shitty ride than if you just kept stockers and put some other suspension turning mods into it.

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:21 am

I take it you didn't read my above post?

Thanks for the input though. I may go stock springs

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Tue May 27, 2008 1:51 am

The eibach pro kit is perfect for a stock like ride while still giving better performance. It would be a good idea to get nice struts, but gr2's work great with them. Since you already have the welfare sways it should be a nice setup.

The one thing that sucks with springs is you get what you pay for, going cheap always bites you in the ass.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:46 am

I have the Pro Kit and the ride isn't too bad, but it is nothing like stock. The stock set up will soak up some serious shit. I had an experience with the Neon before I dropped it. They were repaving this back street and someone removed the sign, it was after dark. I ran through some terrain that looked like it belonged on the moon. I thuoght the car was a goner, but it didn't even come close to bottoming and took it better than my Cherokee would have. I don't think I would be so fortunate now. But for overall ride quality it is still pretty good. If my seats were more comfy I wouldn't mind taking it on a long trip. 3 hours is about all I can handle with my wore out seat.

My old azz don't hold up like it used to.

Edit: I also have 14 x 6" wheels with 195/60R14 Toyo's so that prolly factors into the ride also

daaboots · Post by **daaboots** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:06 am

Get stock SRT-4 springs, seriously.

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:50 pm

You mean SRT?

Thats what I'm really leaning towards. Can anyone tell me the actual ride difference between those and stock SXT or SE springs?

I've been in a few SRT that felt like shit, but I don't know if they were modified or what.

Hope to get a reply soon or I'll start another thread that might help get attention.

Thanks guys

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:27 pm

Ok

So after a little investigation here an on some other forums...
Model - Front/Rear spring rate
Stock 1st Gen - 140/120
Stock 2nd Gen - 150/120
Stock 1st Gen R/T and ACR - 150/120
Stock SRT-4 / SRT-4 ACR - 170/125

If anyone knows different let me know...

cause judgin by that, my stock springs and 1st gen ACRs have the same rates... so why is the ride so rough, and would going to SRTs with even higher rate even be worth the trouble???

daaboots · Post by **daaboots** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:31 am

CA180 wrote:You mean SRT?

Thats what I'm really leaning towards. Can anyone tell me the actual ride difference between those and stock SXT or SE springs?

I've been in a few SRT that felt like shit, but I don't know if they were modified or what.

Hope to get a reply soon or I'll start another thread that might help get attention.

Thanks guys

Yes, SRT.. just a typo on my part.

The SRT springs are a bit stiffer compared to the stock SE springs, but they still have a good ride quality. You'll feel more bumps in the road, but its not that bad. I'm really happy with mine. Decent drop and good handling.

cgneon · Post by **cgneon** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:25 am

CA180 wrote:Ok

So after a little investigation here an on some other forums...
Model - Front/Rear spring rate
Stock 1st Gen - 140/120
Stock 2nd Gen - 150/120
Stock 1st Gen R/T and ACR - 150/120
Stock SRT-4 / SRT-4 ACR - 170/125

If anyone knows different let me know...

cause judgin by that, my stock springs and 1st gen ACRs have the same rates... so why is the ride so rough, and would going to SRTs with even higher rate even be worth the trouble???

cuz with the shorter springs you are cutting the suspension travel nearly in half.. we only have about 4inches with stock springs, so drop a couple inches and you wont absorb the bigger bumps like stock springs would..

CA180 · Post by **CA180** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:25 am

Ok, i didn't even think about that.

So can anyone give a a really good description or comparison of the difference in the ride between a stock SXT/SE and SRT springs on SXT struts?

Sorry to sound so anal, I would just hate to buy them, install the, align the dang thing, and then hate the ride and the look. Big waste of time.....

Sooooo, thanks again guys for the help!