Springs with Factory Shocks?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

TriGem2k · 03-20-2006, 03:22 PM

TK, when I first got my car that is exactly what I did. I had H&R lowering springs with my stock shocks. Contrary to what people may tell you, the car drove absolutely wonder. It was smoother than ever. No bumps, yet still stiff. Most people wont recommend it but, I’ve been there, done that and can tell you it rides, drives and handles GREAT. If your strapped for $$$ I think its fine, but don’t forget ultimately you will want to get sport shocks at one time or another. Try it out and see how it goes.

When you’re ready for shocks, I personally loved the H&R Springs with Bilstein Shock combination….

tk-4 · 03-21-2006, 08:18 AM

trigem, thanks for your input. i did the same thing with my accord (H&R and stock shocks) and i agree that the ride/handling is a lot better and have not experienced any problems so far. but then again, an accord is no porsche so just wanted to make sure there isn't going to be any major issues if i decide to lower it. thanks again.

TriGem2k · 03-21-2006, 11:13 AM

Yeah you'll be fine..

Dr. Kill · 03-21-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

When you’re ready for shocks, I personally loved the H&R Springs with Bilstein Shock combination….

quality combination on any vehicle

Chris C Atlanta · 03-21-2006, 04:07 PM

No problems at all on the track with my 987S with OEM shocks and H&R springs. Car was perfectly predictable and spring were nicely damped.

mach schnell · 03-22-2006, 01:17 AM

Has anyone thought about whether or not the PSM/PASM have to be re-configured after the addition of strut braces, lower springs, sway bars, etc? My thought is that PSM/PASM are most likely computer balanced to respond to the factory set up of the vehicle. Adding components that change the height, rigidity or response to the road should alter the computer's reaction to stability/instability issues during hard driving.

Porschedoc, if you're out there (or anyone else who's looked into this), any thoughts?

986Jim · 03-22-2006, 05:20 AM

Just stick with a spring that is no lower than 1" additional. Eibach Pro-Kit and H&R sport are good choices. They are not that low and will not blow out the stock shock. The ride should stay nice and smooth, but will look nicer from the outside.

Eventually the stock shock will fail because your making it operate outside its normal range, but it will take some 20k miles for that to happen, by then you can buy some shocks and redo it.

TriGem2k · 03-22-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 986Jim

Just stick with a spring that is no lower than 1" additional. Eibach Pro-Kit and H&R sport are good choices. They are not that low and will not blow out the stock shock. The ride should stay nice and smooth, but will look nicer from the outside.

Eventually the stock shock will fail because your making it operate outside its normal range, but it will take some 20k miles for that to happen, by then you can buy some shocks and redo it.

Eventually all shocks will fail...however, to say 20k miles is a bit bold. I ran my car on Gemballa aka H&R springs with stock shocks for almost 35k with no problems at all. The stock shocks can take far more abuse than you think. Even nearing 35k my shocks showed no signs of wear.

986Jim · 03-22-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriGem2k

Eventually all shocks will fail...however, to say 20k miles is a bit bold. I ran my car on Gemballa aka H&R springs with stock shocks for almost 35k with no problems at all. The stock shocks can take far more abuse than you think. Even nearing 35k my shocks showed no signs of wear.

That depends largly on the condition of your roads. I'm under promising and hopefully the shocks will over deliver. If you got 35k from them, thats excellent. I just was not going to build somebody's hopes of the shocks lasting forever on lowering springs.

I install a lot of spring kits on different cars with stock shocks and eventually they all show up for aftermarket shocks eventually cause the lowering springs blew them out. I have done everything from Audi, Mercedes, Honda, Ferrari, Porsche, and regulars like Honda/Acura, Toyota etc.. Supra's are really bad cause they squat so bad in the rear, the shocks die quickly on lowering springs... Any car 500+whp with lowering springs on stock shocks are back in weeks lol.. I tell them but they don't listen.