Shocks/Struts mandatory with spring change?

[US-1]

I've searched for two hours today reading various spring threads and didn't really find an answer. I'm wanting to change out the Cobra Jet springs for the FRPP "K" springs since Butch doesn't have turbos anymore. Mid-high 12's won't "require" a CJ spring either so I want to lower the car a little to make it sit better.

Several people have suggested changing shocks and struts with lowering springs. Is this just absolutely necessary or will the stock shocks/struts be fine? Does the ride quality suffer that bad when using stock stuff and lowering springs?

 

[Scord]

How low do those go? I know it’s not a good idea to run stock struts and shocks more then the typical 1.2" lowering spring. After that it gets kind of “iffy” on how long they last... That being said with the Vogtland GT leveling spring my shocks and struts were dead after 30k miles. due to harsh roads, and lots of suspension use going around turns and bumps to say the least.

Ride quality will depend on what shocks and struts you compare the OEM ones too... My koni STR.T shocks/struts are very nice and gave a noticeable increase in handling, but ride quality ( comfort ) went down when comparing vs their OEM counterparts...

 

[US-1]

K springs are 1.5" drop according to FRPP.

 

[blue streak]

i had steeda springs and stock shocks/struts for about 60k miles, no problems for me. now i have qa1 rear shocks and im looking for a set of cobra jet rear springs. im gonna leave the steedas with stock struts up front.

 

[Scord]

Its a crap shoot? i would say it depends on how you drive and useage of said parts... at least thats my opinion on the matter. If you want somthing decently cheap the FRPP shocks and Struts are a nice option. You could always just run the springs and '' see what happens '' which most of the yoohoo's out there do, but not deliberately.

 

[ArtQ]

A stick car will launch like a brick with those springs without a decent shock ...But the auto cars can get away with a lot more!

 

[DKS]

I went to the K springs and did not change my shocks and struts. I noticed no ride quality difference at all. I've had mine on for about 8K and no problems yet.

As far as track use I have no idea, though.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Anthony05GT]

A drop of 1'' or less doesn't require the shocks or struts to be replaced. The lower you go after that causes the ride to suffer with the stock shit. If the rear is dropped at all from stock the car's body won't be centered over the rear axle anymore. That's where an adjustable panhard bar keeps the ass end lined up and fishtailing during wheel spin manageable. If you drop any more than stock you should do LCA'a and an adjustable UCA to get the roll center correct and pinion angle dialed in.

I had the rear of my '05 dropped 1'' and I couldn't believe how much better the ass feels now that it has LCA's UCA and the adjustable panhard bar. I ended up putting the stock front springs back in so it's just a 1'' drop out back now. The car is level and looks great that way.

 

[DKS]

Also, I did the panhard bar and Maximum Motorsports Caster/Camber plates at the time of the drop.

I just recently put on UMI LCAs and relocation brackets. BIG difference with the launch characteristics. Again, no time slip to prove any difference, but I can for sure launch harder now than before.

 

[Anthony05GT]

Relocation brackets are a must even with a 1'' drop.

 

[Scord]

Relocation brackets are a must even with a 1'' drop.

Umm...

You only need relocation brackets if the LCA's are not level or within 1 or 2 degrees of being leveled when the car is sitting on a leveled surface... If the LCA's go upwards as you follow it towards the rear axle then you are actually giving away rear end traction. This is going to depend on which LCA's said individual goes with and how low the car is... to simply say everyone after 1" must get relocation brackets is misleading as relocation brackets on some setups can actually hurt the car more than help it.

 

[Ricosbullitt]

I'm on k springs with the stock shocks/struts and it feels like the stockers are starting to go. Just hit 32k miles and I'm now looking for replacements.

 

[blue streak]

with the steeda springs, my lowers point down towards the front lol. 1.67 60' on 275 50 15s and 312whp haha. man i cant wait to try out the new shocks, relo's, and arms.

 

[US-1]

I've got Metco lowers/upper along with their relocation brackets already. I know I need an adjustable panhard bar and will probably go ahead with caster/camber plates. Just trying to see if I need to do shocks/struts now or if I can wait a while.

Auto launches should be no problem. The two GT-H cars I raced in '06 had the FRPP Handling Pack and they left just fine. Figure another 100 hp over that along with a good converter and 3.73 gears hooked to a pair of D/Rs and I'm good to go.

 

[Greg Hazlett]

SD-when I installed the CJ springs Sam Strano highly recommended I change from the stock shocks to an aftermarket set and he recommended the Koni SRT's for a decent compromise between street/track.

Have you talked to him?

 

[US-1]

SD-when I installed the CJ springs Sam Strano highly recommended I change from the stock shocks to an aftermarket set and he recommended the Koni SRT's for a decent compromise between street/track.

Have you talked to him?

Nope....where do I find him?

 

[Greg Hazlett]

He posts a lot in the corner carving section, PM him and he is good at getting back and taking the time to answer questions....my conversation with started because I was planning on using the adj QA1 shocks on my car which after an hour I was convinced not to.

If you do a search for his name you will see how/what he posts and then contact him if what he says makes sense/good advice.

 

[bullitt boy]

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[US-1]

Thank you, Gentlemen.

 

[Anthony05GT]

Umm...

You only need relocation brackets if the LCA's are not level or within 1 or 2 degrees of being leveled when the car is sitting on a leveled surface... If the LCA's go upwards as you follow it towards the rear axle then you are actually giving away rear end traction. This is going to depend on which LCA's said individual goes with and how low the car is... to simply say everyone after 1" must get relocation brackets is misleading as relocation brackets on some setups can actually hurt the car more than help it.

Yeah, I know. That's why I needed them with a 1'' drop with J&M components. I haven't seen one yet with any brand of LCA's that didn't have less than several degrees of slope downward from the axle to the body.