I do not know too much about suspension things but I'm trying to learn. I am wanting to lower my car about 1". I am going to go with an Eibach Pro-Kit set. It says it will lower the car about 1.3". My car is '93 so I'm sure it would be a good idea to put new shocks on as well while I'm doing this. My question is, can I get shocks that are upgraded stock replacements, or do I need to get some that are made for cars that are lowered, or what? What do I do. I am also on a pretty tight budget, keep in mind, so I would like something that is fairly reasonable but will also get the job done right.
I have priced some shocks anywhere from $40 a piece to over $200 a piece. Please somebody help me make some sense of this.

 

At that height of lowering you can use any that were meant for your car. I went with KYB GR-2.

http://www.kybshocks.com/

I think I paid around $200 for front struts and rear shocks.

 

Alot of people have been unhappy with the pro kits in the end and those kyb shocks aren't that great either. They'll work, but it can be much much better.
If your just looking for a moderately lowered ride I'd get strano springs and some revalved bilsteins from him. It's probably the cheapest combo that works really really well. No one has complaints. You're not going to be bouncing down the road after a bump and the springs are stiff enough they're aren't going to let you bottom out very easily. The pro kits are just too soft and the KYBs aren't up to the task of controlling them as they are mostly a cheap drag shock.

Strano performance 814/849-3417

 

so if the pro kit is too soft, you suggest the strano springs because they are firmer.
Are there any other types of springs that are firmer than the eibach pro kit ones?

 

Here's a list of spring rates. Not the most up to date but it will give you an idea. http://www.angelfire.com/my/fastcar/suspension.html
I think Strano's spring rates are in the neighborhood of 550 f / 150 r.
I wouldn't go with KYBs either, you want shocks that are suited to the higher spring rates of aftermarket springs. Talk to Sam Strano about a set of his springs and a set of Bilsteins.

 

I started off with the same mindset that you had with going with Eibachs and KYB's and ended up going with Koni's and Strano Springs. I wasnt really wanting to spend 1000+ on suspension at that time but I wanted to do it right and didnt want to have to do it twice.

 

what do yall think about the edelbrock shocks? I have seen them priced at around $80 a piece. Also, everyone is saying that the KYBs are no good. I have seen some KYBs that are adjustable, why wouldn't those be any good if you can set them any way you like?

 

Yes I suggested the strano springs because they are firmer and because he can give you a shock that will match it.
the KYBs don't have enough adjustability to be firm enough. They are good enough for a drag car, but not for much else.
The koni shocks are really nice, but a bit more expensive. You sounded like you wanted the cheapest setup that was good, that's why I suggested what I did.

Here's a link to the specs on the strano springs as well as an explanation of why he had them built. http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=8361

You'll notice that they are 150 in lbs more stiff in the front than the prokits. The rears are stiffer as well.

The edelbrok shocks and springs MIGHT work, their springs are stiffer than what you typically find and I would *** U ME that they would have a shock that would control them. But I don't know. Something to consider is whether or not those edelbrock shocks are meant for stock springs or for a car lowered with their springs. I would wager they are meant for a stock spring.

The Strano revalved bilsteins work well because they are valved specifically for the spring your getting. It's a system that works together.
It costs more in the beginning, but if you go the other route you'll probably be unhappy in the end and purchase what we've recommended already. I've seen it happen over and over. The end result is that you've spent more money by trying to get the desired result cheaply.

 

Nov, very good explanation. In the end it comes down to what you want to do. We can sugggest many things, some because we have had trial and error on them and some because its what we run. You may be happy with the KYB's and eibachs, me personally, wanted to spend more money the first time around and get what I really wanted and knew would be the best way to go. If you havent already then i would strongly suggest calling Strano. He will ask what you want out of the car and give you a good recommendation on what set-up to go with.

 

For what it's worth I don't run anything from Strano except for his front 35mm swaybar. I'm sitting on Bilstein racing shocks with a coil over kit and have Hypercoil 650 lbs springs up front and 350 lbs out back.

I have been in cars with Stranos suspension setup and it works really well. I have no doubt you'd be very very happy with it. I don't want anyone to think I'm suggesting something just because I have it. I'm suggesting it because it works.

 

Revalves or Konis SA are your "only" choices. pensakes and motions are little high.

 

thanks for all the info fellas, this is way more than I ever expected. If anyone else has more input feel free to add.

 

Tokico is another performance shock/strut you might consider. I'm looking at them or Konis. My 01 is lowered and I've just replaced the control arms trying to get better traction. Replacing at least the rear shocks is next.

 

Konis are better there adjustable. And what "racers" use.

Just go with Koni and don't ever look back