TRD/Eibach lowering springs

[roadking0678]

Hey guys.. ive posted this in the matrixowners forum, but since the site seems to be down a lot i thought id try this one.

So my question was about what the "real world" lowering amount of the springs were and everyone replied its around 1.2"

I use my car a lot for camping, rifle range etc... and since the stupid front spoilers scrape on every dip i didnt want to go that low. I'm only looking to do a 1/2" lower. Not really going for looks here, just better cornering and reduce brake dive.

Sooooo, here's the question. Has anyone tried using coil spring spacers? I see them a lot on 4x4's used for lift, so i was thinking about ordering some to reduce the drop of the springs by adding one of these coil spring mounts to make it .5"

[fishexpo101]

I haven't used them, but I know others that have. Exactly for the same reason as you've mentioned - either they wanted to improve the handling without going too low - or they needed to raise the suspension up for towing, extra clearance, etc.

Most of the spacers out there require you pulling the coil spring and strut assembly apart to install the spacer. It will change the spring compliance and corner weighting, so keep that in mind.

If you find that you want to stay low on the streets but raise it up when you go off the road - might want to think of coilovers in the future. You can raise and lower then as required with simple wrenches, nothing to take apart - but they are quite costly for a decent set.

[roadking0678]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

I haven't used them, but I know others that have. Exactly for the same reason as you've mentioned - either they wanted to improve the handling without going too low - or they needed to raise the suspension up for towing, extra clearance, etc.

Most of the spacers out there require you pulling the coil spring and strut assembly apart to install the spacer. It will change the spring compliance and corner weighting, so keep that in mind.

If you find that you want to stay low on the streets but raise it up when you go off the road - might want to think of coilovers in the future. You can raise and lower then as required with simple wrenches, nothing to take apart - but they are quite costly for a decent set.

Yeah... if it wasnt a matrix coilovers would be great..LOL

Basicly i got this because at the time i couldnt find a WRX STI wagon, so it was second runner up. I do love the car.. but coming from a BMW M3 the handling leaves much to be desired. I upgraded my brake to Slotted rotors, Hawk HPS pads, and Motul RBF 600. Now it stops like my Bimmer did. I just put on the 18" TRD wheels and the handling has been greatly improved. Just going for a little more in the cornering dept since the matrix is top heavy and has a lot of body roll.

Plans are a rear sway bar, and front strut bar to see if that helps... if its not quite what im wanting i'll be doing the TRD/Eibach springs and either the GR2 or Tokico struts... im still mad at Bilstein for not producing a strut for these..LOL

Point being.. i DO NOT want to look like a ricer, i do use it for camping, and with the front spoiler 1.2" is too low.. so a half inch drop is the lowest im willing to sacrifice. So if the strut tower bar, and RSB arent enough i'll give the lowering springs a shot with the energy suspension isolators with the new struts.