Eibach Pro Kits vs. Sportlines?

[NY Pete]

Opinions of one versus another? Are the Sportlines too low to go with stock shocks/struts? What about camber adjustment - are the Sportlines too low to align the vehicle correctly? I'd be interested to hear from folks that have springs installed already - how is it to live with them on a daily basis?Thanks!

[QUIKAG]

I'm interested in this question too!! Anyone?

[J.C.]

Heres a pic of our Matrix we did.... http://www.hotchkistuning.com/frames/02 ... matrix.htm The Hotchkis coils will lower the car 1.5" (38mm) in front with a spring rate of 180 lbs/in and 1 1/8" (29mm) in the rear with a spring rate of 350 lbs/in... Both coils are linear / straight rate... Meaning, that over time they won't sag or go lower than when you first got them installed like most progressive coils do....

[NY Pete]

BBS CH's on that Matrix? Happen to know what size those were... they look hot!

[J.C.]

I beleive they were 18's.... With 205 or 215 /40's on that.. Yeah, it did look Hella Sweet....!

[Psychobroker]

Bumping a super OLD thread, but search is my friend .I wasn't able to find an answer to this question...Pro Kits vs Sportlines? Thanks!

[philndz]

Bump again....I'd love to hear a comparison.

[wicked1981]

No answer on this yet..... anyone?

[NY Pete]

I ended up going with the sportlines... 2" drop. My lower control arm is just about parallel to the ground, so any lower would be bad for handling... the drop is nice, the car handles well, but when I put these on (last April) there weren't any aftermarket dampers out yet for our cars. With the stock dampers the car bounces a little when you have ripples in the pavement (maybe 5% of the time). Other than that, I'm very satisfied with the springs, the Vibe sits more like a car now, less like a mini SUV... Pete

Attached files

[NY Pete]

Another pic showing the drop... (I know it's a little hard to see with my dark wheels)...Pete

Attached files

[AKLGT]

still looks sweet! i could never lower mine that far up here! i'd be stuck in my driveway whenever we'd get 4" of snow! lol. but looks very good!

[yank dini]

I've had Pro Kit for a year thinking about Sportlines but Im not sure about the roads here

[Psychobroker]

I just went w/ Hotchkis and was done w/ it....I'm very happy with them!

[goodvibe]

Psychobroker, Hotchkis are variable rate both front and rear but firmer than Pro-Kits. Pro-Kits/TRD match the stock shocks best and are fixed rate in the rear, variable in front. H&R also uses this setup for front drives to counteract understeer and squat during acceleration. Pro-Kits/TRD or Hotchkis seem to be the best if you want to have good wheel travel and handling without going to coil overs or cutting your bump stops and sacrificing the shocks. I've got the TRDs and love them. Make sure you get the progress rear bar regardless of springs.

[frostyGT]

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »Pro-Kits/TRD or Hotchkis seem to be the best if you want to have good wheel travel and handling without going to coil overs or cutting your bump stops and sacrificing the shocks. I thought that the Hotchkis springs provided new bumpstops, which is the same as cutting your old ones? Also, are you saying that cutting your bump stops will sacrifice your shocks life, or just their quality? Just curious, because I don't see how shortening the stroke will cause any damage.

[Psychobroker]

Hotchkis does include new bumpstops.

[goodvibe]

It's all comprimize. If you cut the bumpstops your more likely to bottom the shock and have a failure. You can always not cut them to protect the shock at the expence of wheel travel. I suspect the Hotchkis bumpstops are less compliant to protect the shocks better if they hit though I doubt they touch them very often.