As the title suggests...

I'm torn between an OEM rigidness and potential drawbacks of any creaks, noises and overt stiffness of lowered suspension/Sways/and aftermarket wheels.

Right now aesthetically, the car is on stilts and the tires suck. Handling could be better, but it really is rigid and doesn't make a squeak rattle or hum, which is what I do enjoy out of this car.

I'm looking to have a sporty feel but as if it were perfectly executed from the factory without the above flaws. I have my other car which is well modified for the heavy lifting, but its loud and raw which I enjoy out of it very much (exhaust etc.) The drawback is the sways and the suspension and sways which are loud and creaky.

I would be likely leaning toward Swift springs paired with sway bars and probably 19 inch square set up since I have an X Sedan.

Help me out with your impressions of noises and changes in rigidity(overall oneness) of the vehicle.

Thanks..

 

Anyone? I'd like to get specific reviews by consensus. I realize some will some won't but I will play the numbers so to speak.

 

Most of the time, people that install springs mostly say that the ride quality is the same if not a touch rougher than stock. Going with coils your looking at a lower ride.. but a harder ride.
Generally the lower the car, and the lower profile the tire.. the harder the ride.. I personally am going with some Eibachs, spacers and my stock wheels. That set up is as close to stock, so it doesn't sacrifice ride and it still looks good.
As for sway bars.. most people here have either Hotchkis or Whiteline, Stillen makes some too. They definitely add to the stiffness and handling, haven't heard any bad reviews on them.

There are lots of reviews here on the boards about all..

 

I'd likely be going conservative drop with a linear spring like Swifts and doing a square 19 inch wheel set up along with adding Sway bars for improved handling I am just concerned about the overall integrity of the setup vs. the stock feel which is pretty solid.

 

with a drop on springs, 19's with normal size tires (basically stock) and sways.. you should have better handling with a comfortable ride. as long as everything is installed correctly, you shouldn't have an issue with creaks or noise.

check this vid.. these are hotchkis sways on a coupe.. but same premise

 

I had some regrets for sure when I dropped on B&G springs which dropped my Sedan about the same as H&Rs & S-Tech springs, the front tires were under the lower fender wells and the rears were also slightly under the fender edge. The limited spring travel and being that low added stress on the drives, specially long road trips and unfamiliar cities where you can find yourself in some tight spots. I go to Vegas several times a year and was in the Riviera underground parking and almost had to get towed off a high speed hump that was right at the bottom of a steep drive, gotta admit it was a bit horrifying. Also countless bottoming out of the springs and scraping the flex Y-pipe exhaust couplers, the plastic splash pan, the back end of the exhaust tips, the front chin spoiler, etc. Also having to crawl over speed bumps can get a bit annoyiong to those following you too

I now have coilovers (over 20k miles on them now) and am 1/2" higher and that 1/2" really makes the car so much more enjoyable, no stress on the drives anymore and having the ability to adjust the damping can get you a ride that's not nearly as tooth chattering as it was w/ my lowering springs. I rarely scrape on anything anymore and I have a super steep driveway to my house, so I've gotten pretty good at navigation. But don't kid yourself, any lowering spring or coilover will have a harsher ride, you can adjust the coilovers to be soft but too much so and you'll be riding on just the springs and it'll be bouncy & floaty.
I have 20s so my ride will be harsher than 19s on a mild dropped spring like Swift. If you only want a mild drop & a relatively comfortable ride the 19s w/ Swifts seem to be a good option.

 

^ Thanks for your input Newt. I am getting caught up on the rigidity of the stock suspension it is solid and forgiving at the same time as well as muted. The car just feels solid now and when you begin modding suspension I am not sure what to expect with Wheels/Sways/Springs in the same regard to overall integrity.

 

This is what I have and really happy with the set-up

 

I keep wavering, likely going to start with Sway bars to start. I know I will enjoy the improved handling.

I do want to improve the wheel set up though. Everything is so damn expensive if you want to execute it well..

 

The first suspension mod I did was Hotchkis sways, then 19" tires riding on Michelin Pilot A/S Plus 245/40 fronts and 275/35 rears.

Next came Koni Yellows on stock springs and then front strut tower brace and then GT-SPEC rear 6-point.

The sways made the biggest difference and everything since then has been making the handling more sporty albeit incrementally.

You'll be happy with the sways though! I haven't heard anyone regretting them. The only thing they need is periodic greasing to keep them quiet.