I was just wondering everybody's opinions on these struts. I'm seriously looking at the GP and these would be the struts of choice because they're direct replacements.
What is the ride like?
Also, are they easily adjustable?
Something semi related...
Why is handling best when the lower control arm is parallel with the ground? The Pro-kit is best for that, but it seems like a lower of center of gravity is always better.
So what would a 1.8" drop do relative to the prokit. Better or worse for handling?
where do you see a GP for this?
Love mine. Ride is definitely not stock anymore, but they have no problem stopping the springs from bouncing. One of the more common misconceptions is that your struts are the only thing that affect the ride - its more a factor of your spring rates, the struts just control the spring's rebound. That said though, for my sportlines they have never given me any problems.
Adjustment is as easy as putting in an allen key into the strut towers and twisting. Takes less than 2 minutes to adjust all four sides.
Lower centre of gravity is good to a point - the argument with the control arms is that the way the suspension is made on cavaliers (mcpherson), is that the components can't work as well under the conditions when it is too low. It puts extra stress on just about everything too. But as far as performance is concerned, unless you're autocrossing, any drop is going to be a big improvement over stock. Personally, I couldnt see having my car any higher than it is on the sportlines, I just love them too much
" To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous. "
I have the same set up on my 97 cavalier that Dave has.... LOVE it! You can pre tune the comfort of your ride to suite any style of driving that you may do weither it be race, rally or just cruising!
It actually takes my almost 3 minutes to adjust all 4 corners. (I always seem to end up droping one of the caps on the ground or in the trunk somewhere lol)
I would recomend them to anyone that was even thinking about getting them.
dspecs are great struts and dave pretty much nailed it w/ the responses
I agree. I have D-Specs with Sportlines and I love it.
Admiral Jedi wrote:Why is handling best when the lower control arm is parallel with the ground? The Pro-kit is best for that, but it seems like a lower of center of gravity is always better.
I believe the reason is that when the A-arm is parrallel it means that the suspension doesn't cause a moment about the point of rotation where the a-arm is attatched to the chassis when going through a turn. Stiffer springs play an important role in not allowing the A-arm to travel up or down as far keeping everything parrallel. But like Dave said, if you aren't going for all out track precision racing, then any drop will be a big improvement.
You guys are awesome, thanks for the thorough responses.
how do the d-specs compare to the koni yellows? as far as damping? I have the sportline/yellows combo, and I am not really happy with the yellows. I love the damping, but how you have to install them is a pain in the ass. Plus the fact that I now have a blown strut mount in the rear from drilling them out, and the fronts have had the little bolt on the bottom fall out
