Wanted to know if the overall consensus had remained the same for a smoother ride (as smooth as it can get with an evo anyways).

The major two options I’ve read on the forum have been slap on swift springs on the stock KYBs and others that said MR bilsteins were the way to go.

I have an 03 Evo 8 sitting on KYBs lowered on Tein springs and it’s rough. Interested in recommendations, or if there’s any new options on the market.

 

KYBs ride terrible. 10000% Bilsteins are more comfortable. Also your Tein springs are too low so you're also on the bump stops.

 

What's your budget?

 

Don’t want to spend a crazy amount just because I’ve already spent a lot getting it up and running (bought a tote down shell and have put it back together in the last 3 months). Maybe $500 give or take $100.

 

That including the alignment? I think your budget pretty much limits you to picking up something used. Little over 10 years ago I picked up a set of used MR Bilsteins for 400, but you don't really see anyone selling low mileage MR bilsteins anymore.

 

I'm not sure you can even get bilstiens + swift spring for $500...

Front/rear bilstien B8's on rock auto are $757 + ship. Thats the only option they even have in stock to get matching front/rear sets.

 

Sorry, not sure if it was clear but I was comparing KYBs with swift springs vs MR bilstein’s with stock springs. But yeah seems like I’m going to have to spend a little more regardless if I want to improve the ride quality a bit.

I just really wanted to know if the improvement between the two is worth the price tag, because if it wasn’t I would have just opted for switching out my teins for swift springs or even stock springs.

 

If the budget is tight for this change, stick w/the KYB's. No need for the Bilsteins /Swifts if youre just street or mild track driving. Run the Eibach springs. Ive run them on many of my builds & they are a solid spring choice

EDIT: Seems like Eibach has dicontinued their offering for the EvO. CT9A is really getting old

 

I have MR Bilsteins with whatever springs (For the MR) WORKS was making back in 2006 and have had them on my car now since I bought it brand new, no complaints other than the Bilsteins may be due for an overhaul after 65,000+ miles...I've also tracked the car twice at thunderhill in NorCal with this set up!

-Jason

 

So I ended up getting some used bilsteins with swift springs for a good deal, threw them on my car but for some reason my car now feels bouncy in corners. Does anyone know if that means the struts are shot, could it be the springs or is this just what it’s supposed to feel like? Thanks

 

Do you know what spring rates they are? Are you using an uprated rear sway bar as well?

 

No idea what the springs are rated, I’ll try and include a picture if that helps. And I want to say it does have an aftermarket sway bar in the rear because it’s blue (unless of course the previous owner just power coated it). Not sure if you can tell but unfortunately I don’t know much about the vehicles previous history I took on the project car from someone else who bought it off someone else. And the struts/springs came from a used parts dealer. Thanks for any help though.

 

The springs are very likely Spec-R's which are 6.4K front & 6.8K rear (very mild to most of us) (most of us run double those amounts). That spring rate is on the mild to soft side. The rear sway bar you noted for sure is aftermarket. If there are 3 holes in the bar at the end links, make sure they are set on the most outer hole for the softest setting

The Bilsteins are likely OK but we know their used, so its possible they are bad?

You may just be feeling the big difference from a stock setting to a stiffer spring rate. May just take some getting used to?

 

Appreciate the response ✊🏽. I’ll take a look at the rear sway bar tomorrow once I get a chance to get under the car. If the bilsteins are bad (which I hope they aren’t) but if they are, any places still rebuild them for a reasonable fee or at this point would going coils just be my best bet.

 

New bilsteins are around 900 which is still cheaper than a set of decent coils.