Eibach pro kit springs will probably be enough for what you want  

I have these. They are very good.

I was of the opinion that if you left the standard shocks in then they wouldn't last as long as they would always be under some sort of compression due to the lower springs? Might also bottom out no?

 

No, that's not how shocks work. Opinions are for the ill-informed.

I see you've got yours on 25mm/30mm any pics by chance?

 

Yup. 

 

The life of the shocks will not be affected by lower springs, however the effect of the damper will be hampered. The shock is absorber is only there to control the action of the spring, therefore if you fit a stiffer spring the standard damper will struggle to control the spring, resulting in poor handling and ride.

Matched spring/damper set-ups are valved internally to suit the increased spring rate. Another thing to consider is the bumpstops, shorter springs on a standard damper will bottom sooner as the travel is reduced. Matched damper/springs will normally have the body length reduced so maximum travel is maintained.

The life of the shocks will not be affected by lower springs, however the effect of the damper will be hampered. The shock is absorber is only there to control the action of the spring, therefore if you fit a stiffer spring the standard damper will struggle to control the spring, resulting in poor handling and ride.

Matched spring/damper set-ups are valved internally to suit the increased spring rate. Another thing to consider is the bumpstops, shorter springs on a standard damper will bottom sooner as the travel is reduced. Matched damper/springs will normally have the body length reduced so maximum travel is maintained.

 

Not true.

 

Think about what you've just said. How did the bumps suddenly get bigger or the car get heavier?

 

Only rebound damping is slightly affected by the Eibach springs.

Yup.

Imo that drop looks perfect

You lose the 4x4 look and the car still looks good. Doesn't look too modified and will ride nice and handle well. Best of both worlds imo

Edited 14 January, 201412 yr by BigJase88

Correct on the rebound, but by taking 30mm off the stroke, there is a lot more chance of hitting the bump stops. If running a matched damper/spring set up the bump/compression damping would also be stiffer due to this. The alternative is to shorten or remove the bump stops, you then run the risk of damaging the damper internals when the valve stack bottoms out in the damper.

You could also get eibach to coil you some variable rate springs, this would allow you to maximise damper travel without worrying about bump stops. Not normally something I'd worry about on a road car though - that's more when you need to factor in aero loads!

Correct on the rebound, but by taking 30mm off the stroke, there is a lot more chance of hitting the bump stops. If running a matched damper/spring set up the bump/compression damping would also be stiffer due to this. The alternative is to shorten or remove the bump stops, you then run the risk of damaging the damper internals when the valve stack bottoms out in the damper.

You could also get eibach to coil you some variable rate springs, this would allow you to maximise damper travel without worrying about bump stops. Not normally something I'd worry about on a road car though - that's more when you need to factor in aero loads!

 

Eibach Pro Kit springs ARE variable rate progressively wound springs.

 

I should know, I'm actually an Engineer and I actually have a set fitted to my Fabia.

 

They are carefully and specifically engineered to work perfectly with the standard dampers, they comfortably exceed all the OE specs and are/were actually sold as a dealer fitted sports upgrade on new cars which did not invalidate the manufacturers warranty. They are better designed and made then the standard cheap springs which are overlong and of poor quality steel which is why the standard car sits so high and rides like a pogo stick.

 

What's not to like?

So would a gd set up be eibach springs and uprated dampers and if so which dampers would be a gd match to the eibach and would this combo be better than weitek or kw????

 

What drop do people recommend for the best all round look and performance using standard size wheels????

 

Dave. 

Eibachs are a more subtle drop than the likes of ap/weitec/kw/apex etc. they will ride better however. All depends how as an owner you want your car.

A common shock to use with the eibach springs are koni fsd's

Side pic with the AP kit:

 

Have you driven into a swimming pool?

Springs on standard dampers are fine and do improve the handling providing you go for a 'sensible' drop of no more than 30mm. Beyond that is where you can and usually do run into issues. If you want to go lower then you really should look into aftermarket shocks or a coil over kit.

 

Common sense would dictate that you check the standard shocks are good before you fit the springs.

Have you driven into a swimming pool?

 

I don't get it lol

 

Just spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out, is it because the rear window is misted up and looks like the car is filled with water

I don't get it lol

Just spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out, is it because the rear window is misted up and looks like the car is filled with water

No for some reason on my browser (iphone) it shows the top half of the pic then the bottm half is blue :/

This is what i can see lol

Edited 15 January, 201412 yr by BigJase88

Imo that drop looks perfect

You lose the 4x4 look and the car still looks good. Doesn't look too modified and will ride nice and handle well. Best of both worlds imo

 

TBH Nail on head there Jase, the comfort is good too and compliments the poly-bushing too. I'd quite like a RARB now to make it a little stiffer.