Question About Shocks And Springs

[Elmo42]

Hey anybody can help me, i am planning on getting some tenzo RS -5 18" rims for my IS300. I am assuming that it probably requires me to lower my car a little to look right because i feel like if i put some 18" on it would make my car look really high. My question is are my stock shocks be able to be adjusted or do i need to get new shocks and springs to accomadate that. thanks and by the way im a new member so this is all new to me.

[djspawn00]

Hey anybody can help me, i am planning on getting some tenzo RS -5 18" rims for my IS300. I am assuming that it probably requires me to lower my car a little to look right because i feel like if i put some 18" on it would make my car look really high. My question is are my stock shocks be able to be adjusted or do i need to get new shocks and springs to accomadate that. thanks and by the way im a new member so this is all new to me.

how low do you want to go? and what tire size are you running? Also whats the offset of the wheel? You can lower... but you don't have to.. its all up to you... put the wheels on... if you hate the gap that much then decide what method you want to use...

[smooth1]

Hey anybody can help me, i am planning on getting some tenzo RS -5 18" rims for my IS300. I am assuming that it probably requires me to lower my car a little to look right because i feel like if i put some 18" on it would make my car look really high. My question is are my stock shocks be able to be adjusted or do i need to get new shocks and springs to accomadate that. thanks and by the way im a new member so this is all new to me.

Well, like djspawn posted, it's up to you really. Keep in mind, that just because you go to 18'' rims, doesn't mean your car is actually going to be higher off the ground. The outside diameter of the tires should be the same size, as you adjust the aspect ratio to accomidate the larger rim. Personally though, I would lower the car, even if your running stock sizes, as I think the IS looks so much better when it's lowered some.

The stock suspension system isn't adjustable. You really have 2 options. One is to get your springs replaced with lowering springs. Eibach, H&R, Tenabe, Tein and bunch of others out there offer springs. It would be up to you to check on the spring rate to make sure you get the springs that you like. They usually go for between 200-350 bucks for a set of four. But add on to that cost of labor to change them out, or a day of your time changing them out yourself. The other option is coilovers. Usually fully adjustable in ride height, and damping. But these can start at $1,000.00 and go up from there. And again, installation costs or a day of your time. But these you can tailor to almost whatever drop you want, and you can tailor the firmness of the ride somewhat also.

If your new to the game, I would just start with a set of Eibach, or Tenabe springs. That will lower your car about an inch, which is a good user freindly daily driver amount to lower the car, and you won't have to worry about rubbing and scraping everything. And since your getting new rims and tires, that would be a great time to replace the springs at the same time anyway.