Need some advice. I have installed KYB rear shocks & "stock"100LB springs on rear of car. Back of the car is jacked up way too high! There is 5 - 5 1/2" from top of wheel to wheel well opening. I want to get to stock ride height at the rear of the car. Is the problem the shocks OR the springs? Do I keep the springs and go with Boge shocks (Bilstein or Koni too rich for me!) OR keep the KYB's and try smaller springs, say 140lb units, which I assume are lower??? Not sure which combination will be correct. As it is, the car looks like a 72 CHevelle my brother in law used to have with the back end jacked up in the air.
Thanks for all replies!

I'd throw the KYB's in the trash and go with the Boges

the KYBs are gas charged which actually can lift the vehicle (too damn much nitrogen which makes them too stiff), they might settle down a little with use....

it's too hard to tell you if new shocks will solve it, you might have to measure the spring perches and even then, you don't know for sure if the shock itself is affecting the ride height of if it's the spring

sorry, no good answer...

KYBs are way too harsh.

I found Koni yellow with 125 lbs on adjustable perches to be very comfy and adjustable.
It's worth the $ to enjoy your car.

with the above. trash the KYBs ...

also, make sure the springs have seated correctly in the perch when you lowered the car down. of course, that only applies if the spring wasn't snug in the perches before you put the shocks in.
you can get shorter springs as well, but with the already way too hard KYBs that'll make your ride *very* stiff ...

Andy

On a related side-note, I just got my Bilsteins and 165lb springs.....default spring-perch setting is on last (lowest) notch on the shocks....want to lower car about 1 to 1-1/2". Should I just use the default location?

QUOTE (MarkG @ Feb 4 2005, 10:01 AM)

On a related side-note, I just got my Bilsteins and 165lb springs.....default spring-perch setting is on last (lowest) notch on the shocks....want to lower car about 1 to 1-1/2". Should I just use the default location?

Mark,

It's a trial and error with that setup, the free length of the springs might be different from manufacture to manufacture...worst case is you spend 20 minutes more doing the R&R

rear spring/shock replacement is one of the easiest tasks on a 914

Before you go throwing money at it, have you moved the car since installing the rear suspention? You will find that it will settle as you drive it. When you jack the car up and then return the car to the ground the shocks stay extended to a point untill you move the car a bit.
HTH

QUOTE (MarkG @ Feb 4 2005, 09:01 AM)

default spring-perch setting is on last (lowest) notch on the shocks....

5 notches if i recall correct. the lowest will be too low. i believe i have them on second from top ...

Andy

I got some 140 lb springs that should lower your car. and probably loosen your fillings with KYB's

Adustable perches are not expensive...

KT

How much stiffer? Koni yellows full soft vs. Koni reds full soft?

I am running 140 lb rear springs on non-adjustable perches. Very happy with the (pretty low) ride height.

pete

adjustable boge's on one of the lower settings and some 944 s2 front springs-same diameter and 160lbs. Still have to check it out w/ the motor etc on though.

red= Koni regular
yellow=Koni sports
pink=my favorite color....opps....cross-over point