FL5 Lowering Springs

[Robo7]

Like many of you I love my stock FL5 but I don't love the large wheel arch gaps. I've been researching all options for lowering springs and wanted to share my notes.

Text in red was referenced in this forum but without a source provided. Everything else was provided from the manufacturers websites.

Edit: adding in photos of the most popular options

Stock:

Eibach Pro-Kit:

Eibach Sportline:

Swift (image mirrored for comparison):

H&R (image mirrored for comparison):

Spoon (image mirrored for comparison):

J's:

RS-R (image mirrored for comparison):

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[Robo7]

It looks like J's and Pro-kit are the closest to the factory spring rates. Spoon isn’t far behind but some people don’t like the reverse rake look. I know Swift springs are popular too.

My priority is keeping performance and feel as close as possible to stock with a modest (<1”) drop. I’m leaning toward Pro-kit or Spoon. Does anyone have experience with both?

For those that have installed lowering springs why did you pick the one's you did and are you completely happy with the results?

 

[JDM_DOHC_SiR]

The H&R spring Rates are as follows if you needed them

Spring Rate Front: 4.5 kg/mm
Spring Rate Rear: 5.1 kg/mm

I went with H&R on my FL5 and didn't have reverse rake and the ride is very nice compared to stock

 

[Robo7]

Thanks I updated my table with the H&R spring rates.

One thing I noticed was almost every manufacturer has a bigger drop for the front vs. the rear. I assume that is to address the visual reverse rake.

Spoon and Swift have an equal drop between front and rear though. But people only seem to complain about the visual reverse rake with Spoon. Is the Swift setup truly a 1” drop all around? If so why don’t people have the same complaint??

 

[Robo7]

I found the answer to my question.

do the swift springs make the car look like it has reverse rake?

No if you get the updated FL5 springs it actually has a slight rake with the front a tiny bit lower than the back.

So is Swift sharing the wrong specs on their site? This would imply they are dropping the front more than the rear correct? And folks with Swift springs, do you find the ride firmer than stock? Those spring rates are much higher than stock.

 

[BigBird]

So is Swift sharing the wrong specs on their site? This would imply they are dropping the front more than the rear correct? And folks with Swift springs, do you find the ride firmer than stock? Those spring rates are much higher than stock.

I thought the same so that's why i asked, looks legit now. The Spoons are heavily reverse raked.

I actually wanted the higher rates for track use, and most say the swifts are fine for daily, but i did read one person that said it felt like it was harsh over bumps and irregular roads, and I didn't want to ruin yet another daily, so I opted for the eibach pro kit until i get coilovers

 

[ToddR]

Thank you. This confirmed that if I go the springs route I’ll go with the Eibach Pro kit

 

[FL5ghost]

Thanks I updated my table with the H&R spring rates.

One thing I noticed was almost every manufacturer has a bigger drop for the front vs. the rear. I assume that is to address the visual reverse rake.

Spoon and Swift have an equal drop between front and rear though. But people only seem to complain about the visual reverse rake with Spoon. Is the Swift setup truly a 1” drop all around? If so why don’t people have the same complaint??

I’m on the swift springs and the front is lower than the rear.

 

[sikkwititt]

I thought the same so that's why i asked, looks legit now. The Spoons are heavily reverse raked.

I actually wanted the higher rates for track use, and most say the swifts are fine for daily, but i did read one person that said it felt like it was harsh over bumps and irregular roads, and I didn't want to ruin yet another daily, so I opted for the eibach pro kit until i get coilovers

Just thought I'd share my two cents on this...

I am on Swift Springs for about a month now. First time I've gone springs route as my last car (FB6) went straight to coil overs.

So with that said, when the springs were installed, the first 2 weeks, the ride was harsh over bumps and irregular roads like what that other post said. I read that post too and was concerned going that the swift springs route. However, literally the next day after those 2 weeks, I guess the springs finally settled and I can confirm the ride is close to stock, I think even better especially in corners where I feel planted.

I hope this eases anyone elses concern on that part.

 

[nodnarb901]

I ended up going with the Eibach Pro kit.
rides great. One thing I noticed is I had 2.0 degrees of negative camber in the rear. Car din’t feel as planted and stable going around corners at speed. After I installed a rear camber kit seemed to handle like stock or a little better.

 

[egxflash]

I ended up going with the Eibach Pro kit.
rides great. One thing I noticed is I had 2.0 degrees of negative camber in the rear. Car din’t feel as planted and stable going around corners at speed. After I installed a rear camber kit seemed to handle like stock or a little better.

is the rear ordinarily neutral?

 

[TO_FL5_CW]

I thought the same so that's why i asked, looks legit now. The Spoons are heavily reverse raked.

I actually wanted the higher rates for track use, and most say the swifts are fine for daily, but i did read one person that said it felt like it was harsh over bumps and irregular roads, and I didn't want to ruin yet another daily, so I opted for the eibach pro kit until i get coilovers

I drive daily and absolutely enjoy my swift springs. Spoon lacked firmness I wanted in the fist place + reverse rake. I’m sure some would enjoy spoon as well. I’m glad I tried it

 

[Robo7]

So I’ve been thinking… if the Spoon springs are truly an even drop of 20mm front and rear, and that results in a reverse rake, then wouldn’t the car in stock form show a reverse rake too? An even drop should maintain the same amount of rake.​

​

Because stock cars don’t show reverse rake, I suspect the Spoon springs actually lower the rear more than the front.​

 

[Robo7]

Does anyone have experience with both Spoon and Pro-kit springs? Do both feel equivalent to stock with their similar spring rates?

 

[Tickle]

So I’ve been thinking… if the Spoon springs are truly an even drop of 20mm front and rear, and that results in a reverse rake, then wouldn’t the car in stock form show a reverse rake too? An even drop should maintain the same amount of rake.​

​

Because stock cars don’t show reverse rake, I suspect the Spoon springs actually lower the rear more than the front.​

The body is level on the spoon springs.

I notice slight reverse rake on an FL5.. full tank maybe.



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