RS springs and struts

[Rockcrusher]

I want to slightly lower my 2012 Sonic LT for better handling purposes. Eibachs seem a little too low for my taste. Will RS struts, springs and bumpstops work for what I'm after? Where's a good place to get them? Thanks.

 

[laborsmith]

One of the forum vendors, Crate Engine Depot, should be able to help you.

You will get about a half inch drop. The ride will be very close to what you would get if you used Pedders lowering coils, but you can't because Pedders no longer offers them.

For what it is worth, I believe Pedders makes the best lowering coils; they just no longer make them for the Sonic.


Laborsmith

 

[firstorbit84]

I didn't notice any drop really when I installed my RS springs/shocks. the ride is also very similar to the stock LT 15" wheel suspension.

I got a crazy good deal on mine from rdss on here, but otherwise I probably wouldn't have gone for it, and I don't think I would do it again or recommend it for anyone looking for any sort of handling upgrade and ride-height lowering.

Go with the Eibachs. They are not that low. I'll probably get them eventually as I'm not totally satisfied with the RS setup.

 

[$ub$onic]

I have b&g springs on rs struts and it seemed to lower it a hair more when I put on the rs struts but not much at all.

I am vet happy with this upgrade. My stock struts and lowering springs kinda felt sloppy. Rs struts fixed that

 

[laborsmith]

I only experienced the unmolested 15" w/ stock suspension for 101 miles but LT stock was not what I wanted. At 101 miles a went to 17" wheels w/ Kumho tires, a definite improvement. A few thousand miles later, Pedders lowering coils, another significant improvement.

When I got the RS I moved the wheel/tire combination from the LT to the RS. The ride was similar to the Pedders LT with the same wheel/tire combination, but not as low. Based on this I would expect the change of suspension to be noticeable, but clearly 0.4 drop is not significant enough to write home about.

On the other hand, the OP expressed concern about handling not appearance and I feel there was a noticeable difference.


Laborsmith

 

[Rockcrusher]

Well, if RS suspension won't be that noticeable over my LT handling-wise, I'll skip it. I've read a few weird post about the Eibachs like creaks, clunks and even blown out struts(?!). I like the price of the rear brace but worry over its long term effects on the beam welds and the outer edges of the beam (which now would take up a lot of the twisting force with the brace taking up the center of the beam). I wish somebody would just do a rear sway bar for the Sonic.

 

[$ub$onic]

My lowering springs with stock springs felt sloppy. The rs struts fixed that. I'm happy with them.

As far as the rear brace goes, your pretty safe. Have you seen how it's welded together? It's pretty sturdy.

 

[laborsmith]

I wonder what you mean by "noticeable." There is a significant difference between the ride of the LT and the ride of the RS. The appearance of the RS lowering is marginal, that is true, but I thought you were asking about the ride.

By the way, I had an LT that was wearing Pedders lowering coils when I traded it in for the RS, so I have driven the LT from November 2011 to April 2012 stock, from April 2012 to November 2012 Pedderised, the RS from November 2012 to March 2013 stock and from March 2013 to present on Eibachs.

I consider the stock RS ride comparable to the LT ride Pedderised.


Laborsmith

 

[Rockcrusher]

Sorry to be vague. I meant "noticeable" by a definite improvement in handling through the twisties, not noticeable in appearance. As far as the brace, its not the brace itself but its effect on the suspension beam I question. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[laborsmith]

Sorry to be vague. I meant "noticeable" by a definite improvement in handling through the twisties, not noticeable in appearance. As far as the brace, its not the brace itself but its effect on the suspension beam I question. Thanks for the input guys.

Well, it is hard for me to imagine a greater improvement in handling through the twisties than a Pedderised vehicle, but I guess there must be.

The DDM brace also definitely impacts the ride, what effect it has on the longevity of the torsion beam I can not say. But it does have a noticeable effect. Low profile tires can also do wonders in improving handling.


Laborsmith

 

[$ub$onic]

A replacement rear axle assembly is $600 from gmpd.... Just saying

 

[Rockcrusher]

Let me clarify. First, firstorbit84 stated the RS setup wasn't a noticeable improvement so I said maybe I'll skip it. Then Laborsmith said the RS setup is on par with Pedders lowering coils and stock struts and DOES provide improvement which has made me reconsider. I wasn't putting down the Pedders setup as not being good enough.

 

[rdss]

I did notice a handling difference with just the RS suspension on my LT sedan. But, like I stated in another thread, I would have went with Eibach's or the Pedder's if I would have had the choice. The ride was what I wanted, I just wanted more of a drop after installing the RS suspension. Like $ub$onic mentioned, the RS strut/shock is an improvement over the LT's so that would be something to consider with Eibach or Pedder springs. If you're wanting max handling out of your car with your choice of ride height I would just recommend saving up for some adjustable coil overs, that will give you the best of both worlds.

 

[vento]

I ran Eibachs on RS dampers on my LT before my accident, it was wonderful. Definately a little stiffer than stock, over rough roads it was a handful. But on nicer roads and even in the winter it was fine.