Opinion time.
1) What are the best lowering springs and why? If you have experience with more then one brand I especially want to hear from you.
2) What are good, relatively inexpensive autocross-able street tires besides the KDW's?

 

Stay away from Tein S-tech's & Eibach Sportlines. Both are EXTREMELY low & will destroy your factory AND aftermarket struts. Trust me from experience, they are horrendous. If you MUST have springs, go with either the Mopar stg 1 springs which isn't a serious drop but fair or the Hotchkiss springs which offer's a more aggressive drop.

If you want done right however, I would wait, save up and invest in coilover's. Especially if this car is a daily driver.

Autocross-able street tire? That's an oxymoron. That's like asking what set of slicks are good for the winter. If you want a sticky set of tires, look at the Falken Azenis RT-615's. Tread wear is not as high as most street tires but work great in the summer, dry roads and fairly decent in the rain.

 

I'm thinking about the same thing as pressurecooker. I'd like to lower the car a bit but everyone says to stay away from most springs except the Mopar Stage 1's. Therefore I think I'll just save the extra money for the coilovers. Opinion time again, what's the best coilover to buy ?

 

lol, sad part is that there are people that dumb




anyhow, my .02 is lowering does not automatically mean better handling, just a lower CG which helps better handling. Just dong buy junk for your suspension or it will surely be regretted.

 

So yeah what slicks are good for the winter? That's a question I hadn't even thought of asking. My guess is tall narrow slicks will work better in the snow than fat ones. (J/K)
Now seriously, I've heard the story about the mopar springs being better and that other springs will somehow ruin the struts. I guess this is due to the strut operating near the bottom of it's travel rather than middle stroke. Makes sense. So how low are the mopar springs? How is the spring rate compared to stock? I'm guessing the coil overs are the shiznit due to having more adjustablity and being able to be lower and still operate in thier proper range. That and maybe less unsprung weight and greater tire clearance? Yes/No? My car is a daily driver and often carries the wife, kids and I and has to be liveable.
Also, how good or bad are the budget sways? Big difference or not? Worth the money?

 

I prefer the tall narrow slicks in winter too pressurecooker. Makes driving so much of an adventure everytime you go anywhere. If you aren't having fun then why be here huh ?, lol.......As far as the winter driving on the slicks goes, just keep the car between the yellow lines and you'll be fine

I can't help much about the springs since I've decided to just save my money for the coilovers and you're reasoning for the pro's of the coilovers sounds right to me. The Mopar Stage 1 springs drop the car 25mm, not sure about the Hotchkiss.
My car is a daily driver also.
I did replace the rear swaybar just last week. I believe the stock one is 17mm, I put a 24mm on it, the difference in size is great, in handling I'm not sure I can tell. I'd have to believe the extra size would make it handle better. The stock rear swaybar is a joke compared to what I put on it. The stock front swaybar on this car is 24mm and you can't find much out there to much larger than that. I took the advice from my Speed shop guy and didn't bother spending the extra money. Of course if you buy the Hotchkis set you have to buy front and rear since they only come as a set.

 

To give you an idea on how much of a drop mopar stg 1 springs give, these were installed on our shop owner's car before switching to Tein SS coilovers.

 

Looks almost stock in the front and somewhat lower in the rear. That is actually what I think I need. After all, this is Michigan, home of the car eating pothole/railroad track/frost heave.

 

Don't be deceived. It's a big difference from stock boss.

 

I've had the Eibach Prokit on my car for a few months now, have had no problems whatsoever, with just a slightly more bouncy ride.