Crazy that this thread just was bumped since I started some mods today. Decided to try lowering the car and installing some suspension that I acquired.
Through some friends I obtained H&R lowering springs for a 1g dsm awd. Koni yellow strut inserts inside stock 1g dsm awd strut bodies and kyb agx rear shocks. Also some stock 1g dsm springs.
I decided to install the koni struts with the H&R lowering springs in the front, and the kyb's with stock 1g stock springs in the rear.
First, I decided to tackle the rear knowing I may have to fab a little. After i removed the stock shock assemblies, I noticed a huge difference in the lower bushings from csm to dsm.
The ID of the steel sleeve in the bushing is different, even though the sleeve is clamped between the ears on the dead axle, the width of the sleeve was to short also. So I used the lathe at work to make my own sleeve to install inside the awd shock to correct everything. The sleeve had a 12.5mm ID, .80" OD and 2.175" length.
The sleeve is almost a pressed interference but not quite. If it were to rust in, i would ruin the shock trying to get it out. Here is the final out come, made the shock bolt right in.
After that was all installed, I put the Koni's and awd H&R's in the front. This was allot of work and I was slightly disappointed in the outcome. The rear only came down by about 3/4 of an inch. (reading on here, I thought stock 1g rear springs would slam the back) The front only came down about a 1/2 inch.
I was even further disappointed when I headed home for the night. The car rides pretty rough. Not sure what the spring rates of the H&R's are, and I figured 1g awd rear springs might be a little stiff, but damn. Every crack in the road is a light pounding and bigger bumps just feel like the car has very little give.
It was late tonight so I do not have pics of it yet. Hope to get those tomorrow and experiment with the shock settings.