Pro-kits are a great spring because of their progressive spring rates, but won't have a 2 inch drop. The Sportlines would be the way to go if you're looking for closer to a 2" drop.

 

There are several shocks that people regularly use that just aren't made for a big drop. Tokico blues are great dampeners, but have too high of an internal pressure to last a long time with a bigger drop. They will work fine, but there's no telling how long they will acutally last. That's why stock shocks often blow quickly, unless they are fairly new...they just weren't made to ahndle that much internal pressure. Koni yellows are great if you have the money, so are KYB AGX's. How much of a drop do these coilovers give you? I'd personally get rid of the OBX's and get GC coilovers and Koni Yellows if you could afford them. Another good combo are the KYB AGX's and Eiback Pro-kits or Sportlines. These combinations are widely used because they work.

 

My mistake .... slickboy is correct.... Sportlines will should give you alot better of a ride than just about any coilovers on the market.

 

Since your car rode well for the first three months with this setup I think your shocks need to be replaced. Another explanation could be that your springs settled and you're riding lower, which may or may not cause the change in ride quality

I just got my Ground Controls and Koni Yellows installed 2 weeks ago; still riding on the softest shock settings. I'm currently having some issues with ride quality on the freeway also, but I'm saving that for another post. Still, I think GC+Koni yellows are the way to go if you want affordable adjustability; many, many, many people are using this same setup and seem to be very happy.

On that note, if anyone can recommend a good setting for the GC+koni yellow combo I'd be happy to know. Right now when I hit bumps on the freeway (fairly large bumps) going about 65-70 mph, the car bounces really hard and bottoms out upon hitting the bump, and the force actually throws me up out of my seat My rebound is set to 1; I assume changing it would help this problem.

Another question: what are the spring rates on the GC's, and do these rates change with the drop height?

Shingo

 

Most people give the Konis about a turn to a turn and a half. You have the shocks WAY too soft.

GCs rates are linear, not progressive.

 

The shocks were set at 1 for break-in purposes; I'll be sure to adjust them asap. It's kinda embarrassing to be going along at 70 on the freeway and flying everytime you hit a bump h:

I'm assuming you'll have to jack up the car to reach the rear shocks when adjusting; can I adjust the exposed front shocks as is or do I have to have the car jacked up for the front as well?

Shingo

 

This is true in some cases. The shocks will settle in very quickly, especially when using the stock ones, they will sag more than higher quality aftermoarket dampeners.

Yes...your shocks are set too low. Like qtiger said, 1 and 1/2 turns is a good setting, but even if you decide to adjust them to 2, the ride quality will still be good, it will just be a little stiffer, but still very much within the "tolerable" range. Play around with them and you'll eventually find a good setting that works for you. Experimentation is a good thing. Also, what perch are your yellows set on? Adjusting that can have different effects on your cars' ride quality and handling characteristics.

 

To answer the orignal question....its the SPRING RATES that kill ride quality AND handling, if you use crappy shocks... you'll see more of a performance gain from getting a good set of shocks and STOCK springs. With that said, stiff springs and soft shocks is tolerable for some people i have 380 spring rate, and i think that's the upper bound for me. The GC street which is 300F/200R is good starting point, or perhaps 350F/250R match them with Koin's or KYB AGX, and you're good to go. As for bouncing on konis.... everyone mentioned you set the shocks too soft. if you want try 1/2 till firmest on the front and 1 turn till firmest on the bck....its a good compromise.

I think the Integra 3rd gen NON-ITR have externally adjustable shocks, so just adjust the shock from the top

 

Check here for spring rates:
http://www.team-integra.net/sections...?ArticleID=312

Marty.