CarKid1989 wrote: Drives nice. Front end is tight and feels great even with original struts/springs.
I dare say the stock struts are better than any of the aftermarket replacements. The stock struts aren't gas charged however.
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Feb. 7, 2012 9:03 a.m. HStockSolo Reader
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Feb. 7, 2012 10:05 a.m. HappyJack Reader
Wow. Good clean job. My Saturn build was not even close to clean. then my build wasn't designed to be pretty, or last.
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Feb. 7, 2012 10:16 a.m. bluesideup Reader
I think I see your problem there, your lap times will go way up when you have less than a foot of toe in.
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Feb. 7, 2012 3:28 p.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork
I just got a Curt 1.25" hitch installed, and got a cargo basket for it. Instant station wagon.
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Feb. 9, 2012 7:07 p.m. HStockSolo Reader
The internets are all wrong. The H&R Race springs are quite wonderful on KYB GR-2s. I wish I has bought them a long time ago. Maybe the GR-2s just suck with the stock springs.
And from the look of my rear end, they'd be just fine on a wagon too. Now to try them with the 245/40R17s...
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Feb. 9, 2012 8:27 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
are they not super stiff though?
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Feb. 9, 2012 9:20 p.m. HStockSolo Reader
No, I really like how they feel. I'd say, just firm enough. So far I've only driven a few dozen miles around typical West Michigan roads with 185/65R14 X-Ices on 14x6 rims. My only other Saturn lowering spring experience was with Eibachs on my 1995 SW2 which were utterly horrible.
I didn't try the 17" tires tonight. The rim protector was rubbing on the strut, so I took the wheel off and removed the offending rubber instead (I had already done this with the other tire.) I also rechecked the fitment all around. I might get a square set of these though they also come in a 17x7 +40mm which would probably be better for performance.
FWIW: the little X-Ices are absolutely horrible on the front end--they give up longitudinal traction completely way too easily.
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Feb. 13, 2012 10:14 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
interesting info on spring setups. thanks
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March 9, 2012 9:25 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
The SW2 has been hitched.
Cleaned it all up and bolted it on.
Might test it out this weekend.
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March 9, 2012 11:31 p.m. Dusterbd13 Reader
so, how do you like the OBX exhaust on a daily basis for the past month? my exhaust is on its last legs, so im looking at replacements. for the 20 premium, its definately appealing.
michael
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March 12, 2012 11:50 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
Dusterbd13 wrote:
so, how do you like the OBX exhaust on a daily basis for the past month? my exhaust is on its last legs, so im looking at replacements. for the 20 premium, its definately appealing.
michael
in the wagon, to be blunt, its got a lot of boom to it. Its loud. I will be working on quieting it.
Fitment is not bad. I need to add a hanger to keep it more steady. You might not have that problem.
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March 13, 2012 9:18 a.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork
I have exactly that problem. The section that goes over the rear subframe rests on the rear subframe, no matter how I tweak the hangers and clamps and joints. You really get what you pay for with that system. And despite being stainless steel, mine has little rust spots all over it already. And it sounds good for around town, but it starts to wear on you after like 3 hrs. on the highway.
I'm not sure if I'd buy it again. For this much trouble, I could've bought a glasspack and muffler from Summit, and had Midas bend pipes and install it for the same money and less aggravation. It would be crush-bent, not mandrel, and mild steel instead of SS, but I don't know...
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March 13, 2012 7:59 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
Its not the rear subframe that hits, that was solved but cutting the bit after the cat a bit short. This hits end of the tunnel.
Im just gonna take it to a muffler shop and have em do it. done with messing with it.
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March 18, 2012 12:00 p.m. Geodesiq None
Great job. I want to do something similar but 5-spd SW2s are getting hard to find. You got 6 Mini wheels for $100.??? Where? How much oil does it use?
If anyone knows of a 95-01 SW2 5-spd for sale in the east please let me know.
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March 18, 2012 8:48 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
Geodesiq wrote:
- You got 6 Mini wheels for $100.??? Where? How much oil does it use?
got the wheels on craigslist. lots of em cheap actually. mine came from Columbus and my gf brought em to cleveland coming home from break. it was a win win
Oil usage? ill let you know. 1/5 quart every now and then? Ill track it but its not horrid
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March 21, 2012 12:21 p.m. Geodesiq New Reader
Let me know when you want to sell.
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March 21, 2012 12:52 p.m. ProDarwin SuperDork
Have pics of the car with wheels and tires mounted been posted yet?
Geodesiq wrote:
Great job. I want to do something similar but 5-spd SW2s are getting hard to find. You got 6 Mini wheels for $100.??? Where? How much oil does it use?
If anyone knows of a 95-01 SW2 5-spd for sale in the east please let me know.
Where in the east are you? I see 5 Spd wagons all the time. I just sold a well modded one for $2K. Also, its very cheap and straightforward to do a manual swap on one.
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March 21, 2012 1:29 p.m. Geodesiq New Reader
Where in the east are you? I see 5 Spd wagons all the time. I just sold a well modded one for $2K. Also, its very cheap and straightforward to do a manual swap on one.
Easton, PA (near Allentown/Bethlehem). I check CL & ebay regularly and they are few & far between. I would appreciate a heads up if you see one. Or something similar - hatch or wagon, 5-spd. Thanks.
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April 14, 2012 8:27 a.m. CarKid1989 Dork
White_and_Nerdy wrote:
As a short term cheap solution, you could get a couple of those rubber donut coil spacers and stick them in your rear springs. That should help prevent some sagging, and firm up the ride a little. We used them on all four corners of the $2004 Challenge SL2.
I have seen a bunch of variations of this. You got a link for the donuts you used?
Also, can i lower the front of the car and leave the rear at stock height? seems like it should work as the rear is already level to the front, almost looks slightly lower so if i lower the front an inch then the rear will be only slightly higher.
Right?
Now who has a set of front lowering springs?
