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Driver side rear strut mount finally went out from the hellacious roads here in western PA. So, its time to replace it all. Im not looking for coilovers, as the roads and hills will not make for a good ride at much lower than stock. Ive read about the zx2 conversion, but id really rather be much more interested in something made for our cars. Corksport has got the H&R springs, i think im definitely going with those(and im aware they will lower the car), but im not too sure about the Koni or Tokico struts that Corksport has(one says its just an insert). Im trying to use this weekend to gather up some info and go at it this week after ordering parts. I plan on having a local shop do the work while i provide the biggest parts; springs and struts, as i obviously will need new mounts in the rear and possibly some other items upfront that i dont currently know about. I am aware of the front coil recall, and it was performed on the car in 98 i believe. If im lucky, ill have it done just in time for the last autoX of the season! Any help is appreciated, thanks!

ZX2 struts are made for a escort which is basically the same car, just a different body so that is irrelevant.

If you want a good ride quality then maybe consider suspension techniques, eibach or intrax springs. The H&Rš are linear springs (iirc) so they are abit stiffer then the rest. As for the koni inserts, well I am sure they are good but you dont really need sport valving if you are using a general lowering spring.

Just stick with ZX2, KYB GR2 or tokico blue (do not really recommend). Best bang for your buck is ZX2, but the KYB GR2s can be found for cheap as well and they have a lifetime warranty as well, even if the car is slightly lowered.

I love the ride quality of the tociko HP's and Eibachs (mx, not zx2).

And this is something that you should really be able to do yourself. A couple hours is all you'll need to do it. Just make sure to take it in fo an allignment afterwards.

Also check the FAQs and writeups but Im pretty sure youll want to go with zx2 mounts as well if you choose that route. I think I remember reading theyre of better construction and slightly larger opening for the zx2 shocks... i think?

Just do some searching in the suspension section theres a bunch of info in there!

Well it would seem the problem im running into now is my ABS. I would just as well go with the Tokico blues, but all the listings ive found have said verbatim that they exclude models w/ abs. The Koni Reds are a bit out of my range( if i wanted to spend almost 200 a corner, id get coilovers). Also, ive found plenty of GR-2's for none abs models. Im windering if its something simple like id have to run the speed sensor wires somewhere other than where there supposed to be.

The non abs ones just don't have the tab for the sensor wire. Just zap strap the line to the strut body instead. Not a big deal at all

I've had the stock struts setup with suspension tech springs (1.25" drop) and was very happy with the handling.

On my most recent car, I installed GR2's with intrax springs (1.75" drop) and was very impressed with the ride and handling around corners.

Just a bit of info for you...

Ended up with Tokico Blues(350), Eibach prolines(240), and new KYB mounts, bellows and bumps(200). Took about 7 hours, including an oil change and bleeding the D/R caliper for removal purposes. Its been about 3 weeks now since my alignment after the install and im very pleased! Very little body roll(especially in the rear where the struts were blown) and the rebound/road changes are quick and smooth. My neck of the woods is notoriously bad for potholes, brick roads, and steep hills with bad scraping points, but im satisfied with as minimal a drop as i could get away with. Have to park a few more inches back from curbs, and take some turns up hill a bit more slowly, but its not slammed to the deck, so i get around fine. The improvements in handling are so, that I can certainly tell my brakes are the next area that need addressed already.

Where are you located in PA btw? cause all I could think of was when I was in pittsburgh when I read the brick road bit. Hated it, every minute of it there.

I live west of Pittsburgh near the international airport there. I get as far east as Monroeville, and south as far as i want really. Put about 15K miles on her since i got Blaze in February of this year. Inherited some perfectly good snow tires in my size since my sister killed the family avalon; great news for me!