Don't want to lower. What are my options?
 

Been reading threads for the past day or so and I'm still confused as most threads are related to people lowering.

I want to keep the stock springs and height because I have a convertible, with MM full length sub-frame's and scrape sometimes plus the 4x4 look doesn't really bother me.

I do however like a decent handling car and have done the STB as well since it's a vert. Made a big difference BTW.
So at 65k miles I'm looking at replacing the struts/shocks and maybe doing some other stuff like steering rack, Steeda front sway bar, bushings etc.

I was looking at the Tokico D-Spec because I like the idea of adjustable and I do drive semi-DD on crappy roads as well as smooth twisty ones.

So what would be a good method of tightening up the car without lowering and without making it a kidney killer?

TIA for any advice!
Steve

Hate to be a buzz kill, your your asking for two different ends of the spectrum. I think the best thing to do would be to get coilovers, with a wheel rate that is slightly stiffer than stock. Good Bilstein sport shocks and struts to match. I wouldn't replace any of the bushings with polyurethane, keep the stock rubber, only replace what is worn. A panhard bar in the rear will tighten it up a good bit. You can use the Tokico D-specs with coilovers, but so can the Tokico Illuminas which are cheaper, a little more user friendly, and will be enough for the softer spring rate that it sounds like you will be running.

Hey 01FR500 ! Thanks for the quick reply. Yea, I agree with you on bushings because I did them on my Caprice SS and didn't like it at all. Even though most were "greasable", they still creaked and they made things too tight.
I'm a little nervous of coil overs because that's much more than I really need.
Panhard bar is an excellent idea!

The thing I was concerned about with aftermarket dampers is that I get the impression from reading the sites that they are mostly designed for dropped cars, which mine is not.
Also with the vert, the spring rates are a little different.

I know that using the stock dampers with lowering springs is the kiss of death for the stock dampers.

Is the reverse true with aftermarket dampers and stock springs?

Am I going to create a "highway hobby horse" here with stock springs and any one of the aftermarket damper kits?

I drive a lot of highway cruising miles, don't race, definitely don't drag race but just want to take the curves a little better and get rid of the "rubbery feeling" the car has, part of which is because it's a vert, I know.

What do you think of Tokico / KYB / Bilstein, some MM/Steeda CC plates and an upgraded steeda front stabilzer bar along with the panhard bar?

I also have an aftermarket (Magnaflow) exhaust, will that interfere with a panhard?

I am also considering the Eibach Plus kit, dampers,springs,stabilizer bar along with MM/Steeda CC plates even though it does lower the car a little.
Reason being it seems like the kit is designed to work as a complete set, which I like and they also have a kit specifically for the convertible which I also like.

Maybe I should just bite the bullet and lower like most people seem to do?

Sorry for all the questions!
Engines I know.
Suspensions, I am still learning!

Honestly, if I were you, I'd call Maximum Motorsports and tell them what you want your car to do.

Good idea!
I've been very happy with their full length subframes and STB.
Super high quality products.
Their website has a ton of great information as well. Spring rates, suggested dampers etc.
Basically I don't want to go hardcore.
Just +1

Also I have a phobia with alignment shops.
After 40 years of working on cars, I have had so many awful experiences with techs that can't properly align a car, that I am very gun shy.
Currently my car tracks perfectly, wears tires evenly and so forth.
Like I said, after bad experiences I am very gun shy about messing with it although I realize if I want to improve the handling I have no choice.

Aftermarket dampners will control stock springs at stock height very well, if not over dampen. The Eibach Pro Kit spring rates are only slightly higher than stock, 50-170 lb range difference for the front springs since they are progressive. A little stiffer in the rear to help reduce understeer. I forget how much they lower the car though.

Tokico HP (blues) will do a good job of dampening these, so will any Bilstein, other Tokico, Koni. I don't recommend KYB. The Tokico HP dampners are not adjustable, but are cheaper. The Bilstein dampners are progressive, but not adjustable. Everything else is adjustable.

Anti-sway bars are typically a tuning tool, but I think would be good for you since they only affect the car in transitions, bump-travel type of situations, and not while your driving down the highway.

I would agree that a call to MM would be a good idea, they are always helpful. However, make it clear to them that you are not a road racer or looking for anything stiff. They are hardcore there and will set you up with some springs to rattle your teeth out. I don't think you will need C/C platesm but they make it easier to get an alignment, no excuses for the shop for an inability to get it back to spec. I'm not sure if the Magnaflow exhaust has fitment issues with the PHB.

I have Eibach Pro-Kit Springs and Eibach Pro-Damper Shock & Struts...

The ride is about one and a half inch lower, and the ride is not to bumpy. I too feared that I would be riding on a rock but nope not with these springs n shocks. N looks meaner.. I always recommend that kit... If you dont want to lower..but want a tighter ride? then i dunno.

I know how to get exactly what you want... your cake and you eating it too as it were.

You need a coil over conversion and a proper spring and damper selection. I'm thinking 250lbs front springs and a rear spring of MM's choosing. You can adjust the ride height (and it's fuckin' stupid easy and fast to do) in your driveway. You can install it in your driveway. The only parts that you'll "need" are Maximum Motorsports caster camber plates and their front and rear bilstein coil over kits with their regular bilstein shocks and struts.

Since it's coil over you'll get a much higher wheel rate like you would normally get with high rate lowering springs and so vastly better handling but you'll be able to dial in all the extra ride height we normally adjust out and you'll have pretty much the same ride comfort you have now. Over big bumps it'll be just a tad firmer (more controlled feeling... not harsh) and over small bumps it'll be about the same but will feel like it steers tighter (better grip giving a little firmer steering feel).

I have a bad back myself. Trust me, you'll love it.

It is a tad bit expensive but the quality and improvement to the car is truly worth it.

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I'm going to give MM a call and see what they say.