SPS Stage 2 Handling package

[monkeysl2]

On SPS they have this stage 2 handling package. Is this a good deal? My stock suspension sucks, It is totally worn out.

Stage Two Handling Package

Take your Saturn S car's handling to the next level with the Stage Two Kit. Package includes the billet strut tower brace (PWSTB02,) adjustable 16.0mm rear sway bar (SWAY2SPS,) H&R springs, and front and rear KYB dampers.
Stage Two Handling Package
Part Number: PKG003 ... $699.00 Add To Cart Icon

[ProDarwin]

you can buy the parts from tire rack, plus the 17.5mm from sps for less $. Thats what I did.

[eRic 02sc2]

add up those parts seperately from SPS:
billet strut tower brace (PWSTB02,) $189 +
adjustable 16.0mm rear sway bar (SWAY2SPS,) $109 +
H&R springs, $239 +
front and rear KYB dampers $250 ($62.50 x 4)
= $787.
so yeah $699 is a good deal for the package.

[ProDarwin]

Tire Rack:
H&R Sport $199.00
KYB $192

SPS:
STB $99 (The one piece is better - I'll even trade you my billet one for the one piece)
17.5mm $119

Total: $609, and you've got a better handling car.

[eRic 02sc2]

I wondered how the Sprint one-piece was. The billet one looks cool but it looked like it takes up too many treads from the nuts on top and it looks like it lacks wiggle room for caster adjustment? I have a crusty original SPS adjustible strut brace that was on my 92 SC and 96 SC2 but it's not on my 2002 SC2...yet. regarding the rear bar a 16mm ICY non-adjustible one was plenty enough to send me off the track backwards in my 92 SC. I left the stock rear bar in place on my 96 SC2. I haven't decided yet on my 02 SC2 what I want to do yet. I'd like to do one Solo event with the stock stuff to see how the 102.4" wheelbase feels compared to 99.2" it's roomier inside for sure.

[monkeysl2]

Due to a change in circumstances, I am no longer going to buy a new car. So, that means I need to make my dull SL2 better.

Sooo, this is what I am going to do:

AEM SRI -- Ebay
Custom Cat-back -- local shop
KYB struts and H&R springs -- Tire Rack
STB and rear sway -- SPS

So, roughly $1k in parts.

How much do you think it will cost to have the struts, springs, and rear sway installed?

[cloud819]

Do it yourself and save a bundle. My friend did his at the same time I did mine. His costs him $275 from a shade tree mechanic. Mine cost me around $60, I had most of the tools already. It is really easy. I was worried about doing the suspension myself too. But The tools you need are pretty cheap and after that you just need an alingment.

Make sure you have large metric sized combo *****es and sockets. 10mm, 19mm and 21mm are the most often used sizes through the swap. You want to have a selection of star bits a way to conect tham to a ***** too. Also make sure you get a socket the works on you tightening bolts on you spring compresser. You can buy all of the tools needed to do the swap for about $50 at Harbor Freight. After you do you first spring (I'd start on one of the fronts) the rest go really easy.

One tip: When you do your second front spring lift both front wheels of the ground. If you don't you may find that the antisway bar loads up and it becomes tough to put the new springs and shock back in.

[sps SOHC]

Why do you want H&R springs?? Are you doing a lot of racing? cuz I heard they are pretty stiff and not so comfy for daily driving. I'd get some Eibachs.

[monkeysl2]

Originally Posted by sps SOHC

Why do you want H&R springs?? Are you doing a lot of racing? cuz I heard they are pretty stiff and not so comfy for daily driving. I'd get some Eibachs.

They are both in the same category on tirerack.com, performance street, and they have similar drops, but the H&R's are $40 cheaper. I imagine that ride quality and handling will be pretty similar between the 2, but I could be wrong.

[jegster]

Another great mod in the handling department is the addition of a rear strut tower brace. They are easy to modify from a front stb to fit the rear.

I installed one on my '99 SL2 and it made a big difference in the handling of the car. I also have an SPS front stb, SPS 3 way adj. rear sway bar, and Eibach springs.
Large pics
http://saturncraze.com/rearstb/DSCF0017.JPG
http://saturncraze.com/rearstb/DSCF0018.JPG

Here's a how-to on the rear stb mod. http://www.xtremesaturn.net/forum/in...trut+tower+bar

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by sps SOHC

Why do you want H&R springs?? Are you doing a lot of racing? cuz I heard they are pretty stiff and not so comfy for daily driving. I'd get some Eibachs.

i heard that too. H & R have a better ride quality when you are pushing your car to the limit and eibachs are good daily drivers.

[Tom92SCm]

It also depends alot on what kind of tire you have. My H&Rs are actually pretty civil with my Kumho tires on. But when I put my stiff sidewalled Falkens on, the ride quality certainly goes down. If you live in an area with alot of cracks, bumps, holes, uneven concrete and expansion joints, then the H&Rs probably aren't what you want IF you have stiff sidewalled tires. But with soft sidewalls they aren't too bad.

--Tom

[monkeysl2]

well, tirerack made my decision easy. The Eibachs are in stock, the H&R are not.

So I ordered the Eibachs :-)

[sps SOHC]

^^ YEAAAYAH!!!

spswebpage.com:
"Eibach’s high quality German-made Pro-Kit springs combine excellent cornering capabilities, road hugging stability, and outstanding ride quality while safely supplying a reduced ride height. The Eibach is the best choice for most Saturn enthusiasts that are seeking a modest lowered stance and an above-average ride quality. Provide approximately 1.3-inch drop front and rear."

"H&R’s quality performance springs improve handling and give your Saturn a lower, more aggressive stance. H&R springs use more aggressive spring rates than most other springs for reduced body roll and better handling, yet their progressive design allows a fine ride quality when cruising. Each H&R spring is made in Germany from the highest quality chrome silicone wire, shot-peened, carefully compression tested, and paired in matched sets. For rust protection, they are phosphate coated and feature a gloss powder coat finish. Approximate drop is 1.3 inches front and 1.2 inches rear."

[ScurriVision]

I believe TireRack helped you make the CORRECT Choice!!! I just installed KYB Struts with Eibachs, and I'm V-E-R-Y happy with the outcome !!
I'm sure you'll be pleased!


hope this helpz,

[eRic 02sc2]

TireRack is great. they are like a Super Nanny for your car. They won't let you buy anything that won't fit your Saturn. The KYB\Eibach combo is what I'm using now. Less harsh over bumps than the KYB\H&R combo on my 96 SC2 and 92 SC. I got the anti-stock alignment on my 2002 SC2 this morning at Belle Tire. I had a coupon It took them like 2 hours to get it to the specs I handed them. They don't want to see me in there again. The -before- settings were 2.5 to 2.7 degrees of negative camber on each corner and the front caster was like 3 degrees.

[twosaturns]

Originally Posted by eRic 02sc2

TireRack is great. they are like a Super Nanny for your car. They won't let you buy anything that won't fit your Saturn. The KYB\Eibach combo is what I'm using now. Less harsh over bumps than the KYB\H&R combo on my 96 SC2 and 92 SC. I got the anti-stock alignment on my 2002 SC2 this morning at Belle Tire. I had a coupon It took them like 2 hours to get it to the specs I handed them. They don't want to see me in there again. The -before- settings were 2.5 to 2.7 degrees of negative camber on each corner and the front caster was like 3 degrees.

how did you come up with your new specs?

[eRic 02sc2]

how did you come up with your new specs?

the specs in degrees: -1.2 camber front, -1.4 camber rear, 0.1 toe OUT front, 0.0 toe rear, +2.3 caster front. these specs are "legal" in SCCA Solo II in Stock since they are within the range of Saturn S-series adjustment. aftermarket/lowering springs bump you into Street Touring or Street Prepared so you're free to use more negative camber and more positive caster than above if you wanna. you could toe out the rear if you're brave...

[ProDarwin]

Yup, I run STS and I run -1.6 camber all around, 0 toe all around, and stock caster. I try and keep my alignment somewhat tire-wear friendly since I drive almost 30k/year.