Both Megan and Skunk2 are cheap junk. Neither is a suspension company.
If you get sleeves, the only quality option on the market for us is Ground Control. They use high quality hardware, and their springs are supplied by Eibach (which is a legitimate suspension company... one that employs actual engineers, does actual R&D, and only focuses on one area of expertise: suspension.)
KYB AGX shocks aren't made for any drop lower than 1.5", which is more than what 90% of the springs on the market provide. They are also known "drop killers", meaning in addition to not functioning properly with a drop, they also prevent lowering springs from lowering the car as much as advertised.
The only shocks that should be used for a drop lower than 1.5", or a spring rate greater than 15% over stock, are Koni Sport ("Yellows") or Tokico Illumina. Bilstein apparently makes a shock capable of handling a drop as well... but I haven't been able to confirm that, so I don't suggest them (especially since they're extremely expensive.)
Get some Koni Sports in place of those KYBs, and you'll notice a significant difference in both comfort and handling. If you think it's good now, wait until you experience it when it's actually done right!
Do your research. Research suspension components and how they work (shock valving, spring rates, etc...), and research the companies that make various products. If a company is not a legitimate suspension company, avoid them. Most legitimate suspension companies will be open about where and how their components are manufactured. Most legitimate suspension companies also supply OEM components for various automakers.
Companies such as Koni, Bilstein, Tokico, KYB, and Tein are legitimate shock manufacturers. Companies such as Eibach, H&R, and Vogtland are legitimate spring manufacturers. There are a few legitimate manufacturers of full coilovers as well: H&R, Tein, KW, and a handful of others.
There are MANY crappy knockoff brands that should be avoided. Companies that are not actual suspension engineering companies. Most of them simply source their products from Chinese/Taiwanese factories that copy legitimate products using inferior materials, machinery, workmanship, and quality assurance. The result is a potentially dangerous product. Companies like D2, Truhart, Raceland, Emusa, Blackworks Racing (BWR), Megan Racing, and many, many others should be avoided.
Ignore what the kids on the internet say. Use your brain. Many of these junk brands are extremely popular these days due to aggressive marketing, attractive pricing, and word of mouth marketing consisting of people that lack the knowledge or experience to have a valid opinion (of course a brand new set of Racelands is going to feel better than 25 year old sagging springs and blown stock shocks!)
Once you've developed an adequate understanding of how suspension components work, and you've identified a few trustworthy manufacturers, all you need to do is compare product specs to figure out what will best suit your needs. Avoid any prices that are too good to be true... as some brands, Tein most notably, are commonly copied and sold as the real deal... so you can get a "bargain" $500 set of Tein coilovers, only to discover that the deep discount was due to the fact that they're not Tein at all! Buy from trusted resellers. Safety, performance, and longevity are worth spending a few extra dollars.
Additionally, you'll want a camber kit. Especially if you plan on lowering 2" or more. The only brands you should consider are SPC and Ingalls. They each offer a variety of styles, so get the style that you prefer (or consult your alignment tech and ask what they prefer.) There are cheaper brands out there... and they break. I actually learned that lesson myself the hard way! When those things break, you crash. I got lucky. Many others have not.
If you get sleeves, the only quality option on the market for us is Ground Control. They use high quality hardware, and their springs are supplied by Eibach (which is a legitimate suspension company... one that employs actual engineers, does actual R&D, and only focuses on one area of expertise: suspension.)
KYB AGX shocks aren't made for any drop lower than 1.5", which is more than what 90% of the springs on the market provide. They are also known "drop killers", meaning in addition to not functioning properly with a drop, they also prevent lowering springs from lowering the car as much as advertised.
The only shocks that should be used for a drop lower than 1.5", or a spring rate greater than 15% over stock, are Koni Sport ("Yellows") or Tokico Illumina. Bilstein apparently makes a shock capable of handling a drop as well... but I haven't been able to confirm that, so I don't suggest them (especially since they're extremely expensive.)
Get some Koni Sports in place of those KYBs, and you'll notice a significant difference in both comfort and handling. If you think it's good now, wait until you experience it when it's actually done right!
Do your research. Research suspension components and how they work (shock valving, spring rates, etc...), and research the companies that make various products. If a company is not a legitimate suspension company, avoid them. Most legitimate suspension companies will be open about where and how their components are manufactured. Most legitimate suspension companies also supply OEM components for various automakers.
Companies such as Koni, Bilstein, Tokico, KYB, and Tein are legitimate shock manufacturers. Companies such as Eibach, H&R, and Vogtland are legitimate spring manufacturers. There are a few legitimate manufacturers of full coilovers as well: H&R, Tein, KW, and a handful of others.
There are MANY crappy knockoff brands that should be avoided. Companies that are not actual suspension engineering companies. Most of them simply source their products from Chinese/Taiwanese factories that copy legitimate products using inferior materials, machinery, workmanship, and quality assurance. The result is a potentially dangerous product. Companies like D2, Truhart, Raceland, Emusa, Blackworks Racing (BWR), Megan Racing, and many, many others should be avoided.
Ignore what the kids on the internet say. Use your brain. Many of these junk brands are extremely popular these days due to aggressive marketing, attractive pricing, and word of mouth marketing consisting of people that lack the knowledge or experience to have a valid opinion (of course a brand new set of Racelands is going to feel better than 25 year old sagging springs and blown stock shocks!)
Once you've developed an adequate understanding of how suspension components work, and you've identified a few trustworthy manufacturers, all you need to do is compare product specs to figure out what will best suit your needs. Avoid any prices that are too good to be true... as some brands, Tein most notably, are commonly copied and sold as the real deal... so you can get a "bargain" $500 set of Tein coilovers, only to discover that the deep discount was due to the fact that they're not Tein at all! Buy from trusted resellers. Safety, performance, and longevity are worth spending a few extra dollars.
Additionally, you'll want a camber kit. Especially if you plan on lowering 2" or more. The only brands you should consider are SPC and Ingalls. They each offer a variety of styles, so get the style that you prefer (or consult your alignment tech and ask what they prefer.) There are cheaper brands out there... and they break. I actually learned that lesson myself the hard way! When those things break, you crash. I got lucky. Many others have not.
Comment