I'm looking to both upgrade the factory 15" wheels to probably 17" and perhaps put on some stiffer springs to improve the handling and tracking of my Gen III Prius III. I'm actually impressed by what the car will do on the factory springs and stock 195/65/15 Yokos, but that is by 1990 standards. I hesitate to use the car as our roadtrip car due to higher-than-average wandering when crosswinds blow, etc. I just believe it'd have a more substantial feel, better handling/braking, etc. with these upgrades. However, I do not want to make the car more susceptible to damage. I've never lowered a car and the Eibach's seem to have a minimal amount of lowering, but is the car already quite low and even this 1.2"/0.8" of drop put me into a whole other world of issues? Thanks, PJ
That 1" front, 1 1/2" rear, drop is going to require different shocks, I put the Eibach's on an Audi I had and the increase in control was incredible, before them the car would bounce from left front to right rear it shuddered, after, with the proper shocks the car would lean over a tiny bit(in a sharp turn), grip and go. I suggest you hunt up an upper front shock strut bar, and increase the diameter of the lower rear sway bar. I run 17"(45 series) summers and just switched from Michelin P2's to Hancook V12 EVO's and love them, silent, 1/3rd the price
if you have reservations about lowering, how about getting rear anti-sway bar and strut brace? they will address your concerns while maintaining stock height.
Not true. They're designed with stock shocks in mind. Several of us are using stock shocks. Now, it is recommended that you upgrade your shocks to something like Bilsteins (does Bilstein even make Prius shocks though) at the same time you put on the springs, because the installation is the same.
I would not be too concerned. I have a set of Eibach's on order and can not wait to get them installed.
As long as you don't drive hard and take corners like a maniac, you shouldn't expect premature damage. As long as you have good driving habits and keep driving the same way, the life of your struts shouldn't be affected.
Eibach drop isn't enough to really have to worry about scraping. Even htechs don't drop you to the point of where its a problem. I'd look into a rear sway and strut bar too. It'll help the loose steering sensation.
