Eibach Pro-Kit Springs and Sway Bar Review w/ pics

[DaJackson]

This ended up being way longer than I was expecting but I know a lot of people are looking at these mods and I wanted to answer as many questions as possible.

Last week I was able to have the Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, and Front and Rear Swaybars installed.

First I want to thank Jeremy Sexton from Car Mods America for getting me the parts. I was having trouble finding all the parts in stock and made a post of FB and he reached out and got me set up with everything at a great price. They are still setting up their website with parts but you can reach out to him at Jeremy@carmodsamerica.com

I also want to thank Vinnie from Vinnie's Exotics in Baton Rouge. He took a break from working on Ferraris, Bentleys and Porsches to work on my Kia. Luckily he saw my Stinger at the detail shop around the corner from his shop a few months ago and then bought his wife an AWD GT1.

Springs: The springs are listed by Eibach as being for the AWD Stinger. However I confirmed with Eibach that they fit and function fine on the RWD car. As of a couple weeks ago they were in the process of updating their documentation, but it looks like the website still hasn't been updated.

The ride is firmer however it is not harsh. My previous car was on fully adjustable H&R Coils at about 75% firmness, this is no where near that harsh. But it is a sportier ride and moves a bit away from the GT style.

The biggest difference is the "float" over bumps is pretty much eliminated. Previously when the car would hit a bump the spring/shock would compress then bounce 2-3 times to help reduce the impact of the bump which felt like "float". The bounce has been reduced.

Also on hard acceleration and braking the pitching back and forth has been eliminated. This makes having to brake and turn (i.e. evasive maneuvers) feel much more under control. Hard acceleration has lost some of the squat then go feeling, it just goes.

Drop Measurement - this is a ground to fender measurement with a 1/2 tank of gas.
Rear:27.5"
Rear: 26.5"
Overal: 1" (1.125” after settling, see update below)

Front:27.375"
Front: 26.5"
Overall:0.875" (1” after settling, see update below)

The drop is sufficient enough to make a difference, however it does not look obviously lowered. Its a good look if you are not trying to draw more attention than just people admiring how good the car looks.

Update: The car dropped another 1/8” front and rear after 2+ weeks and 300-400 miles.

Eibach Pro-Kit Springs and Sway Bar Review w/ pics

Sway Bars: The rear sway bar is a pretty straight forward install, remove the end link, remove the mounting bracket, slide sway bar out from the side. This can probably be done on jack stands by just taking the wheels off. The most difficult part looked to be getting to the drivers side mounting bracket because of the fuel lines. Just use a small ratchet and you'll be good.

I had the rear bar set at the soft setting to start. Switching to the harder setting is easy, remove the bolt to the end link and move to the harder setting. This might be able to be done without taking the wheel off which would make changes at the track very easy.

Overall the car is very flat now in the corners. As much as the the Stinger got praise for its handling in early reviews it leaned quite a bit in the corners. That has pretty much been eliminated at this point.

One change that Im not sure if is due to the Springs or the Sways or a combination of both, is that previously going around corners with bumps the car felt unsettled. Now the car had no issues.

Overall Impressions: Ive had Springs/Coils and Sways on every car Ive owned so I knew I would be happy with this modification and it did not disappoint. It may take away a bit from the pure GT style but in o way is the car uncomfortable. It even got the wife seal of approval, as we were in the car this weekend she asked if I was happy with the changes and I asked her if she could tell a difference "feels the same to me".

The only issue I have now is the headlights are aimed too low, which is common after changing the suspension. I'll just need to adjust the headlights up slightly.

Alignment: Obviously once you change the springs an alignment is needed. If you have a Firestone near you I would suggest buying their Lifetime Alignment. Its $180 if you buy it online and gets you free alignments for the life of the car. Basically if you get 3 alignments its paid for itself.

I ran into an issue with Firestone not having the alignment specs for the Stinger yet. Surprisingly the Kia dealer didn't either. Luckily this post here had alignment specs (thanks @Killa200) and I was able to give these to Firestone and they got everything straightened out. The rear toe was really bad so Im glad I went the next day after install. Ill get it checked again in about 300 miles once the springs have settled a bit more.

Now for the pics

TLDR: Buy Springs and Sways, you won't be sad

 

[Thrashmetl]

Looks awesome! Just out of curiosity what’s the ground clearance on the front bumper after the drop? I had my buddy’s Focus RS for a while and I had to go into my driveway at a 45 degree angle with that thing.

 

[robz32]

great review. This actually puts to rest all the worries I had about the factory suspension. I guess its time to load the cash cannon

 

[DaJackson]

Looks awesome! Just out of curiosity what’s the ground clearance on the front bumper after the drop? I had my buddy’s Focus RS for a while and I had to go into my driveway at a 45 degree angle with that thing.

The overall drop was right at 1” so pull in your driveway and have someone watch for when your bumper gets the closest to the ground. If it’s more than 1” you’re good.

And playing the angle game when pulling into driveways is just the way of life when driving a lowered car. Been doing it for 15+ years so I do it out of habit, even when driving my wife’s CUV.

 

[Socalstinga]

Thanks for the review, I’ve been debating this mod since I’ve never had a car that didn’t have aftermarket suspension setups. I also haven’t received a response from my email to eibach regarding the awd/rwd question.

A couple questions:
The website says drops are 1.4/1.2, but looking at your measurements it’s more like 1/.8? I’m wondering if the awd just has a higher ride height but springs are the same length.

Any issues w/ the electronic dampening when switching modes from comfort to sport, etc?

When you say GT style, are you just referring to the soft supple ride?

Again, thanks for the write up!

 

[Thrashmetl]

The overall drop was right at 1” so pull in your driveway and have someone watch for when your bumper gets the closest to the ground. If it’s more than 1” you’re good.

And playing the angle game when pulling into driveways is just the way of life when driving a lowered car. Been doing it for 15+ years so I do it out of habit, even when driving my wife’s CUV.

I’m embarrassed to admit I don have my Stinger yet, just planning for the future at this point.

 

[STINGER]

Excellent review

 

[Terra]

Great review ....... Looks good.. ..

As above, how has it effected the electronic dampening?

 

[DaJackson]

I also haven’t received a response from my email to eibach regarding the awd/rwd question.

I just called them, they were bery helpful over the phone.

A couple questions:
The website says drops are 1.4/1.2, but looking at your measurements it’s more like 1/.8? I’m wondering if the awd just has a higher ride height but springs are the same length.

Correct, from the alignment thread I posted above you can see the AWD rides about 1/4 inch higher in the front, plus with the added weight of the AWD system it gets a bit more of a drop.

Any issues w/ the electronic dampening when switching modes from comfort to sport, etc?

None, the car functions just like it did previously.

When you say GT style, are you just referring to the soft supple ride?

Correct, if I drove 50-60 miles of interstate every day I would put more value on the softer ride. But id rather have better cornering with a slightly firmer ride.

I’m embarrassed to admit I don have my Stinger yet, just planning for the future at this point.

Ok, I’ll try to take a measurement this morning.

As above, how has it effected the electronic dampening?

The functionality is the same. I know some people say they can’t feel a difference between Comfort and Sport on the stock suspension but I could. I’d say the increase in stiffness is very similar between the modes now as it was stock. It just has a firmer starting point in Comfort.

 

[KLR STINGER]

great review. Looks perfect and glad the sways are worth it too. First thing going on the car when I get mine

 

[DaJackson]

@Thrashmetl the bumper clearance is just about 6 3/4”.

 

[Socalstinga]

Thanks @DaJackson... it’ll be interesting to see how the stock shocks hold up w/ the shorter spring

 

[DaJackson]

Thanks @DaJackson... it’ll be interesting to see how the stock shocks hold up w/ the shorter spring

Honestly I’m not really worried about it. It may reduce the life of the shock from 100,000 miles to 80,000 miles but Eibach’s Pro-Kit line is designed for stock shocks. When you go with the more aggressive drop of the Sport Springs they recommend new struts.

On my previous cars with Sport levels of drop I’ve not had a shock blow out with 50-60k miles.

 

[mhal8876]

car looks gorgeous on that drop and awesome review as well. Once i have the cash will be getting the Eibach Pro Kit and Sway Bars as well!

 

[DaJackson]

One other thing I forgot to mention.

Turn in feels much sharper than before. Where as before you would turn the wheel and there would be a bit of roll as the car starts to turn that has been eliminated and the car starts to turn in quicker. I found myself over turning, turning the wheel too much, on some corners early on as I was getting used to the change.

 

[gilthanis1]

Yes, the car does look amazing, just closing up that tiny bit of fender gap.

I do have a couple of serious questions though. Being that the AWD is a bit higher, do you have any idea if it would sit about the same as yours when done?

2nd, how harsh is the ride? Reason being is this is the first car I've had that springs/sways were not done w/in a week, but life has changed. Disabled vet, but still work full time, although I do have permanent lower back problems and nerve damage in my legs. Would you say the ride would be to harsh? I love the look, but the roll/pitch elimination is what it most interesting. However, I have to consider daily life and I drive the car 60-70+ miles a day with 30+ being on the highway.

GREAT write-up and thanks a ton for the info!

 

[DaJackson]

I do have a couple of serious questions though. Being that the AWD is a bit higher, do you have any idea if it would sit about the same as yours when done?

2nd, how harsh is the ride? Reason being is this is the first car I've had that springs/sways were not done w/in a week, but life has changed. Disabled vet, but still work full time, although I do have permanent lower back problems and nerve damage in my legs. Would you say the ride would be to harsh? I love the look, but the roll/pitch elimination is what it most interesting. However, I have to consider daily life and I drive the car 60-70+ miles a day with 30+ being on the highway.

1st, yes I think the AWD version would sit at about the same height, possibly slightly (1/4”) lower of the numbers from Eibach are accurate.

2nd, that’s a personal decision but I would not call the ride harsh at all. But my perception of harsh may be different. I’ve ridden in many slammed VWs that have mm of clearance between the tire and fender wells, those are harsh rides.

I would say that if doing your drive in Sport suspension mode doesn’t cause you any discomfort then this isn’t drastically firmer.

But if you mainly want to eliminate the body roll then sways are an easy solution. The install is straightforward and relatively quick and wouldn’t have any impact on the ride quality.

Hope that helps.

 

[Socalstinga]

1st, yes I think the AWD version would sit at about the same height, possibly slightly (1/4”) lower of the numbers from Eibach are accurate.

2nd, that’s a personal decision but I would not call the ride harsh at all. But my perception of harsh may be different. I’ve ridden in many slammed VWs that have mm of clearance between the tire and fender wells, those are harsh rides.

I would say that if doing your drive in Sport suspension mode doesn’t cause you any discomfort then this isn’t drastically firmer.

But if you mainly want to eliminate the body roll then sways are an easy solution. The install is straightforward and relatively quick and wouldn’t have any impact on the ride quality.

Hope that helps.

@DaJackson now that your lowered a bit, has the ground clearance from the ground to your sways been an issue? I’ve had sways before on a previous car w/ a coilover setup and the type of sway bars I had on there were a little lower, maybe .5-.75 inches lower than stock.

 

[4wheelpilot]

What can one expect for cost of installation ($/hr and # of hrs) of the Pro Plus Kit?

 

[DaJackson]

@DaJackson now that your lowered a bit, has the ground clearance from the ground to your sways been an issue? I’ve had sways before on a previous car w/ a coilover setup and the type of sway bars I had on there were a little lower, maybe .5-.75 inches lower than stock.

The sway bars are direct replacements so they are just thicker and don’t fit any differently.

Check out my thread with pics of the rear suspension. 3.3TT - Rear Brakes/Suspension Detail Pictures

The rear sway bar sits above the exhaust and drive shaft. The front bar sits above the skid plate as well. There should be no worries with ground clearance.

What can one expect for cost of installation ($/hr and # of hrs) of the Pro Plus Kit?

Labor rate is going to vary by area and type of shop. Anywhere from $100 to $120 per hour seems normal from what ive seen. It should take about 2-4 hours worth of work.

I’ve seen people have springs installed for $200 I’ve seen people pay $800. I’d say $300-$400 is the common range.