Ark GT-F Springs Review!

[turboAWD]

Update: I canceled my GT-F order today. Going to do Whiteline sways + links, hopefully myself and see if that + ECS10 is enough. Don't need the car any lower..

 

[ZyroXZ2]

Soooo, this is very interesting... I finished my installation of the ARK GT-F springs and Eibach swaybars on my new GTS, and... it's even LOWER than my first Stinger GT, as evidenced by this pic which clearly looks lowered even without a comparison. This lends credence to my statement that my GTS feels heavier than my old GT, as some of this increased drop is likely increased weight. It's about 1/3" lower than my GT:



I'm surprised at how many subtle differences there are between my old GT and the GTS. Even with the same swaybars and springs, it still doesn't feel as nimble as my GT felt, what a difference weight can make between identical cars. Though, I don't think the weight was enough to drop an additional 1/3", so I think it's something else.

And yes, the springs are the orange GT-F ones, I even checked the part number to see if it changed at ARK, lol

 

[Billy M]

I’ve had mine on for a week and a half now. I love the look and ride!!
Took me a few days to do the install, spending a couple hours here and there, while our newborn would nap. (My wife wasn’t too impressed with my chosen time to install the springs). But overall the install is very easy, minus the tie rods taking forever, and having to resort to a pickle fork.

 

[Pash]

Got mine springs installed today. First impression - no significant difference in looks. But I guess this is a matter of time. Springs probably will settle down in a few days.
After installation I took stinger for a quick ride. And... I don't know. Car feels weird. Like every bump or pothole or just a little imperfection on the road is giving car a hard times. Steering feels loose. Car does not feel sharp in the corners as it was before. But it's springs. Am I going crazy? What could go wrong? It's a simple install done by a professional shop.
Just me? Am I exaggerating?

 

[Aarvix]

Hmm, got any before and after pics? It's not a huge drop but I could definitely tell the difference. If it's not lower, something is wrong (this is where pics would help)

First thing I would do is take it back and explain the issues. "Professional shops" can screw up like anyone else.

Handling was completely unchanged for me. Did you get an alignment after the install? Mine wasn't too far off but I made sure to mark everything and try to put it back where it was, who knows what your installers did. Definitely get your alignment checked.

 

[cncBilly]

Did you need to adjust your headlights? Heard a lot of eibach spring owners needing to adjust them due to the aggressive drop. Also did you get your alignment?

Ok, so I had them installed today. I am currently 26.75" front and rear. (With a couple of gallons), so that's a 1" drop on front and 0.75" drop on the rear from my original measurements. 20" Rims / AWD.

On my drive home from work, which is pretty much stuck in traffic then highway driving, I noticed very little difference from stock with regards to comfort. I'll get a chance to test them more in the coming days and follow up. Overall the drop was exactly what I was going for, not too extreme but enough to close those gaps.



Considering your measurements, i'm wondering if mine will drop anymore in the coming days with more driving? I'm going to wait a week or so before I get my alignment.

Now what everyone's waiting for, the before and after Apologies, quality could have been better as well as outside with more light. View attachment 26932 View attachment 26933 View attachment 26934 View attachment 26935 View attachment 26936 View attachment 26937

excellent look you have there. I’m convinced and sold.

 

[Aarvix]

I definitely had to adjust my headlights, but it's easy with a wrench and some masking tape.

 

[Snowwhite]

I’m getting GT-Fs installed today on my RWD GT2. Stock measurements were a little over 27.125“ on the front and 27.25“ on the rear. Will post before and after photos once they settle a few days.

I had GT-Fs on my 2015 genesis sedan and loved them. They didn’t drop the front much at all, rear about .75“, but the improved handling didn’t affect the ride at all. I had absolutely no settling on those, which I actually wanted. Looking forward to being on GT-Fs again.

 

[Snowwhite]

so after the drive home, front sits at 26.875" and rears at 26.625". we will see if they settle any in the next few days. I plan on having the car aligned thursday or friday. Ride is phenomenal. I haven't blasted through any turns yet, but there was no harshness and if anything, the small amounts of slop this car had stock (nose dive, etc.) are gone. And I deliberately went over some construction joints on the way home to test.

 

[Snowwhite]

Those of you that have had these installed- did you re-aim your headlights manually or did you go to the dealer and reset the values in the computer to aim them back up?

 

[soulevo8]

I had my springs installed by my dealer and he said the headlights were still within spec. With how little the ark springs drop I couldn't notice a difference in headlight aim

 

[Snowwhite]

I had my springs installed by my dealer and he said the headlights were still within spec. With how little the ark springs drop I couldn't notice a difference in headlight aim

do you have the dynamic lights? mine are really low now. they weren't before the install.

 

[soulevo8]

yea, I'm 2018 GT2

 

[CoconutRob]

Those of you that have had these installed- did you re-aim your headlights manually or did you go to the dealer and reset the values in the computer to aim them back up?

Yes I just made myself very easy just not to get the proper screwdriver there's a thread on this already I think it's a number to philips 12" long head lights were already low before Springs

 

[Billy M]

so after the drive home, front sits at 26.875" and rears at 26.625". we will see if they settle any in the next few days. I plan on having the car aligned thursday or friday. Ride is phenomenal. I haven't blasted through any turns yet, but there was no harshness and if anything, the small amounts of slop this car had stock (nose dive, etc.) are gone. And I deliberately went over some construction joints on the way home to test.

my dynamic lights were dangerously low, I pulled my airboxes and raised mine with a socket.

 

[Snowwhite]

I did the airbox/socket method as well and cranked them up. all is well.

I *LOVE* these springs. the ride is fantastic. Still supple, yet no sloppy movements. handling is great. I am still trying to take the "after" photo in the same conditions as the before shot, but the weather is not cooperating. It was sunny in the am for my before shot, and I want to take the after shot in the same timeframe, as the sun was hitting the tops of the tires so you can see the fender gap really well. I want to replicate for the post-install. I'll update when I can take that shot.

The shop that installed them failed to tighten the driver's side rear swaybar link. I kept hearing a metallic clunk every time I went over a bump or took a turn, so I felt around for looseness and found it. Tightened it myself, and no more clunk.

Thanks again to K8Stingerstore- shipping was almost immediate and they were great to work with.
before shots, front wheel first:
.

after shots, same order:

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Thank you so much for the review. I gad to hear the springs have settled in nicely and they are providing the experience you were looking for. I really appreciate the opportunity to work with you and I hope we can get you some new goodies soon.

 

[ghodge]

I currently have the ARK swaybars on my GTS and while the car feels much better now in cornering, I'm still not happy with the ride under all conditions. The car feels good to me on flat road going over sharp bumps. Less comforting is driving at highway speeds and hitting dips. The suspension feels "one and done" but it takes a while to be done such that it gives a bit of a floaty feel. Have you guys with the ARK GT-F springs notice that previously and the new springs took care of it? Are the stock springs linear or progressive? I am weighing the ARK GT-F springs against taking a BIG chance on KW V3 coilovers and using thrust sheets to avoid potential noise.

 

[Ozstung]

I currently have the ARK swaybars on my GTS and while the car feels much better now in cornering, I'm still not happy with the ride under all conditions. The car feels good to me on flat road going over sharp bumps. Less comforting is driving at highway speeds and hitting dips. The suspension feels "one and done" but it takes a while to be done such that it gives a bit of a floaty feel. Have you guys with the ARK GT-F springs notice that previously and the new springs took care of it? Are the stock springs linear or progressive? I am weighing the ARK GT-F springs against taking a BIG chance on KW V3 coilovers and using thrust sheets to avoid potential noise.

I went for Eibach springs and they made a big difference the floaty sensation disappeared and the car felt under more control. My first thoughts were boy this has a real luxury feel to it. The addition of sway bars tightened things up but the springs pleased me most.

 

[ghodge]

Thanks Ozstung. I'm working on finding a shop that I'm comfortable with for the installation.