[Forte5]

So I took it upon myself to try out some lowering springs that were for 14+ fortes. Didn't specify what fortes but it just said all. Well these are Storm lowering springs and got them from K5optimastore.com. I figured I would try them out for all of us to see how these springs are. So I ordered them and took a week and a half to get to me because they come from Korea. So got the springs today and first impression when checking them out is WOW these are really nice. They are on par with all the other companies out there. These are supposed to lower 1.46 front and rear. What I found out upon install these would lower the Koup way more than the F5 due to the fact that the Koup sits up higher than the F5. The F5 sits about 1 3/4 above the top of the tire while the Koup sits about 3" above.

The rears are progressive rate which is really nice and that will help with cornering. I have about only 8 miles on them so far but first impression of the drive they ride just like stock and maybe a bit more comfortable. I took it on a couple hard corners and the car stayed more planted then with the stocks. Mainly the rear stayed way more level because of the progressive rate they have. On the F5 so far they have lowered it 1" all around. They need to settle for the next few weeks and should be close to the advertised height. When I put the car on the ground and at first I was thinking dang it looks stock still. Well once I took it for a ride and the springs settled in their place it did look lower then. So we do have springs that fit perfectly for the 14-15 Koup and F5. These aren't a insane drop like some want but are a good middle ground for those that don't want to go crazy. I didn't want a crazy drop because of taking people with me and I didn't want a harsh ride.

So now onto the pics! I will get better pictures of the car hopefully tomorrow when I clean the car.






Here are pics of stock ride hight




Spring comparison


Here is some crappy night pictures after install. Remember they aren't settled yet




Any questions feel free to ask! I will get better pictures and a better review when I get more miles on them. I have a big trip planned in 2 weeks that will give a big impression then on how they ride. I will hopefully get better pictures tomorrow. It's almost midnight here and me and my wife are tiered from the install. It only took 2 hours but today was 109* and it is now 82* so working in the heat sucks lol

Hope you guys like!

 

[honhon]

Cool beans

 

[schizorazgriz]

Great buy bro! Thanks for stepping out on a limb and testing for all of us. How much were they? Did you use a lift to do it or just a jack?

P.S. We had our second boy last night! Good juju from my forte brothers helped.

 

[Scoobdude]

You also have collars and the torsion/brace combo right? How much of an improvement were the springs in comparison?

 

[Forte5]

Great buy bro! Thanks for stepping out on a limb and testing for all of us. How much were they? Did you use a lift to do it or just a jack?

P.S. We had our second boy last night! Good juju from my forte brothers helped.

Thanks man! I figured I would try them out for us. They are $269 shipped. I did it using jacks and stands. Was super easy. It's not and insane drop but it works good

Congrats man! No better feeling than being there with your child when he is born. Amazing feeling!

You also have collars and the torsion/brace combo right? How much of an improvement were the springs in comparison?

Yes I have the Tork collars with the Evilla torsion bar and trunk brace. As far as I can tell it helped plant the car better. I haven't driven it on the fwy yet or done anything major with it yet besides drive it a few miles to let the springs align in place. I can tell the rear when I start to corner hard is more planted now and holds with the rest of the car. The front also feels more responsive and goes where I want now. The great thing is they ride just like stock and don't have a harsh ride. I did cut the bump stops just in case mainly in the rear for when I load the car.

As of right now so far so good. Again this may not be the drop some people want but for the ones that want the same ride with a little drop these are great. With these I can get the offset I want now for wheels and not worry about rubbing or fender rolling.

 

[Mikeysweettricks]

I can def see a difference! I was thinking of buying these springs off ebay a little while back, but didn't end up pulling the trigger. Would love to see how they sit after a few more hundred miles on them. I really want coilovers but i may just go springs due to the cost difference! How hard was the install? Never changed springs before.

 

[Forte5]

I will get better pics today once I dut the car on the ground lol. I am rotating tires right now lol.

It was super easy to do. The fronts you just need to put on jack stands then put your actual jack under the a-arm and Jack it up a tad. Then remove the sway bar link, brake line bracket, abs sensor bracket and then the 2 bolts connecting to the hub then lower slowly the a-arm to get the spring out. The rears you jack it up and put it on stands and use the jack to raise torsion bar just a tad so you can unbolt the shock on both sides then lower it down. I did it with the wheels on to allow it to drop further. I had my wife push down on each wheel to help release the stock springs.

It took us 2hrs because of my back and just having surgery lol

 

[Forte5]

OK here is another picture. My car is super dirty and hasn't been washed in 2 weeks.

 

[Playwithmymind]

Welcome to the Low but not Slow club.

 

[Forte5]

Welcome to the Low but not Slow club.

Thanks man! I have been waiting since I bought it and finally pulled the trigger to try them. I am loving the look so far that it has provided. Can't wait to go to my trip to san francisco and put some miles on these. I didn't want as low as you are due to some driveways and speed bumps around here and don't want to bottom out.

 

[shanemcelrath]

I finally came back to Cali after being on the east coast since June 1st and man I missed my car I just finished putting my 6th element CAI on and already pumped on it! Love the looks of these as I was skeptical because I didn't want mine riding too low... soon to be

 

[Forte5]

I finally came back to Cali after being on the east coast since June 1st and man I missed my car I just finished putting my 6th element CAI on and already pumped on it! Love the looks of these as I was skeptical because I didn't want mine riding too low... soon to be

These do make the car look way better. Where in cali are you at?

Make sure you reset the ecu after adding the CAI to!

 

[mikex.18]

Are theu worth it?

Envoyé de mon SM-G900W8 en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[shanemcelrath]

I live in Murrieta! You??

 

[shanemcelrath]

We have matching cars also...

 

[Scoobdude]

If these are strut types could you just unbolt the strut from the mount up top and pull em out? Could have swore i have done it that way before on the wrx. IT'S NOT THE SAFEST way though

 

[Forte5]

Are theu worth it?

Envoyé de mon SM-G900W8 en utilisant Tapatalk

Replied in my build thread

I live in Murrieta! You??

I am in San Dimas near raging waters in SoCal

We have matching cars also...

That we do!

If these are strut types could you just unbolt the strut from the mount up top and pull em out? Could have swore i have done it that way before on the wrx. IT'S NOT THE SAFEST way though

Yes we have front struts. You can unbolt the top bold for the shock and lower the strut down but you still have to take the strut totally off the car to get the spring off. It's not the safest but as long as your careful and not just drop the a-arm it works perfectly. Not everyone can get the spring compressors so I did it this way. I lowered it down while holding the spring and strut in place and had no issues

 

[shanemcelrath]

That's sick!! I been wanting to go up there. Where did you get your kia?

 

[Forte5]

That's sick!! I been wanting to go up there. Where did you get your kia?

I got mine at all star Kia in pomona. Treated me very good and gave me a killer deal on the car. If you ever want to meet up we can man. Was thinking of a maintenance day at my place in Sept. Pm me if your down for it

 

[Johno]

Looks good Forte5!! Thanks for being a trail blazer on this - like some others I am looking for a bit lower (not insane amount) at a reasonable cost, and you might have found the solution. Cheers .