[Seven]

Eibachs installed, pics to come this week

As far as I am able to tell, I'm the first 1LE owner to install the Eibach springs. I haven't seen any other posts or write-ups and I've asked for before/after pics and gotten none. So it seems safe to assume... I wanted to share my experience with the install so far. I have NOT aligned the car yet, but the steering wheel is a whole 1/2in off to the left so I doubt any feedback I have on ride will be related. I will update if necessary AFTER the alignment later this week.

Install
We installed this afternoon, we took about 3 hours with plenty of breaks and chit-chat, you can definitely do this faster (especially with a lift). The install is easy and straight-forward and the How-Tos that Phastek and Lethal have done are decent. We used Lethal's video to verify Mag-Ride equipped cars (and thus, 1LE owners) DO NOT use the extra bumpstops that Eibach includes, was nice to know.
You DO NOT need a lift to do this...
YOU DO NEED AN IMPACT! Why? Well the thing that neither how to video shows you is... What do do without an impact when you want to take the front strut hats off... Usually front struts have an allenkey and a nuts on the top... GM decided to use Star/Torx-pattern bits for this area instead of allen keys. You need a Torx T-40... and it needs to be LONG to get thru the socket you'd use on the strut bolt. We had a a T40 and ended up breaking it. We found out the impact was the way to go. But if you don't have one, I STRONGLY recommend you get one before starting the install.

How does it look?
These are rated at 1.1in drop front and rear. However I'd say that's likely for NON-MRC cars, as it certainly wasn't the case for me.
The rear is definitely about .50-.75in lower... The front is harder to tell. At first glance it seemed the same, but after a little driving (about 15 miles home) and settling, I'd say it's probably about a half inch, it might drop a little more over the next week. Looks decent, but don't expect a "slammed" look, it's not going to happen.

How does it drive?
Well I drove home in Touring mode, and put it in Sport a couple times... I did not test S/I mode or Track mode.
Here's my reactions from each...
In Sport - Ride is about the same, didn't feel much different from what I could tell.
In Touring - It's actually softer than stock, or certainly FEELS that way. For me personally, this is a welcome change as I drive in Tour most of the time and the highway near me is somewhat rough. I don't feel like the car handles any worse, I just feel like it's a little more accommodating over rough/broken/uneven pavement.
I can say that since the standard MRC springs and 1LE Springs are likely different rates (why else would the 1LE kit come with new springs), that the Eibachs are likely an "in between" spring rate. A little softer than OEM 1LE springs, but a little more firm that factory 2SS MRC springs.


Overall... I'd spend the money again, I'm pretty happy. More updates to come as the miles get added.