John- the bils will be just as stiff as your original R's. The thing with shocks is they wear, so unless u had the stock one from new, the new Bils may seem extra hard at first. But in a few months they will adjust and the ride will be better than b/4. And they work fine with stock springs(since you alreay have a "sport" set up, the car is low enough). On my 97T5, there is about 1.5 inches between fender and wheel, after install of Bils and Konis. good luck,BD