What is a safe drop on coilover sleeves w/ stock struts without blowing them. I'm riding on 205/45/16 tires and i want to minimize the wheel gap. Would a 2" drop all around be safe? I know the phrases "you get what you pay for" and all that crap, but i don't have a grand to spend on full coilovers right now.

 

Then save until you do.

 

They'll blow your shock regardless i was on the same boat as you 6 months ago and my friend gave me sleeves but I ened up saving and bought a full coilover which in the end was very worth it. Everyone will tell you the same thing and its for a reason or you could be like a kangaroo for a while then end up getting a new suspension not by choice it would make a good lession learner "good day mate" lol

 

or just get some lowering springs?

 

What blows your stock dampers (shocks) is not the drop, alone. Although that can contribute to stock damper failure, It's the spring rates that have more of an effect on damper failure. If the aftermarket springs are significantly stiffer than the stock springs, then the stock dampers can't properly control the motion and they are forced beyond their limits of control. That is what blows stock dampers in most cases of aftermerket springs with stock damper combinations. Dampers are their to control the action of the spring (how quickly, or the rate at which, the spring is allowed to compress/rebound). Dampers should be valved and matched to the spring rates they were designed for.

If your springs are still relatively soft (like eibach sport lines) then you should be totally fine with the stock dampers.

My car has bn dropped 2-2.5" on eibach sportlines with stock dampers for longer than I've owned the car (bought it this way) and the stock dampers are still totally fine after 240,000kms.

To the OP: I suggest you get a good set of sport springs or lowering springs like the eibach sportlines or similar type. As long as they are still fairly soft springs, you should be fine on the stock dampers with a 2" drop. You can look up the spring rates and compare them to the stock spring rates if you want. If you're worried about cornering with the softer springs and want a little mor roll control while cornering, you can always go with larger anti-roll bars.