An update after another few thousand miles of driving...
I got the right rear wheel bearing replaced. No more noise. Glad it didn't seize on me while on a mountain road. I'm going to replace the left rear next week, and then I'll have new wheel bearings all the way around.
While digging through some recent issues of SCC, I ran across an early installment of their suspension tech series. (JMV- the scans would take forever. I'll see if I can get you the issue dates. You can order them, and it's a great series.) One of the things that was explained were the different centers: Roll center, center of gravity and instant center, as well as the all important roll couple. Now I think I know why I feel like my body roll increased and my handling quality deteriorated after lowering the front end so much. I'm betting (IIRC) my roll center dropped way down due to my stock suspension geometry, and dropped more than my CG did from the lowering. This increased the roll couple, and worsened my handling characteristics. It sounds like a classic case of overlowering, and also jives with what the R&D guy at Tokico said. Now I'm back to my original idea of using a factory front spring and cutting it just enough to give me about .75" drop over stock. If not, I need to find a front spring that isn't too stiff and will set the front end just where I want it. Fun, fun.
I'm still considering coilovers, but if I get them, I want a fully adjustable set. No cheap stuff. Most likely Tein with the EDC controller. Problem is, I just bought these Illuminas and I don't want to sink $1,500+ into the suspension right now. Not to mention, neither myself or my wife would be thrilled with the much higher spring rates of good coilovers.
I do love the "tucked" look though. I always get tons of compliments on Sparky, but they've increased since the drop. That's the main reason why I don't want to put the front back up to stock height. I'm willing to compromise just a bit.
