My 97 has the electronically controlled shocks ...can I get standard ones for the rear and abandon the electronic ****? Or even are there shocks from more mundane cars that will fit ?

 

I'm pretty sure that you can just disconnect the adaptive damping module without the car throwing a hissy fit.

But - the CATS shocks will default to the firm setting. Not sure how that would work out with two 'normal' rears?

 

Its the rears I find a bit hard on some road bumps. Will the standard ones fit in terms of mountings ?
If anyone has a old rear shock I would appreciate a photo with a ruler alongside or an extended and compressed length measurement.

 

I have to agree with you there, I also have CATS and I find the rears to be a bit too stiff. The fronts seem to be just fine, whenever I go over a big bump I don't really feel the fronts but I do feel the rears. I think it would be best to ditch the 20" wheels all round and go for 18" wheels. I figure that should help a lot, if that isn't enough, probably go to the standard shocks or just refresh the whole suspension because it's now some 20 years old.

 

I have 18 in wheels.....could the rears be stuck in hard mode?

 

How old are the shocks? If the wire was broken for the shocks or disconnected you would get an error on the dash. They might just be old and worn out same as the springs perhaps. I know mine are a bit worn out because the ride height is a bit wrong on all corners and mine is a 2003 car so it's a bit newer then yours.