Yes, these settings are going backward from full firm. So pretty much the front is 2 clicks stiffer than the rear. I have yet to drive them on a softer setting. They are very stiff the way they are right now. The HA definetely is a big improvement from stock, no doubt about it, i can corner with these things are roughly 80 and still be ok. The tires give out much before the suspension reaches its limit. I want to go to Willow springs to fine tune these and to just practice at a much higher limit... I don't have noise on the coilovers except for the "whoosh" sound they make on speed bumps and wavy roads. They dont rattle or clank or anything dumb like that, they better NOT!!! hehe..
About the CAI... There is no other way to get down there other than drilling. Im sure you can devise a way, but its not effective, and the car will stall. I went through 6 various bends until i got the car running right. Either bend would either throw the CEL or the car would stall. In one case the car stalled right off of a start. I dont think patenting the intake is that wise of an idea anymore either because the market for intakes is pretty small these days for the IS300... I truly don't know....
