1st and foremost, I
have searched this forum for info

. I got lots of great info that has helped me get this far, but would like to know a definitive answer on this:
Can I get away with a ~1" drop with the stock shocks? I'd like to have a little better performance, a little better look, without spending a whole lot of money.
I don't race, but I drive aggressively, and like to have fun through turns. I have 17" wheels with good tires Yoko a540 (but they are dying) I figure that I should drop my car-- for both aestetic as well as performance reasons --as opposed to going with a rear sway bar. I'd like to keep it under 300 including shipping (install is not a factor).
Second question (not as important as the first): any recommendations for a set of springs in particular?