[cbreez]

Remember that shocks add nothing to support the car. They don't add any spring rate at all. They control the bounce, period. I could see where you wouldn't bottom out on a smooth road, that's all a function of existing spring rate, load and cornering or other external force. Your springs have the same weight on them, shocks or no shocks. But try really driving hard without any or proper shocks, the oscillations will help you lose it!

You need to know your suspension/shock travel before you do anything with shocks or springs. Push down the rubber grommet on the shock shaft or use a tight, closely trimmed zip tie if your's are missing, and see how much travel you have.