Springs over coilovers ?

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by ayau

Too many variables to account for that 1 second difference. Maybe your friend already considered them, but we don't know that. Some things to consider...

tires
weight from sedan to coupe
driver skills
wheel alignment
etc

Not saying I don't believe your friend, it's just difficult to say that having only springs was actually better than his previous setup.

Absolutely get it and I completely agree.
- Tires were the same...in fact same rims as well (TE37's with Hankook RS3's. he kept them)
- Oddly enough, weight is almost exactly the same. No idea how BMW did this, but the E90 (coupe) weighs 3704lbs and the E92 (4-door) weighs 3,726lbs. Crazy, but cool!
- Alignment: Same shop, same specs
- Driver skills seem to be the biggest factor here. He's a good driver, so I can totally see him improving.

I think the point behind my post was more that coilovers can actually ruin how your car handles if not set up correctly, and lets be honest, most people don't know how to set them up correctly. They are too focused on stance and less on performance. You can do a lot to improve the handling of a car, especially one like the FR-S with a coilover suspension already just simply by getting a better tire and corner balancing the car. Kevin (my M3 friend) was more impressed that going from a car with a big brake kit and KW's to a car with stock brakes and lowering springs, his time IMPROVED even though his set up "got worse." :happy0180::happy0180:

Thanks for your post!

[DanoFA20]

i know lots of pals who have sti's and use them for time attack and use just stock struts and get rce springs and better sways and they do fantastically so i myself am going with RCE yellows until i know where the cars handling needs improvement and where it doesnt then get coils and start dialing in where the best setting is.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by DanoFA20

i know lots of pals who have sti's and use them for time attack and use just stock struts and get rce springs and better sways and they do fantastically so i myself am going with RCE yellows until i know where the cars handling needs improvement and where it doesnt then get coils and start dialing in where the best setting is.

Are you just doing springs? Or are you adding any bushings or camber adjustments?

[DanoFA20]

Originally Posted by husker741

Are you just doing springs? Or are you adding any bushings or camber adjustments?

im doing springs , probably the whiteline camber bolts aswell id like to get the positive steering response system aswell.

[husker741]

I'm kinda new to lowering cars cuz I've never done it before and I just want to know if I need anything in addition to the RCE springs. Like should they suffice or do I need the starter kit?

[DanoFA20]

Originally Posted by husker741

I'm kinda new to lowering cars cuz I've never done it before and I just want to know if I need anything in addition to the RCE springs. Like should they suffice or do I need the starter kit?

oh dude if you just want a nice clean drop. you can just do RCE lowering spring kit for 299$ on ft86speedfactory.com comes with springs and bump stops bring it to a shop have em knock them in youre good to go enjoy. camber bolts for the rear are to adjust the camber a little more or less aggressive to your desired handling characteristic or "stance" i dont know the stock settings for teh FRS platform yet but i would like a little negative camber in the rear and maybe even a dash in the front to help maximize grip while cornering.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by DanoFA20

oh dude if you just want a nice clean drop. you can just do RCE lowering spring kit for 299$ on ft86speedfactory.com comes with springs and bump stops bring it to a shop have em knock them in youre good to go enjoy. camber bolts for the rear are to adjust the camber a little more or less aggressive to your desired handling characteristic or "stance" i dont know the stock settings for teh FRS platform yet but i would like a little negative camber in the rear and maybe even a dash in the front to help maximize grip while cornering.

Ok cool. So I should just go with the springs then cuz I won't be tracking this much, if at all. I just want to get rid of that gap. I didn't know if messing with the camber was a necessity.

[DanoFA20]

Originally Posted by husker741

Ok cool. So I should just go with the springs then cuz I won't be tracking this much, if at all. I just want to get rid of that gap. I didn't know if messing with the camber was a necessity.

maybe if youre going with really wide wheels but other tan that you shouldnt need any of that unless youre slammed to the floor

[husker741]

Originally Posted by DanoFA20

maybe if youre going with really wide wheels but other tan that you shouldnt need any of that unless youre slammed to the floor

I'm keeping the stock rims and tires... For now.

[DanoFA20]

Originally Posted by husker741

I'm keeping the stock rims and tires... For now.

yah youll be fine im pretty sure you can fit a 9 inch wide wheel with the right offset on lowering springs someone who has done this or done more research might chime in if i have any wrong info. im going with 17x8 +35 offset myself soon. im liking these rota grids in bronze a lot. too bad i cant afford Volk TE37s ive wanted those wheels for years!!! mad $$