Coilver/Suspension Gurus Help!!!
 

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/1408/hedv.jpg

Hi guys, that's the way my car sits now and could use some help and guidance from all you gurus as to what my best available options are when it comes to coilovers/springs/struts. I've also heard some of those 900$ budget coilover options are awful but I wouldn't really know :bonk:
I do not track my car and have no need for some super racing gnarly coilovers but I do appreciate quality parts and have been doing my best to avoid cheap/low quality parts.

Are Koni Yellows and Rce Yellows a viable option for what I want?? (I've had great experiences with bilstein struts in the past but alas none are available)

Budget: Anywhere below 2000$ (I don't want the absolute cheapest coils on the market, but looking for more of a viable, "most bang for my buck" setup)
What I want out of my suspension:

1. Lower the car about 1-1.5" (Kill some wheelgap, don't want it slammed nor do I want to scrape 4000x a day)
2. To be able to do #1 without sacrificing quality of ride/quality overall of stock suspension
3. Upgraded or at least equal performance to stock setup ( I appreciate the tightness and superb handling of this car and would rather not ruin that quality)

I'm pretty darn satisfied with the wheel/tire setup I am currently running and have no plans of switching (dimension wise)
Wheel/Tire Specs:

FRONT: Rays Engineering Gramlight 57dr 18x8.5 +38 wrapped in Hankook 225/40/18
REAR: Rays Engineering Gramlight 57dr 18x9.5 +38 wrapped in Hankook 255/35/18

@CSG Mike @Racecomp Engineering

(just noticed your guys' thread lol)

2k and dd screams kw v3

Bilstein B14 PSS coilovers. Quality parts and great set of coils for dd

I'm running the tein flex and I really enjoy it, after they were corner balanced it made them even more enjoyable.

I would go with Koni + RCE Yellow springs. That combo is confirmed to provide great ride and improved handling. If you're not messing with height, those 32+ adjustable damping, simple and effective setup would be ideal for you..

A'pexi N1 Coilvoers are a nice option for a DD. And a great bang for buck...they list our for $1290 and come with new end links too... i have one set left from my black friday blowout for $900 shipped if interested.

I got the RCE Tarmac Zero coilovers. They are pretty nice, though I would recommend looking into the KW V1, and if you are not in a salty/winter climate go for the ST coilovers. They're all based on the KW V1, very similar.

You don't get adjustable camber plates but honestly for a DD it's not necessary. I'd also recommend getting LCA's to adjust the rear camber (I got the new SPC's, they were great!). Front you don't need because the KW's have slotted holes to allow for modest camber adjustment.

Overall I think this setup will cost you in the range of 1500+ alignment (or less with the ST's) and you will be very happy with the outcome for a DD.

The Koni Yellow + RCE Yellow set-up is really good. Definitely a set it and forget it, don't worry about it and have fun driving system. Easy to drive and fast. Mild but noticeable 20mm drop that looks good. The Konis have pretty good valving and are adjustable.

RCE Tarmac 0 (or KW V1) would be good if you want to go slightly lower. A little firmer than the Koni set-up but at least with the RCE T0 it's a bit faster. Still good ride quality.

The Bilstein coilovers are tempting but I have not tried them yet. Myles in the office has some experience.

Either way, no need for camber plates for you and honestly I'd avoid them. Rear LCAs would be a good addition though.

$2k for KW V3 would be tempting, but I'd rather Tarmac 0 for less than spend the rest on LCAs and bushings to round out the package.

Feel free to give us a call or PM to chat!

- Andy

@eddieEndo

let me know what you end up going with as it sounds like your goal is about the same as mine :)

will definitely keep you updated, gonna work my ass off this week to get them probably

+1 to this, OP sounds just like me. I've been racking my brain with all the mods out there. I'm trying to decipher the difference between strategic marketing vs. proven performance.

I currently have ZERO mods on my frs....I'm dying to do something to it!

Not only that but I don't intend to have my FR-S as a racecar or even track/autox that often. I just want the lowering with adjustability (for finding an acceptable ride hide with aerokits and roads around here), and suspension that is as good or better than the car's stock suspension for spirited driving.

I have tried to read about spring rates, motion ratios, etc. and usually it ends up getting too complicated too fast :sigh: Even the stickied thread on here, "Basic tech info: spring rates, rear suspension, motion ratios, and you." was a little hard to follow. I think I need a "Aftermarket Suspension for Dummies" with illustrations :bellyroll:

So far from what I've read the KW V1 coilovers seem to be the way to go for me. I'm know for a fact that I'm going to have a professional install and adjust them.

PMed you, and I totally agree with what you're saying. It's all in my PM lol