Which sub <$1,500 coilover?

[s13kid989]

I would go with fortune auto, FEAL, or RS-R. For under $1,500 your not going to get much. If you wanted to spend the extra grand I would buy the set of MCS's for sale in the classifides section.

Just remember stiffer is not always better, and every car equipped with Tein suspension I have ridden in or driven rode like complete crap. Only Tein I would get would be the SRC, they are up there with KWcs.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Carlysh

So basically can I start with the rce springs for a little stiffness and lowering the car but keeping perfomance with the stock shock will be good?? I want to lower the gap in the car but like the Op is thinking stiff and performance in mind. Thanks for the thread been wondering the same thing

This would be good, as a spring&strut combo would be easy, fast, no-fuss and cheap to start right away if low on money, with just getting the springs first and then getting the Bilsteins or Konis later on when you have extra money...I like the idea because it can be seen as a "modular" setup.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by solidONE

You must not have experience with Bilstein dampers. Like Andy and Mike were saying, Bilstein make some really beefy shit that are super consistent. Arguably better than Tein, IMO. If you look at OE high spec models (R package or Sport package) they will more likely than not come equipped with Bilsteins. For good reason. Their motorsport stuff? Even better.

As far as the lower price range coilover setups, those Fortune Auto seems to be well constructed and based in the US. But I have 0 experience with them. They do look real good on paper, the specs. I wish there were more in depth end user reviews on them.

Yes, Bilstein's sound/look very high quality and tempting. I think I will add and highly consider the B14s to my list.

But, a bit of a weird decision choosing between the B14 vs B8+TarmacSprings though.

...since you can get the complete B14 system for $1100 ($140 cheaper than the B8 and spring combo); and I think I read the dampers and dampening on the B14 and B8 is similar, if not firmer than the B8.

I really don't know which (b14 or b8) has the more aggressive dampening, also nor do I know which (b14 springs vs rce tarmac springs) has the more aggressive and stiffer spring rate (since we're compared a progressive b14 spring vs the 5kg linear on the RCE Tarmacs).... both sound great, but which would be the better bang for the buck and which is more aggressive? Pros and cons to each would be great (b14 vs b8+tarmacsprings)... but, I guess we don't have a Bilstein representative, or someone with high experience/knowledge of the b8 & b14 yet (since they're new), to school us.

[fooddude]

I think I've finalized the decision on the Tein SF. Or, if I happen to save an extra $500, I might try the MonoFlex or the HKS Sp.


Reasons:

The Bilstein options of course are very attractive given their reputation and quality; but, the soft progressive spring rates and it being focused on a DD "cush" ride is the total opposite of what I want. I do NOT want anything that resembles stock nor do I want a caddy "floaty" feel. I honestly don't care about comfort much (this is a playful sports car; not a luxury sedan) and I wouldn't mind even driving a full blown race/drift built production car for DD, if that means anything, hehe. The B14 or RCE Springs are probably similar to my old S13 with 4.5kg springs and tanabe shocks, which felt good; but it was still far from being my ideal aggressive spring/shock (from what I expect and picture) and left me itching for more (higher rates and firmer dampening). "When in doubt, throw it out" I say; or, better, "when in doubt, don't buy it" ...and, the super soft rates and progressive springs of the B14 just gives me too much doubt (teamed with past reviews that left little to be desired for myself - ie: "better handing, but rides similar to stock," "rides like stock, but a little firmer" "soft and a little bouncy," "I prefer linear after using these for a week," etc, etc)... just something I know I will not be happy with.

Buddy Club: Totally change my mind on these and are X'd of the list, after more research and finding out of it's poor build and/or quality control with many reports of them breaking.

KW: Pass. Again, these too sound like they might be too comfortable and not aggressive enough, from what I've read.

Tein: Sounds good enough - decent good quality, built in-house, coilover specific brand, ability to be serviced easily. Even though Bilstein has world reputation for quality (and perhaps much better than Tein). And 7kg rates (with its' complimented dampening) sound exactly what I want (I want at least 6kg) and much firmer than the soft B14 rates.

Feal, Fortune Auto & others: I just haven't heard of them enough and haven't read any reviews. I don't want to risk it.

RCE: The other only one I'd pick, given their great reputation in real world motorsports usage and users. But, it's a bit out of budget. Maybe though.

[mwjcyber]

Originally Posted by Kodi

Fortune Auto 500 series

^What he said

[fooddude]

I have noticed many suggestions to the FA-500's ...I will now look into it and research it more.

Though, upon quick searches, I notice people posting and asking about them compared to ST, Stance and other cheap generic coilovers; which kinda puts me off honestly (because those are the coilovers I def do not want - focused on DD, soft rates, and cheap)...but, I will still look into them right now, since there's been quite a few recommendations and the specs appear decently aggressive and customizable.

Thanks.

[Carlysh]

Originally Posted by fooddude

I have noticed many suggestions to the FA-500's ...I will now look into it and research it more.

Though, upon quick searches, I notice people posting and asking about them compared to ST, Stance and other cheap generic coilovers; which kinda puts me off honestly (because those are the coilovers I def do not want - focused on DD, soft rates, and cheap)...but, I will still look into them right now, since there's been quite a few recommendations and the specs appear decently aggressive and customizable.

Thanks.

Ft86 speedfacetory has fortune 500 in their shop car and I have seen some track video with it and they say there gonna raci this season with it too

[OrbitalEllipses]

@fooddude have you considered the Bilsteins with different swaybars? There are multiple elements to suspension tuning and springs/dampers are only one part of the equation; it's possible to have increased performance with stiffer springs and better dampers, while still being comfortable. The car's reasonably stiff from the factory and I don't think there's a reason to go full-race stiffness off the bat when you can actually increase overall performance through different measures. It's your car and your money so your tuning philosophy could very well be different from mine - shocks are where I'd drop the most money I could though.

[fooddude]

@OrbitalEllipses:
No aftermarket swaybar, I am keeping mods minimal. All I want is coilovers, wheels/tires, brake pads/fluid and that's it! I don't want GAS nor to keep modifying the car non-stop. I am happy the way it is mostly stock and don't want to get too into it in modifications..less complex, more simple, more stock...and a simple set of coilovers will make me content, will have the most drastic change/improvement out of any other single modification and will easily do the trick, for me.

Yes, of course swaybars would be nice. I put a 21mm rear swaybar on my EG in the 90s, with reinforced mount plate brackets and the corresponding lca's so the type R bar bolted on. It was a very nice mod and big improvement.

I am well aware there are many parts that will improve suspension - from links, tie rods, poly bushings, solid metal bushings, control arms, knuckles, subframe bushings, etc., etc., etc..... but as said above, I do not want to keep buying and buying parts...the ONLY suspension mod I will do are coilovers...and that's it. 1 part/mod.

The rest of the car is very high quality, OEM super reliable and performs great! My skills will never really need those other mods anyways. Yes, of course I would definitely feel them and they would help, but do I really need them? No, I do not... I am not competing nationally or locally, or anything, I am not racing for points nor professionally nor for records ..so I do not need all those other parts.

Skills improve with experience, not with all these new awesome parts... Make due, and the most, with what ya got, I say ....stock parts will only improve a driver much more and will make you appreciate it in it's stock form and shortcomings.

Again, simple is my plan. Just a simple and fun car, with very very few/minimal mods. So let's please stick to the topic of coilovers only

[fooddude]

After much more reading and research...those FA coilovers are seriously arousing me, lol - custom built to order, Any rates of your choice on order with matched valving (at no extra cost, to boot), Swift spring option, they emphasize digressive (though I believe most dampers are; but at least they focus on and market this), built in house in the states, rebuildable in the states, focus on aggressive use, an amazing 5 YEAR warranty (which includes track use) etc., etc.

Additionally - Nothing but happy users and customers that want a stiff/aggressive/performance setup (including great track/autox reviews and users). Re-reviews after 1+ years of usage - still good and nothing horrible. (of course I've read good reviews of Tein; but I'v also read too many bad ones and for many different various cars).



...this Fortune Auto coilover almost flew under my radar. Thank you all for showing me the light and the recommendations. I believe I have finally found my ideal coilover that is affordable, aggressive and quality. (the Feal looks quite similar too...though I think FA has the edge with all their specs and customizability).




Now....510 or 500...what are the main differences?? Is the extra $400 justifiable? (since it's already going to be an extra $400 on top for the Swift and thrust bearing upgrades).

[CSG David]

If you are offered Swift springs as an upgrade option to existing "customized" coilover kits at the sub $2000 level, it already means it is compensating for something. As we all know, springs do not absolutely change quality of ride.

Swift springs are amazing, but at the level of damper quality and valving, it masks deficiencies that are not easily identified on the surface level. Good luck with your decision. We've tested many setups that are available on the market (plus secret stuff). This isn't magic.

[Krispeee]

Originally Posted by fooddude

After much more reading and research...those FA coilovers are seriously arousing me, lol - custom built to order, Any rates of your choice on order with matched valving (at no extra cost, to boot), Swift spring option, they emphasize digressive (though I believe most dampers are; but at least they focus on and market this), built in house in the states, rebuildable in the states, focus on aggressive use, an amazing 5 YEAR warranty (which includes track use) etc., etc.

Additionally - Nothing but happy users and customers that want a stiff/aggressive/performance setup (including great track/autox reviews and users). Re-reviews after 1+ years of usage - still good and nothing horrible. (of course I've read good reviews of Tein; but I'v also read too many bad ones and for many different various cars).



...this Fortune Auto coilover almost flew under my radar. Thank you all for showing me the light and the recommendations. I believe I have finally found my ideal coilover that is affordable, aggressive and quality. (the Feal looks quite similar too...though I think FA has the edge with all their specs and customizability).




Now....510 or 500...what are the main differences?? Is the extra $400 justifiable? (since it's already going to be an extra $400 on top for the Swift and thrust bearing upgrades).

The 510 might be too stiff as it's valved aggressively and intended for track use with sticky rubber. Might be overkill if you're intending on keeping your 86 as a DD.

Speaking of intentions, I'm assuming you'd like a firm ride specifically on the streets? I'm kind of in the same boat as you with my expectations of the car and what I want to do with it.

The way I'm going about in making my decision with suspension choice is to start from the ground up with tires and building from there. I don't think one can determine what needs to be upgraded if you don't benchmark somewhere and build up.

After reading a few posts and looking at your suspension choices, I'd go with the B8 + RCE Yellow or Tarmac if you're not looking for ride height adjustment. If you're looking for adjustment, the FA500 might be your answer.

Good luck with your build!

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Krispeee

The 510 might be too stiff as it's valved aggressively and intended for track use with sticky rubber. Might be overkill if you're intending on keeping your 86 as a DD.

Speaking of intentions, I'm assuming you'd like a firm ride specifically on the streets? I'm kind of in the same boat as you with my expectations of the car and what I want to do with it.

The way I'm going about in making my decision with suspension choice is to start from the ground up with tires and building from there. I don't think one can determine what needs to be upgraded if you don't benchmark somewhere and build up.

After reading a few posts and looking at your suspension choices, I'd go with the B8 + RCE Yellow or Tarmac if you're not looking for ride height adjustment. If you're looking for adjustment, the FA500 might be your answer.

Good luck with your build!

Track use and "valved stiff" are not mutually exclusive. The valving is there to damp the motion of the springs; they don't serve any other purpose on low end coilovers.

A badly damped, low spring rate coilover will ride far worse than a well damped, high spring rate coilover.

This is where the big cost difference comes in. Larger budgets allow for something more than generic, commercially available damping components that anyone can buy from overseas. It also allows for better QC, which leads to longer damper life and consistency between dampers.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Krispeee

Speaking of intentions, I'm assuming you'd like a firm ride specifically on the streets?

No; I want a firm setup specifically for the track and autox (in other words: daily street car usage is not my primary concern)

Originally Posted by Krispeee

After reading a few posts and looking at your suspension choices, I'd go with the B8 + RCE Yellow or Tarmac if you're not looking for ride height adjustment. If you're looking for adjustment, the FA500 might be your answer.

Good luck with your build!

Yes, the Tarmac Greys + B8s are still on my list... they seem to be the most non fuss and also most reliable (closest to OEM quality and reliability I bet) and quality setup (especially from all the research I've found concerning broken/problematic coilovers from Tein, Buddyclub, HKS, and pretty much any other brand... being recently advised that Fortune Auto parts/components are made in China (perhaps Feal parts are china made too???)... etc., etc.). But, yes, I would like at least something height adjustable. And also, I am sure 5kg Tarmac springs wouldn't satisfy me (I've had 4.5kg before on my S13 and I wanted waay more still). B14 are off the list, as the rates are too soft and I do not want a progressive springs.

So, now, with FA500 off the list (changed my mind since they are Chinese coilovers)..I am down to, and back with, Tein SF or the softer Tarmac springs+B8.


Anyways.. Are Feal parts Chinese made too??? (they come standard with Swift springs too; which FA500 does not)