Suspension UPGRADE - Shock/Spring Pkg vs. Coilover System - Which to choose?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

Thank you for the response! Regarding the RCE T0's - I noticed that stock it comes with 280/280 spring rates but there is a 350/350 option instead. How much more is the 350 being that the 280 are $1,699 starting?

Extra 200 bucks for the custom spring rates.

- Andy

[themajesticone]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Extra 200 bucks for the custom spring rates.

- Andy

Is it discouraged to run the RCE Tarmac on Stock Shocks? The Tarmac springs and Yellow springs are the same drop height correct? .8" each? I really like your philosophy behind spring rates, and although I wish it was a full inch drop, I understand why you made it .8" - I like aesthetics but prefer handling/performance over the look when it comes down to it.

I did some more researching with some 86ers who like to track, and from their feedback we concluded that the stock shocks are actually quite capable when paired with the appropriate spring, specifically, your rce yellows, swift and eibach pro kit.

Right now I have actually done a bit of a 180 for the time being and have decided to choose between these:

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...-rce-1082.html

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...rmac-1414.html

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...wift-1357.html

In the future, say next year, THEN I may want to upgrade the shocks. What do you suggest if I go this route? I can be very analytically so i want to make sure I make the appropriate decision before purchasing.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

Is it discouraged to run the RCE Tarmac on Stock Shocks? The Tarmac springs and Yellow springs are the same drop height correct? .8" each? I really like your philosophy behind spring rates, and although I wish it was a full inch drop, I understand why you made it .8" - I like aesthetics but prefer handling/performance over the look when it comes down to it.

I did some more researching with some 86ers who like to track, and from their feedback we concluded that the stock shocks are actually quite capable when paired with the appropriate spring, specifically, your rce yellows, swift and eibach pro kit.

Right now I have actually done a bit of a 180 for the time being and have decided to choose between these:

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...-rce-1082.html

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...rmac-1414.html

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...wift-1357.html

In the future, say next year, THEN I may want to upgrade the shocks. What do you suggest if I go this route? I can be very analytically so i want to make sure I make the appropriate decision before purchasing.

I would discourage running the Tarmac springs on the standard shocks. It will work OKAY, but not be ideal. Main issue is the rear shocks can't quite keep up.

RCE Yellows are very good springs and we've had a lot of happy track guys with that kit on stock and aftermarket shocks. Ain't nothing wrong with running those springs on stock shocks and upgrading shocks later.

- Andy

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

I have RCE Yellows on B8s, Raceseng CasCam, SPC rear LCAs, and Eibach bars set to stiff on the front soft on the rear. I really like the car as is, I am dialed in with 0 toe and -3 degrees of camber all around and 255 square setup. The car does well at auto x, and I have had a couple of co-drivers who feel it is set up decently, and it loves to hunt down Porsches in the corners on lapping days. I find it harsh to drive everyday around town but our roads are crap up here.

[themajesticone]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

I have RCE Yellows on B8s, Raceseng CasCam, SPC rear LCAs, and Eibach bars set to stiff on the front soft on the rear. I really like the car as is, I am dialed in with 0 toe and -3 degrees of camber all around and 255 square setup. The car does well at auto x, and I have had a couple of co-drivers who feel it is set up decently, and it loves to hunt down Porsches in the corners on lapping days. I find it harsh to drive everyday around town but our roads are crap up here.

Did you get the 86speedfactory package?

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

Did you get the 86speedfactory package?

No I pieced together my own package from various vendors as I am up here in Canada.

[Turkish]

I run your #2 option. I use my car as a daily driver and for autocross. It is much tighter all around and more evenly balanced than stock. The 3/4" drop still allows me to navigate the city and manage pot holes. I highly recommend it. It is comparable in quality to a 3-4k coilovers system.

[Pacific Auto]

Bilstein B14 + HVT camber plates

$1400 Done!

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

I want to upgrade my suspension so that I can run my car as a somewhat comfortable daily driver, but also be able to take it to track days every month or two and have it perform well. I think many of you would agree, keeping stock shocks and doing an upgrade like this: http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft-8...-kit-1152.html won't cut it for track at least. I have a few options in mind (see below) and I would really appreciate some constructive responses.

*I understand that yes it is non-adjustable vs. adjustable. Keeping that in mind I really have no idea how often I would actually adjust ride height realistically. If there is a better option than the ones I have listed below please offer the suggestion so I can take it into account. Thank you.

Would really like to hear from @Racecomp Engineering @CSG David @CSG Mike and @FT-86 SpeedFactory

1) Bilstein B8 Package(RCE Yellow) - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/bils...llow-1421.html

2) Bilstein B8 Package(RCE Tarmac) - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/bils...rmac-1422.html

3) Bilstein B8 Package(Pro-Kit) - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/bils...-kit-1424.html

4) Bilstein B8 Package(Sportline) - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/bils...line-1423.html

5) Bilstein B14 PSS Coilovers - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/bils...vers-1216.html

6) Skunk2 Pro-C Coilovers - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/skun...vers-1725.html

7) KW V1 Coilovers - http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/kw-v...vers-1001.html

8) Fortune Auto V5 500 Series- http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/fort...lover-206.html

What should I go with?

I'm gonna tell you what you don't want to hear. You're gonna get what you pay for.

If it were me, I'd keep the stock suspension, and get rear LCAs, front camber plates, a good alignment, and run it that way.

Cheap coilovers will NOT improve performance (no matter what people tell you); they're strictly useful for dropping the car. Springs on stock dampers, while not a bad medium, will not increase performance as much as getting a proper alignment.

Bonus: Camber plates and rear LCAs will not be outgrown, even if you go to top shelf dampers, you will be re-using these parts.

If you insist on spending more money, then I'd get RaceSeng CasCam plates, SPL Rear LCAs, and Swift Spec-R springs on stock dampers. We can package all this together for you, and is actually the exact setup that is on our car at the moment.

[Turkish]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I'm gonna tell you what you don't want to hear. You're gonna get what you pay for.

If it were me, I'd keep the stock suspension, and get rear LCAs, front camber plates, a good alignment, and run it that way.

Cheap coilovers will NOT improve performance (no matter what people tell you); they're strictly useful for dropping the car. Springs on stock dampers, while not a bad medium, will not increase performance as much as getting a proper alignment.

Bonus: Camber plates and rear LCAs will not be outgrown, even if you go to top shelf dampers, you will be re-using these parts.

If you insist on spending more money, then I'd get RaceSeng CasCam plates, SPL Rear LCAs, and Swift Spec-R springs on stock dampers. We can package all this together for you, and is actually the exact setup that is on our car at the moment.

+1 on the Raceseng cascam plates, that is going to be my next purchase for my car along with Whiteline rear LCAs. If I had to do it over, I would have done those first as @CSG Mike suggested.

[themajesticone]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I'm gonna tell you what you don't want to hear. You're gonna get what you pay for.

If it were me, I'd keep the stock suspension, and get rear LCAs, front camber plates, a good alignment, and run it that way.

Cheap coilovers will NOT improve performance (no matter what people tell you); they're strictly useful for dropping the car. Springs on stock dampers, while not a bad medium, will not increase performance as much as getting a proper alignment.

Bonus: Camber plates and rear LCAs will not be outgrown, even if you go to top shelf dampers, you will be re-using these parts.

If you insist on spending more money, then I'd get RaceSeng CasCam plates, SPL Rear LCAs, and Swift Spec-R springs on stock dampers. We can package all this together for you, and is actually the exact setup that is on our car at the moment.

I don't mind hearing that at all in fact I was looking for something critical and to the point.

For springs on stock dampers - why Swift Spec-R vs. RCE Yellow or Swift Sport FRS/BRZ ? Do you prefer progressive + it's spring rates?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by themajesticone

I don't mind hearing that at all in fact I was looking for something critical and to the point.

For springs on stock dampers - why Swift Spec-R vs. RCE Yellow or Swift Sport FRS/BRZ ? Do you prefer progressive + it's spring rates?

They last longer, and the spring rates are at the bleeding edge of what the stock dampers can handle.

You'll probably want to cut your bumpstops too.

[Racecomp Engineering]

I wouldn't use Swift Spec R on stock dampers. They're even stiffer than our Tarmac springs in the rear and IMO that's too much.

Also, cut bumpstops generally aren't preferable compared to a full replacement shorter bumpstop.

EDIT: I do agree that camber plates (HVT and Raceseng are good options) and quality rear LCAs are a good thing to think about adding to any track set-up, whether it's with stock springs, lowering springs, or coilovers.

- Andy

[CSG Mike]

While cut bumpstops are not ideal, someone purchasing springs is looking for the most cost effective solution, not the ideal solution.

I absolutely agree that replacing the bumpstops is better than cutting the stock ones.