Coilover reviews? Hks, Tein, Tanabe?

[Trmx2]

Love it when threads get derailed and hijacked.

With that being said, I finally got the coilovers installed this past weekend. I am getting an alignment and proper setup this weekend. So far my initial impressions are very good.

Car feels very planted and the lower center of gravity gives the car a whole new feel. I am conservatively low at about 1.65" F and about 1.57" R settings are from the factory at 15 clicks from stiffest setting all around. I do feel I need to get this dialed in properly as the 15 clicks from stiffest doesn't seem ideal for the harsh roads I travel on daily. Car handles far better than stock, turns feel more confident, high speeds feel more confident, and small twisty roads and long on/off ramps feel great. The car definitely feels better turning sharp corners too, the body roll is lessened greatly.

You can definitely tell that the car is stiffer than stock, but bumps feel better, more controlled, and less jarring. You will still feel the bumps, and the suspension let's you know what the dampers are doing, but that jagged twitchy jarring feel you get when going over a pothole, speed bump, or divot in the road is gone. Now it feels more like the suspension really catches it, let's you know it's there, and then that's it.

The stock suspension always felt out of whack when it hit a large speed bump or uneven divot in the pavement, it took longer to recover and the chassis felt like it took a lot of the work too.

Quality of this suspension is amazing, every detail is there and they look immaculate. There is no noise associated with the coils minus a slight "whoosh" noise when going over a large dip or bump, it sounds like the dampers doing their thing, and definitely does not sound like something irregular.

One thing I am not fond of is that the damping settings for the FRONT dampers are on the bottom of the damper. I believe STANCE is like that as well. So for those that want ease of adjustment from the top of your front damper, this may be an issue. The rears are top mount adjustable though.

Once I get aligned and properly set up and everything tweaked properly, I will post a FULL REVIEW in the suspension section.

[troek]

for the front adjustment, just cock your wheels all the way to one side, and its actaullya little quicker than popping your hood.

[10Stars]

Well I finally got my Tein Street Flex coilovers

@CSG David I really wanted to buy from you guys but I got a deal so good from @Gruppe-s that I just couldn't pass up. I will try to return the favor in the future.

One question though guys I just unboxed them yesterday and one of the rear coilovers has a small paint chip on the top hat . Should I be concerned? Will it rust? I know these type of things happen during shipping and I would prefer not to ship it back since I feel that I'm being a bit too paranoid. I already pm'd @Gruppe-s just to get their opinion on it but what do you guys think? Will I be ok? Thanks everyone.

[10Stars]

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Help anyone!?

[FastWhite]

I'd personally think they'd be ok. No worse than buying a used set with 20k miles on them. It would fall under cosmetic. Will it affect the function of the coil over, no. The looks yes. You could chip it just by putting them in.
If it truly bothers you, find a good paint and touch it up.


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[cjd]

That's the tophat on the rear struts which are somewhat buried. I'm not sure how much rust might be a problem, but it should be out of sight - so even a touch-up in a different color would likely be invisible... totally depends whether that kind of thing bugs you. I'd probably give it a touch-up myself, just because it *is* exposed, and move on with the install. As mentioned, you could easily do something like this accidentally while installing.

C

[AznKirby]

I got my Hipermax in the mail last week. Can't wait for summer so I can put them on!

[10Stars]

Awesome thanks guys! I had a feeling it was just me being paranoid.

[tahdizzle]

I've had my Hipermax IV SP's installed for about a month now. I haven't made any adjustment's to the dampening and I am at the recommended ride height.

My impressions so far:

At the default settings, the ride is definitely firmer, and pretty jarring at speeds on rough roads.

I haven't drove the car hard and probably won't until the our next autoX season, unless I decide to do a track day before then.

The car definetly feels more planted, but that should be expected when you drop the twins 20mm.
Since I haven't done any spirited driving, I don't know how the firmer spring rates have affected my slip angles and lateral grip.

I DD my OEM wheels/tires, Track and AutoX I'm on tc105n 17x9 +32 and 245/40/17 Star Specs.

I can't say anything for sure, other than the ride is firmer, until I get a track day/autoX on the coilovers.

[FastWhite]

My Tein SRC's should be in on the 30th. The LCA's from racer X should be in by then and then it's fun time.
Only iffy question is wether I will keep the super pro 20/18 sway bars. First autocross's is first week of February.


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[CSG David]

Originally Posted by FastWhite

My Tein SRC's should be in on the 30th. The LCA's from racer X should be in by then and then it's fun time.
Only iffy question is wether I will keep the super pro 20/18 sway bars. First autocross's is first week of February.


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Start with stock sway bars first and go from there. I suggest you don't swap too many parts at the same time.

[FastWhite]

Ok, once it's up I will put the stocks back on. I'm pretty sure I'll need the LCA's to even out the camber. I have a 0.4 deg difference from side to side. Not a lot I know, but it will bother me to no end. This is a personnel preference.
Then everything else will wait, suspension wise, until I evaluate them.
You must be a down right hardcore car guy to answer these forums all the time.
Hats off to CSG David for putting up with us all crazy car guys.


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[CSG David]

Originally Posted by FastWhite

Ok, once it's up I will put the stocks back on. I'm pretty sure I'll need the LCA's to even out the camber. I have a 0.4 deg difference from side to side. Not a lot I know, but it will bother me to no end. This is a personnel preference.
Then everything else will wait, suspension wise, until I evaluate them.
You must be a down right hardcore car guy to answer these forums all the time.
Hats off to CSG David for putting up with us all crazy car guys.


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0.4 degree difference is large. Make sure to sit in the car when you get your alignment done. The camber measurement settings should be symmetrical on the left and right. The instructions will provide recommended camber settings which you should get if you follow the recommended damper settings. These settings are for cars without adjustable lower control arms.

[FastWhite]

Did not know that. The back always had the large difference. The fronts with the crash bolts would only go to -1.3 both sides. I have read that there can be a lot of variance with this car.
I shall follow your instructions sir. As long as it's not jumping off a cliff lol.
In case they will not allow me to sit in the car I'll arrange a suitable comparable body weight.


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