Coilover VS Spring/Shock

[ImAdopted]

what would be better? ive been looking at either Tein Flex A of Flex Z or go with lowering springs and shock combo. the car is my daily all year round(during winter) and i like the idea of being able to adjust the height for summer and winter ride. from other peoples thoughts and knowledge what would you reccomend?

[Tcoat]

Coil overs are springs and shocks.
Although the ability to adjust heights for summer and winter sounds great the question is would you actually do it? If yes then it may be worth while. Keep in mind that you may need to get an alignment each time you changed heights though.


I have the RSR Super low springs and winter drive my car with no issues.

[ImAdopted]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Coil overs are springs and shocks.
Although the ability to adjust heights for summer and winter sounds great the question is would you actually do it? If yes then it may be worth while. Keep in mind that you may need to get an alignment each time you changed heights though.


I have the RSR Super low springs and winter drive my car with no issues.

i meant lowering springs and some konis perhaps or if i should by pass and go straight for a coilover setup. if its only twice a year (when i change out from winters to summers) then it may not be super bad but your right about if i actually do it lol. do you have any close up pics of you car? im interested in the drop and how much wheel gap is still there

[strat61caster]

Here's what some aftermarket adjustable coilovers look like after living through some winters. In a few years you may not be able to adjust ride heights. Springs and struts can give you just as much if not more of what you want while being a little lower maintenance and longer lifetime.

Also take a look at this thread:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121262

[ImAdopted]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Here's what some aftermarket adjustable coilovers look like after living through some winters. In a few years you may not be able to adjust ride heights. Springs and struts can give you just as much if not more of what you want while being a little lower maintenance and longer lifetime.

Also take a look at this thread:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121262

oh lordy yeah i dont want that lol even though the Tein Flex A says its all coated and protects from rust and protects against chipping and peeling it still brings concern. i suppose i could get bigger wheels for summer as this is the look im going for

[DAEMANO]

Very shortly, I'm going to be swapping out my RS*R Sports-i coilovers for Showa Evolution spring/shock combo. Reason being is that I want a less complicated setup that still lowers the car a little and offers great ride. The Sports-i's have been fantastic but they include features I currently don't need. Extra features = more potential points of failure. As the original OEM shock manufacturer Showa knows this cars suspension perhaps better than any other aftermarket company. So I told myself why not give it a shot? This is a gen 2 design that should be even more durable than OEM components. Let's see.

[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by ImAdopted

oh lordy yeah i dont want that lol even though the Tein Flex A says its all coated and protects from rust and protects against chipping and peeling it still brings concern. i suppose i could get bigger wheels for summer as this is the look im going for

If you want a coilover that has a finish that will stand up really well, I suggest a KW product, (v1 is a great starting point,) or the RCE T0's. Made by KW with the same coating, valved and sprung to RCE spec!

I run ST's, the less expensive little brother to the KW V1's, and they wear well also. Every wheel and tire change I use a some WD40 and a nylon brush to clean the threads, then put a light coating of silicone grease on the threads. I used to use a copper based antisieze, like Wurth DBQ, or the Permatex copper, but have moved to silicone lubricant since it stands up really well, and is easier to remove. A tube of it will last the life of your coilovers and then some applying it twice a year if you're not overly generous.

[mav1178]

just remember that adjustable coilovers of any kind, no matter how durable, require you to inspect them periodically.

Maybe not every week, but at least once every 1-3 months.

Coatings are great but spring collars still move around and come loose. Same with upper mounts.

If you are the "install and forget it" type, get spring/shock.

[ImAdopted]

Originally Posted by mav1178

just remember that adjustable coilovers of any kind, no matter how durable, require you to inspect them periodically.

Maybe not every week, but at least once every 1-3 months.

Coatings are great but spring collars still move around and come loose. Same with upper mounts.

If you are the "install and forget it" type, get spring/shock.

to be fair i can fall in that category of "that guy" lol maybe it would be best to avoid coilovers as they are too much for a guy like me aha. plus a spring/shock combo should be cheaper to buy, maintain and fix up.. correct?

[Gunman]

Technically, the stock spring and damper setup, IS a coilover

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by ImAdopted

a spring/shock combo should be cheaper to buy, maintain and fix up.. correct?

A proper spring/shock setup should not only last you a long time, it would probably never need to be serviced as long as you install it properly with the required bumpstops, new dust boots, and possibly new upper mounts at the same time.

A proper spring/shock combo should last you as long as the OEM setup, somewhere at least 4-6 years if not longer.

Zero maintenance other than checking for play in bushings, washing away excessive buildup of road grime/dust, and not attempting to drive in any condition where you will bottom out the suspension.

[ImAdopted]

[QUOTE=mav1178;2967364]A proper spring/shock setup should not only last you a long time, it would probably never need to be serviced as long as you install it properly with the required bumpstops, new dust boots, and possibly new upper mounts at the same time.

A proper spring/shock combo should last you as long as the OEM setup, somewhere at least 4-6 years if not longer.

Zero maintenance other than checking for play in bushings, washing away excessive buildup of road grime/dust, and not attempting to drive in any condition where you will bottom out the suspension.[/QUO

so much knowledge in you lol thanks . but as long as i dont go offroading i should be fine i think aha the roads here arent THAT bad

[Racecomp Engineering]

Here's something I wrote up a little while ago on this topic:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45542