springs vs coilovers?? which is best?

[benlevy3]

Great thread!!!

I was thinking of ordering springs. I am pretty much in the same boat as FRS-HHH as far as what I want. (Mostly looks without too much negative on handling). After reading though this thread, I am really reconsidering the springs. The TEIN's sound like a good option.

I really like the way the TEIN FRS sits (tein.com/tech_info/img/6q543.jpg). Note, I don't like the gold wheels!!!.

So with just the TEIN's, (and wheels!) I should be able to get the car to sit like their FRS. I am guessing the ride will be a bit harsher then the stock suspension, but not too drastic. I owned a Lotus Exige S with the sports suspension. I hope it will be a nicer ride then that!

Last thing!! If anyone can give me an idea of the wheel and tire sizes on the TEIN's car that would be great. From what I can gather, I think I will go with 18x8 with +35 offset.

[ModBargains]

^

You can get your car to sit like Tein's FRS with any good quality coilover suspension kits as well.

-Frank

[Hotchkis]

When choosing your suspension setup you really want to make sure that you choose parts that compliment each other and will work together to enhance the handling without killing your ride quality. That is always our goal when we develop our suspension systems. We showed this at the recent autocross competition at the 86Fest show in Southern California. We were consistently 4-6 seconds quicker around the course than any other FR-S or BRZ. The only suspension mods on our car are our springs, sway bars, strut brace, camber plates, and the stock shocks. Check out this comparison shot of a stock car versus our car going into the same corner:



Look at how much flatter and more composed our car looks compared to the stock car. Also take note that we didn't have to brake into that corner like the stock car.

If you are trying to keep to a budget you can purchase the components part by part. However, your best deal that will give you the most noticeable handling change is what we call our Stage1 Total Vehicle System. This package contains our 1" Drop Sport Coil Springs, 2-position Front Adjustable Sway Bar, 4-position Rear Adjustable Sway Bar, and new high articulation rear end links.



Here are the specs of the different parts:

Springs:
Front 1” (25.4MM) Drop, 185 lbs/in (3.3 kg/mm)
Rear 1” (25.4MM) Drop, 265 lbs/in (4.7 kg/mm)

Sway Bars:
Front 1” (25.4mm) Tubular 2-Way Adjustable

• 500 lbs/in (170 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 630 lbs/in (245 % Stiffer than Stock)

Rear ¾” (19mm) 4-Way Adjustable Blade Style with End Links

• 320 lbs/in (200 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 405 lbs/in (275 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 520 lbs/in (385 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 700 lbs/in (550 % Stiffer than Stock)

You can find more information on these parts here: http://www.hotchkis.net/search.html?...mitForm=Search

[mach330]

Originally Posted by Hotchkis

When choosing your suspension setup you really want to make sure that you choose parts that compliment each other and will work together to enhance the handling without killing your ride quality. That is always our goal when we develop our suspension systems. We showed this at the recent autocross competition at the 86Fest show in Southern California. We were consistently 4-6 seconds quicker around the course than any other FR-S or BRZ. The only suspension mods on our car are our springs, sway bars, strut brace, camber plates, and the stock shocks. Check out this comparison shot of a stock car versus our car going into the same corner:



Look at how much flatter and more composed our car looks compared to the stock car. Also take note that we didn't have to brake into that corner like the stock car.

If you are trying to keep to a budget you can purchase the components part by part. However, your best deal that will give you the most noticeable handling change is what we call our Stage1 Total Vehicle System. This package contains our 1" Drop Sport Coil Springs, 2-position Front Adjustable Sway Bar, 4-position Rear Adjustable Sway Bar, and new high articulation rear end links.



Here are the specs of the different parts:

Springs:
Front 1” (25.4MM) Drop, 185 lbs/in (3.3 kg/mm)
Rear 1” (25.4MM) Drop, 265 lbs/in (4.7 kg/mm)

Sway Bars:
Front 1” (25.4mm) Tubular 2-Way Adjustable

• 500 lbs/in (170 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 630 lbs/in (245 % Stiffer than Stock)

Rear ¾” (19mm) 4-Way Adjustable Blade Style with End Links

• 320 lbs/in (200 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 405 lbs/in (275 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 520 lbs/in (385 % Stiffer than Stock)
• 700 lbs/in (550 % Stiffer than Stock)

You can find more information on these parts here: http://www.hotchkis.net/search.html?...mitForm=Search

What's the cost of the stage 1 kit? Would you mind telling me the setup you ran (sway bars, camber, and links).



Tap'd from my G-Nex

[wparsons]

~$690: http://www.hotchkis.net/scion-frs-st...le-system.html

[OakmanSmalls]

Originally Posted by wparsons

~$690: http://www.hotchkis.net/scion-frs-st...le-system.html

I was looking into coils but this seems like a lot more bng for your buck.

[suaveflooder]

If you think about it, you are technically on coilovers from the factory. The only thing they lack is adjust-ability. Some of that can be made up with other parts, but at that point, you are starting to approach the price of adjustable coilovers anyway.

@ModBargains.com post 16 was great! I guess at the end of the day it comes down to what you want and your budget. I went with springs and camber bolts because they were perfect for my plans for the car. First, I can't go really low because of my location and the car is a DD. Second, I will probably always run stock wheels (the 9.5 wheels seem to need coilovers because the perch is too big on the factory set-up), so I had no need to get more clearance. And lastly, I will only be autoxing the car every couple months as time allows, so I don't really need the adjustable aspect so much as I will probably never be a crazy competitor, I'm just out to have a good time! For me, springs were the logical choice!