coilovers or springs?

[Turbowned]

I would prefer to go with a basic strut/spring combo for this car but unless someone offers a really aggressive drop (a la TRD springs from the 1980's) I think I'll be going with coilovers and adjusting camber while I'm at it.

I will definitely be buying from a company that tests their products on U.S. roads, and not "knock-my-fillings-out-stiff" stuff like TEIN and other JDM manufacturers. I also want to make sure they have a good warranty and short turn-around time for a rebuild, when I inevitably blow out a damper on crappy MA roads. My friend hasn't had the best luck with his TEIN coilovers, having rebuilt them once two years ago and needing them done again this year, at a wait time of 4-6 weeks. Not to mention they have 16 levels of STIFF, so adjusting them is pointless on a street car.

[koyv90]

even if people get different springs or rates do you guys think you will want to change the rates? Or keep the rates the same?

[poormans_LFA]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

IF, and only IF the coilover is designed with a shorter body (for wishbone suspensions, ie, the rear of the car) or if the body is shorter and or adjustable at the mounting point to the hub (this is for MacPherson struts) then you may retain comfort while going lower.

however in some applications this can be achieved in a regular damper + spring combo with no adjustability (such as inserts, case in point, subarus)


the point is, it is not black and white.

i'd like to get the Racecomp 20mm lowering springs with camber plates. that seems like an ideal combo for spirited driving without annihilating tires.

[(K)]

For my purposes, I'm going with a spring and strut combo. A member mentioned Koni and that's most likely the direction I'll be going if they release a set for the platform. I've had good luck with them in the past and prefer them to coilovers (again, for my own purposes). I've also had good DD experience with a Tein/Tokico combo. Springs allow for a conservative drop and a very sleeper stance. To top it off, quality combos offer near-stock ride quality AND fantastic suspension control. It's more than what most people will need for an everyday car. For the budget-minded, springs and struts are also the best bang for buck.

Of course, we have to take into account the folks who need/want coilovers for their own reasons. My suggestion would be to do a little research before forking over cash. Wait a little for feedback from more pioneering members and go from there.
My feelings are that the large majority of ~$1,000 coilovers on the market nowadays are not all they're cracked up to be. A superb spring and strut combo costs about $600, low-end coilovers cost $1,000 and they offer marginally better PERFORMANCE gains over springs. You'd have to drop serious coin for coilovers to have any real effect on the car, and at that point you're probably competing so that price tag is justified.

You should ask yourself the question of what you want to do with the car. Proper planning and research will save you headache and money in the long run. Some folks go for the lowest drop with the widest wheel and stretchiest tire, some folks go for the flushest setup with the biggest wheel. I, personally, don't go for any of that but I do recognize good execution when I see it.

[7thgear]

[QUOTE=poormans_LFA;169734]i'd like to get the Racecomp 20mm lowering springs with camber plates. that seems like an ideal combo for
because OEM this car will suck?

if you're getting 20mm to make the car look better (subjective) then don't beat around the bush and say so.

all these tuning mags have beat it into peoples heads that lower + stiffer = better handling.

haven't you been reading all these reviews? The car delivers a performance in stock trim that most other cars don't get even with modified components.

really brah, get the car first, take it to a track/autocross in stock form and see how it feels, then see if you need to mod it.

[zAnSh1n]

i will be lowering the car strictly for aesthetic reasons...

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by koyv90

even if people get different springs or rates do you guys think you will want to change the rates? Or keep the rates the same?

If you lower the car you need to increase the spring rates. The change in geometry will slightly encourage more body roll, while the reduced travel will require stiffer springs to keep you from riding the bumpstops.

- Andrew

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

I would prefer to go with a basic strut/spring combo for this car but unless someone offers a really aggressive drop (a la TRD springs from the 1980's) I think I'll be going with coilovers and adjusting camber while I'm at it.

I will definitely be buying from a company that tests their products on U.S. roads, and not "knock-my-fillings-out-stiff" stuff like TEIN and other JDM manufacturers. I also want to make sure they have a good warranty and short turn-around time for a rebuild, when I inevitably blow out a damper on crappy MA roads. My friend hasn't had the best luck with his TEIN coilovers, having rebuilt them once two years ago and needing them done again this year, at a wait time of 4-6 weeks. Not to mention they have 16 levels of STIFF, so adjusting them is pointless on a street car.

im sure most coilovers are ride height adjustable so drop the car however you see fit. afaik tein is the only japanese manufacturer who sells products in america. all the other ones are manufactured in other countries. saying tein is stiff is like saying falkens are grippy. its just a company and they make many different products. a performance shock isnt really going to be the way it was 2 years later except for maybe some of the higher quality monotube options.

[iLuveKetchup]

Driving it stock, then Motons. Do other coilovers exist?

[poormans_LFA]

[QUOTE=7thgear;169838]

Originally Posted by poormans_LFA

i'd like to get the Racecomp 20mm lowering springs with camber plates. that seems like an ideal combo for
because OEM this car will suck?

if you're getting 20mm to make the car look better (subjective) then don't beat around the bush and say so.

all these tuning mags have beat it into peoples heads that lower + stiffer = better handling.

haven't you been reading all these reviews? The car delivers a performance in stock trim that most other cars don't get even with modified components.

really brah, get the car first, take it to a track/autocross in stock form and see how it feels, then see if you need to mod it.

uhhhhh...part of it is def aesthetics...the other half is handling..that's entirely reasonable aspiration, IMHO. to each his/her own. :happy0180:

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by fatoni

im sure most coilovers are ride height adjustable so drop the car however you see fit. afaik tein is the only japanese manufacturer who sells products in america. all the other ones are manufactured in other countries. saying tein is stiff is like saying falkens are grippy. its just a company and they make many different products. a performance shock isnt really going to be the way it was 2 years later except for maybe some of the higher quality monotube options.

The vast majority of coilovers are NOT height adjustable. The majority of cars come with coilovers and very few of these OEM coilovers are height adjustable. Only threaded sleeve, threaded body and adjustable perch coilovers are height adjustable.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

Driving it stock, then Motons. Do other coilovers exist?

In terms of good aftermarket dampers, sure. Penske, Ohlins, AST, Showa, Koni race dampers, etc are all great. I'd take good Showas and Penske over the Motons, at least for my cars that I have right now. Not to say Motons are bad (they aren't) but there are lots of other choices.

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

In terms of good aftermarket dampers, sure. Penske, Ohlins, AST, Showa, Koni race dampers, etc are all great. I'd take good Showas and Penske over the Motons, at least for my cars that I have right now. Not to say Motons are bad (they aren't) but there are lots of other choices.

I stick to Motons because they have become the most widely used shock for competition purposes (on s2ks). So while there are other companies that are just as good, ie JRZ... it would be easier to find settings etc from a widely proven setup. TBH, I don't care much about suspension tuning. I just want it to work and continue become a better driver.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

The vast majority of coilovers are NOT height adjustable. The majority of cars come with coilovers and very few of these OEM coilovers are height adjustable. Only threaded sleeve, threaded body and adjustable perch coilovers are height adjustable.

are you spitting hairs and considering anything with with a shock inside a spring a coilover? the only non adjustable coilover i can think of off the top of my head would be something along the lines of tein basics