Strut...and anti-sway bar questions

[Adam_L]

Hello All,

So given our cars suspension geometry/ set up from stock oem, can you please answer the following questions:

1. On adjustable struts/shocks, is it best to at least get front adjustable struts ( I know, all 4 corners is ideal, more adjustability ) ? Not sure given rwd, but on the one main fwd car i've owned, it was best to at least get front adjustable to tune out over/under steer , and possibly made your suspension last a bit longer (as it gets more soft with use, then set the strut rate stiffer to compensate for that change).

2. Is it best to at least get a rear anti sway bar (versus going front+rear). Most cars that I hear of people putting anti sway bars on seems like the rear is the main advantage. Also a thicker gauge (say 19mm) is best. Not so sure on the consensus on hollow tubing (sure it's lighter...but doubt it's stiffer) vs straight steel tubing.

I haven't searched high/ low on the forums here for users experiences, please excuse my oversight here.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

1. On adjustable struts/shocks, ..........
What is it you are wanting to achieve?
While I might have read of people changing springs at one end only I don't remember reading of anyone changing the dampers at one end only.

2. Is it best to at least get a rear anti sway bar (versus going front+rear). Most cars that I hear of people putting anti sway bars on seems like the rear is the main advantage. Also a thicker gauge (say 19mm) is best.
Once again it depends on what you are trying to achieve: there is no best. Usually if if someone is just wanting to change the under/over steer sway bars are the least expensive way to start. I don't have standard rate springs and I don't have any sway bars.

Until you tell us what your goals are there's not much to say. Let me repeat: there is no universal "best".

[Adam_L]

Ok, fair enough.

To lower the car 1" to 1.2" ( haven't decided yet on which), give it a lower center of gravity and have it handle a bit better then stock. It isn't exactly a daily driver now, but in 2-3 years from now it will be my main daily driver ( I won't do any suspension changes for another 2-3 years, just doing my homework now). I'd be fine with a quality strut and spring since it would mainly be a DD. I'll also do a tire swap pretty much at the same time doing suspension (something a bit more sticky, maybe a 225-45-17) , yet fairly durable (possibly a model Michelin will offer at the time)

[gramicci101]

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/eiba...l#.WEMxLWK9KSM

Lowers 1.4", works with OEM struts. Add in some camber bolts for the front and this is probably the quickest and easiest option. A lot of people run these springs with great success.

Wait until you've done your suspension changes and then see if you need to fine tune things with swaybars. If the new suspension address all of your needs, swaybars are money that doesn't need to be spent.

[Adam_L]

Thanks for the tip.

I won't go each sportlines, as I had a bad experience in the past with them. I'm leaning towards each pro , or H&R springs at present. So I can use my stock struts, if I do a 1"- 1.4" huhhh. Hmmmm. Gotta get in there and make the swap, I'm pretty sure going quality, aftermarket, adjustable wouldn't be a bad idea ( thus my question which is most advantageous front or rear adjustable)

[gramicci101]

If you're going to do aftermarket springs and struts at the same time, then other options open up for around the same price. For instance, Eibach Pros and Bilstein B6s will run you about 1100. For around 900, you could get a set of Tein Flex Z coilovers, which is a great option, by all the reviews. Around 1100, Bilstein B14 coilovers. There are other coilover options in the same range, of varying levels of quality. Look up reviews on anything you're looking at before purchasing.

[Adam_L]

Correct, gotcha. Right, sounds like I could go the coil over route, fairly good quality, for $1100-1300 range that I have seen...good review.

Ultimately, I'd like to find a set up that gives the same/ similar ride performance as stock. Seems like when you lower 1.2"+ ( with aftermarket springs/struts), then there are some compromises that have to be made ( travel geometry greatly changes). I'd think going with an upper quality progressive spring (eibach pros) , along with a quality adjustable damper strut...would combat this situation well. ( tune out the bad, tune in the good). I haven't got really any experience with coil overs to know what to / what not to look for.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

there are some compromises

There are always compromises.
These cars do not have a lot of travel to begin with. I will state the obvious: the lower you go the less travel you have. Generally speaking if you have less travel you will need higher rate springs which means less comfort. Yes, you can have comfortable ride with higher rate springs but then the quality of damping becomes paramount.

As @gramicci101 mentioned from all accounts the Tein Z are great value.

[Adam_L]

I know coil overs offer adjustable ride height , however are the dampers adjustable (on $1000-$1300 models) ?? Not trying to break the bank. No doubt money will need to be spent for the desired effect, but I pretty much draw the line at $800-1300 range in parts

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

I know coil overs offer adjustable ride height , however are the dampers adjustable (on $1000-$1300 models) ?? parts

Some are, some aren't. The quality of damping is more important than having adjustment. That is , a quality non adjustable damper is better than a shitty adjustable damper.
Many Ebay Specials offer 40 click adjustable dampers. These are one way adjustable, compression damping only. The "40 click" is a sales pitch with little practical benefit. You cannot build dampers with decent damping at $600. It costs money to design and build dampers. If you are paying $14k for your coilovers you are not paying for the springs. Many of the Teins only offer 16 click adjustment but each click actually has an effect as opposed to just sounding cool sounding good over drinks. "Yeah but I have 40 click adjustment so that's better than your 16 clicks".

My take on the matter goes like this:
As soon as you start to move your suspension is working. It is working if you hit a pothole at 5 km/h. It is working if you take a sweeper at 100km/h. It is working as you accelerate and as you brake. Spend as much as you can on your suspension.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

I know coil overs offer adjustable ride height , however are the dampers adjustable (on $1000-$1300 models) ?? Not trying to break the bank. No doubt money will need to be spent for the desired effect, but I pretty much draw the line at $800-1300 range in parts

Seriously look into the Tein Flex Z's. They are adjustable and have camber plates included. They offer a lot of features that much higher priced coilovers have. The reason they're such a low price is that they're designed not to be rebuildable, where something like a KW v3 is. That said, they'll still last as long as any other high end strut, and the fact that they're designed exactly for the springs they have means there will be no mismatch in damping rates.

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Seriously look into the Tein Flex Z's. They are adjustable and have camber plates included. They offer a lot of features that much higher priced coilovers have. The reason they're such a low price is that they're designed not to be rebuildable, where something like a KW v3 is. That said, they'll still last as long as any other high end strut, and the fact that they're designed exactly for the springs they have means there will be no mismatch in damping rates.

Since tein flex z are not rebuildable, need to buy all over again? Or i can buy the strut separetly and where?

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Since tein flex z are not rebuildable, need to buy all over again? Or i can buy the strut separetly and where?

That would be a question for one of the vendors, probably CSG Mike. I would probably just purchase all over again, since they're about as much as a set of Bilstein B6's.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

That would be a question for one of the vendors, probably CSG Mike. I would probably just purchase all over again, since they're about as much as a set of Bilstein B6's.

I believe they sell just the strut. You keep your old perches, springs, etc and swap them onto the replacement strut. They're something like 200 per corner if I remember right?