1" drop, coils or springs?

[HachiRo]

Before you start flaming, I've done searches, but my question is a bit more specific.

I'm looking at a 1 - 1.3" drop. Something that'll lower my car while keeping the performance, ride quality, handling, intact.

Been looking at RSR Superdown springs for quite some time and really like the drop, also heard great things about it being used performance wise.
Eventually I'll upgrade to Bilstein shocks as I heard they are great shocks for the price, but that's down the road.

Now comes the conflict. Someone told me the Tein Street Flex coils, for the price, retain great ride quality, but I also hear from others that they're crap. I've read so many goods and bads that I'm confused. Yes, there's a price difference from the RSR Springs to the Tein coils, but what I'm wondering is..

For what I'm looking for, the small drop while wanting to retain ride quality, is it worth it spending the extra to get the Tein coils? Or would I be better getting the RSR Superdowns and eventually upgrading to Bilstein shocks?

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by HachiRo

Before you start flaming, I've done searches, but my question is a bit more specific.

I'm looking at a 1 - 1.3" drop. Something that'll lower my car while keeping the performance, ride quality, handling, intact.

Been looking at RSR Superdown springs for quite some time and really like the drop, also heard great things about it being used performance wise.
Eventually I'll upgrade to Bilstein shocks as I heard they are great shocks for the price, but that's down the road.

Now comes the conflict. Someone told me the Tein Street Flex coils, for the price, retain great ride quality, but I also hear from others that they're crap. I've read so many goods and bads that I'm confused. Yes, there's a price difference from the RSR Springs to the Tein coils, but what I'm wondering is..

For what I'm looking for, the small drop while wanting to retain ride quality, is it worth it spending the extra to get the Tein coils? Or would I be better getting the RSR Superdowns and eventually upgrading to Bilstein shocks?

Go with the springs as those cheaper coilovers wear out fairly quick and usually have to be replaced instead of rebuilt on the low end stuff. Your OEM shocks are also going to wear out but at that time just go with the Bilstein struts. Unless you want to adjust ride height for whatever reason save your money and go with the springs. RCE yellows are your best bet for lowering a bit and still having a great ride.

[HachiRo]

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

Go with the springs as those cheaper coilovers wear out fairly quick and usually have to be replaced instead of rebuilt on the low end stuff. Your OEM shocks are also going to wear out but at that time just go with the Bilstein struts. Unless you want to adjust ride height for whatever reason save your money and go with the springs. RCE yellows are your best bet for lowering a bit and still having a great ride.

Thanks!
Are you lowered on anything currently? Also! Advice on stalling the spacers? Did you have someone step on the brakes as you did the front ones?

[go_a_way1]

Originally Posted by HachiRo

Thanks!
Are you lowered on anything currently? Also! Advice on stalling the spacers? Did you have someone step on the brakes as you did the front ones?

I have some coilovers that were built for me over the winter sitting in my room waiting to be installed haha. Are you talking about wheel spacers? If you are they install just like your wheels as they bolt on (provided you got those kind) or you just install extended studs then they slip on? I guess it wouldn't hurt to have someone hold the brake while your torque them down.

[jawn]

The Tein Flex Zs are the new hotness in the entry level price point. A lot of folks have them and like them. I have zero experience with them, but others like them a lot.

I went with RCE Yellows, because they're conservative, comfortable, and perform well. I also run my car year round, and don't want to mess around with anything with adjustments on a car that'll see a lot of salt and road grime. You're in California, so I wouldn't really worry about that. I've seen good results with Bilsteins in the past, so that's my plan for when I grow out of the stock struts. For what it's worth, my ride quality is essentially the same with the RCE Yellows and stock struts. It's slightly more comfortable over small imperfections, and firmer over big bumps.

If I recall correctly, these cars have around 2.5 inches of total bump travel in the fronts including the bump stops, so I'd actually advise against going with springs that go too low, since you're going to have to trim your bump stops a substantial amount. Eibachs, TRD, RCE springs all come with replacement bump stops, so it takes the guesswork out of that. If you want to increase the bump travel, you're going to need coilovers.

I'm not a spacers person. I couldn't care less about how flush wheels are, as long as they clear the spring perch. If I were to get spacers, I'd get extended studs and sandwich spacers rather than the bolt-on kind.

Oh, there's one advantage to certain coilovers - you can fit a wider range of wheel/tire sizes/offsets with coilovers. 9.5"+ wide wheels are basically non-starters in the front on the stock struts. As to why you would go with such a large size on a 2800 pound car with 200HP is beyond me.

[shellslinger]

I'm currently riding on tein flex z, it does handle better and the ride isn't harsh unless it's set to full stiff. I have no experience with springs. My brother had a set of progress springs and Koni yellows on his Miata prior to switching over to flex z. He found that the flex z had more confidence inspiring handling and less roll. But it was somewhat harsher than his spring and shock set up.

[solidONE]

I got a set of barely used RSR superdowns if youre interested. The flex-z is a really good value if have the extra $$ to spend over the springs.

[HachiRo]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I got a set of barely used RSR superdowns if youre interested. The flex-z is a really good value if have the extra $$ to spend over the springs.

PMed!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I got a set of barely used RSR superdowns if youre interested. The flex-z is a really good value if have the extra $$ to spend over the springs.

Just curious why you changed from them?


I have the Superdowns and really like them. Though nominally a 1.2 and 1.4 inch drop I find they are in reality closer to 1.6 and 1.8 inches.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Just curious why you changed from them?


I have the Superdowns and really like them. Though nominally a 1.2 and 1.4 inch drop I find they are in reality closer to 1.6 and 1.8 inches.

I have coilovers on my car. lol

Yeah the spring rates seem quite suitable for the stock dampers as are the Swift sport offerings, Hotchkis, etc. I personally have a preference against lowering more than 1" for a daily driver. I'm riding about -15~18mm right now. I like a bit of ground clearance and exhausts that are not loud on cars that look almost stock. lol "mature" enthusiast in da house.

[renfield90]

If all you want is a drop, and you don't need or care for ride height or damping adjustability, get the springs and the Bilsteins.

Bilstein makes a fantastic damper and most shock places will be able to revalve/rebuild if you aren't happy with the damping or if they start wearing out from mileage.

I do not have nice things to say about the Tein damper.

[Cole]

I have Tein STech springs. They're great, especially for the price and the provided drop. Would have went with RCE yellows, but they were going to be over twice what I paid for the Tein's.

I haven't lost any noticeable comfort. Bit stiffer over big bumps, but still a very comfortable ride. The provided drop is also absolutely perfect, in my opinion.

[Packofcrows]

TRD springs

[cactus]

If it is a street car, eff coilovers and do some springs only. Coilovers are more headache than they are worth for a street car.