Switching from ST Coils to a more Comfortable Setup

[Roneezy]

Hey whats up friends,

I've honestly been looking up so much on these forums, facebook group, and any other place on google before I decided to post this but I really would like help.

Can I get some some recommendations for comfortable coilovers?

I currently have ST coilovers and after 6 months, I'd like to say I'm over them lol. I DD my FRS and am tired of the random clunks(yes I'm sure everything is tightened and what not) and awful ride comfort.


I have a few coilovers in mind such as Cusco Street Spec A(no mounts), Tein Flex Z, Greddy x KW, skunk2 Pro-C, etc.


Is there a way I can still drop the car 1.2-1.5 inches and still be comfortable? I don't track or do anything hard with the car, I just want to enjoy my daily commute without it being a pain.

[finch1750]

Idk, the ST coils are some of the softest on the market. And anything with camber plates is going to make more noise then ones that reuse the stock mounts since it replaces the rubber ones with all metal.

RSR Black i are meant for lowering and comfort but dont know if they will ride softer then ST

[shellslinger]

I've only had experience w/ the Tein Flex Z's and RSR Sports-I coilovers. The Flex Z's are pretty good for daily driving but over LA roads it can get pretty gnarly. My Sports-I on the other hand are lot more smoother and comfortable than the Flex Z's. I'm not a race car driver or really track my car at all but to me the Sports-I offer the comfort that is missing from the Flex Z's and a bit more performance than the Flex Z's.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Flex Z's.

[Roneezy]

Originally Posted by shellslinger

I've only had experience w/ the Tein Flex Z's and RSR Sports-I coilovers. The Flex Z's are pretty good for daily driving but over LA roads it can get pretty gnarly. My Sports-I on the other hand are lot more smoother and comfortable than the Flex Z's. I'm not a race car driver or really track my car at all but to me the Sports-I offer the comfort that is missing from the Flex Z's and a bit more performance than the Flex Z's.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Flex Z's.

Yeah I had really wanted the Flex Zs back in July but they were sold out and vendors didn't get them until October-ish.

I'm tired of these crappy california roads! Lol

[ryoma]

Originally Posted by Roneezy

Yeah I had really wanted the Flex Zs back in July but they were sold out and vendors didn't get them until October-ish.

I'm tired of these crappy california roads! Lol

there's a guy in SoCal selling the RSR Sports-i for $500 used. check the local for sale thread.

[shellslinger]

@Roneezy, pick'em up quick

[sdemo]

Don't buy cheap coilovers. The drop you're after is minimal and easily achieved with most lowering springs - RSR and Swift come to mind, but there are countless others.

Trying to save money here is going to cost you more in the end. ^Those used coils will need to be rebuilt sooner than new coils. That typically costs $150/corner, and who knows when you'll need to do that (you cant verify their internal condition nor past use / abuse)... then factor in downtime for your car, install costs, and alignment costs. I've been down that road, and it's not fun.

Save your money and spend wisely the first time. I have RSR Sports-i and they're good... stock-ish until you hit a turn. Start with those and work UP in price range, not down. Good luck.

[smg1138]

You're not going to be able to drop 1.5" and still have comfort unless you can change the laws of physics. Coilovers were never really meant for street driving anyway. They can be a huge PITA and the only reason I use them is for AutoX and HPDE. If all you do is drive on the street, save yourself the headache and go back to shocks and springs.

[wparsons]

If comfort is top of your list, and you want to be ~1.25" lower, then get Ohlins. Cheap ones will always ride rougher due to lower quality shocks.

[strat61caster]

Maybe Bilstein B14's, made to reuse stock top hats, I only had them about 1/2" lower than stock and they rode very similar to OE, can't comment on how comfy they are when you go as low as you want, maybe someone else has done it before idk.

[jamal]

The greddys are the same thing you have but with a rebound adjuster, and possibly stiffer springs.

Tein, cusco, skunk2, etc generally do not ride better than kw based stuff.

You want something that rides well, go with either struts/springs, which are usually softer, or the Bilstein B14.

Also, the lower you get, the less bump travel you have. So it has to be stiffer, or it will end up in the bump stops. Sometimes it is lower and stiffer and still in the stops.

[sdemo]

^ "Low" and "stiff" or "rough" are not explicit trade offs. Having less bump travel does not mean the car rides rough. Shock valving matters.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by sdemo

^ "Low" and "stiff" or "rough" are not explicit trade offs. Having less bump travel does not mean the car rides rough. Shock valving matters.

Absolutely true but one has to pay for quality damping. While the above mentioned dampers are of higher quality than the $600 Ebay specials they are still not what I would call great dampers. Everything's relative.

[jamal]

Originally Posted by sdemo

^ "Low" and "stiff" or "rough" are not explicit trade offs. Having less bump travel does not mean the car rides rough. Shock valving matters.

I didn't say that. But with $1000 suspension it's generally the case. And you lower the suspension too far it doesn't matter what dampers you have- it's in the bump stops and has no travel.