To coilover or spring? That is the question...

[Knightmare]

Hey there guys, as the title says i'm looking for some advice about what direction i should go with my suspension. To start here is what my plans are for the car and how i like the car to feel. I will not be taking this car to a track ever, no auto x'ing or even quarter mile drags. Now i do drive spiritedly and want to have fun on twisty roads. I am also wanting to have the drop to kill some of this wheel well gap that is there stock. Where i live and drive i have very minimal chance of hitting any deep potholes to bottom out the lowered stock suspension. I've always been scared away from using springs because i don't like the idea of minimizing my travel in the stock suspension. Money isn't really an issue, but i'd rather not spend $2k+ when i don't have to. Obviously the springs are a much cheaper option. I'm not to worried about ride quality, not to stiff though as i dont want it to be to bumpy of a ride, but i'll make do if that's unavoidable. I also plan on doing other suspension mods, sways & strut bars, still debating on the whiteline inserts. With where i stand what are your suggestions?

I've been looking/waiting for RCE to drop their coilovers for the car and was planning on getting them. I'm in conflict though, i'm also looking at just doing the RCE yellow springs. I've seen that they come with new bumpstops which is nice. What would be better for someone in my position to do? Any other options i should be looking at? I just happen to like RCE since thats what i was going for on my STi before i sold it. Thanks for taking time to read my question, i look forward to your responses!

[whataboutbob]

Just did RCE Yellows with the Whiteline front LCA bushings (front and rear), Whiteline camber bolts on the front, and the 20mm Whiteline front swaybar with adjustable end links. I've got a Tanabe STB on there as well.

Just got back from the alignment shop and took the car on a spirited run on some local backroads. This thing feels planted and has significantly less understeer.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Many will say "coilovers are always better" but I disagree with that.

Our RCE springs will get you a fast, FUN, simple, and easy to live with set-up. And of course you would save some money over a more expensive quality coilover set-up.

Yes our RCE coilovers will handle better (and they do still ride nicely) but it's up to you if the extra cost is justified. I do think you would be very happy with the RCE Springs and a few topping. Maybe RCE sways and a few bushings. Maybe add Konis down the line.

Alternatively you could get the springs for now, add a few of the toppings, then sell the springs if/when you want a little MORE and go with the coilovers. A lot of people do that and it's a good way to build up to a monster awesome set-up. There's always people buying used springs.

Let me know if you have any questions. I wouldn't push anyone into the coilovers if they're not tracking their car. And I'd recommend against blowing your budget before getting to the toppings (bushings, alignment parts, etc). Those make a big difference.

- Andrew

[wheelhaus]

From your description, I think springs would better suit your needs, hands down. Don't bother with coilovers unless you really want the additional adjustability. With the additional bits and "toppings" Andrew mentioned, I'm pretty certain you'll be more than happy with the end results. If you ever do want to do an occasional track day, even the stock suspension/tire setup will be fine unless you're really aggressive. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, springs and other bits will make a bigger improvement than you're expecting.

[Knightmare]

Thanks all for the suggestions! I greatly appreciate it, i've done a decent amount of reading but am still learning, suspension is definetly more in depth then i ever thought!

I'm definetly getting sways and the bushing's i've been looking at so far are whiteline crossmember mount kit, perrin poly endlinks with the rear sway bar, new control arm braces. I'm also looking to get lateral rear control arms for the rear camber and the whiteline front camber bolts. What do you think, will this cover me pretty well for springs? Do i need to worry about top hats or anything? Did i hit up all the "toppings" that are being refrenced? I've also been told that cusco street spec A coilovers are a good subtle choice, i still prefer RCE's though I of course plan on getting an alignment done when the springs & camber bolts go on.

As i said in my first post, money really isn't a topic, i'm the type that would rather save up money/parts and do it right. Thanks again all for the input!

[NJA]

I think Hotchkis Sport Coil Springs would suit your needs nicely

The drop is very subtle but you'll see a handling improvement over stock (and without killing your stuck struts to boot )

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Many will say "coilovers are always better" but I disagree with that.

Our RCE springs will get you a fast, FUN, simple, and easy to live with set-up. And of course you would save some money over a more expensive quality coilover set-up.

Yes our RCE coilovers will handle better (and they do still ride nicely) but it's up to you if the extra cost is justified. I do think you would be very happy with the RCE Springs and a few topping. Maybe RCE sways and a few bushings. Maybe add Konis down the line.

Alternatively you could get the springs for now, add a few of the toppings, then sell the springs if/when you want a little MORE and go with the coilovers. A lot of people do that and it's a good way to build up to a monster awesome set-up. There's always people buying used springs.

Let me know if you have any questions. I wouldn't push anyone into the coilovers if they're not tracking their car. And I'd recommend against blowing your budget before getting to the toppings (bushings, alignment parts, etc). Those make a big difference.

- Andrew

Well said guys. I've been preaching this for years, mostly on deaf ears, glad to see some people get it. I guess that's cause we've all been to the same school of hard knocks in this biz for the past 10+ years...

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
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[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

RCE Yellows all the way.

[chulooz]

Springs, goodies to set up a nice alignment, and some sticky rubber can all be had before you even touch the price proven coils. Let us know how things go!

[gmookher]

either shell out for good coilovers, or go rce or swift coils on oe dampers

I recommend steering clear of 2nd rate coilovers from china

[HiiiPwrFRS]

Not to hijack this topic but this might be a route im also interested in, but Im looking for more of an aggressive drop than what most coils achieve from what ive seen. I saw that eibach has a sportline set that achieves an almost 2" drop that is very attractive to me, are these good quality? not looking for huge performance benefits. Just reliability and more attractive wheel gap

[Coheed]

I think there are merits to having coilovers. But for the majority of people who aren't out there to track their car aggressively, springs are the way to go. And with a decent strut upgrade down the road, they can be further improved.

I've run hyperco springs and AGX struts on my sentra. It handled fantastic for a FWD with a solid beam in the back. People couldn't believe it did as well as it did with as simple as the setup was. Keep it simple, and it will keep the options open for the future. There is no need for a coilover setup if you are just DD the car. But on the other hand, it can't hurt. It's just less wallet friendly.

[gmookher]

Originally Posted by HiiiPwrFRS

Not to hijack this topic but this might be a route im also interested in, but Im looking for more of an aggressive drop than what most coils achieve from what ive seen. I saw that eibach has a sportline set that achieves an almost 2" drop that is very attractive to me, are these good quality? not looking for huge performance benefits. Just reliability and more attractive wheel gap

your handling will suck below 1.2" of drop up front...1.6" in the back, beyond that your making it worse by alot..

consider the H&R super sports...Mine are for sale in a week or so..as I go coilover(they sitting in garage)

[tdoggy57]

Good thread, I was wondering the same thing and I'm in a similar situation.

It would be nice to get some good quality springs and anything that goes along with them for a grand less than a nice set of coils. My car is my DD and I was just looking for something to close that wheel gap while maintaining something close to the stock ride.

Any suggestions for springs for me and what all of these "toppings" are that I should also be buying? Should I get new shocks too?