Top Quality Coilover brand? *Close Thread Please*

[iJason]

I don't plan on tracking my car but I want a look that's lower than stock, and can keep me from scraping on speed bumps or ramps, or even potholes.
I tend to drive faster than I should with a low car but it is what it is. My FRS is my daily drive.

I'm not looking for anyone's biased "I have HSD coilovers and love them. Haven't ever had a problem."
I want to find the hard facts on each coilover and determine:

Best coilover, unlimited budget
Best, for under around $1200
& the best one for brands under around $800

With my research so far, I've found that Fortune 510 look promising, with a nice warranty, and good customer service. What else is out there?

[ZionsWrath]

Why not just get sti pinks or RCE yellow?

If you have found FA coils promising after reading comments from experienced tuners/drivers than you would probably be happy with any cheap taiwan coilover?

Look through the suspension sub forum there are a couple good threads about cheap suspension components.

EDIT: It is hard to give "facts" as many companies don't give shock dynos and you have to decide who's "professional" advice you are going to listen to when someone is trying to sell you a product. That is why I think the best advice is to look at people who track and daily drive their car for advice. Since you just putt around town an experienced butt dyno from someone like that would be perfect.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by iJason

I don't plan on tracking my car but I want a look that's lower than stock, and can keep me from scraping on speed bumps or ramps, or even potholes.
I tend to drive faster than I should with a low car but it is what it is. My FRS is my daily drive.

I'm not looking for anyone's biased "I have HSD coilovers and love them. Haven't ever had a problem."
I want to find the hard facts on each coilover and determine:

Best coilover, unlimited budget
Best, for under around $1200
& the best one for brands under around $800

With my research so far, I've found that Fortune 510 look promising, with a nice warranty, and good customer service. What else is out there?

You're gonna get what you pay for.

You want a lowered car, but don't want to scrape. You don't want to spend, but want the quality of something that costs a lot.

You need to decide what exactly you want first. Why do you even want coilovers? You can achieve the look you want with just springs. $800 coilovers will give you the exact same look as $8000 coilovers.

[iJason]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

You're gonna get what you pay for.

You want a lowered car, but don't want to scrape. You don't want to spend, but want the quality of something that costs a lot.

You need to decide what exactly you want first. Why do you even want coilovers? You can achieve the look you want with just springs. $800 coilovers will give you the exact same look as $8000 coilovers.

I'm on lowering springs right now; provided by the dealer I got my FRS from. I want coilovers to stiffen my suspension so I don't bounce. I'm scraping right now lol :/ It's bad. Yet at the same time I want a low look. There's got to be some kind of balance. I'm going from 17" tires to 19" for one thing, to cut out my wheel gap.
I considered air suspension at first and was really thinking about it but figured I'd forget it. All I'm hearing is negative things. I just don't know what to do >_<

Also, I drive fast and cut corners quick. All the time. And by quick I mean I lose my traction for a second. Thus; my reasoning for coilovers


Maybe there's another solution to my problem?

The FRS is my first real car. I drove a beat up Honda odyssey before that. I'm clueless and need all the help I can get honestly :/

[Adeets]

Going from 17" to 19" won't actually cut your gap, it's the tire size that matters, 215/50/17 would cut your gap, and allow you to break the rear tires lose easier (providing your new tire is a gt tire like the stockers)

The worst mod I ever did to my FXT was coil overs with a 2" drop, it made it handle amazingly well for a forester but I destroyed my daily driving ability, if there was 27 cents on the floor board driving down normal streets I know that it was 2 dimes a nickel and 2 pennies.

Mind you these were the best coil overs for the fxt, Megan racing custom design 32 settings, around 1200 for the set. I will not be doing coil overs on this car, it's suspension from factory is amazing...

19" rims will also make it harder for you to break free and wiggle ur ass around, just something to think about.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by iJason

I'm on lowering springs right now; provided by the dealer I got my FRS from. I want coilovers to stiffen my suspension so I don't bounce. I'm scraping right now lol :/ It's bad. Yet at the same time I want a low look. There's got to be some kind of balance. I'm going from 17" tires to 19" for one thing, to cut out my wheel gap.
I considered air suspension at first and was really thinking about it but figured I'd forget it. All I'm hearing is negative things. I just don't know what to do >_<

Also, I drive fast and cut corners quick. All the time. And by quick I mean I lose my traction for a second. Thus; my reasoning for coilovers


Maybe there's another solution to my problem?

The FRS is my first real car. I drove a beat up Honda odyssey before that. I'm clueless and need all the help I can get honestly :/

Sounds like you want something that high end coilovers provide (good damping), but don't want to really pay the price.

If you're losing traction, get better tires. Tires are the only part of the car that touches the ground, and will make the single largest impact on performance within your budget.

[Adeets]

Originally Posted by iJason

I'm on lowering springs right now; provided by the dealer I got my FRS from. I want coilovers to stiffen my suspension so I don't bounce. I'm scraping right now lol :/ It's bad. Yet at the same time I want a low look. There's got to be some kind of balance. I'm going from 17" tires to 19" for one thing, to cut out my wheel gap.
I considered air suspension at first and was really thinking about it but figured I'd forget it. All I'm hearing is negative things. I just don't know what to do >_<

Also, I drive fast and cut corners quick. All the time. And by quick I mean I lose my traction for a second. Thus; my reasoning for coilovers


Maybe there's another solution to my problem?

The FRS is my first real car. I drove a beat up Honda odyssey before that. I'm clueless and need all the help I can get honestly :/

Your springs sound like complete shit, that's where most of the bounce cones from, so you might want to look at rally sport direct or something like that for a better set of springs.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Adeets

Your springs sound like complete shit, that's where most of the bounce cones from, so you might want to look at rally sport direct or something like that for a better set of springs.

Springs are springs. It just sounds like the OP's springs are too stiff for the stock dampers.

Where you buy the springs from doesn't magically change the spring rates.

[iJason]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Sounds like you want something that high end coilovers provide (good damping), but don't want to really pay the price.

If you're losing traction, get better tires. Tires are the only part of the car that touches the ground, and will make the single largest impact on performance within your budget.

Define high end, and price.. Given that I was originally planning air suspension, my budget isn't too small. $2000 would be the absolute most I'd spend on coilovers.
& yes, I was looking into Nitto stick tires.


@Adeets - I wouldn't be surprised if my dealer gave me shit springs lol, I regret buying the car from them. Should've gotten it 110% stock but what's done is done.
But I don't understand the 17" -> 19" and the 215/50/17. Those numbers don't mean anything to me. Again, I'm new to the actual mechanics of cars but I'm trying my hardest to learn. There's just so much haha. Also, What do you mean break my tires loose?

[iJason]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Springs are springs. It just sounds like the OP's springs are too stiff for the stock dampers.

Where you buy the springs from doesn't magically change the spring rates.

True springs are springs but they probably slapped on something cheap with spring rates that don't work for the FRS

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by iJason

True springs are springs but they probably slapped on something cheap with spring rates that don't work for the FRS

Price doesn't affect spring rates, only consistency in the rates.

Originally Posted by iJason

Define high end, and price.. Given that I was originally planning air suspension, my budget isn't too small. $2000 would be the absolute most I'd spend on coilovers.
& yes, I was looking into Nitto stick tires.

6k+ is the price an entry level high end damper. At 2k, you're not even in the realm of two way adjustable dampers.

If you want a cheap solution, get some softer springs.

[ApolloSki]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Price doesn't affect spring rates, only consistency in the rates.



6k+ is the price an entry level high end damper. At 2k, you're not even in the realm of two way adjustable dampers.

If you want a cheap solution, get some softer springs.

I agree, looks like your spring rates are too stiff which would cause your over bouncing. Replace cheap dealer springs.

[InvalidJohnny5]

Just get TRD springs and call it a day. I mean they were designed by factory and will give you that lowered look you're after. "215/50/17" is a tire size; Width/Profile/Wheel. Like Mike said you're gunna have to spend a bit of coin to get some decent coilovers for racing. I don't see why people concerned with ride height and appearance don't just go for bags. I mean you can clear potholes and get that sweet slammed look and get a feature in Stance magazine.

[gatorbushmen]

Do you know what springs the dealer had installed in your car?