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Coilover Experts Needed! Best Coilovers for $1000(FD)?

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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 07:07 AM
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Coilover Experts Needed! Best Coilovers for $1000(FD)?

As the title states I am looking to purchase coilovers for my Fd and I am looking to spend around $1,000, possibly a little more for a really high performing coilover.

I would be auto crossing the car and mostly spirited driving on the street. I would eventually want to track the car but that would most likely me a couple years down the road.

I have looked into Tein Flexes, Apexi coil overs, and Zeals. Obviously Zeals are on the pricey side, but I have rode in multiple FDs that had the 6 way adjustable Zeals and I was thoroughly impressed.

That being said I am looking for a coilover that will perform well on an auto x and while on twisty roads but at the same time not be overly stiff and bumping on the street. A nice combination of both and being able to feel planted and stable on the street, able to soak up some of the pot holes, etc.

Let me know what you guys recommend, thanks!

Ryan
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 08:47 AM
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The ZEAL Coilovers are around $2600 MSRP. Of course no one pays MSRP......

The ZEALs can also be serviced and re-valved here in the states.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:52 AM
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http://thmotorsports.com/stance/stan...D3S-GR-03-1994
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:59 AM
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I don't know the seller in the attached FS add but the Advanced Design/Ground Control units are a steal. I just goat a set that were freshly rebuilt for considerably more $.

These are real double adjustable units that can be setup with what ever spring rate you like. The springs are about $60 each. Ground control can rebuild and valve these when ever they need work.

see - https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-parts-99/fs-lots-aftermarket-stock-parts%3B-parting-out-my-fd-879795/

As far as a competitive auto-x car in the classes that allow coil overs. Pot Holes will not be your friends.... Most cars run serious spring rates (e.g. 1000 lb front and 500 lb rear).
I run my car at track days and on the street. I will be running 700 lb springs in the front and 350 lb springs in the rear.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:56 AM
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I have the Apexi N1 EXV
I loved them last year at deals gap..... and I daily my car.
I live in NY, so there perfect for city streets Streets (Driving to and from Manhattan)....
But also just as fun when I hit some back roads at bear mountain....

I paid around 850 for them
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 05:33 PM
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Thanks for the response gentlemen . Sinned, what spring rating did you get with yours?

Also anyone have experience with those stance coil overs that are posted above? Keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks,

Ryan
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 05:47 PM
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i run stance GR+ and i absolutely love them.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 06:24 PM
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I got a set of Apex N1 EXV. Haven't installed yet but have hear nothing but great things, paid around $1000.00.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:27 PM
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Just bought a set of the Stance coilovers and will be installing shortly. Talk to Rishie at AutoRND. I didn't want the 12k/12k setup and had no issues changing it to 12k/10k.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by bewtew
i run stance GR+ and i absolutely love them.
What spring rates are you running?
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:34 PM
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I am in the same boat and after reading Howard's thread I had my mind set on GC (450/350) with Koni's.

After looking at Pettit's website the other day I noticed they are offering some new coilovers. I am going to give them a call to find out more however the following caught my eye "special mount bushings which minimize compliance with out the harsh transmission of road / tire noise that is common with pillow ball type mounts."

This would be a nice feature as many have pointed out the pillow ball mount will transmit more NVH however they do pivot unlike the GC mounts.
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 09:44 PM
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12k/10k. i think it's perfect for street and some track. im going to be trying out a different spring rate here soon..
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:05 PM
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helped my buddy put stance coilovers on his fd last year at DGRR. they worked great, i wasnt really paying atention to the body roll while driving the dragon but i didnt really feel any. the only bad thing about them is that they have a very stiff ride. riding thru the city and hitting uneven patches of road is brutal.

from what ive read about the stance brand, they are an up and coming company that uses quality components.

if anyone was at DGRR last year you probably saw us doing it in the gravel lot on saturday
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:32 PM
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you should try powered by max.
their pre load is adjusted seperate than ride hight, and also use pillowball bushings.
The best part is you can just get a new shock insead of having to send them yours and wait for them to rebuild them.
gtfactory.net
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Old Feb 3, 2010 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by BridgePorted12A
Thanks for the response gentlemen . Sinned, what spring rating did you get with yours?

Also anyone have experience with those stance coil overs that are posted above? Keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks,

Ryan
I honestly dont remember.......
I can try to check for u this weekend
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Old Feb 4, 2010 | 12:49 AM
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tossed between stance and apexi as well..

Originally Posted by bewtew
i run stance GR+ and i absolutely love them.
only thing that has been shying me away from these is serviceability... are they serviceable in the USA? hows there customer service? i dont wanna have hassle if im having problems with my coilovers...

Originally Posted by prrex4ever
I got a set of Apex N1 EXV. Haven't installed yet but have hear nothing but great things, paid around $1000.00.
im leaning towards them too...

Originally Posted by cosmo105
Just bought a set of the Stance coilovers and will be installing shortly. Talk to Rishie at AutoRND. I didn't want the 12k/12k setup and had no issues changing it to 12k/10k.
did that cost extra?

Originally Posted by teenwolf1393
helped my buddy put stance coilovers on his fd last year at DGRR. they worked great, i wasnt really paying atention to the body roll while driving the dragon but i didnt really feel any. the only bad thing about them is that they have a very stiff ride. riding thru the city and hitting uneven patches of road is brutal.

from what ive read about the stance brand, they are an up and coming company that uses quality components.

if anyone was at DGRR last year you probably saw us doing it in the gravel lot on saturday
bahhahahah i remember that! i borrowed a screw driver or something of that sort from one of you guys ahahhaa
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Old Feb 4, 2010 | 01:21 AM
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There's no need to service when we can get Full replacement dampers for the same price as rebuilding them stateside. Just get new units and throw away the old shell casings with dampers.

You will never have an issue if you purchase the coils from us. I have an incredible relationship with them that ensures my people get taken care of as a priority.

No charge to change spring rate. +/- 3kg/mm

All Mazda coilovers are backordered until the end of the month. I do however have them all on order. Supplies are uber limited for FD.

Rishie
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Old Feb 4, 2010 | 02:12 AM
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bahhahahah i remember that! i borrowed a screw driver or something of that sort from one of you guys ahahhaa[/QUOTE]

we had like 5 people helping us get that one bolt off.
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Old Feb 5, 2010 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by bewtew
12k/10k. i think it's perfect for street and some track. im going to be trying out a different spring rate here soon..
Oh wow, I didn't know you track your FD.... What circuit have you driven it on?

Ryan dude honestly if you are only gonna spend 1k or so on coils then you're gonna be stuck with the Stances. I would not go wit 12k all around though personally. You really gotta put a budget together for everything then try and work within that. You're all over the board right now.
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Old Feb 5, 2010 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrub
Oh wow, I didn't know you track your FD.... What circuit have you driven it on?

Ryan dude honestly if you are only gonna spend 1k or so on coils then you're gonna be stuck with the Stances. I would not go wit 12k all around though personally. You really gotta put a budget together for everything then try and work within that. You're all over the board right now.
Sebring and central florida racing complex.. i'm going to homestead speedway in a couple of weeks.

i really like stance and i think they are very nice for what they are worth. if you can afford zeals i would go that route
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Old Feb 5, 2010 | 05:50 PM
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I love my zeals, althought I dont have much experience with anything else.. on an FD anyway. IMO, I would rather spend 1K on some gently used high quality parts, than new off-brand. Something like this makes or breakes the entire dynamics of your car.
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Old Feb 5, 2010 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrub
Oh wow, I didn't know you track your FD.... What circuit have you driven it on?

Ryan dude honestly if you are only gonna spend 1k or so on coils then you're gonna be stuck with the Stances. I would not go wit 12k all around though personally. You really gotta put a budget together for everything then try and work within that. You're all over the board right now.
Thanks for the info there sir.

1. I am not all over the board, the individuals that post coil overs for suggestions that cost more than around $1,000 on this thread are. That's the reason it's in my thread title clearly stated for $1,000

2. I can afford and will buy the Zeals if I really feel the need to have them, but I agree, I think that's just overkill for what I plan to do with the car.

3. Thanks for the advice but I am way ahead of you . I have had a budget setup months before I purchased this car.

Agreed that 12k all around might be a bit much.

Back on topic:

So 12K is equal to what in pounds?? Also if you suggest a coil over, please post why and your experiences, not just that they're "good"
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Old Feb 5, 2010 | 07:58 PM
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12k is 671 lb.
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by ptrhahn
12k is 671 lb.
How did you convert that? What does the K stand for? I thought it was kgs but they don't list it as kg, just K.
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by BridgePorted12A
How did you convert that? What does the K stand for? I thought it was kgs but they don't list it as kg, just K.
http://www.hraefn.net/projects/spring_rates.php

Put "12" into the "kilogram-force/millimeter (kgf/mm)", mark it as base and Submit. You'll see the corresponding lb/in value that ptrhahn listed.
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