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max coilovers - daily driver and quality?

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Old 01-15-11, 02:07 AM
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max coilovers - daily driver and quality?

Hey guys, so I am to the point where I have the cash to buy some decent coilovers, I have heard a lot of good things about Powered by MAX coilovers, and that they are the best bang for your buck at $1,000. I am pretty set on these because of all their good reviews, but let me know if anyone has had bad experiences with them.

My only concern, and it's not too big of a concern, but, its about it being too uncomfortable for daily driving. I have never owned a car with coilovers. They come from the company with 10kg front and 8kg rear, not really sure what that means because once again I've never had them, what do you guys think? I will be driving it on the freeway a lot. I am TOTALLY willing to sacrifice comfort for performance, my current shocks are so shot because the guy I bought it from cut the springs and they sat for three years and he drifted on them before that...they're just bad. To me driving isn't about comfort, it's about the experience. But if it's literally unbearable I'll reconsider. Any opinions? Thanks.
Old 01-15-11, 02:53 AM
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Are you looking for actual performance, or just a super stiff, bouncy ride? If you chose actual performance, don't waste you money.

PBM uses too stiff of a spring, and poor valving for anything other than drifting. Remember, stiffer doesn't equal better.
Old 01-15-11, 02:55 AM
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My friend has them in his car stiff as heck, i would say 7-6 out of 10 ride quality riding shotgun in his car.
Old 01-15-11, 02:57 AM
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get a pair of the springs that they offer and switch it up
Old 01-15-11, 03:19 AM
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Originally Posted by papiogxl
PBM uses too stiff of a spring, and poor valving for anything other than drifting.
This is actually going to be a drift car. They do make them in 8 and 6, I could get that. But once again, it's going on a drift car. I wish i had more experience with coilovers but I don't, so does anyone have any opinions to help me out?
Old 01-15-11, 03:23 AM
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If you can, you should either drive or get a ride in a car with the coilovers you are considering, *especially* if you've never owned a car with coilover suspension. Highways vary greatly in surface quality and upkeep. There will always be undulations and cracks that are going to upset your suspension. Just as an example, I have Stance GR+ on my street car (which I do not recommend) and I have to lower my head to avoid a concussion every time I cross certain pavement transitions on 880 (regardless of stiffness adjustment).

While evaluating coilovers for my track and street cars, I found this thread helpful:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/new-apexi-coilover-market-398544/

Keep in mind this is for FDs. The spring rates for FCs should generally be smaller for road race or daily drive purposes.

You should also consider replacing / upgrading your bushings. After 20+ years, it's likely that your original busings are either too compliant, cracked, or torn.

The quality and valving of the dampers will be a major factor in determining how well the coilover does its job (keep your tires on the pavement). Some inexpensive models are offered with dampers that are simply unable to keep up with the springs attached to them, resulting in excessive oscillation at all positions of the dampening adjustment ****.

BTW, 1 kg/mm = 56 lbs/inch (almost exactly).

With 10/8, you're looking at 560/448, which is too much rate for an FC IMHO (unless you're drifting).
Old 01-15-11, 03:28 AM
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^^I will be drifting it, which is why i'm considering these coilovers. But it will be a daily driver for a while (until it becomes too street illegal to daily drive ) Eventually I want to turn this into a track only car, but will probably street it for a while.
Old 01-15-11, 03:28 AM
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Originally Posted by mothdawg
This is actually going to be a drift car.
Ok, in that case you can go with fairly high rates. But you definitely need decent dampers / adequate valving to minimize oscillations. Drifting with a bouncy rear end would be difficult and not fun. It will also look that way to your spectators.
Old 01-15-11, 03:30 AM
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Excellent thanks for the help everyone
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