Shocks and Springs vs Coilovers?
08-23-15, 09:07 AM
#27
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The RSR spring rates are 432 front and 378 rear. That is a damn good rate IMO. I would probably choose that rate over Eibach which has 350 front and 255 rear.
If you want a more plush ride go with Eibach, more performance street go with RSR.
If you want a more plush ride go with Eibach, more performance street go with RSR.
08-23-15, 04:23 PM
#28
The springs aren't too stiff and the yellows have adjustable dampening that grant a stiffer ride when 'spirited' driving is in order.
08-24-15, 09:40 PM
#29
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I also run Eibach and Koni yellows which are a great setup for the street. For the track it is a bit limited but still fun. The thing though is road quality is pretty crap where I leave so it would be hard for me to justify all time coil over. Maybe I should look into the ground control conversion kit. Can it adjust ride height as well?
Thanks,
Thanks,
08-24-15, 10:24 PM
#30
MB
yes ground control provides full height adjustability.
In essence it is not correct to refer to GC as conversion kits. They are coilovers that allows the use of any shock absorbers that you have. IIRC all GC's come with eibach springs
Ground Control Suspension Systems - Coilovers
In essence it is not correct to refer to GC as conversion kits. They are coilovers that allows the use of any shock absorbers that you have. IIRC all GC's come with eibach springs
Ground Control Suspension Systems - Coilovers
08-24-15, 10:44 PM
#31
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I believe for under $1k, stick with springs and shocks, plenty of good info on those above.
If your budget is over $2k, then you may want to consider coilovers with high quality shocks and full ride height / corner weighting adjustability. Like the Ohlins.
If your budget is over $2k, then you may want to consider coilovers with high quality shocks and full ride height / corner weighting adjustability. Like the Ohlins.
08-25-15, 08:20 PM
#32
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MByes ground control provides full height adjustability.
In essence it is not correct to refer to GC as conversion kits. They are coilovers that allows the use of any shock absorbers that you have. IIRC all GC's come with eibach springs
Ground Control Suspension Systems - Coilovers
In essence it is not correct to refer to GC as conversion kits. They are coilovers that allows the use of any shock absorbers that you have. IIRC all GC's come with eibach springs
Ground Control Suspension Systems - Coilovers
08-25-15, 09:53 PM
#33
You can't run a car that low (and why would you want to on the street anyway?) and still have soft spring rates. Why? Because you would be bottoming out or slamming the tires into the fender liners, that's why. IMO, the FD doesn't even look good when lowered that far, it just starts looking silly.
FWIW, I have just recently started running Zeal B6 coilovers with 600/550 lb springs (Track model). I'm trying the harder spring rates as part of a deal with Auto RnD. I have to say that on most surfaces, they actually ride BETTER than my HKS spring/Koni combination (progressive springs with ~400/290 rates). A PROPERLY designed coilover system can ride better than a mismatched spring and shock setup, even with much stiffer spring rates.
If you just want to lower the car, listen to DamonB and Howard Coleman -- run Eibach springs with stock shocks. A very livable combination with good handling and nice lowering. If you do occasionally auto-x or track the car, a nice middle ground setup would be the Eibach/Koni combo. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on most of the inexpensive coilover systems. They usually have less than ideal damping curves AND -- what happens when a damper goes bad? Most JDM coilovers are NOT rebuildable here in the US. Tein and Zeal do rebuild here, which is why those two companies were the only coilover makers I would consider. If you have Konis, they are easily rebuildable or replaceable with little downtime (Koni has lifetime warranty!).
For the most part, coilovers are ridiculous for a street driven car. Especially given the downright silly spring rates most JDM coilovers use (many use spring rates above 600 lbs!).
FWIW, I have just recently started running Zeal B6 coilovers with 600/550 lb springs (Track model). I'm trying the harder spring rates as part of a deal with Auto RnD. I have to say that on most surfaces, they actually ride BETTER than my HKS spring/Koni combination (progressive springs with ~400/290 rates). A PROPERLY designed coilover system can ride better than a mismatched spring and shock setup, even with much stiffer spring rates.
If you just want to lower the car, listen to DamonB and Howard Coleman -- run Eibach springs with stock shocks. A very livable combination with good handling and nice lowering. If you do occasionally auto-x or track the car, a nice middle ground setup would be the Eibach/Koni combo. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on most of the inexpensive coilover systems. They usually have less than ideal damping curves AND -- what happens when a damper goes bad? Most JDM coilovers are NOT rebuildable here in the US. Tein and Zeal do rebuild here, which is why those two companies were the only coilover makers I would consider. If you have Konis, they are easily rebuildable or replaceable with little downtime (Koni has lifetime warranty!).
For the most part, coilovers are ridiculous for a street driven car. Especially given the downright silly spring rates most JDM coilovers use (many use spring rates above 600 lbs!).
My FD uses Tein type RA coilovers. It came fitted with these from being driven in Japan.
I get the sense that Japanese roads must be very smooth or better maintained than the pot holed junk we drive on in Australia (and the USA is much the same- I've lived there too).
My car is low low. The front lip is 2 inches off the ground. And for it to be driveable at this height and not slam the tires into the fender wells, the Tein spring rates are stiff. Very very stiff. So much so that it borders on uncomfortable on some roads.
I will eventually swap out the Tein RAs for something more user friendly, but I just have not had the time to do it. Maybe this coming summer.
I agree that the majority of JDM RHD cars I've imported, including my own personal FD, have got crazy stiff coilovers fitted, either because Japan's roads are much nicer, or bone rattling ride is what appeals in Japan.
My car is so stiff riding, a few undulations or ripples mid corner will send the back sideways at speed. It is not compliant and you have to drive it with this in mind.
Also, the stiff spring rates have an effect where takeoff from a standstill produces a lot of wheelspin on the tarmac. Because the softness of the suspension simply is not there to transition weight to the rear of the car on takeoff. It just stays flat, and like a skateboard with no suspension and too much power, it just becomes skatey in the rear. Which looks spectacular but is not the greatest thing ever.
08-25-15, 11:52 PM
#35
Junior Member
You can't run a car that low (and why would you want to on the street anyway?) and still have soft spring rates. Why? Because you would be bottoming out or slamming the tires into the fender liners, that's why. IMO, the FD doesn't even look good when lowered that far, it just starts looking silly.
FWIW, I have just recently started running Zeal B6 coilovers with 600/550 lb springs (Track model). I'm trying the harder spring rates as part of a deal with Auto RnD. I have to say that on most surfaces, they actually ride BETTER than my HKS spring/Koni combination (progressive springs with ~400/290 rates). A PROPERLY designed coilover system can ride better than a mismatched spring and shock setup, even with much stiffer spring rates.
If you just want to lower the car, listen to DamonB and Howard Coleman -- run Eibach springs with stock shocks. A very livable combination with good handling and nice lowering. If you do occasionally auto-x or track the car, a nice middle ground setup would be the Eibach/Koni combo. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on most of the inexpensive coilover systems. They usually have less than ideal damping curves AND -- what happens when a damper goes bad? Most JDM coilovers are NOT rebuildable here in the US. Tein and Zeal do rebuild here, which is why those two companies were the only coilover makers I would consider. If you have Konis, they are easily rebuildable or replaceable with little downtime (Koni has lifetime warranty!).
For the most part, coilovers are ridiculous for a street driven car. Especially given the downright silly spring rates most JDM coilovers use (many use spring rates above 600 lbs!).
FWIW, I have just recently started running Zeal B6 coilovers with 600/550 lb springs (Track model). I'm trying the harder spring rates as part of a deal with Auto RnD. I have to say that on most surfaces, they actually ride BETTER than my HKS spring/Koni combination (progressive springs with ~400/290 rates). A PROPERLY designed coilover system can ride better than a mismatched spring and shock setup, even with much stiffer spring rates.
If you just want to lower the car, listen to DamonB and Howard Coleman -- run Eibach springs with stock shocks. A very livable combination with good handling and nice lowering. If you do occasionally auto-x or track the car, a nice middle ground setup would be the Eibach/Koni combo. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on most of the inexpensive coilover systems. They usually have less than ideal damping curves AND -- what happens when a damper goes bad? Most JDM coilovers are NOT rebuildable here in the US. Tein and Zeal do rebuild here, which is why those two companies were the only coilover makers I would consider. If you have Konis, they are easily rebuildable or replaceable with little downtime (Koni has lifetime warranty!).
For the most part, coilovers are ridiculous for a street driven car. Especially given the downright silly spring rates most JDM coilovers use (many use spring rates above 600 lbs!).
But I have a Spirit R, which has the factory Bilstein shocks. So are the Eibachs with 350 front and 255 rear spring rates still a good option for me?
Thanks for everyone's help so far!
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