Advice - Coilovers - FC3S
 

Right im looking for a set of coilovers for my FC3S. something budget but kind of not shite. Anyone able to reccomend anything? Those K2RD kit looks good, are they still being produced?

Any help would be appreciated :bigthumb:

What's your budget? I'm not a huge fan of sleeve coilover kits as they can have issues. Please reply with a budget and your functions for the vehicle. I can shoot you some good advice.

Thanks, Rishie

Yeah, what your plans and budget are for the car will dictate what type of setup is good. More or less what it comes down to is do you just want:

1. Firmer ride/autox
- Springs and/or struts
- Ride height would be non adjustable unless get Ground Control kit, but most struts will be dampner adjustable
- Price range about $500-800 for both

2. Hardcore (drifting, tracking etc)
- Coilovers
- Pretty much unlimited range of adjustablity
- Price range $1200- skies the limit

I highly recommend Silk Roads, excellent durabilty and performance priced VERY competetivly (aprrox $1300 a set) .

It will be for drifting, and i have actually had my eye on some silkroads (i know they are the shit ;))

Just wondered what other bufget lines of coilovers there were out there that you guys could recommend :)

What is your budget?

anything upto $1000-1200

Tein Flex's are the best bang for the buck... I think anyway... The RA's and RE's are better for track. As far as drift, I can't tell ya that, but Tein has them too for that range...

Best advise I can give... Buy new. Used coilovers are like used shoes.

I could not put that better myself! :) Besides you never really know what you are getting.

Cheers guys, i was considering the used option at one point, but its far too much of a risk to what you might get. :)

I think it will be a set of sections coming my way :bigthumb:

Just get MAZDASPEEDS coilover kit thats what im going with on my FC

Maybe I'm wrong, but aren't they just JIC's? I know someone else makes the M-speed coilovers.

The reason I like Tein's is because there here in the USA and can be rebuilt quickly. I'm sure the Cusco's, K-Office are just as good if not better but thats a HUGE consern...

Rishie has some G-Sport coilovers that looked real cool.. thats all I know

We have and carry

Zeal Coilovers
Silkroad RMA-8 Coils

and

GP SPorts coilovers, aluminum bodies. THe most servicable of the three are the zeals. SIlks are great but no service in the states. Meaning if you have a problem you might be stuck waiting for them to get the replacement parts.

Price isn't everything, service is everything. Make sure you have a second vehicle or extra suspension if you're not getting a "US" servicable coilover.

Rishie

I went with GP sports :)

ARD, you need to look at it in a quality and price stand point. My problem with the service is that to be covered under the 6-12 month warranty it MUST be professionally installed, which usually runs in the $200-300 range and would need to be added to the cost. Aside from JICs and Teins (needing recharged), all others 99.9% of the time you will not have any service issues within the warranty period.

As well as most cases I see with service needs are a complete overhaul (aside from the Tein/Jic needing recharged), which all the manufacturers I spoke with suggest purchasing a new set rather than paying approx $400+ a corner for a complete overhaul and waiting 1-6months.

In terms of servicing Tein by far has the best, but they are not the greatest quality coilover. unless you get into their RE, N1 (higher end).

i run tein flex on my FC and they have been wonderful for the past 8 months. i've run them at 4 autox's and they can be dialed in to super comfy soft or pretty stiff and it is a huge change in stiffness, very noticable. they are a nice coilover and you might want to buy them if your car is also a daily driver. the tein drift coilover is a bit stiffer and while being ''better'' for drift it might be too stiff for comfy daily driving if you also run low 30 or 35 profile tires and have a stiff racing seat... just things to consider.

I looked into other coilovers but the teins couldnt be beat for the money unless you got a $400 hookup on the other mfg'ers coilovers and then you still have issues to rebuild some of them outside the USA.

after buying coilovers expect to spend 150 to 250 bucks to get it corner weighed. If you don't get them corner weighed you might as well just buy high performance spring and save some money

eye and whomover may read this,

Zeal warranty - 1 year, requires professional installation. We have exceptions if you're in an unsupported area but you must speak with an official to make sure you're knowledgeable with installation of the product. THIS IS A GOOD THING, NOT A BAD THING. We want to make sure you get it on properly and know how to tune it.

Price vs Quality: This is something that i would give a little bit of weight, but i've been there and done that with all the brands you've mentioned here and elsewhere. Not to mention claims from clients on coilover brands that lack proper support here in US, even the ones that say they have great support.

Once a client has an issue on a nonservicable coilover and is forced to be stuck without a car for two months because the manf is waiting on replacement parts to come via ocean, his perspective will change completely.

Zeal produces shock dynos that we keep on file with your serial number to inspect for quality control when we receive it. Not to mention that Zeal endless stocks the internal pieces needed to rebuild coilovers. If not in stock they will air freight them in rather than making you wait for an ocean shipment to get a replacement shim, valve, piston, or shaft. They really care to support a club or professional racer's needs.

For me personally, i've come to a point where I don't want to deal with anymore BS from manf. If I have to spend more money now to allow for greater convenience and savings in the future then I'm gonna do it. Patience is a virtue.

Naturally if one cannot afford a good servicable coilover then I would suggest:

RSR Race Springs
Tokico Illuminas or KYB AGX
GC camber/CAster plates
TEin or cusco rear pillows
DTSS eliminators
AWR independent camber adjusters.

This whole package should be under $1500.00 and gives you a great setup. Illuminas have a "ltd lifetime warranty" as well.

With regards to corner weighting all coilovers. I really don't feel it's absolutely necessary to have to corner weight in order to see a benefit from the coils. Your steering response and ride quality should be far greater with an integrated setup and perform better than shock spring combos on compliant terrain.

Ok well talk to you guys later.

Tein naturally produces some phenomenal coilovers, but they are not that ones that anybody buys here in the states. Rarely are those under $2000.00. The Basic, SS, and Flex might feel good to most, but then I ask what other coilovers have you tested?

Without baselines, these statements don't mean too much. It's best to detail the differences in terms that all can understand and put themselves in your place.

The entry level Teins are all Twin tube, Silks and Zeals are monotube. There's info out there please look them up. Monotubes aren't "stiffer" than twin tubes so to speak in ride quality.

It will be real nice when people understand that it's better to get something that can support you rather than buy something based on price points.

Silks and GP's are great coilovers but they don't have the service that i personally would require from them. Tein is inferior for my needs, if spending that much I'll get Zeals for the good stuff. JIC's nobody need mention. LOL!!!!!!!

Peace, Rishie