best suspension on FD3S?
12-11-07, 12:19 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
best suspension on FD3S?
well, I have KONI shocks on my car and the ride is really stiff. i think it gives too much stress on the car, when i go over a few bumps.........whoo~ 
it feels like my cars gonna fall a part
. now i'm think about replacing my shocks....
so, which suspension is the best for our car?
which company makes good suspension?
i know a few companies, but i wanted hear it from you guys..
what do you guys think?
thanks
it feels like my cars gonna fall a part . now i'm think about replacing my shocks....so, which suspension is the best for our car?
which company makes good suspension?
i know a few companies, but i wanted hear it from you guys..
what do you guys think?
thanks
12-11-07, 12:21 AM
#2
Full Member
it all depends on what you want to do with your car. just going to keep it for street ride?* say it aint so*, or are you going for more of a track oriented car? drag stip? help us limit it down to specifics
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12-11-07, 05:44 PM
#8
The Konis are actually really good shocks comparable to the stock shocks at their softest setting. They also last a long time.
If the issue is with the bumps, its probably your suspension bushings that are shot. Its a common problem with older, higher mileage FDs especially with the rear bushings. Search for pillowballs or bushings in this forum and you'll see what I mean.
GoodfellaFD3s is in NJ and he can probably help you out with sourcing the correct parts and installing them if you need a reliable place to do it.
The stock suspension actually works very well especially for street use. It handles well and lasts a long time and provides decent ride comfort for street use. Stiffer ain't always better depending on how you are using the car. If I didn't track my car, I'd use Konis with stock springs and set the adjustable spring perches in the middle setting.
If the issue is with the bumps, its probably your suspension bushings that are shot. Its a common problem with older, higher mileage FDs especially with the rear bushings. Search for pillowballs or bushings in this forum and you'll see what I mean.
GoodfellaFD3s is in NJ and he can probably help you out with sourcing the correct parts and installing them if you need a reliable place to do it.
The stock suspension actually works very well especially for street use. It handles well and lasts a long time and provides decent ride comfort for street use. Stiffer ain't always better depending on how you are using the car. If I didn't track my car, I'd use Konis with stock springs and set the adjustable spring perches in the middle setting.
12-11-07, 07:41 PM
#9
Racing Rotary Since 1983
iTrader: (6)
as Mario says.... "check your tires." what air pressure are you running? i recommend no more than 30 front and 27-28 rear set cold. if you are running more that could be your problem.
BTW, the FD can be a pleasure to drive and still be very very fast ontrack w the right springs and shocks.
stock spring rate is 263 front and 195 rear. a really nice win win upgrade would be Eibach Pro Kit springs at 350/255. they transform the car while not being too stiff. i run 432/378 but my car is more toward track and does run 18 X9.5 front and 18 X 10.5 rear.
the stock shocks work very well w the Eibach springs. i had a shock dyno for a number of years and dynoed over 30 OEM shocks. i found no degradation re the valving between a 3500 mile shock and many that had over 100,000 miles. i also know that the OEM valving works great at the Eibach rate. they also set the car at very close to the ideal ride height.
if i were you i would trade the Konis for stock shocks and buy a set of Eibachs. i would run 30/27 air pressure, 1.2 degrees neg camber front and rear, a touch less than 1/8th inch toe in front and zero rear. zero rear thrust angle.
and i would be smiling.
good luck,
howard coleman
BTW, the FD can be a pleasure to drive and still be very very fast ontrack w the right springs and shocks.
stock spring rate is 263 front and 195 rear. a really nice win win upgrade would be Eibach Pro Kit springs at 350/255. they transform the car while not being too stiff. i run 432/378 but my car is more toward track and does run 18 X9.5 front and 18 X 10.5 rear.
the stock shocks work very well w the Eibach springs. i had a shock dyno for a number of years and dynoed over 30 OEM shocks. i found no degradation re the valving between a 3500 mile shock and many that had over 100,000 miles. i also know that the OEM valving works great at the Eibach rate. they also set the car at very close to the ideal ride height.
if i were you i would trade the Konis for stock shocks and buy a set of Eibachs. i would run 30/27 air pressure, 1.2 degrees neg camber front and rear, a touch less than 1/8th inch toe in front and zero rear. zero rear thrust angle.
and i would be smiling.
good luck,
howard coleman
12-11-07, 08:37 PM
#10
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I don't think that there is "the best" suspension setup.
But I think an excellent setup for daily driving coupled with weekend street racing is the OHLINS PCV coil over kit.
As the coil overs are both height and dampers adjustable (20 settings), they offer a surprisingly comfortable yet supple ride at medium setting. while being sharp and confidence inspiring at a hard setting.
The only draw back is that the shocks need to be overhauled every 15,000km.
Hope this helps.
But I think an excellent setup for daily driving coupled with weekend street racing is the OHLINS PCV coil over kit.
As the coil overs are both height and dampers adjustable (20 settings), they offer a surprisingly comfortable yet supple ride at medium setting. while being sharp and confidence inspiring at a hard setting.
The only draw back is that the shocks need to be overhauled every 15,000km.
Hope this helps.
12-12-07, 10:40 AM
#12
^You won't notice that much of a difference unless the Konis are blown. At the softest setting on the Koni, the ride is comparable to the stock shocks. Add Eibachs or H&R or other springs with similar spring rates and the ride becomes stiffer over bumps.
Here is a good old link with some info for you: http://www.fd3s.net/suspension.html
I ran the stock shocks with H&R springs for years and finally switched over to the Konis b/c the rear shocks were on their last leg at 120k miles. My front shocks only have 60k on them and they felt fine. I have also tried varying combinations of stock shocks and Koni shocks with PFS comfort springs, RSR coilovers with the rates Howard posted above and stock springs and the aforementioned H&Rs.
On the two FDs that I owned, both with 120+k miles, the stock shocks were not performing to the level of lower mileage stock shocks. Unless you find a set off a very low mileage car, don't waste your time and money with stock shocks.
I still believe your problem is with the bushings. Bad bushings makes the car feel like it is falling apart and generates some very loud noises.
Here is a good old link with some info for you: http://www.fd3s.net/suspension.html
I ran the stock shocks with H&R springs for years and finally switched over to the Konis b/c the rear shocks were on their last leg at 120k miles. My front shocks only have 60k on them and they felt fine. I have also tried varying combinations of stock shocks and Koni shocks with PFS comfort springs, RSR coilovers with the rates Howard posted above and stock springs and the aforementioned H&Rs.
On the two FDs that I owned, both with 120+k miles, the stock shocks were not performing to the level of lower mileage stock shocks. Unless you find a set off a very low mileage car, don't waste your time and money with stock shocks.
I still believe your problem is with the bushings. Bad bushings makes the car feel like it is falling apart and generates some very loud noises.
