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

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.

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.

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
http://worksconceptscom.siteprotect...._exv_civic.jpg

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 run stance GR+ and i absolutely love them.

I got a set of Apex N1 EXV. Haven't installed yet but have hear nothing but great things, paid around $1000.00.

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.

What spring rates are you running?

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.

12k/10k. i think it's perfect for street and some track. im going to be trying out a different spring rate here soon..

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

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

I honestly dont remember.......
I can try to check for u this weekend

tossed between stance and apexi as well..

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...

im leaning towards them too...

did that cost extra?

bahhahahah i remember that! i borrowed a screw driver or something of that sort from one of you guys ahahhaa:icon_tup:

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

bahhahahah i remember that! i borrowed a screw driver or something of that sort from one of you guys ahahhaa:icon_tup:[/QUOTE]

we had like 5 people helping us get that one bolt off.

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

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.

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"

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.

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.

^Thanks man, I really appreciate it! That helps!

My thoughts exactly when I bought my low mile ZEAL B6s for $1200 bucks on this very forum. ;) Rebuild-able in the USA, rep 2nd to none, comfy on the street, and a HUGE upgrade on the track.

Unlike some of the "200-way adjustable!" coilovers you'll see, like Tein (to name one), where you can turn the knob all day and feel nothing, Zeal B6 6 way adjustments are very significant. Plus you can always preload your spring to increase the initial spring stiffness.

The ride on the street is more comfort than stock R1 spring/shocks. Maybe my stockies were too old to compare the newly installed B6, but that's my experience.

I was pretty impressed with the ride quality of your brother's coilovers and the spring rates are just about perfect for a multi purpose car. Moreso than the low budget Teins/RSRs that I tried.

For $1k, its hard to get a quality setup with a good shock unless you find a deal used. Rishie at Auto RND has a deal on those Stance's but I'm not familiar with them.

Considering the low mileage on your car, I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace. The stock shocks are actually pretty damn good. You can afford to take your time and try to find something used (assuming you find an honest seller and that the shocks are still in good working condition).

I bought my Zeals new from Rishie, they are the function Xs. I think retail was like $2100, but Rishie really hooked me up on price :) Maybe contact him and see what he can do for you. It wont be $1000, but it may be alot better than you think. Before these I had Koni Yellows and RSR race springs, and that setup was awesome also. If you dont really need the adjustability of coilovers, Id consider this route as well.

i know im a little late on this but.......
I took of my stocks to put my summer wheels on and snagged some pics of the Apexi Exv

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC_0070.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC_0067.jpg

^ How do you like those Apex coilovers, any feedback? I'm getting mine installed tomorrow.

I love them....
Big difference from the stock suspension...

Im sure there might be better ones, but for me I daily drive my car. And on weekends I like to do the occasional spirited drive .. So they work perfect for my needs

Thanks for the response, they seem to be exactly what I was looking for. I'll know by tuesday.:nod:

Got the Apexi coilovers installed today and the car rides great. Feels like a totally different car, luv them.:nod: