Which coilovers should I buy?
 

I can't decide which coilovers I should buy, I want something high quality that will greatly improve the handing of the car but not something so Hardcore that beats me to death every time I drive it. The car will see a little of everything, road racing, autocross, drag racing and street driving(90%). I'm looking to spend about $1500 +/- $250. Here are a few choices I have in mind but if you have any other recommendations please feel free to let me know. I also perfer something adjustable.

I would buy apexi N-1 but you didnt have it on the poll

Tein Flex or the Endless B2 are the best two coilovers out of that group by far -- best spring rates, good damping, and SERVICEABLE IN THE US.

Since you have to post a poll, I suggest you do some research. There are several good threads on coilovers, just do a search.

Silkroad and Kei Office (not in the poll) will be serviceable in the US by the time you need servicing (Silkroad is almost there, Kei Office will be within 1 year). JIC is also serviceable in the US as I know someone who had a 240 that had his A2's rebuilt in about a week and a half...

Of those listed here is my breakdown on the ones I know about categorized by their performance category:


Street:

HKS hipermax II: These are a street-comfort coilover designed for cruising with ride height adjustment. Will improve handling more than spring/shocks, but definitely not a "performance" coilover. Ride is superb, but features are also a bit outdated.

APEXi EXV: This is Apexi's street performance coilover. Rides slightly better/handles slightly worse than the average coilover. The N1 series is the better choice for serious performance

Tein Flex: One of the most common coilovers out there. Same category as the EXV. The RA/RE series is the better choice for serious performance. Has the added benefit of being capable of electronic adjustment so you can change the damper settings based on the road (of fuel level etc)

Kei Office TE: Probably the most performance biased of the street coilovers, you pay a bit more for the name

Of the above: HKS is going to be the most comfortable, Flex the most versatile, especially paired with the optional EDFC.


Canyon/Track:

Cusco Zero-2: Excellent coilover but you're paying a premium for the name. If you have an FD I'd recommend the Zero-2E as it is capable of electronic adjustment from in-cockpit (like the Tein EDFC)

Silkroad: This is the budget racer's coilover. All of the features of the ~$2000 performance coilovers and 60% of the price. Downfall is refinement/quality

JIC FLT-A2: Quality coilover at home on road or track – spring rates tend to lean slightly more towards street than the others.

Tein RA: Like the FLT-A2, it trades a minute amount of quality for a minute more performance (and less comfort). If you have the FD, get the RE as compression/rebound are adjustable independently…

Kei Office XT-alpha: Excellent coilover but you're paying a bit more for the name

Anyway, just my opinions based primarily on these coilovers on the Supra (but judging from the spring rates/features it looks to hold true for the RX7 too)

I have Bilstein PSS with HR Springs
Amazing handling and comfort
This is custom in Salonica, Greece made as Bilstein does not offer the PSS range for the FD
It seems they have perfectly matched the spring rate, to the damping rate for the FD
Heigh adjustable
Comparable to the Apexi N1, they are much more streetable with very little performance tradeoff

u left out Tanabe's as well, i've always heard good things about them on fd's?

i plan to go with the tein flex just looking for a good price!!!! anyone?!

Well after spending many hours searching the board and talking to a few people, I think I'm going to spend a little bit extra and get the Endless Zeal B6 coilovers.

They seam to be a little more performance oriented than the Tein Flex but still have nice ride for those long trips and still have great USA support like Tein. Plus the spring rates are better suited for the car with (f/r) 11k/10k springs verses the JIC's 12k/9k, Kei Office 14k/12k (too stiff) and the Tein flex 10k/8k. It doesn't make since to have that much of a difference between the front and rear springs on a car that has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

Keep in mind spring rates are not just chosen based on vehicle weight, but also the suspension geometries. The front and rear suspension do not apply the same amount of torque to the springs, hence why you have unequal spring rates on a car with 50/50 weight distribution...

I'll make this a lot easier. WE're having an AutoRnD Garage sale beginning tomorrow.

I have the Zeal B2 in stock. It can be custom valved and overhauled here in Los Angeles. They retail for:

$1685.00, we're offerring sponsorship for them at 1400.00 shipped.

The Zeals have a Dial with a window in it to adjust the damping. This window is great because you can actually see the setting you are on.

Zeal is a small company here in the states and therefore does not have the "market exposure or propaganda" I've seen on competing brands. It's amazing how end users don't make service THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. I'll also put my name on the line that these coils will ride amazingly.

We also offer Silkroad and GP Sports, but I have had personal problems getting my clients serviced in a timely fashion. I know they have to get replacement parts shipped from Japan.

We can internally replace any part that has a problem with the Zeals. We also produce shock dynos and file them here at our facility to ensure proper damping and quality control when the units are received.

Let me know if you're interseted. This is a limited time offer.

Thanks, Rishie

Have the TEIN Flex Types and am very happy with them. No need to spend more. They're 16-way adjustable, and it's very easy to raise and lower the car to any desired height. Spend about $1500 including the 8.5% CA tax. Very much worth it.

You have to remember...when you are braking into turns, there's going to be a lot more pressure on the front suspension than the rear. You brake and most of the weight of the car (which means a greater force) is thrown onto the front suspension. That is why the spring rates in the front are higher than those in the back. This is in turning at least...

Craig

BTW Just bought the FLEX suspension and it will be here within the next two days. I will definitely let you know how it feels. Also, I got my own custom spring rates. Talk to you later and GOOD LUCK!

I have Zeal B6 with street application spring. The comfort on street is very nice and I love it. I started autocross and is going to play around with the setting, alignment and corner balance it. Hope I can find out the potential of the B6 after couple Autocross.

One thing is you can always buy differen spring rate for the shocks if you want something stiffer. I have the original spring and may one day try out there Swift spring.

BC

Check this new thread out if you haven't yet:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...1&page=1&pp=15

Craig