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Coilovers vs aftermarket springs and shocks

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Old Aug 14, 2003 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
TobiasRX's Avatar
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From: Ljungby, Sweden
Coilovers vs aftermarket springs and shocks

Hi

I've browsed around some on the archive but didnt find the exact info that im looking for.

While many people are interested in how it looks on the car when u buy lowering springs im on the other hand is looking for something that is great on the track. Since coilovers isn't cheap i'm thinking about buying Koni shocks and eibach springs, or any other springs if there exists better.
Now to my question, Is coilovers superior to shocks and springs? Since i want the best handling i can get i'm very interested to know if anyone who has tried both had felt significant difference.
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Old Aug 14, 2003 | 09:13 AM
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From: CT
i know this isnt exactly the answer to your question...but...
I have the eibach springs/koni shocks combo. The eibachs are alittle too soft. I hear M2 offers both a coilover conversion kit as well as just springs that are much stiffer then the eibachs. If you want to stay relatively cheap go with the koni's and m2 springs. I wish i didnt buy the eibachs.

Last edited by matty; Aug 14, 2003 at 09:16 AM.
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Old Aug 14, 2003 | 09:23 AM
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Buy the JIC coilovers. You won't regret it. I have the Ground Control setup with Koni's and drove an FD with the JICs and the difference was amazing.

Just do it right the first time, otherwise buy a set of used GC's and Koni's to get improvement at a lower price.
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Old Aug 14, 2003 | 03:33 PM
  #4  
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The problem with buying shocks and springs/coilover kit vs buying a true coilover is that you don't know if the shock is valved to the spring that you buy. I'd say 80% of the time, it's not. You end up with one suspension component trying to compensate for the other's inability. The end result is either an unusually harsh ride or slightly sloppy handling. If it's not a pressing need, I'd recommend saving up for coilovers. It's better to buy a system that was designed together than to piecemeal it together and hope that you get what you want. Like most performance parts, you get what you pay for. For ultimate handling, coilovers are the way to go ... and it's gonna cost ya.
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Old Aug 15, 2003 | 09:46 AM
  #5  
TobiasRX's Avatar
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From: Ljungby, Sweden
thanks, i will try to get some coilovers when my brother will go to the states. They're not very much more than buying shocks and springs.

If anyone wanna sponsor me for som Öhlins shocks i'm more than happy to take the offer
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Old Aug 15, 2003 | 11:30 AM
  #6  
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From: Crestview, FL
Originally posted by xchaos
Buy the JIC coilovers. You won't regret it. I have the Ground Control setup with Koni's and drove an FD with the JICs and the difference was amazing.

Just do it right the first time, otherwise buy a set of used GC's and Koni's to get improvement at a lower price.
I had Koni Yellows with PFS Blue Springs and now I have the JIC FLT-A2's. Talk about night and day. The car handles SO much better now that it isn't even funny. Not to mention the fact the combo of Koni Yellows and just about any other lowering springs (other than the original springs that came on the car) will probably cause some sort of rubbing on your inner fender. I never had a problem with rubbing on the street, but at VIR there is one off camber turn going down hill and it rubbed so bad that it made a hole in my fender liner. You have to be careful, because the electrical wire that goes to your airbag is right about the driver's side fender (where mine was rubbing) and if it rubs through the wire you may be up for a nasty surprise.

My Dad has double adjustable Koni Yellows with the Ground Control kit (with the springs rates recommended by Tri-point) and we has been trying to trade me coilovers ever since I got my JIC's. They are so much more comfortable on regular roads and they still handle better than his setup.

I can't say enough about my JIC's. I really like them. The only trouble is that it takes forever to get a set once you order them.

- Cody
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Old Aug 15, 2003 | 04:49 PM
  #7  
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Coilovers if nothing else for the track have adjustability since ride height = turbulance... and if you want a harsh low but amazing controll car on the track you can lower it with the hardware provided on the track, and raise it to make it home over those speed bumps and poorly maintained roads...

It's not really possible with a fixed spring, it's either to high on the track or to low on the street...

My 2 Cents...
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