Ok, I've plunked down the bucks for coil overs so now someone can teell me the truth. Is it going to make a noticable difference? I'm probably going to leave the car (87 Turbo) near stock ride height so the cheater way of gaining by lowering the car won't work but is it noticable? I'm sure expecting a lot from it and I'm afraid that I going to end up dissapointed.

 

the main benefit from coilovers is height adjustability, which allows you to corner balance the car.

unfortunately most people nowadays who buy coilovers do not take this extra step, effectively negating the advantage of coilovers.

these new age ricers just buy coilovers so they can really minimize fender gap between wheel and fender.

so, install them. get an alignment. and get the car corner balanced. you should feel an improvement in handling.

 

Hell yes. Elimination of body roll with adjustability just like aznpoopy mentioned. It's the high-end suspension systmem. heh And gotta watch out for the posers.

 

yes coilovers = great

i noticed a lot of handling problems go away after installing some hks coils

 

This question is like asking if food is tasty.

Yes, coilovers with proper spring rates, proper valving for those spring rates, and corner balanced will out perform the stock suspension. Anything else is just stiffer, not necessarily better.

 

+1 to all of the above

 

Cool! Thanks for the info guys.

 

How much does corner balancing typically cost at an "average" place that can do it?

 

My first impression after putting on a set of tien flex was the ride is far better than i had expected and in some ways better than the racing beat springs i bought the car with...

corner balancing cost me 100 bucks. I cant comment on how it improved anything as i dont have a before and after track event to compare it with. but i can say that this setup over racing beat springs on stock shocks is night and day better.

 

Not just body roll, but wheel hop.

 

Is the ride better as far as control, or better as in less harsh? I ask this because I've read before that the ride is "better" but I've also noticed that, though adjustable, coilovers usually come with really high spring rates. Your comment is especially interesting since the RB rates are known to be fairly soft. Can you, or someone else please elaborate on this? I'm strongly considering picking up a set. I don't track the car, but I want the best possible ride quality/performance balance.

 

Hmm, well you definatly feel sharp bumps more... like potholes and bad expansion joints are kinda nasty. But the dampers feel to be much more up to their job than the factory stuff (and mine was good low mileage stuff) washboard surfaces are pretty bad as well... But average pavement the ride is smoother and much better controlled. body roll is much improved.
I put these in for the track and im happy i did... if the car was a daily thing im thinking the RB springs would have been up to the task. but i really didnt like the feel of them on the stock dampers. However i really like the feel of the tiens.

Keep in mind everything im saying is pretty subjective as ive been only street driving on less than performance tires. Once i get on the track on R's im betting ill have some better oppinions.

 

^Thanks^

 

Coilovers, lsd, and a seat are the most effective things you can do to your car if you ask me

 

Do the coilover!

 

My FC went from consistent understeer to consistent control. With good coilovers, you'll still retain somewhat of a decent ride for the most part. I don't see how you would be disappointed, I was amazed at the difference.

Ofcourse, if you ordered some Tein Basics, you may be disappointed, but pretty much everything else will give you good results.