I am smart when it comes to appearance. I am OK when it comes to performance. Suspension is my weakness, and I cannot seem to decide on what to aim for.
I want a car that I can take to a track or AutoX, but it will not be only a track car. I don't mind a bumpy ride, but I don't need to be jarred on every bump in the road, either. I can't spend THOUSANDS of dollars on suspension...just out of my budget. Here's what I was planning on:

-Tokico struts (front and rear)
-Eibach Pro Kit springs
-Racing Beat Front/Rear sway bars
-Rotary Extreme toe links and trailing arms

Does that sound OK? Do coilovers replace strut/springs, or are they in addition (stupid question that has been plaguing me)? Would coilovers be a better choice (like ground control)? Am I forgetting anything?

I am also thinking about going with these rims:
Volk GT-A

or SE37A


Any opinions? My car is Montego Blue now, and if I get a total paint job I will be switching to Titanium Silver Metallic.

 

A lot of people run the Eibach/Tokico combo and seem happy. I've heard complaints about the damping rates on the Tokico's from some and I've also heard of a lot of rubbing problems with Eibach's.

Another alternative for you would be the Koni/H&R or Koni/HKS spring combo.

The coil-over replaces both springs and shocks. "True" coil-overs allow independent ride height setting without effecting spring pre-load (the suspension retains full travel regardless of ride height). However, these do cost money and may be more than you are looking for right now.

I would go with the Koni/spring combo for right now. You could always sell them later for decent money if you decide to go the coil-over route.

Your sway bar package looks good. I need to get sway bars myself pretty soon.

Between those two Volk wheels, I would choose the SE37A in a heartbeat. They are quite a bit lighter than the GT-As and look better IMO.

 

Thank you so much!

 

A lot of the hardcore FD auto-x'ers in this area seem to really like the Ground control coil-overs w/ custom spring rates coupled with koni yellows. A car runing this setup won SM2 last year so that might be something to look into. They are adjustable of course so you can have them set rather soft on the street.

 

After Jimlab pointed out some of the flaws of this kit, I happened to view an installed kit in person. Personally, I was not that impressed. All the springs flying loose (not literally) when the car is jacked up makes ~$1200 look like not such a good investment....

The Ground Control package is good if you already have shocks you like and just want to upgrade to coil-overs. But to start totally from scratch, they combined price of shocks and the GC conversion ($600) is not much less than a set of JIC FLT-A2 coil-overs, which look to be superior to the GC's in functionallity.

 

Yup I agree. The GC setup is too damn expensive for the FD. I'd even suggest the Tein Flex, but the FLT-a2 can be had for near the same price.

I would highly suggest teh Konis as well. Then spring choices, you're on your own. The FD guys can tell ya. Alot of guys run the HR's so that's where i would push you. But Racing Beat and HKS should both have phenomenal setups also.

later, Rishie

 

I was simply suggesting it based on the preferences of some local guys and their success, never really given them a good once-over. If he had the cheese tho, I'd say JIC or Tein no doubt.

 

Totally. We understood you. The GC option is good for those who already purchased dampers and don't want to do something redundant. It used to be the only way to acheive coilover status. lol. Thank god it's not now.

The Konis also have a multiple fixed setting perch. Meaning you can put the perch at stock or lower if desired. Therefore you can retain your stock springs, get the Konis and still acheive a lower CG if all you need to do is replace shocks.

PEace, Rishie

 

If it was me, I'd put off buying shocks & springs until I could afford a decent threaded body coilover system for 2-1/2 or 2-1/4 inch diameter springs. That way you can set ride height and corner weights, and you are open to literally thousands more spring combinations. And either diameter spring gives you more clearance to run wider wheels & tires.

Sure, you could buy a single or multiple fixed perch setup with some type of lowering springs, but you get none of the advantages listed above. And you'd be that much farther away from getting them, since you'd be out the $ for the setup you bought.