Coilovers! Help!

[shannonhochkins]

Hey gang!

I have zero clue on what to look for with coilovers and i don't want some shop ripping me off, can anyone point me in the right direction to a semi-cheap pair of coilovers and tell me why some are so much more expensive than others? Anyone know of a good brand?

Thanks so much in advance!!!

Shannon

[ChaosMaster]

Cheap Coilovers are cheap for a reason. You pretty much loose ride quality, instead you gain a harder, firm ride which is better suited for a smooth race track. If you go on a rough track though..... Expensive Coilovers are a lot better but will cost several times more. If your on a budget, get a decent spring/shock/strut combo which will cost you similar to a cheap set of Coilovers, but are better all round. You just loose the ability to adjust height.

[DakDak]

Agreed ^

[Fredoops]

Cheap Coilovers are cheap for a reason. You pretty much loose ride quality, instead you gain a harder, firm ride which is better suited for a smooth race track. If you go on a rough track though..... Expensive Coilovers are a lot better but will cost several times more. If your on a budget, get a decent spring/shock/strut combo which will cost you similar to a cheap set of Coilovers, but are better all round. You just loose the ability to adjust height.

Whats wrong with a set of Tein Street Basis/Form function Type 1 for under a grand?
http://www.heeltoeauto.com/pitboard/?p=1139

It should do what a spring shock combo can do, while being adjustable height wise.


PS: IMO, it's easier to sell a coilover if you happen to part out, than spring/shock combo.

[ryaan]

u can get tein street advance for under a grand too (Y) and it has damper adjustment

[DakDak]

Imo entry level coilovers don't match up to a well suited shock and spring combo.

[3RotaRX]

i got Function/form type 1, never regret buying them. worth every cent.

[ryaan]

i got Function/form type 1, never regret buying them. worth every cent.

is the ride comfort close to/like stock?
and did u opt for the more expensive spring?

[curtis265]

Cheap Coilovers are cheap for a reason. You pretty much loose ride quality, instead you gain a harder, firm ride which is better suited for a smooth race track. If you go on a rough track though..... Expensive Coilovers are a lot better but will cost several times more. If your on a budget, get a decent spring/shock/strut combo which will cost you similar to a cheap set of Coilovers, but are better all round. You just loose the ability to adjust height.

This is 100% correct on all counts but one
you don't have to sacrifice adjustability

koni yellows + ground control springs offer a much larger degree of height and damper adjustability
http://weaksauceparts.com/picturesstore/koni_gc_assembled.jpg

you'd belooking at around 1-1.1k for these

[3RotaRX]

is the ride comfort close to/like stock?
and did u opt for the more expensive spring?

Yep, maybe a little more stiff, but its to be expected.

Nope, i got the standard spring that came with it, and im really impressed with it. Cant go wrong imo

oh and price? $750 delivered from the states.

and a few hours of your time installing, youre preee much good to go

[YER801]

^^^ this is interesting, how long have you had them? whats the adjust-ability like? these coilovers are on my cards to over shock set up

[3RotaRX]

had them on for almost 700ks? and you know, sydney roads are the worst, and where i live have the shittest roads and yet, i love how soft it is over those other coilovers on the markets. Adjusting is pretty easy, just like any other coilovers.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/473201_3866459704769_1376842621_33580674_993533839 _o.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554470_3866460464788_1376842621_33580675_180525647 1_n.jpg
upclose shot
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/303339_3866460864798_1376842621_33580676_422582338 _n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/469512_3866458624742_1376842621_33580671_907198379 _o.jpg

[Fredoops]

^^^ I'd have that over a spring shock combo, just my personal preference having something already pre made.
Easier to sell as well.

[ChaosMaster]

Well, I guess that's a true. It's a factor that doesn't apply to me so I didn't think about it. I'm going to keep my CL9 for at least another 10 years. In the mean time, I'ld grab another sports car (Evo, S2k or Z4) which would be a lot better than the CL9 as a drivers car. By then, there'ld really be no point in parting out the coilovers.

[shannonhochkins]

Excuse my ignorance, I've received alot of negative and positive feedback, what should I go for! :(

[Rudy]

koni and ground control ftw. None of those budget coilovers can compare. Tried and tested setup.

The reason some are more expensive than others is the RnD/testing and quality control and quality of the shocks used, leading to improved life and a better ride. Many chinese coilovers are a one size fits all deal, they will give you a drop and thats it and use cheap parts. Some people only care about looks and thats fine.

[shannonhochkins]

so they are coilovers though? Or are they something different? You aren't able to link me to a website are you?

[Rudy]

so they are coilovers though? Or are they something different? You aren't able to link me to a website are you?

Sent you a PM

[Fredoops]

so they are coilovers though? Or are they something different? You aren't able to link me to a website are you?

Once you added ground control, springs and shock together you end up with a coilover anyway.

So in effect you've jut made a DIY coilover with parts.

[tonysalib]

This is 100% correct on all counts but one
you don't have to sacrifice adjustability

koni yellows + ground control springs offer a much larger degree of height and damper adjustability
http://weaksauceparts.com/picturesstore/koni_gc_assembled.jpg

you'd belooking at around 1-1.1k for these

I want some of these :eek:

[ryaan]

so just to confirm the gc + koni setups .. the gc springs is basically eibach springs? (are the pro kit or sportline?)
and where does the damper adjustibility come from? i tried searching on their website and cant find.. :S

[Fredoops]

Koni yellow you can adjust the firmness of the shocks by turning a knob.


Ps: with koni/gc you'll reuse OEM tophat dont you, if that's the case, probably allow more labour costs.

[3RotaRX]

You want cheap coils that will do the job? and wont hurt your back while driving? so these Function/form will do. think about it, will you track your car? If not, no point in investing big money for coils. In terms of reliability, its been very good, no leaks or anything else that could happen YET. Its up to you to pay 300-400 more for shock and spring for that extra comfort.. to me what i have the softness is amazing.. hehe. Spring rates are 12kg front and 6kg rear.

[butterfingers]

bc br type coiliovers

[tonysalib]

oh and price? $750 delivered from the states.

Damn that is cheap for a set of coilovers for the CL9.

Is that from eBay? Checked on Heeltoe but it comes to $882 delivered.

[Fredoops]

I'm looking at Teins street advance myself. It looks like an improved SS design (no edfc, but I'm okay with that)

Hey what's the spring rate for GC thread kit?

I know OEM is (Front/Rear Kgf) 5k/3k
Tein street basis (not street basic, which was the old model) 8k/4k
Tein Street advance 8k/4k
Tein CST (comfort sport) 7k/4k
Tein SS 10k/6k
Buddyclub N+ 11k/4k
HT F/F type 2 12k/6k

[ChaosMaster]

I'm in the same dilema. Although my problem is that I'm after something for street use only, so I want same spring rates and only a 15mm drop front and 25mm drop rear (measured gaps 60mm front and 50mm rear, so I want to make them even). Don't think there are kits out there that will lower only 15mm though.

[BigBen]

When I was young and dumb and spent an insane amount of money on cars (now any 1000cc bike can do stupid speeds out of the box), I use a company call K-Mac who can do custom springs and shocks. Not sure if they still in business thou.

[curtis265]

so they are coilovers though? Or are they something different? You aren't able to link me to a website are you?

yes, they essentially are, however coilover means 'spring over shock'.

I believe they are softer than most 'off the shelf' units and provide a damping which is much more suitable to the street - the spring rates and damp rates are soft enough to actually keep your wheels on the road, rather than go airborne

[YER801]

I'm looking at Teins street advance myself. It looks like an improved SS design (no edfc, but I'm okay with that)

Hey what's the spring rate for GC thread kit?

I know OEM is (Front/Rear Kgf) 5k/3k
Tein street basis (not street basic, which was the old model) 8k/4k
Tein Street advance 8k/4k
Tein CST (comfort sport) 7k/4k
Tein SS 10k/6k
Buddyclub N+ 11k/4k
HT F/F type 2 12k/6k

so taking this into account... if considering a street use coilover go tein SB's for more comfort??

as the F&F type 1 has a 12kg front which will make bumps more harsh?

[Fredoops]

so taking this into account... if considering a street use coilover go tein SB's for more comfort??

as the F&F type 1 has a 12kg front which will make bumps more harsh?

it's not that simple sadly. you'll also need to look at damper design

having said that, i am yet to hear a bad review of tein street basis (not basic)

[YER801]

still hanging on that guy about ss's for under a grand too..

tein is a more trustworthy brand with a shortened shock so the ride on basis should be nice for street(in theroy)? agreed?
that spring rate on the front springs is holding me back from ordering some right now and lean for a tein or shock and spring =/

[Fredoops]

still hanging on that guy about ss's for under a grand too..

tein is a more trustworthy brand with a shortened shock so the ride on basis should be nice for street(in theroy)? agreed?
that spring rate on the front springs is holding me back from ordering some right now and lean for a tein or shock and spring =/
I found this little gem!
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/heeltoe-automotive/49186-tein-ht-spec-megan-h-r-what-coilovers-should-you-get.html

/case closed.


I'm sticking with Teins. But that's just because I can't afford H&R with Bliestin dampers!

[YER801]

i like the look of the HT spec F/f to be honest, with the extra love from heeltoe..... i think ill opt for the more expensive set from ht over the ebay spec

freedoops if u were closer to qld we could do a test once we are rolling on them (N)

[08r3308]

how would tein ss compare to say bc br?

[Fredoops]

how would tein ss compare to say bc br?

From the reviews the tein is better made, in Japan I think. Rebuildable
BC is Taiwanese made, probably better value in terms of features, not as well made from the reports, not rebuildable(I think)

[ryaan]

guys who else is interested in street advance? group buy + combined shipping? :))))

[Fredoops]

Group buy not allowed here sadly

[08r3308]

I just looked into street advance :) looks better than ss.

With tein i noticed strut shaft is 22mm and bc 44mm i think.
How does this affect handlig?

Tein looks like is great and quality built