suspension choices???

[Muzz]

hey there guys ive searched and havnt found answers to my questions.
im looking at getting coilovers and my price range goes up to $2000, car is a 99 ek civic.

im looking at either -

Buddyclub N+
Tein super street
Koni yellows and groung control coilovers with eibach springs
http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=548/CA=55

Out of the N+ and SS id prefer to go with the N+ cus they are a bit stiffer than the SS, witch i found to be pretty soft in my mates car. i want somthing nice and firm. However searching the net, i cant find any info reguarding rebuilding the N+. I believe they are non-rebuildable:thumbdwn: . Can anyone confirm or deny this? theyll only see 4 years on the car (say 80 000km) will the N+ outlast this with no maintenance?

Reguarding the koni yellows w/ground controls, when i go to get the koni yellows, will i have to get them valved to suit my chosen spring rates? (around 10kg-f 8kg-r) Also my car will be 1"-1.5" lower, do they need to be adjusted to suit this?
(i believe there good upto a 15mm drop i was told by somone who i dont quite trust?)

Is there any other products anyone else can recomend witch would be better than my chosen options so far, keeping in mind strictly under $2000.

Thanks guys:thumbsup:

[Eclipsor]

First off I'd say go for full coilovers instead of the koni/gc combo. Since your budget easily covers quite a range of coilovers. You know that the shocks and springs are going to be matched no stuffing around getting the koni's revalved or whatever.

If you're after something stiffer than the SS maybe check out the K-sports. I've been running them for about a month now and I'm very happy with them. On full soft settings I find the ride to be great. Still quite firm but very bareable. To quote my old fuddy duddy dad. "Yeah I could handle this every day". :p Handling suffers a little though. (still amazing compared to my last setup koni/kings) Turn the stiffness up a bit and you can find a good setting if you like having a bit more fun on the corners. Ride comfort suffers a bit though. Turn them right up and it is pretty unbearable for me on the streets. Would be good for the track though.

I havn't tried the N+ myself though so can't compare them with the k's. Talk to Trav from underground imports for more info on the K's and whether they can be rebuilt etc. He also has experience with Buddyclub products.

[Slow96GSR]

I would go with a Tien (http://www.tein.com/) or Edelbrock (http://www.edelbrock.com/sportcompact_new/mc/suspension/sus_shocks.shtml) setup. You get everything and come under your budget. It's the two I have used but like the Edelbrocks more.

[Muzz]

thanks guys:thumbsup: ill have a search around for edelbrocks and k sports.

[Muzz]

how much did you pay for your edelbrocks?

[Slow96GSR]

Wholesale!! It's about $900AUD wholesale.

[barefootbonzai]

Dude you've got $2000 to play with. Don't get SS, koni's or k-sport they suck. Just go with the BC N+, you can hook up a brand new set up from JDMYard.

[Muzz]

yeah its the way im leaning
not hearing much good bout ksports, dont like the softness of SSs....
id get em from the US. There $801 US so $1068AU from www.optionimports.com probly pay under $1300 with shipping.

[Muzz]

i believe that pillow ball mounts for the EKs arnt much of a benifit. True or false?

[bennjamin]

i believe that pillow ball mounts for the EKs arnt much of a benifit. True or false?

True.

[CTR Coupe]

If you're after something stiffer than the SS maybe check out the K-sports.
FYI K-sports= rebadged D2 rubbish
Look up D2 for the problems. I have no idea why the yanks crap on about this Taiwanese made rubbish I would rather go with a trusted name like Edelbrock than that crap.
The koni's are the safe option you know exactly what you’re getting a proven track car setup with proven nationwide support for rebuilds and revalving

I ended up going Cusco only because it was a special and it was cheaper than a koni/GC setup.

Otherwise I would be running a Koni/GC setup right now

there is nothing wrong with sleve type coilovers provided they are properly built ones like Ground Control.

[Muzz]

FYI K-sports= rebadged D2 rubbish
Look up D2 for the problems. I have no idea why the yanks crap on about this Taiwanese made rubbish I would rather go with a trusted name like Edelbrock than that crap.


Yeah theres no way id be spending this much money on somthing that isnt proven to be of good build, especially when theres plenty of proven setups in this pricerange. From only a little research on the net it didnt take long to find out lots abot the quality of d2s and k sports.

[Muzz]

True.
cheers:thumbsup:

[bennjamin]

cheers:thumbsup:

to be specific , adjustable pillow ball upper mounts do nothing ~ "normal" pillow ball upper mounts increase stiffness and drivers feel.

[Speeder]

to be specific , adjustable pillow ball upper mounts do nothing ~ "normal" pillow ball upper mounts increase stiffness and drivers feel.

But does this equate to faster wear and tare on your car? Also are metal pillow ball upper mounts destructable compared to say the OEM rubber mounts?

[bennjamin]

But does this equate to faster wear and tare on your car? Also are metal pillow ball upper mounts destructable compared to say the OEM rubber mounts?

Yes , because the bumps n forces are applied more directly to the car ( stiffer)
The "pillow ball" joint is more likely to brake on our un even australian roads as its less cushioned than OEM.

[Speeder]

Yes , because the bumps n forces are applied more directly to the car ( stiffer)
The "pillow ball" joint is more likely to brake on our un even australian roads as its less cushioned than OEM.

But lat's just say, if I was to get coilovers, can I use my stock upper mounts? Or do I have to use the uppermounts supplyed with the coilovers?

[SLOWEGG]

You can use either one, If it comes with upper mounts then just use that, ifnt then just use you're stock one. Also it's a waste of money buying camber adjustable upper mounts.

[Speeder]

You can use either one, If it comes with upper mounts then just use that, ifnt then just use you're stock one. Also it's a waste of money buying camber adjustable upper mounts.

Thanks.
Yeah I had figured that one, they are only useful for non-double wishbones afaik. Correct me if I'm wrong thought.

[sugz]

I ended up going Cusco only because it was a special and it was cheaper than a koni/GC setup.

Otherwise I would be running a Koni/GC setup right now

there is nothing wrong with sleve type coilovers provided they are properly built ones like Ground Control.

isnt konis/GC set up will be cheaper than cusco?

[Dylanamus]

I have Tein SS on my EF8 and I'm upgrading to 12/8 spring rates. I've got my eyes on the EF8 Specific Buddyclub Racing spec coilovers at the moment. Nothing better has popped up as far as I have found.

I'm a go-kart fan, so I want spine-busting suspension. I found the SS way too soft and bouncy for my liking, but you might find it perfect for the street. You can pick them up for $1400, so you could put the rest into swaybars etc. The Buddy N+ are slightly stiffer than SS btw.

[Muzz]

I have Tein SS on my EF8 and I'm upgrading to 12/8 spring rates. I've got my eyes on the EF8 Specific Buddyclub Racing spec coilovers at the moment. Nothing better has popped up as far as I have found.

I'm a go-kart fan, so I want spine-busting suspension. I found the SS way too soft and bouncy for my liking, but you might find it perfect for the street. You can pick them up for $1400, so you could put the rest into swaybars etc. The Buddy N+ are slightly stiffer than SS btw.

cheers mate:thumbsup:

[CTR Coupe]

isnt konis/GC set up will be cheaper than cusco?
yes it is. i got a special deal.

[kraftycuts]

I would go with a Tien (http://www.tein.com/) or Edelbrock (http://www.edelbrock.com/sportcompact_new/mc/suspension/sus_shocks.shtml) setup. You get everything and come under your budget. It's the two I have used but like the Edelbrocks more.
http://www.edelbrock.com/sportcompact_new/mc/suspension/img/33704_lg.jpg
Most Advanced, Best Performing Shock Available Today
Specifically Tuned for Each Application
More Responsive Handling and a Comfortable Ride
Same Mono-Tube Construction Used in Racing Shocks
Adjustable ride height from stock to a 2.5 inch drop
Billet 6061 aluminum shock mounts, 46mm piston for consistent damping
Limited Lifetime WarrantyEDELBROCK SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION
PERFORMER IAS ADJUSTABLE COILOVER SHOCK ABSORBERS
Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks with the patented RICOR Inertia Active System (IAS) revolutionize the way shocks are designed. This ground-breaking IAS technology is combined with a matched rate Eibach spring and tuned to function as a combination. Edelbrock IAS Adjustable Coilover Shocks allow you to set your ride height from stock to 2.5" lower while providing exceptional grip and handling with greater ride comfort. Available individually or in complete sets of four that contains everything necessary for a bolt-on installation.

hey man... how much is something like these and is there a supplier in australia? and are they damper adjustable?

[TEGNO1]

Hi here is another choice, the ones i got, they are built in Australia by a AXT turbo which is an Australian company ,with german parts and are german tuv approved , are bump/rebound adjustable, i had mine built with my chosen spring rate, (8kg + 6.5kg), But you can buy the spring rates with the kit or you can specify your own,Here is the link and i also provided an attachment.(http://www.hotbits.org/product002.html),later.

[Muzz]

thanks for the imput guys:p im going with the n+ ill let u all kno how they go once i get em

[Dylanamus]

Ahh come on Muzz, get the Buddyclub Racing Spec! I know where you can get them for around $2000-$2200 landed. Not really exceeding your budget by too much ;)

[Muzz]

Ahh come on Muzz, get the Buddyclub Racing Spec! I know where you can get them for around $2000-$2200 landed. Not really exceeding your budget by too much ;)

ahhhhhhh its really tempting man, and i would, but im only usin them for 3yrs till i finish my mechanical/motorsport engineering degree. At that point ill be de-registering my car to strip it down & build it up for circuit racing. il be getting some dedicated racing coilovers then, so ill save my money for when that day comes.

being at uni im a poor ass.... i can get the n+ for under $1400 from USA. Thatll do me over for the next few years.

[Dylanamus]

$1400AUD landed? Not bad hey. I've found the racing coilovers for $1685AUD at the cheapest, but that's not the final price. You may own them at that stage, but they'll still be in Japan until you add a few hundred onto that. If it's only a few hundred extra to get the Racing Spec, if I was you I would do it and save yourself neigh on a grand down the track.

I know the EF8 Racing Spec coilovers are 12/8 (for a 950kg car), so the rates will probably be suitable for your dedicated track car (at least for a while).

[Muzz]

yeah ur right there, the racing specs would be decent for track to say the least, but when i build up my car for circuit, i plan on using better shocks than the racing spec coilovers, so really it would just be extra money i cant afford. If i wasnt in $2500 debt, id consider them for shur though!

in the future Ill be doing this build up to showcase my chassis preping skills (cage building, seam welding, swiss cheesing, foam filling etc. (i dont have these skills yet!)) and my aim is to maximise the unibody from an engineers point of view, for lightness and stiffness. So naturally ill be looking for top notch suspension to highlight the very extensive chassis work the car will go through.

[chunky]

i lyk tien suspension

[Muzz]

i lyk tien suspension
cool!:p

[CTR Coupe]

yeah ur right there, the racing specs would be decent for track to say the least, but when i build up my car for circuit, i plan on using better shocks than the racing spec coilovers, so really it would just be extra money i cant afford. If i wasnt in $2500 debt, id consider them for shur though!

in the future Ill be doing this build up to showcase my chassis preping skills (cage building, seam welding, swiss cheesing, foam filling etc. (i dont have these skills yet!)) and my aim is to maximise the unibody from an engineers point of view, for lightness and stiffness. So naturally ill be looking for top notch suspension to highlight the very extensive chassis work the car will go through.
Penske! if you want experence with what most race teams in oz are running