what about these ones? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33582.

 

Howard... Found your post (as well as everyones) very helpful. I'm torn between sticking with a basic shock and spring setup, like maybe Tokico Illuminas and Eibachs. But I have been reading quite a few posts about the Tein Flex Coilover setup, and I'm not sure what I should go with. I mostly drive the car on the street - but have taken it to Lime Rock and the Drag strip a few times. I want something that doesn't completely ruin the ride - on the less than smooth Connecticut Roads, and isn't too expensive.

So, after reading all that I have... is it safe to assume that if the spring rate increases, the ride will be bumpier... or does the shock also play a part in that as well?

According to the TEIN site, the TEIN Flex coilover setup runs 559/448. That is pretty much double the stock spring rate. But, of course, this doesn't mean a whole lot, since I have no comparison - or a way to try that out.

You mentioned that you are running spring rates of 432/378. Which is less than the Flex suspension. How does your car ride? Maybe I just don't believe it's that obvious, but it would seem like it -should- ride a little harder than stock... but not as hard as the Flex suspension. I guess that is where I need clarifiying.

Now don't get me wrong everyone... I'm not looking to make this feel like an Oldsmobile here... but I just want to make sure I don't regret putting this all on the car - and then every time I hit a bump or pothole - a part of my car vibrates off... as well as a filling.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

I installed Eibach pro kit on my car with the 18's, and it rubs in the front on certain turns/bumps. It even pushes the inner fender out.....doesn't cut the tire though..

 

My tires are also 235/45's in the front

 

fstfwd, your understanding is generally correct; ride comfort decreases as the spring rates go up. I run 450F/350R springs after first trying 550F/450R and finding it too bumpy. My car certainly rides stiffer than stock, but it is generally tolerable on the street.

-Max

 

coilovers are the best way to go to be completly happy with a cars suspension setup IMO. I run stock wheels and run HKS hyper coilovers on. I know I wouldn't have been happy with springs and shocks...

 

And how do you know that? The HKS Hypers have equal spring rates front/rear (bad) and do not have independent ride-height/spring pre-load. In essence, other than the potential benefit that HKS actually valved the dampers properly for the springs, your coilovers aren't really functioning any differently than a set of lowering springs and adjustable shocks, which could have been purchased for half the price. Actually, the equal spring rates front/rear will balance the car towards oversteer more than the lowering springs, so they may acutally function worse.

For 95% of FD owners on here, a set of lowering springs and stock shocks or adjustable shocks will provide enhanced handling, while still maintaining a decent ride and suspension durability/reliability.

 

blah blah blah I don't care, Where does it say that equal spring rates are bad? a lot of japenese guys and guys that run on the track run equal spring rates. My HKS coilovers are stiffer in the front and softer in the back anyway. When was the last time you worked for HKS or APEX'i that makes you some professional tuner... oh wait your not even a tuner. Besides, equal spring rates can be offset by running a stiffer sway bar in the front and softening the rear dampener and of course by driving style. What coilovers does the Stillway 7 run .. heh

Look, my car is a street car and I don't track often. I'm saying it because I would not have been happy with springs and shocks due to the lack of tuning ability on them. I like to be able to adjust my ride height for the wheels/tires I want to run. I honestly don't give two ***** on what you have to say about it.


EDIT: I bought these coilovers for almost the same price as new shocks and springs setup (about 700 dollars for new springs and shocks) from a good friend who hooked me up. And plus, now I'm just more bling bling than you.

 

Obviously, you're too busy being a puffed-up little rooster to listen to someone who knows more about suspension tuning than you do.

That's a good point and you got me there.

Not that I care, but wrong again. God, are all 19 year olds this insecure?

 

I was just joking about that one mate. Although white is already more bling than red

 

hehe... that was kinda funny. Some people on here crack me up. But I guess we have to remember that the average person isn't too intelligent and these days the average person is using a computer and the internet.

For what it's worth the only way I've been able to run a lower ride height with my FD without scraping the fender wells and sway bar brackets to bits is with higher rate springs. Lowering springs with a near stock spring rate have never worked out for me.

For regular street use I think you're best off with the stock springs and a nice set of shocks like the Koni adjustables.

 

This is true, but how many people get a chance to buy a set of coilovers for a few hundered dollars more than a set of springs and shocks and not pay shipping? Anyone would have jumped at the chance I got for the coilovers...





What are you inferring?

 

If your getting 18s and you want a real nice look and low ride, COILOVERS is the only way to go..

 

Im also running RS*R coilovers like Howard's but with slightly different spring rates of 488/336 compared to his 432/378. At the softest setting all around, the ride quality is nice around town and especially nice on the freeway. I also have my car set at 25 inches in each corner like Howard. I'm planning on getting 18s for the car sometime in the future and I'm happy to know that I can change the ride height to accomodate the wheels if needed.

Before this I had Tokico Illuminas with H&R Springs. The ride quality was very smooth around town. Perfect for a daily driven car BUT the H&R springs lowered the car too much for my taste. My stock tires (225/50/16) would rub the fender liners on hard turns. I bought 225/45/16 tires for the car and the front stopped rubbing as much. I would imagine it being a pain to drive with this setup and 18 inch wheels.

I think you'll be fine with the stock shocks and some aftermarket springs. Just dont get some that lower the car too much since the bigger wheels themselves will fill up your fenders.

 

Some of you guys must have never heard of the concept of "plus-sizing". There is no reason that an 18-inch wheel/tire must be bigger in diameter than the stock setup.

Here's my car on HKS springs, Koni shocks, with 18" wheels and 235/40, 265/35 tires. My new suspension is sitting in a box in my garage at the moment -- Zeal Function B6 coilovers -- so those of you with coilovers arguing, shut up! :p

 

thats one dingless fd...mine has a few dimples here and there

 

I see that my thread has been resurrected

Rynberg, nice ride and setup. For what it's worth, I still haven't gotten new lowering springs or rims/tires just yet. Just waiting for hell to freeze over I guess!

As far the "dings" comment... dings are EVIL! Get those pulled out if you have any.