opinions on coilovers

[bigfishs]

My other strut on my 04 sti is starting to clunk methinks.  Fed up with the regreasing efforts so the choices on the table are for my needs (not going to track car and is winter driver so only would like to lower by maybe 10mm and bit stiffer/better handling than stock, but not teeth rattling)

Rear Tic spec dampers plus bits plus use stock springs 500 bucks (no lowering)
All corners of above 910 bucks
All corners of above plus rce black springs 1250
 
Or go with BR BC or megan coilovers which seem to be 1000-1250 on nasty. 

I know at least one person has the TIC plus RCEs on here, does anyone have input on the full coilovers BR BC Megan or Tein?

Any idea how much an install/alignment is going to run me?

[idipskoalmint]

I'd go with struts/springs, personally.

Feal Suspension does revalving for use with the RCE springs that is appealing. I've been considering going with that when my struts finally give out. Turbaru posted a thread about them recently, but he hasn't done it yet, so we can't get his thoughts on the setup.

I would DIY installation, personally. If you're not comfortable with the install, someone here would be willing to help you, I'm sure.

As for alignments, Precision Auto charges under $100 to align to your specs; I've been extremely happy with their work and recommended them to multiple people. The shop manager, Gus, is a member on here (Bioya), so shoot him a message and he can give you an accurate quote (while you're at it, ask for a quote on install too).

[deadlydave]

I know at least one person has the TIC plus RCEs on here, does anyone have input on the full coilovers BR BC Megan or Tein?

Any idea how much an install/alignment is going to run me?

I think I've gotten my advice down to a science now on this subject.  I've used 1.5 sets of Tiens(lol), Megans(Baja Turbo, 10k/8k), and a few strut/spring combinations.

Coilover cons:  bouncy, uncomfortable, unforgiving, loud(mounts transfer NVH), adjustment collars can freeze without regular preventative maintenence, impossible to replace 1.  You feel "ricey".
Coilover pros:  easy install, better tire clearance, adjustable height, adjustable damping, less body roll, stiffer, you feel 'more connected'.

If you do any sort of distance driving or driving on garbage pavement, and don't intend to use your car for autocross, it's probably not worth it.  I use coilovers in the wrx, but it's because my friends are all fatties.  The strut/spring combo, with blown rear struts I might add, felt just as good in a competition environment and driving spritedly in public.  More roll, but much less nerve-wracking over mid-corner bumps.

[SideshowBob]

I'd go with struts/springs, personally.

Feal Suspension does revalving for use with the RCE springs that is appealing. I've been considering going with that when my struts finally give out. Turbaru posted a thread about them recently, but he hasn't done it yet, so we can't get his thoughts on the setup.

I would DIY installation, personally. If you're not comfortable with the install, someone here would be willing to help you, I'm sure.

As for alignments, Precision Auto charges under $100 to align to your specs; I've been extremely happy with their work and recommended them to multiple people. The shop manager, Gus, is a member on here (Bioya), so shoot him a message and he can give you an accurate quote (while you're at it, ask for a quote on install too).

What he said. Coils are a waste of loot unless it's a dedicated track or Auto-X car. IMO any coil less than $3k for a set isn't worth the metal they are made out of anyways.

I was just as fast if not faster at autoX with a spring/strut combo as I was on the coils I bought. I regretted them immensely as they made the car a bitch to daily drive.

[Turbaru]

Turbaru posted a thread about them recently, but he hasn't done it yet, so we can't get his thoughts on the setup.

Shipping out Friday or Monday, should be all set for a review end of next week!

[bigfishs]

All good advice thus far.  I cant be arsed with a bouncy car, not that I do a lot of distance driving.  I may just get the new rear struts and put them in with the stock springs or if I can get a deal on springs do them to.

[deadlydave]

I cant be arsed with a bouncy car, not that I do a lot of distance driving.

I use the e30 to look good/ride well and the wrx to pity fools. 

[cazwrx187]

I'd go with struts/springs, personally.

Feal Suspension does revalving for use with the RCE springs that is appealing. I've been considering going with that when my struts finally give out. Turbaru posted a thread about them recently, but he hasn't done it yet, so we can't get his thoughts on the setup.

I would DIY installation, personally. If you're not comfortable with the install, someone here would be willing to help you, I'm sure.

As for alignments, Precision Auto charges under $100 to align to your specs; I've been extremely happy with their work and recommended them to multiple people. The shop manager, Gus, is a member on here (Bioya), so shoot him a message and he can give you an accurate quote (while you're at it, ask for a quote on install too).

Feel Supension FTW.  If I had a new model STi that's what I'd do.

[RedRoof2]

Coilover cons:  bouncy, uncomfortable, unforgiving

This is why your typical "off the shelf" japanese coilovers can be a genuine waste of money and piece of shit.  A PROPER suspension shouldn't be bouncy and unforgiving, even a racing suspension. Everytime the vehicle bounces, it's an oscillation that's shocking the contact patch in a sine-wave pattern.  That's the last thing you need mid-corner when you're scrambling for grip.  Look at any proper coilover from Moton, Ohlins, Penske or even Toda racing - they do it right.  Tight, compliant, able to soak up irregularities without causing the vehicle to porpoise around with pogo-stick-like behavior.  The reality of life is that not only are street vehicles susceptible to pavement imperfections, but on many racetracks, there exist enough imperfections that bumps, ridges and dips are items that should be taken into consideration when specifying spring and damping rates, but often aren't.  It seems many japanese coilovers and their requisite knockoffs, are built in a vacuum.  They assume a perfectly smooth road and are built accordingly, but hit a bump mid-corner with a set of JIC FLT-A2's and you're suddenly worried about skidding and controlling your tail.  I still remember Centola's WRX, going around a ramp off 787.  A corner I now take with my jeep at 30-35 without feeling uncomfortable,  we were taking at 38, feeling like we were on the edge of the envelope.  It wasn't just the stiffness.  The suspension wasn't taking up the bumps and the car felt uselessly nervous.  

But how cool those fancy anodized bits were!  

[spoolordie]

my opinion on coilovers^^^ redroof is right, real setups cost money and will be ruined on the street (thus needing a revalve/rebuild $$$$)

i bought mine(BC RAM inverted)
Pros
they handle much better then oem suspension
they are adjustable (ride height changing is a plus)
they are lighter
Cons
any road imperfections....SUCK
bouncy (changes with dampening rod)
Needs to be rebuilt often (most people dont)
Noisey
Car feels like it will shake apart
also the amount of bouncy they have on rough roads makes me think how well do they grip when oscillating

mine are on a Daily Driver there great but stiff (troy roads make me cry)
over all i like them but they get old quick, but i put a good amount of miles on

[AirManCam]

Coilover cons:  bouncy, uncomfortable, unforgiving, loud(mounts transfer NVH), adjustment collars can freeze without regular preventative maintenence, impossible to replace 1.  You feel "ricey".

I disagree. BC offers replacements (They don't rebuild anymore, but offer a brand new replacement for $95).

I have a set of BC's as well, I'm not claiming them to be gods gift but properly setup they ride better than my car did on stock struts on RCE yellows. I just re-adjusted mine last night after putting my wheels on and I love it the handling is amazing compared to my stock struts. I don't have much driving time in a car that has aftermarket struts/springs but I did drive Conors 05 STI a bit with Ohlins fixed perches and RCE Yellows and I could tell a difference between that and coils. The sad part was who ever bought that suspension setup paid more than they could have got a decent set of coilovers for.

With that being said, if your car is a DD/winter driven I wouldn't waste money on expensive coilovers. They do get a bit annoying on long drives as the comfort does go away from being so stiff.

[madlife]

my opinion on coilovers^^^ redroof is right,

Word... while my mr2 doesnt have coilovers, its setup has retardly stiff springs + under dampened / going bad struts.  Some days it feels like it never stops bouncing up and down.....  anyways, the only time I came close to experience the legendary "Snap oversteer"  was mid-turn.  I hit a bump or pothole or dead hooker, and the ass just went out and i was white knuckling it staring at the river. Every coilover setup Ive been on seems ways to stiff for NY roads.. Florida or AZ roads are another story now....

Airman... I dont know what you drive... but from what I have read, the stock WRX struts aren't really anything to jump for joy about; regardless of the springs {at least from 02-08.}

[nubs1094]

soo whats the verdict, most coilovers can be tolerable if set up correctly? or you need an expensive set to not get bounce? 

I have a set of those new ISC N1's I got at a good price at WBM last year. If it's going to be more dangerous around corners to have them than not then I'll sell them off. But if it's just a matter of setting them up the correct way then I'll keep them.  My car's a DD

[AirManCam]

Airman... I dont know what you drive... but from what I have read, the stock WRX struts aren't really anything to jump for joy about; regardless of the springs {at least from 02-08.}

See my sig.

soo whats the verdict, most coilovers can be tolerable if set up correctly? or you need an expensive set to not get bounce? 

I have a set of those new ISC N1's I got at a good price at WBM last year. If it's going to be more dangerous around corners to have them than not then I'll sell them off. But if it's just a matter of setting them up the correct way then I'll keep them.  My car's a DD

Yes, Its all about having them setup properly. Its like on a motocross bike, get your suspension properly setup and you can gain serious time around the track You can't be afraid to play with the different settings. I don't know much about the ISC's but I just looked them up on Importimage and they seem to be almost identical to my BC's. I don't think you have anything to worry about, coilovers aren't going to make your car dangerous or handle worse, that I promise. It took me about a month to find the sweet spot on my coils and if your interested, I will help you setup yours as well

[nubs1094]

what are you following me? lolol just playin, yeah dude that would be awesome

[spoolordie]

then comes the issue  STANCE vs Handling

and seeing ive had my coilovers for over a year being real low to as high as they go, being low low definitely effects handling

idc what anyone says being that low makes your car handle like a boat and messes with dynamic camber, alot of people get the misconception that being low = better handling

to low the suspension geometry is all whacked out and when cornering, your dynamic camber will change and you will lose negative camber

ask redroof the macpherson suspension does not like to be lowered

Id like to get a ride in a car with koni yellow/GC setup

[AirManCam]

then comes the issue  STANCE vs Handling

and seeing ive had my coilovers for over a year being real low to as high as they go, being low low definitely effects handling

idc what anyone says being that low makes your car handle like a boat and messes with dynamic camber, alot of people get the misconception that being low = better handling

to low the suspension geometry is all whacked out and when cornering, your dynamic camber will change and you will lose negative camber

ask redroof the macpherson suspension does not like to be lowered

Id like to get a ride in a car with koni yellow/GC setup

I agree, I had my car dumped and my springs completely soft. It looked good but thats as far as it goes. I raised it up to my liking, and tightened my spring and dampening and it handles soooo good even with my 9.5s. I don't even need hardly any camber after the job Byron and I did on the fenders and you can't even tell by looking

[spoolordie]

most of the time coilovers are so stiff, you dont have worry about rubbing unless your a v-dub guy

You aint dubin if you aint rubbin

[nubs1094]

^ love it ... sometimes I wish I had enough disposable income to get a old diesel dub for mileage and slam it so hard it'd need a skid plate for the oil pan, just because.  But then I come back to reality.

[spoolordie]

yeah i had a friend do that^^^ when picked it up i was like why do you need that lol, but TDI's are nice....mmmm MPGzzzzzzzzz

[AirManCam]

My buddy has a 1.8t GLI, his coils will be here this week and his skid plate too He said its going on the ground and we're all holding him to it

[spoolordie]

[deadlydave]

soo whats the verdict, most coilovers can be tolerable if set up correctly? or you need an expensive set to not get bounce? 

The major difference is Progressive rate springs vs linear rate springs. I don't know of a coilover that comes with progressive springs, while most aftermarket springs are progressive rate.  

If you're driving 10/10ths on a public road, you'll probably crash regardless of your suspension.  Ask me how I Know.

[nubs1094]

airmancam: PICS haha

spoolordie:   moaar looww!... no but really thats a sick picture

dave: that sucks man I cry for you

[AirManCam]

airmancam: PICS haha

spoolordie:   moaar looww!... no but really thats a sick picture

dave: that sucks man I cry for you

Unedited Iphone teaser