Suspension choices

This may be a bit of a noob question, but my understanding of suspension is pretty limited. Just wondering why everyone seems to want adjustable coilovers? Is there any advantage (apart from being able to adjust vehicle hight, and a little more adjustability in dampner) to coilovers over say decent springs and shocks such as this kit
http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart/description.php?II=1222&Car_Type=300&UID=20070103021417220.237.75.245

Im chasing better handling than what my stock 16yr old suspension is giving, but the car will never see the track - am I wasting my money by choosing coilovers?

thansk,

Pete

 

Hi Pete

Most people who opt for coilovers have gone down the upgraded suspension route before and been unhappy with the overall results see Adraino zeds thread on the Tein S Tech springs.

A setup like the one pictured above will usually set you back around $800 odd for the KYB adjustable shocks plus around $400 for the lowered springs to match. Most dont get satisfactory results with the off shelf lowered springs available due to the existing sag of 16 year old suspension etc.

Coilovers in the Tein SS (super street) form allow for ride height adjustability (limited) and damper adjustability (16 point or 32 point with the optional EDFC kit)

Coilovers in the Tein Flex form allow for greater ride height adjustability and the same damper rate adjustability but can also be setup for spring preload and greater bump stop characteristics which is what you need for the track so you can corner balance your car for the most effective weight transfer.

There is not a whole lot of difference price wise between the two SS around $1550 ish and flex around 2k ish.

If you get defected for being too low just wind it up a bit and your done no changing out springs and shocks etc.

Hope this helps

Jas

 

Thanks Jas,

I see what you are saying - but if I never plan to race my car on a track, and would never want my daily driven zed to be much if at all any lower than stock, will I get much benefit from coilovers? The kit I pictured above is $US650 + freight, including a kit to reset camber after lowering it .8" due to the new lowered springs. So that should be under $AUS1000 delivered. These shocks have adjustable dampening - not as much control as the coilovers, but would it be enough for normal street use?

Thanks for your help,

Pete

 

Check with Coz I think you will find freight will be more than you have allowed the setup is quite heavy and will be costly if sending by air. If sending by sea will be cheaper but will most likely be stung with duty.

Good luck with it

J

 

And many....

...spend thousands on coilovers like Tein and are never quite happy with the springrates and such. (Jap springrates are all too high)
KYB AGX about $550 delivered.
Eibach progressives are supposed to be very good and work very well with the AGX. These springs aren't cheap though. About $250USD + freight is the cheapest you'll get them, and freight will be a fair amount. Prob same again about $550AUD for the springs.
$1,100 and you'd have a great setup, not adjustable like Tein coilovers though should be damn good straight out of the box.
I'd go for the cheaper option for a street car, your dentist will appreciate it... and less hassle.
Egg

 

Hey jason,

Another pete question here

You say the tein SS are limited (height wise)...but to how much?....i mean by how low is the lowest you can have them for front and rear?

For example your car, it was quite low and you said you can make it even lower....was that SS or flex?

Cheers,

Pete

 

I have a similar setup with the one you've quoted. Only difference is I have Tanabe Sustec springs (progressive spring rate).

I first changed the springs a couple of years back which dropped the height about 1.5 inches and noticed a huge difference in handling. My suspension was completely stock prior to fitting the springs.

I then fitted the adjustable upper control arms for the front (Madori style) but they were giving me problems with clunking noises while going over large bumps and squeaking noises most of the time.

I finally got fed up with the adj upper control arms and swapped them for what you have in the pic (spacer kit).

About 3 weeks ago I purchased a complete set of KYB AGX shocks from eBay US for about $470AU which included delivery.

After fitting them I noticed another big improvement with the cars handling. I've set the dampening midway for both front and rear. I haven't played around with the settings to determine what the ideal amount of dampening would be for front and rear.

Anyway for the cost I'm very happy with the setup I've got. The Tanabe springs I purchased 2nd hand for $160

 

toatally agree with jason,read Adriano zeds thread and then make your choice. The suspension height u get from the kit is what u will be stuck with,and if you are as fussy as most of us who like to have the height just right,bad luck :zlove:
the coilovers may be more of a racy option,but who drives the zed like a street car anyway,i know i dont !!!!

 

Pete (carzone) I have the US spec flex kit and yes is more adjustable due to lower collar being adjustable. Could go another 20mm odd lower than when you saw the car but would scrub the front tyres on turning.

BTW got the koyo in yet mate

Jas

 

I dont know by how much the Eibach springs lower the car as opposite to stock, but if they say around 1 , 1.5 inches take in consideration thats how much your stock springs have sagged, and if you do buy them you probably wont notice any difference in ride heigh, but you will notice a difference in handling.

I have just fittet Tein S.Tech springs and was expecting to have a low zed, but guess what, ride height was the same...maybe 5mm drop, so it was a waste of $600.

My oppinion would be if you are prepared to spend $1000+ on suspension, you might aswell save another $600 and participate in the GroupBuy that we will have for the Tein SS coilovers, dont do what i did in the end to be dissapointed by the end result.

 

What if you don't particularly want your Z any lower

What if you don't particularly want your Z any lower (i'd rather not have even more problems with scraping .. but you just want improved suspension performance? (yes, i know they look better lower, but i'd never be able to get in my driveway, clears by a very small amount at the moment)

 

if you dont want it any lower then that setup would be a good option.
On top of that you might want to replace all your bushes

 

Thanks jason for the reply.....haha certinaly did mate. Was a PIA too.

 

This is exactly my point - I dont want my car any lower. The Eibach springs claim a drop of 0.8" - which if what people are say8ing about stock suspension sagging is true, it should remain about the same height.

Do you stock any of these parts EGG? Coz quoted $US650 for the KYB adjustable shocks, eibach springs and camber kit (just to set camber back to spec after lowering it .8 plus $US350 shipping. I think Ill start treawling Ebay to find the best price.

thanks everyone fro your advice.

Pete