First time setup question

[BGSpyder]

I have a 2G AWD and am looking to change out my OEM suspension. I want something that will deliver better ride quality without sacrificing handling. I don't auto cross with my car, it's my daily driver. I was looking at Tein's SS coilovers, any other suggestions or reviews? Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[ozzeran]

I have a 2G AWD and am looking to change out my OEM suspension. I want something that will deliver better ride quality without sacrificing handling. I don't auto cross with my car, it's my daily driver. I was looking at Tein's SS coilovers, any other suggestions or reviews? Any help would be great, thanks.

I am also interested but for a 2g FWD.

 

[iowaboostin]

From what I hear, you can't go wrong with any Tein's. My setup on my 1g AWD is going to be Ground Controls with KYB AGX's on 17x8s with 225/40 rubbers.. should be a nice ride.

 

[QCV8eater]

Can't go wrong with teins... The question is which ones to get :

Basic : height adj, no damping adj, no pillowball mounts

SS : height adj, damping adj, possible pillowball mounts (on certain applications for an extra $$) or add the mounts later

Flex : height, damping adj + pillowball mounts...

As for the height adjustment, SS and Flex range from 0.9 to nearly 3 inches... Basics have a little less agressive drop. Spring rates are also the same on the SS and Flex and slightly softer on the basics.

To answer your question, I'd go with the SS... And if in the end you find out you need pillowball mounts, you still can order them from a Tein dealership with no problem...

The D2 coilovers from speedfactor seem quite interesting too... i think you should take a look

-Phil

 

[BGSpyder]

Being new to the suspension talk, what are the pillowball mounts and what do they do? Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[wret]

Anything in the Tein lineup would be considered a performance upgrade over your original equipment. “Performance” meaning improved handling. The variables that contribute to a “ride quality” and performance are usually at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Likewise, a pillow ball mount, found on somewhat higher end performance suspensions are an attempt to improve performance at the expense of comfort. They eliminate the rubber insulating mount used for most original equipment designs and replace it with a spherical bearing intended to more firmly mount the suspension member to the chassis, reducing “load input compliance” and change of alignment to improve the grip of the tire. Don’t let the word “pillow” fool you. There’s nothing cushy about them.

 

[PaleDSM]

By ride quality do you mean ride comfort or do you mean performance?

 

[BGSpyder]

Wret - thanks for the explaination, I feel smarter already

PaleDSM - I mean comfort, I'd prefer not to feel every bump in the road if possible. I was riding in a friends 350Z, didn't feel the usual bumps I do in my ride, that's kind of what I looking for.

 

[PaleDSM]

I don't know of any suspensions that are softer than stock for better comfort.

 

[lowridin2g]

I don't know of any suspensions that are softer than stock for better comfort.

personally i love my eibach pro kits and tokico bl;ue struts. as far as ride comfort on a 1-10 scale (10 being stock) i give them an 8. not only that but they give really good handling and that lower more agressive look without going too low.

 

[scottsee]

kind of a loaded question. kyb suck on 2g's becasue there about an inch to long, tokico blues are great cheap dampeners. illuminas give you 5 levels of dampening force ajustment for diffrent conditions. koins are awsome, and i've never heard anything at all what so ever bad about them on any dsm. tein are to expensive for what they are!
whats your budget?

 

[RamenPride]

kyb suck on 2g's becasue there about an inch to long

they came out with a new part# a couple years ago and that's not a problem anymore

 

[BigRand]

I was looking at tien SS, but then was advised by my shop that I should go with the tanabe sustec pro kit. So I don't know whats better but thats another option. Also the JIC magic's are another upper level kit to consider. (when I say upper level I mean higher then spring/gas shock combo.) I know they have top quality custom stuff like penske etc.

 

[trig]

question for those who have tein coilovers... if you jack the car up do the springs fall and come out of place?

 

[BGSpyder]

Scottsee - I'm looking to spent $1k or less.

BigRand - What did you end up going with and how do you like them so far?

 

[QCV8eater]

for 1k i'd go with the Tein SS without pillowball... just under 1k

 

[RamenPride]

personally, I think that any type of coilover setup is going to be overkill for what you're looking for. just get a good set of shocks and aftermarket lowering springs.

 

[ACM]

Wret - thanks for the explaination, I feel smarter already

PaleDSM - I mean comfort, I'd prefer not to feel every bump in the road if possible. I was riding in a friends 350Z, didn't feel the usual bumps I do in my ride, that's kind of what I looking for.

If this is a good example of what you're looking for (stock 350Z), the only thing I would change on a 2G would be the dampers.

Try a set of Koni Sports and leave the springs alone. Depending on the age and mileage consider replacing things like the OEM spring and damper isolators (rubber bushings) with new OEM parts (not aftermarket).

If you want to improve the cornering capability a little further, consider RM Racing anti-roll bars.

Anything else will pretty much put you specifically where you say you don't want to be - feeling every bump.

Charles

 

[wret]

question for those who have tein coilovers... if you jack the car up do the springs fall and come out of place?

Not if they are installed and adjusted according to spec.