all around suspension questions

[Libila]

I have a 2g fwd and I just had a couple quick questions. First off the car is my daily driver but it goes to the drag strip and road course on occasions. I am thinking of a semi-good shock spring setup. I was thinking H&R race springs with tokico 5 way adjustables on all 4's. Any input? Now for tightening things up, road race strut bars and not sure what sway bars I should look into. In doing all this do you think this will still make for a good daily driver/weekend warrior? Im looking at keeping the comfort of stock suspension but I am willing to make sacrafices for better performance. Thanks for the help in advance and any info is appreciated.

 

[DSMRevolution]

Well the H&R Race Springs are not going to be very comfortable. They have a very stiff spring rate that will result in a rough ride. If you want a bit smoother, look into the Eibach Pro Series or Sportlines (sportlines will be lower). It still shouldn't be to bad, but I know the Tokicos will be nice. I believe those are quite simular to the AGXs right? Anyways those will be great and you should get decent ride though the adjustments. I wouldn't worry about changing the front sway bar. It SHOULD be stiff enough already, but I would be more then happy to change the rear. I think what you picked out will be a great setup. Don't forget camber kits. On the 2gs, I believe you can make your own rear camber kit, but make sure to get a front kit also (I am sure you know this, just reinforming you). I can get you the H+R spring rates also if you are interested...

 

[Libila]

I would love it if you could get me the spring rates. Also what are good swaybars? Ive seen the ones in the upgrade path but the prices are all in the same range.

 

[jtmcinder]

Originally posted by DSMRevolution
Well the H&R Race Springs are not going to be very comfortable. They have a very stiff spring rate that will result in a rough ride.

Assuming that you have the required suspension travel, ride quality is much more a function of the shocks than the springs. You can run 700/550 springs on a 2G and have a great ride if you get the right shocks. I run 500/450 and feel fine with the Konis at anything from soft to one turn in.

Conversely, running something like Sportlines will almost always result in a worse ride, because bumpstops are not meant to be slammed into five times a mile. Even Konis are not short enough for these.

The rates for H&Rs is 430/260. This is the same front to rear ratio as stock, but almost twice as stiff. Probably the best OTS spring set available for a 2G without going to 2.5" OD race springs. But I still wouldn't call them "a very stiff spring rate" and they really aren't stiff enough for the amount of drop, but they aren't anywhere near as silly as Eibach OTS kits. (Of course, you could sprinkle the H&Rs with Viagra and see if that helps.)

- Jtoby

 

[onepimpclipse]

Listen to Jtm, he knows what he is talking about.


Also, you shouldn't need a front camber kit with a 2" drop. You will need a rear kit though.

 

[Libila]

Thanks for the info but Im still a litlle confused. So you dont think my h&r racing springs are stiff enough? Im not looking for a real stiff ride though. Im looking for something that give my car a better stance, fair ride quality, and something that will performace good on the track without spending a fortune.

 

[jtmcinder]

Opps. Sorry. I often get sidetracked replying to other replies and end up confusing the person that I'm supposed to be helping.

H&R springs are some of the stiffest OTS lowering springs out there. Combined with a good shock that has a short body (so you have enough suspension travel ... i.e., Koni Yellows [note: I did not write "e.g."; I wrote "i.e." and I meant it]), it's a fine set-up for $850.

Stop here, if you wish....

But for only a little more, you can do much, much better. If you get GC coil-overs, complete with upper front plates, and combine these with Koni Yellows, you will almost never hit the bumpstops. Plus, you can specify any spring rates that you wish and can swap springs for $100 if you decide that something isn't right.

OTS lowering springs are an order of magnitude less good than GC coilovers with serious spring rates. If you think you might get into some form of racing, skip right ahead and save yourself a lot of money in the long run. If you think that you might get dreadfully serious about some form of racing, get off this list and get on the phone to RRE.

- Jtoby

 

[Libila]

Thank you for clearing that up, it makes a whole lot more sence now. As far as racing goes I am into both drag and road course BUT this is my daily driver. I dont want to invest to much money into something I am going to be using daily. Im not making really fast by any means, just a supported big t 28 setup. I had thought about gc's before but I dropped that idea because of the money. So if I decide to go with h&r race springs you think I should get konis? Are the yellow adjustable?

 

[hoffman]

the problem is drag racing and road racing require different suspension needs. you need to figure out which one is the dominate sport your going to race, and then build your suspension for that.

 

[Libila]

I love road racing personally but I drag race more because our local road course track isnt open yet. So Im gonna go with road racing because its more important. Im pretty set on not getting to deep into suspension so I think Im going to stay away from coil overs. Now I just need help on wether to get some good koni adjustables or tokico, and Im guessing koni is the way to go.

 

[hoffman]

yes. if you are leaning more toward road courses, koni is what you should look into.

but why not go for coilovers? they really don't cost that much more than springs. i'n pretty sure someday you may change your wheel size. then your going to have to worry about your suspension travel and whether or not your going to hit the fenders. atleast with GCs you could adjust your height and get the springrates suitable to your needs the first time.

just something to think about.........

 

[2GeNTSi]

i don't mean to hijack this thread but I plan to buy package #2 from here and then get theSPC 3.0 Degree Rear Camber Kits.

Do you think it's necessary to get front and back camber kits? I have a friend with a 97 Prelude he installed some Tein SS dampers and coils on his car and he set it about 2 in lower and put some 215/50/16 Falken Azenis on his car and he only had a toe problem on the rear side. I'm aware that they are different cars but what do you guys have front and back camber kits for your 2g FWD?

 

[jtmcinder]

Isn't Package #2 Sportlines and Tokiko whites? If it is, then you'd be better off on the stock set-up.

As to camber kits, the only time a properly set-up 2G needs front kits is when it is only used to go straight ahead. If you're so low as to actually need front kits (to take out camber) for street driving, then you're too low, maybe because you bought Sportlines [tee hee]. If you autoX or road race, then you might want front kits to add more camber, but that's another story.

- Jtoby