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FWD Coilovers on an AWD car?

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iiNFAMOUSCHRiS

Proven Member
264
0
Sep 3, 2013
Kalamazoo, Michigan
I was checking out these coilovers, because the price is in my current budget, with the fact that i'm rebuilding my head....and it says NOT for AWD cars....just wondering why exactly that is, and what would happen if they WERE put onto a AWD car....

4 New Gas LOTEK Struts Shocks Coilovers 95 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse NOK Seal | eBay

and since they are an eBay brand, I know they are most likely garbage and will ride like 2 bricks resting on bouncy balls, so i ask that you spare me the 'ebay shitty shocks dont buy them' replies :D haha
 
The rear suspension on a FWD to AWD DSM is COMPLETELY different. I once installed AWD struts on the rear of my FWD DSM and it jacked it up the rear about 4 inches. I would imagine the reverse happening if you put FWD bits on an AWD car.
 
so, looks like the overall outlook is that they WILL work just fine, but the spring rates might be different?
 
yes. assembly wise they are exactly identical...spring rate wise not quite.
youll be fine tho.
 
yeah, not too worried about spring rates because i'm sure these cheap coilovers will be trash anyways....I just basically want to "test drive" driving with the car lowered, and i'd rather castrate myself than cut the springs.
 
So how about a Spyder? I've been thinking they would benefit from the AWD springs since they are heavier than a coupe.

Opinions?
 
So how about a Spyder? I've been thinking they would benefit from the AWD springs since they are heavier than a coupe.

Opinions?

The rear spring rates would be higher, which would help limit rear squat off the line, meaning more traction up front when drag racing. It's cheaper, yet less effective, than rocking custom spring rates (ie, 18k rears), and more streetable. Put slicks, and maybe some limit straps up front, and you have awd 60' times :thumb:
 
Have the same what? Suspension? yes.

ah, gotcha -- i'm coming from MK3 VW's...I had a 3G Spyder, but it was a hunk of garbage so I tossed it. is the chnge in spring rates beneficial for street usage? (not just with the spyder, but with any of the variations in model or drivetrain)
 
So how about a Spyder? I've been thinking they would benefit from the AWD springs since they are heavier than a coupe.

Opinions?

Many people have used awd springs to compensate for the spypders extra weight and have been pleased

ah, gotcha -- i'm coming from MK3 VW's...I had a 3G Spyder, but it was a hunk of garbage so I tossed it. is the chnge in spring rates beneficial for street usage? (not just with the spyder, but with any of the variations in model or drivetrain)

Depends on your definition of street usage I guess. I would say they would be beneficial for sprinted driving but I don't see the bennitfit if it was your daily driver that you baby or you don't really have roads to use the extra spring rate.
 
Many people have used awd springs to compensate for the spypders extra weight and have been pleased



Depends on your definition of street usage I guess. I would say they would be beneficial for sprinted driving but I don't see the bennitfit if it was your daily driver that you baby or you don't really have roads to use the extra spring rate.

well, for me "street usage" would be different if the car was lowered, I wouldn't be flying around town going 40mph over every bump I see, i'd be taking it slow and avoiding them, so I assume those cheap ass ones in the OP wouldn't really perform much different than a more expensive set?
 
They will perform different. If it is to a tolerable level is up to you. Rebuildability is another thing to consider. Better quality c/o are able to be rebuilt/revalved.
 
Im keeping my Tein Basics when i swap to awd. Theyre so stiff i dont think ill notice much difference at all. 18" rims and Tein Basics= very bumpy ride. If anything the ride will be smoothed out, atleast from the extra weight of an auto awd tranny, t case up front, and all the extra weight going in the rear. Im thinking its actually going to be beneficial as far as ride quality goes, maybe not for track use though.

Isnt there a massive difference in weight between a fwd manual and an awd auto? I would think thats the largest possible spread aside from an awd auto spyder.
 
I just sold a set of AWD ones and bought FWD, the rear spring rate is higher and ALSO the rear strut assembly is 2 inches taller, atleast on the 2 sets i had.
 
well, for me "street usage" would be different if the car was lowered, I wouldn't be flying around town going 40mph over every bump I see, i'd be taking it slow and avoiding them, so I assume those cheap ass ones in the OP wouldn't really perform much different than a more expensive set?

My worry about the struts in the OP is that they are labeled as coilovers. They are not. Coilovers come with a strut and spring pre assembled and most have adjustments that you can do. Do you have springs? How low do you want to go? Personally I would put out another $50 and look at tokico blue shocks or even the blues with the tokico springs that are one ebay that are for an awd. Might have to buy the front and rears in seperate sets but it will be worth it and the have a lifetime warranty. As far as "will they perform as good as more expensive sets" goes there's an old saying you get what you pay for. I have illumina's with 5 adjustments that I can change to if I dont like the ride. Koni's are the best but you probably don't want to spend $600+ on just struts by the sound of it.
 
My worry about the struts in the OP is that they are labeled as coilovers. They are not. Coilovers come with a strut and spring pre assembled and most have adjustments that you can do. Do you have springs? How low do you want to go? Personally I would put out another $50 and look at tokico blue shocks or even the blues with the tokico springs that are one ebay that are for an awd. Might have to buy the front and rears in seperate sets but it will be worth it and the have a lifetime warranty. As far as "will they perform as good as more expensive sets" goes there's an old saying you get what you pay for. I have illumina's with 5 adjustments that I can change to if I dont like the ride. Koni's are the best but you probably don't want to spend $600+ on just struts by the sound of it.

Did you happen to notice the 2nd picture in the eBay ad? I missed it at first too, shows the spring/adjustable part of the shocks...and i'm not sure of the lowering ability of a talon on just coilovers, but I would like to lower it as low as possible on coilovers, hopefull eliminating wheel gap.

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the rear spring perch for AWD shocks is higher than it is on FWD rear shocks (I thought it was a matter o cm's but someone above said inches so I'm not sure exactly how much, it's been awhile). If you're going to put coilover sleeves on, it's not going to make a difference. Anyway, I'm using AWD rear shocks on my FWD.
 
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