Suspension Questions (parts list/opinions)

geosok · Feb 26, 2017

Hey all, in another post of mine you'll see I'm dealing with some issues that, with the help of members here, I've finally tracked down and have parts on the way.

In the meantime I've been installing my stereo gear and researching suspension options. I found out that the previous owner installed Ksport Drag coilovers on the car and the ride is brutal on the streets not to mention I'm about as interested in drag racing as I am in having a rabid badger chucked on my face. I like road courses, twisty canyons and carving around the streets. Straight line speed is awesome as long as it's getting me to the next corner faster, LOL

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My questions, after seeing so much conflicting info/opinions on setups have become more parts related. Whether I go with coilover like megan/tein or go the koni/tokico with lowering spring route I'm most concerned with what parts I'll need to finish the install.

I'll be getting the master bushings kit either way but once I pull the drag suspension out I'm assuming I'll be working with nothing but four holes and some control arms just hanging there, so is there a list where I can see what i'll need or what's supposed to be there? Shock mounts and the like? or will the suspension kits include those?

Thanks again to everyone in advance.

2gmitsueclipse · Feb 26, 2017

If you are looking for a coil-over , FEAL is a relativity cost effective setup. For a decent strut setup, my vote would go to the tried-n-true Koni yellows with Ground Control coil over sleeves. Easy adjustments on the Koni for "stiffness" and the height adjustment with the ground control. You can also get some varied spring rates last I checked. This will perform better than most commercially available coil over setups for the DSM. If you want to take it even further, you can use the Koni/GC combo to build a modified DG setup. This is definitely one of those "you get what you pay for" kind of items.

Looking through your profile, you would also benefit from upgrading at least your rear sway bar and inspecting/upgrading suspension bushings as well.

EC17PSE · Feb 26, 2017

I also say get the Feals, they are at the moment the best budget options we have for coilovers, I would say BC but the customer service for BC in the US sucks but I run BC and am very happy with them though.

I'm not a fan of the ground control and DG setups because of a few reasons, the height is mainly adjustable from the lower perch and that's not how it's properly done. The DG is mainly designed for autoX and built around that platform and then your also limited on spring rates

Get a decent coilovers setup now and thank yourself later on, twins are OK but not what they once was, D2, Megan are all basic level and I would not consider them unless your on a tight budget,

On the bushes, get the full prothanes kit and not the Energy kit, it's much easier to install and you don't need a press for some of them to put in,

geosok · Feb 26, 2017

I'll take a look at the feals for sure as the more i read up on things the more I think coilovers are what I will be happiest with and I will definitely be snagging the prothanes after reading up on the install issues people have had before.

Assuming the full prothane kit and feal coilovers will I need anything else or will those two items cover it when I pull out the drag setup that's on there now? (camber adjustments down the road if necessary not withstanding).

Thanks again.

EC17PSE · Feb 26, 2017

Camber depends on how you set your car up, if you don't go too low your natural camber will be fine but if you want to do any road racing then you will need some cmaber items to adjust and SPC make some kits but we don't get alot of suspension altering parts which sucks, guess they forgot about us since we are multilink wishbones.

Get the basics setup and on first then go from there as to your needs so you don't spend more then you need to now

geosok · Feb 26, 2017

gotcha, thanks very much

DSM1G90 · Mar 5, 2017

My 1990 Ply Laser Turbo needs new springs. Had struts replaced in all four corners and the installer told me that the springs are weak. Figured, that a 27 yr old chassis, anything can happen.

Thus, any help with this for my DSM would be super helpful on this topic.

Thx and good luck all. DSM

geosok · Mar 5, 2017

I'm no expert, obviously, but after reading a lot of info lately and pricing out cheap options all the way to the crazy expensive I've narrowed it down to 3 options. The Koni Yellows with Grond Control Springs (probably a 600/300-400 setup) or Feal 441s or Fortune Auto 500s (the last two being coilovers). They are all floating around the $1200 mark and from what I gather a large portion of the spirited driving world would be happy with them all.

For a 1G I have no clue if that helps but if you want word from someone who doesn't sleep much and reads way too much info online that's what I have come up with.

Won't shock me if an expert rolls in here and makes me look like an ass though, LOL

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lasershark · Mar 5, 2017

DSM1G90 said:
Thus, any help with this for my DSM would be super helpful on this topic.

Are you looking for stock replacement type springs? upping performance? Who did the work?

DSM1G90 · Mar 5, 2017

lasershark said:
Are you looking for stock replacement type springs? upping performance? Who did the work?

A tire store in my area that did the suspension work told me of the weak springs. Just stock replacement would be fine, but if I have to go something different...just something to work with the new struts. Thx

geosok · Mar 5, 2017

http://www.dsmparts.com/customer/home.php?cat=101

This has some options that cover a good spectrum of prices. Again, not an expert but I would assume these would get you stock or better performance

lasershark · Mar 6, 2017

DSM1G90 said:
A tire store in my area that did the suspension work told me of the weak springs. Just stock replacement would be fine, but if I have to go something different...just something to work with the new struts. Thx

Not sure on stock replacement options... @luv2rallye @19Eclipse90 got anything for this guy?

DSM1G90 · Mar 7, 2017

Thx for the help. DSM

19Eclipse90 · Mar 7, 2017

Eibach's will make ride quality suffer, IMO, but are the most cost effective, reliable solution I'm aware of aside from pillaging another stock set from a less used, less worn car.

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Suspension Questions (parts list/opinions)

geosok

2gmitsueclipse

EC17PSE

geosok

EC17PSE

geosok

DSM1G90

geosok

lasershark

DSM1G90

geosok

lasershark

DSM1G90

19Eclipse90

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