Daily Driver Suspension

[Ludachris]

Alright you two, take it to PMs if you want. Let's stop flooding this thread with bickering.

 

[jtmcinder]

Yeah, I'd much rather point out that Teins are green and Konis are yellow, while AGXs are red, and let that decide the matter.

In case you need the dots connected for you: Green means "go" and red means "stop," while yellow means "floor it," so by Leon's Law, the Konis are the best.

 

[ACM]

You can lead a horse to water...

 

[Ludachris]

You can lead a horse to water...

Right?!?! I think it's time we wrote up a tech article on all the shocks to give an overview - similar to what DG did with his older article on shock dynos. Something like a shock buying guide that we can link to for the countless threads like this. After that we can do a coilover write-up. I'll get started on a write-up in the Tech Articles section. If anyone would like to contribute, or write their own, I can merge it all together. I figure if we touch on all the positives and negatives for each available shock/strut, we won't have to keep repeating the same info in replies to these common threads.

 

[snowborder714]

I'd love to get a shock of each brand and run it through a dyno so we can see how bad some of these are. Too bad DG doesn't still have one.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Chris did you end up ever getting the DGR shocks?? They were supposed to be the best on the market til that one GB happened

 

[Tiki2777]

How do tokico illuminas compare to Koni's? (i have illuminas..., RRE thought these were pretty good IIRC)

 

[Ludachris]

Chris did you end up ever getting the DGR shocks?? They were supposed to be the best on the market til that one GB happened

The DGR coilovers are relatively new and untested in the DSM market, and all markets for that matter. They don't offer stand alone shocks, though the shocks that they use in the coilovers are said to be made using the same parts as Ohlins. It still all depends on how they're valved. Being such a new product for our cars, and the design has changed significantly since they first were introduced, I wouldn't go as far as saying they're the best on the market. Time will tell how good they are, which is why I haven't suggested them in discussions like this. I never did get a set for my 2g Talon, still working with Mark on that. I'd like to see how they perform.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

The DGR coilovers are relatively new and untested in the DSM market, and all markets for that matter. They don't offer stand alone shocks, though the shocks that they use in the coilovers are said to be made using the same parts as Ohlins. It still all depends on how they're valved. Being such a new product for our cars, and the design has changed significantly since they first were introduced, I wouldn't go as far as saying they're the best on the market. Time will tell how good they are, which is why I haven't suggested them in discussions like this. I never did get a set for my 2g Talon, still working with Mark on that. I'd like to see how they perform.

Yeah, that sucks man you have been waiting almost a year for that. I'm very curious how they work out if you do get them for your 2g. pm me your results assuming you get some

 

[Ludachris]

How do tokico illuminas compare to Koni's? (i have illuminas..., RRE thought these were pretty good IIRC)

My first draft at a DSM Shock buyer's guide:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...ngs-coilovers-not-finished.html#post153054504

I'll have others, who have more knowledge and experience edit and add to that document so that it's as accurate and informative as possible.

 

[gprix1]

I have BC coilovers on my '97 and Tien Basic's on my '95. Before this I had the Tokico blue shock and lowering spring setup. I've also ridden in and driven various other setups including the Koni/GC's on a twisty canyon road (which are very good btw). Here is my opinion between the three that I have owned personally:

*Tokico Blues and lowered springs kit: Actually, these weren't too bad. The dampening was a little harsh initially and then a bit soft for aggressive cornering. Pretty typical for budget lowering kits. Not great but not the worst. My biggest complaint with these was how much they lower the car. Getting in and out of driveways always required a plan and after a while the bottom of my front bumper looked like it got in a fight with a cheese grater. Even dips in the road sometimes caused scraping of the bumper on the road and with no height adjustment, you just gotta live with it. If you want your car to look cool going down the road, these will do it for a reasonable price but other than that, I would not recommend them.

* The Tien Basics have adjustable spring preload only and no dampening adjustments. That sounded fine as we were only lowering my girlfriends DD car 1" from stock but the problem is there is too much hi-speed compression dampening. All sharp changes (like rough pavement) are harsher than they should be. This was suprising as it comes with progressively wound springs so I expected this kit to be more plush than typical coilovers. Other than that, it will lower your car and overall is an upgrade from stock but not much.

* Now the BC BR coilovers. For $1000 I was not expecting much with these because for the price you would think too-good-to-be-true but they had some good reviews and features not found in this price range so I gave them a try. Although the spring rates are f/672 - r/336, the dampening is sooo much better that it just absorbs everything. I would say it's actually smoother than stock yet provides excellent feedback and responsiveness. The ride height adjuster is separate from the spring preload so regardless of ride height, you can always set the static position of the dampening rod (sag) exactly where it should be with the separate preload adjuster. Also, these come standard with pillow ball upper mounts on all four shocks. The difference in handling reminded me of when I went from stock to an Ohlins on my R1 sportbike. Now I'm sure someone is going to flame me for even mentioning Ohlins and BR's in the same sentence but just chill, that was my bike. I know these are nowhere near a set of Ohlins for our cars. My point is simply this, that these $1000 BC coilovers are very, very good for the money IMHO.

 

[Chrispy0530]

My first draft at a DSM Shock buyer's guide:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...ngs-coilovers-not-finished.html#post153054504

I'll have others, who have more knowledge and experience edit and add to that document so that it's as accurate and informative as possible.

Awesome job so far! Look forward to reading it when it's complete.

My Tien's are starting to get a bit tired, and one of them is rusting a tad bit, so replacing, or having them rebuilt is a decision that's tossed in the air for me at the moment.

 

[LxiMax]

My first draft at a DSM Shock buyer's guide:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...ngs-coilovers-not-finished.html#post153054504

I'll have others, who have more knowledge and experience edit and add to that document so that it's as accurate and informative as possible.

I am definitely looking forward to the rest of this write-up! As it stands now, I'm looking at Koni Yellows with the Pro-kit or GC for my daily. Had the Pro-kit and AGX's on my last car and while it handled well, bumps were quite unforgiving.

 

[snowborder714]

Awesome job so far! Look forward to reading it when it's complete.

My Tien's are starting to get a bit tired, and one of them is rusting a tad bit, so replacing, or having them rebuilt is a decision that's tossed in the air for me at the moment.

Replace with Konis.

I had Tein Flex coilovers and thought the harsh ride was just the natural byproduct of having a stiffer spring and "race" shock. I was wrong. I built the DG coilovers and it's a pretty big difference. The ride is not harsh anymore (use to jar me a bit if the bump was big enough) and everything is now smooth.

 

[Chrispy0530]

I avoid driving the GSX quite a bit now just because of how used to I've gotten on the ESi's stock suspension. I never really knew how harsh the Tien's were till I started driving the Talon. They're Tien Super Street.

Going to need to do quite a bit of reading on the Koni's. Have heard nothing but good things from them.

 

[gprix1]

The DGR coilovers are relatively new and untested in the DSM market, and all markets for that matter. They don't offer stand alone shocks, though the shocks that they use in the coilovers are said to be made using the same parts as Ohlins. It still all depends on how they're valved. Being such a new product for our cars, and the design has changed significantly since they first were introduced, I wouldn't go as far as saying they're the best on the market. Time will tell how good they are, which is why I haven't suggested them in discussions like this. I never did get a set for my 2g Talon, still working with Mark on that. I'd like to see how they perform.

I'm going to be in Rocklin next week for work. I was going to fly but I'm almost tempted to take my car so you can try the BC's out for yourself and add them to your reviews.

 

[spydergstftw]

So I'm getting my future mods list together for my dd/weekend drag warrior and I have konis on the list but one question. Are they best for my needs? A lot of city driving with some highway driving also for the dd part.

 

[Ludachris]

So I'm getting my future mods list together for my dd/weekend drag warrior and I have konis on the list but one question. Are they best for my needs? A lot of city driving with some highway driving also for the dd part.

Definitely. They're the most compliant shock available for daily driving for a DSM. They aren't harsh and still outperform all the others when pushed to the limit. They are not just for those who track their car. They're the best street shock too.

 

[Ludachris]

I'm going to be in Rocklin next week for work. I was going to fly but I'm almost tempted to take my car so you can try the BC's out for yourself and add them to your reviews.

As cool as that would be, just fly out and we'll grab a beer or something instead.

 

[re-rx7]

Wow this thread took off. Honestly after researching on my own and listening to you guys I'm gonna buy the Koni yellows and Eibach Pro. Honestly I do not feel that coilovers in general are that great(for the street). Racing would mean something like a Moton system or anything with external reservoirs.

I had the Agx's before and did not like them. Tokico blues actually felt better and they seemed more like something from a parts store. I havent had Koni's since 96 accord daily.

 

[Ludachris]

Wow this thread took off. Honestly after researching on my own and listening to you guys I'm gonna buy the Koni yellows and Eibach Pro. Honestly I do not feel that coilovers in general are that great(for the street). Racing would mean something like a Moton system or anything with external reservoirs.

I had the Agx's before and did not like them. Tokico blues actually felt better and they seemed more like something from a parts store. I havent had Koni's since 96 accord daily.

You will be happy you spent the few extra dollars. Everyone who buys them feels it was completely worth it. Even if you find later that you want to upgrade, you can sell the Eibach springs later and step up to an adjustable perch kit (like the one Dennis Grant documented) and still use the Konis without having to fork out the cash for quality coilovers (and no, I don't mean Tein, Ksport, Megan Racing, or any other kit that sells for less than $2k - in case I haven't made that clear).

 

[re-rx7]

You will be happy you spent the few extra dollars. Everyone who buys them feels it was completely worth it.

In all honestly when I buy them they are gonna sit for a month or so. Im also replacing all ball joints and tie rods.
If everyone says there worth a few xtra bucks, I will bite.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Love that wright up. Can't wait for it to be done! Once I'm ready for a suspension upgrade I'll be back to read this again

 

[re-rx7]

Sticky?

 

[snowborder714]

It's a tech article, so no need for sticky.