First Impressions, JIC FLT A2's

[rabenne]

Okay so I got the JIC FLT A2 coilovers. I got the "regular" spring rates of 8kg/7kg. I installed these today at about 1.75" drop all around. It took some fiddling, but I got the ride height where I like it. I have the shocks all set 2 clicks up from full soft.

This setup is incredible. First of all let me say I was riding on KYB AGX shocks and eibach sportline springs (3 blown shocks). The car was not even safe due to the excessive bouncing around. I often hit my head on the headliner, and honestly surprised there isnt a bubble on the roof.

My favorite part so far is that my car takes bumps and absorbs it. There is a bit more harshness over a stock suspension setup (at least compared to my all stock 1g), but nothing like the AGX's and sportlines, even when they were new.

I know a lot of people say they ride too harsh for the street. TO these guys: I say your all a bunch of cry babies. The ride quality actually reminds me of a friends BMW 325i. It is not a cadillac, but I AM THRILLED with the comfort. You feel the bumps a bit, but nothing like my previous setup.

Unfortunately it was wet out today so I havent had much of a chance to see how its actually grabbing... my wet traction feels good.

Another side note: not sure exactly on this, but I think the upper bearing mounts make it easier for me to swing my steering wheel side to side... I dont use power steering and this made a bigger difference in the steering force required than "Depowering the rack". I suppose something else could have been the source of this, but I LOVE IT.


My car is safe to drive again, and feels like a cadillac after 5 years on sportline/AGX!!

Dont just take anybody's word for it. I ignored a lot of people telling me the JIC's would be too stiff for the street. Turns out I was right and they are far superior in ride quality to my previous setup.

stay tuned for pictures!!!

 

[Flash]

I had KYB's and Sportlines many many years ago. I remember my excitement when I got some Tein Basic coilovers. They weren't top-of-the-line by any means but they were a huge difference compared to the crap I had before.

 

[rabenne]

Ya I knew sportlines sucked but pair them with agx and ANYTHING is a huge improvement.


I got some dry pavement time today and my DIY alignment feels great! The car is waaaay smoother thru the turns. Better turn in and more balance mid phase. I can't wait to see how it does on the auto
X course!

 

[Ludachris]

Amazing what a solid set of coilovers can do compared to some cheap springs and shocks. I remember when I first put the Konis on with the GC setup - it was such an improvement over the AGX/Prokit and AGX/GC setup. I'm wondering how different a set of KW coilovers will feel compared to the Konis.

 

[rabenne]

I dont have experience with koni but I know many wise dsm'ers on this site say they are the tits, and possibly the ass too.

I wanted some konis that would allow for adjustable mounting height.

I considered the KW's but got a very good deal thru JIC directly. This setup was around the price of the koni/gc setup. In fact I tried to flip them to make some extra loot but after they came out of the box I could not resist. I am still waiting for my dirt track buddy to get me on the scales for cornerweight settings. My alignment was DIY tapemeasure accurate but the car is behaving very well. After I get on the scales I will be straight to my shop for alignment.


EDIT
Anyone got experience setting bump steer on a 2g? I would imagine It would require the rack to be manipulated to sit higher up in the subframe? this would bring it up in relation to the body, like the suspension is at this height. any input is great, I havent had much to time do reasearch yet.

 

[Detail]

Funny. When I bought my coilovers I was highly disapointed with them. However, if you think they are really great now, go get your car corner balanced with you and a half tank of gas in it. Now go try it. Its night day...

 

[greengoblin]

You will not be able to move he rack up in the crossmember without serious cutting and welding. It's fit in there very tight. You could use rodends with the spacer.

Kevin

 

[rabenne]

I havent seen any available for our cars. If we cant move the rack up, how do we adjust bump steer on a 2g?
EDIT - Hmm dumb question. sorry. I get stuck "inside the box" a lot.

I have a circle track buddy with scales, waiting until we both have time so we can set up the weights.

did you use cross weights or did you use DG's method for corner weighting? You didnt like the JIC's? or did you get something else? I cant imagine being disappointed by these, but then again, I havent ridden on anything better (this slants my opinion).

 

[Detail]

Now I'm not pretending to understand everything about suspension. What the shop did was lower the car onto 4 scales. They got the ride height from the ground perfectly even. Then he went about trying to get the weight the same percentage in an "X" This is achieved by loading the spring up. So I sat in the car, on the lift, for like 3 hours while this poor guy went up, made a change, came down, took a measurement. Poor dude must have taken my wheels on and off, 40 times.

 

[UofACATS]

I think the upper bearing mounts make it easier for me to swing my steering wheel side to side... I dont use power steering and this made a bigger difference in the steering force required than "Depowering the rack". I suppose something else could have been the source of this, but I LOVE IT.

Although I'm not familiar with these particular coilovers, I'm going to take a guess and assume these JIC's come with coaixal spring hats? These are likely the "upper bearing mounts" you speak of, but regardless, it's the isolation from the spring that's pertinent. Taking a tidbit from Dennis Grants "Autocross to win," "the 2G DSM front suspension pivots several degrees back and forth just by turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock." DG has also been quoted saying..

coaxial spring hats are absolutely essential - springs cannot tolerate any amount of bending while compressed.

So, with the previous setup you were likely experiencing binding. With the new setup, the spring may operate free of any steering-induced loads. This, of course, means the steering effort is now unaffected by suspension bind, and that's the decreased effort you're experiencing.





Congrats on the purchase.