2G Full Coil Overs Vs. Spring/Shock Combo

[Blurred Talon]

Alright, while I've been in car with both full coil over and a good spring/shock combo. I still can't decide which to spend the cash on.
My old car had Neuspeed springs and handled really nicely, however full coil overs are stiffer and normally the spring rates are higher.
I do autocross/road race a bit, with some drag mixed in. Most of my driving is street though, however a rough ride doesn't bug me.

So I'm looking for opinions, perferably from people who've had or experienced either set up. Considering either Tein SS coil overs or Eibach Sportlines/KYB AGX Shocks.

 

[PaulPDX]

It's all about application.

Full coilovers (excluding GC, DSS, etc. conversions) have dampers and springs coming from the same manufacturer/brand. Because of this, the dampers and the springs tend to be well matched. Spring rates and damper rates account for both ride quality and handling. With the standard spring/shock combo I would not recommend anything less than the Koni Sports as they seem to be the only shocks out there with the right damping, shock body length and range of adjustability.

The other advantage with coilovers is that you can adjust the ride height to where you like it. With standard spring/shock combo, you're stuck with whatever ride height the springs dictate. I personally like the handling of full coilovers w/o much lowering to keep the car versatile and functional (on all types of roads, steep driveways etc.). Looks come second to functionality. For others, it's the other way around.

So... it all depends on what you want to do with the car and how much you want to spend. Considering the cost of Konis + springs... you might as well spend more for a full coilover setup... but if you don't mind sticking to the perdetermined ride height of aftermarket springs, and don't mind sacrificing a bit of functionality... then full coilovers may be an overkill.

 

[Turbo Shogun]

I agree. Although for street driving, coilovers will be a waste of money (although the Tein BASIC dampers are a good deal for $700, might be cheaper than Koni's+Springs) You sound like you use your car to get from work to home, school, etc. If it's a daily driver, just do shocks and springs, and swaybars. If you autocross or roadrace on the weekends, spend your money on tires and preventive maintenance. Seat time will always be the fastest mod you can do to your car on an autocross course or road race track.

Sure, those Tein HA's are nice, but ask yourself, are you experienced enough to utilize 100% of the capability those coilovers offer? Know how much camber/caster/toe to run? These factors can lead to excessive tire wear for daily driven cars, and your car will be an even bigger money pit.

Bottom line, tune the car to the way you drive it, where you drive it and how often you drive it. Good luck!

 

[Blurred Talon]

Well I do have to make a 30-45min drive everyday to get to school come fall. So think your right that spring/shock combo will be a better idea.

Does Ground Control make coil overs for the 1G AWDs? I think pairing those with some Koni sports should be more then enough for now.
What about running custom spring rates on GCs? What kind of number should I get?

 

[DragonKnight]

Well I do have to make a 30-45min drive everyday to get to school come fall. So think your right that spring/shock combo will be a better idea.

Does Ground Control make coil overs for the 1G AWDs? I think pairing those with some Koni sports should be more then enough for now.
What about running custom spring rates on GCs? What kind of number should I get?

GC does make coilovers for 1G AWDs. I'm running them right now on my Laser. They would be a great combo with Koni Yellows. You might want to check with the DSM autocross mailing list to find the right spring rates/length for Konis since I run KYB AGX's.

 

[98spydert]

I think pairing those with some Koni sports should be more then enough for now.

I don't mind doing things twice but I sure do hate PAYING for things twice. $600 the first time then $700 or more the second time isn't worth it. If you're going to stick with the GC/Koni then good on ya but don't pay that much if you just plan on upgrading again later.

 

[Blurred Talon]

I think I might actually go with the Tein SS coils. In the long run it would be cheaper and I can 'gorw into' the suspension so to speak as my driving skills improve.
Anyone know how has the SS coils for a good price?

 

[leet]

I just installed the FLEX's on my car. Hit me up in a week and I'll tell you if they are worth it.

So far, they are beautiful.

 

[98spydert]

I think I might actually go with the Tein SS coils. In the long run it would be cheaper and I can 'gorw into' the suspension so to speak as my driving skills improve.
Anyone know how has the SS coils for a good price?

Prostreetonline fo sho. With the 10% coupon in the venders announcment section, they're like $840 with free shipping. Can't beat it.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Prostreetonline fo sho. With the 10% coupon in the venders announcment section, they're like $840 with free shipping. Can't beat it.

That's like $1400. Damn that's better then local I think. Just ship it to my anut's and save brokerage.

 

[cait sith]

Prostreetonline fo sho. With the 10% coupon in the venders announcment section, they're like $840 with free shipping. Can't beat it.

I would not order from them. PM me for details.

 

[leet]

I would not order from them. PM me for details.

I didn't get ANY order confirmation, they just showed up one day ...

 

[PaulPDX]

You might also want to check out another site sponsor: hopupracing. Decent prices.

 

[VrooomPshhh]

I have the nex suspension full coilover set up on my car and it handles like its on rails. It gives excellent performance and the dates don’t complain about the ride . Another plus about this kit is that it doesn’t use the spring perch for height adjustment. Instead the shock body is designed to get longer or shorter to adjust the height without sacrificing suspension travel... Check it out. http://www.maxspeedperformance.com/products/?sfID1=137&productID=1749

 

[MyRidzPhucked]

Haha wow i just started to think about coilovers today and already i know what i want . The nex coilover's look great and seem like a great buy. How much is a set of oem shocks and springs all together? (cost comparison)

I love the fact of adjustibility. I live on a farm yet drive to the city all the time. I love cruising and sometimes when it calls for it, offroading.
Thanks Vroooom

 

[neuralracing]

I have ordered from prostreet in the past without issues... pisses me off that they do not give me a credit for the "free shipping" since it doesnt apply to Puerto Rico... At least they should give me a credit for UPS ground charges to Miami... anyway...

I am going to get the Tein setup for my IGa... anyone have it installed??? I am also thinking of getting the module to adjust height/damping/etc from inside the car. will I have to get a camber correction kit to use this setup? Would hate to have excessive tire wear. My car isn't a daily driver put I like taking it around the block once in a while.

 

[CowPimp]

I'm happy with my Tokico Illuminas and Eiback Prokit. The ride is fairly stiff, but comfy enough for the choppy roads around here. For a daily driver mixed with a little "country road autocrossing," this setup has treated me well.

 

[PaulPDX]

I have ordered from prostreet in the past without issues... pisses me off that they do not give me a credit for the "free shipping" since it doesnt apply to Puerto Rico... At least they should give me a credit for UPS ground charges to Miami... anyway...

I am going to get the Tein setup for my IGa... anyone have it installed??? I am also thinking of getting the module to adjust height/damping/etc from inside the car. will I have to get a camber correction kit to use this setup? Would hate to have excessive tire wear. My car isn't a daily driver put I like taking it around the block once in a while.

The EDFC only controls damping remotely. Not height.

 

[PaulPDX]

Haha wow i just started to think about coilovers today and already i know what i want . The nex coilover's look great and seem like a great buy. How much is a set of oem shocks and springs all together? (cost comparison)

I love the fact of adjustibility. I live on a farm yet drive to the city all the time. I love cruising and sometimes when it calls for it, offroading.
Thanks Vroooom

Take a closer look at the site. Nothing but Ebay junk. Look at where the business is located and look at where the poster is from and when the poster was registered relative to the time of all recent posts. For that matter, all of the recent posts were regarding coilovers. It's a shameless business plug disguised as a regular post from joe schmoe. Don't be a sucker.

 

[neuralracing]

Ohhh... but I still think its worth it for the track to adjust on the fly.

 

[PaulPDX]

No way to adjust height remotely unless you get a hydralic or airbag suspension. The EDFC is pretty trick. I only wish the dampers were the better monotube sort. It's still a toss up between Tein and the RRE tuned JICs for me.

 

[neuralracing]

RRE tuned JICs are allot more money though? And the EDFC is definetly a cool option that the Teins have in its favor.

 

[PaulPDX]

RRE tuned JICs are allot more money though?

Uh, yeah...? Since when does high performance and cheap go hand-in-hand?

All the people who have gone cheap and bought generic ebay junk... do you think their cars are as dialed-in as well as the cars can be?

And the EDFC is definetly a cool option that the Teins have in its favor.

I've learned long ago not to base choice on price point. Lots of cheaper stuff out there work... but not as well as they should. At the end of the day... X amount spent is still X amount spent and in the end it cost more to do the same thing more than once. Remote damping adjustability is nice, but a properly sorted setup probably doesn't need any further adjustment. It all depends on what you want use the coilovers for... performance or lowering... or both.

So far I've read a few reviews on the JICs... all but one are positive. I have not read a single review on the Tein SS for 1Gs so far. It's new and most DSM owners go the cheap route, so I wouldn't be surprised if Tein isn't selling too many SS's for 1Gs.