ordered el cheapo coilovers and .. wtf ?

[compression]

So I bought the eBay special coilovers, and a spring compressor, I have never played with suspensions or lowering kits for any car so its all new to me. But how in the hell do I put these in ? I understand the basics , compressor the spring , take the nut off then the spring , blah blah blah. But the size difference in between the stock springs and the coilovers is huge, like a gallon jug compared to a small water bottle, I searched around to try and find a tech article but I had no luck.

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I assumed when I bought these, it was like. Compress, switch springs and compress again and voila , is there custom fab required? Do I need the take the perch off of the stock unit? Or does the bew spring sit inside of it ?

 

[compression]

guys , the spring compressor was a joke..

I was seriously contemplating just getting springs alone, but i thought having the flexibility of adjustment would help me get off the line better. The car just lights up the tires like there's no tomorrow.

The red pieces on the top are actually hard plastic. The reason i was confused at first, is because if you look closely the numbers are upside down on the threaded area. It threw me off guard.

To answer your last few questions;

"is this the right way they're assembled?" - YES! those rubber O-Rings definitely help with keeping the threaded sleeves in position and just a quick tip, use all the ones they provided you leaving the larger one at the top of the sleeve (makine a seal) so as to avoid collecting dirt and water inside the sleeve.

"do I wait for the spring compressors?" - YES!!!!!!! YOU CANNOT USE A TABLE VICE TO PROPERLY RELIEVE THE STRESS ON YOUR FACTORY COILS IN PLACE OF SPRING COMPRESSORS!!!! In a sense, It's good that you asked before starting to take them off. The spring compressors (2) are mounted on opposite sides of the coil and then compressed slowly going back and forth from one to the other. An impact gun works best here. *I almost thought you were kidding when posting the picture with the table vice*

Hope this is helpful!

oh and use anti-seize on those small allan key screws! you don't want to run into problems in the future!

Also, use your pb blaster to help install the rubber o-rings. Eventually the pb blaster will dissipate but it will help with installing them.

If you can salvage your dust boots, do so!

don't forget to trim those bump stops too.

just noticed the inner diameter of the red rubber top hat mounts WILL need customizing to fit the dampner rod (dowell)...you might be able to get away using an X-Acto blade if you're good with one, or a really fat drill bit.

Having fun yet?

oh my , it was most definitely a joke. I thought you guys would get a kick out of that. My lack of response might have confused you

Launch at about 20 seconds, the rest is garbage.

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[knochgoon24]

Any idea what the spring rates are? What are the spring dimensions (Inside diameter, length) and if they don't have a spring rate on them, the other important factors (number of active coils - ones not fully seated on a perch, and spring wire diameter).

Then we can get a general idea of they are appropriate for you car before you even install them.

 

[compression]

i looked for any kind of number on all of the springs, didn't see any. The only thing on the ad that mentions "firmness" is it is 25-30% stiffer of a ride. i know thats useless but that is all i could find relevant.

"Each set is carefully tuned to provide the optimal combination of precise handling, outstanding stability, and firm ride comfort (about 25-30% stiffer than stock)"

outside diameter
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inner diameter

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coil width about, 3/8 and active coils look to be 3, and 4 active coils. i am kind of guessing where all the coils would be active.

 

[knochgoon24]

It looks like you have 3.5 and 4 active coils from the photos. If that's the case, spring rates are about 300lb/in and 250lb/in, respectively. That's using some pretty rough numbers.

Pretty weak springs. I'm running 600F and 350R on my 2g.

You could use those sleeves. But I'd suggest looking at ordering 2.5" ID springs in your choice of spring rate from Hypercoil. I'm not 100% sure what length of spring would be appropriate for 1gs, but my 2g is using 8" springs with a short helper spring.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

For some reason, I see that spring firing out of that Clamp and knocking some small, unsuspecting kid through a couple of walls. Hah!

 

[empie1]

How is it that your smart enough to build a 12 sec car, yet so stupid you put garbage suspension components on? Of all things, thats one of the most important...you get what you pay for..there is a reason they are cheap. There is no point to modifing with a part that is inferior to oem. Your car will handle worse than stock with those.
Oh and FYI, you dont need a spring compressor, or the vice thing you got going. Just use two worm clamps on either side. Ive changed countless numbers of springs that way when I didnt have a compressor.

 

[Kalub]

I always just popped the springs off... no fancy compressors here.

 

[compression]

How is it that your smart enough to build a 12 sec car, yet so stupid you put garbage suspension components on? Of all things, thats one of the most important...you get what you pay for..there is a reason they are cheap. There is no point to modifing with a part that is inferior to oem. Your car will handle worse than stock with those.
Oh and FYI, you dont need a spring compressor, or the vice thing you got going. Just use two worm clamps on either side. Ive changed countless numbers of springs that way when I didnt have a compressor.

Just incase you have not read, this car is designed to go straight, this is a drag car, it has no winshield wipers/motor, no ac , blower , any of the knobs, 10 point cage, no sound deadening,functional rear seats, wide open exhaust, and the dash rattles, or many of the other luxuries you would find in a normal daily driver.

I am so far away from being concerned about a smooth comfortable ride, if there is any legitimate data regarding to how they actual perform on the strip i am all ears, but either way i am going to put these on my car and try it for myself

i have used nothing but ebay "garbage " clutches in this car .

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and these clutches held up substantially better then some of the oem parts

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i ran 12's when i was 16. my setup now is much quicker then where i was before.

have you ever run the springs? lets see the pictures and data you have accumulated, you seem to be an expert on the topic. you may have heard of this or heard of that , ive heard of a guy getting shot and killed checking his mail. but i still check my mail everyday and i am fine.

here is a buddy of mines kyb agx's driving around randomly after having them quite some time all of a sudden

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does that make these garbage? no it doesn't they are a very good suspension and have been. Sometimes shit happens.

I have an ebay fmic, external wastegate, boost controller, 255 alternative fuel pump, even my tial bov was from ebay.

Obviously some people don't understand common sense, if i had tons of money to just blow i would have went and bought " the good shit " why do i even have to explain that? i have X amount of money to put into my car, i would rather not have my car sitting on jackstands for years while i save up enough to please you and your opinions.

This is how the car sits with the oem , it isn't bad and I am not concerned about it being "slammed" i am just looking for adjust-ability and possibly a little lower.

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[Colt4G63 also]

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Isn't that more of a mount/washer failure than a shock failure?

 

[compression]

Pretty weak springs. I'm running 600F and 350R on my 2g.

What is the downside to a weak spring? too much travel? too soft?
Are these stronger or stiffer then the oem? once the spring compressor gets here changing out to a different spring as you suggested will be easy if i needed to.

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Isn't that more of a mount/washer failure than a shock failure?

Probably, but that is my point exactly. It is the same argument as the guy earlier stating his tires wore out really fast after using these ebay springs. Completely irrelevant to the actual performance of the springs, was most likely due to lack of re alignment after changing the height of the vehicle. and if i put these ebay springs on, and i post a picture of something similar to this happening to me, everybody would jump right on the " i told you so ebay garbage springs bandwagon " and you know it.

 

[empie1]

Probably, but that is my point exactly. It is the same argument as the guy earlier stating his tires wore out really fast after using these ebay springs. Completely irrelevant to the actual performance of the springs, was most likely due to lack of re alignment after changing the height of the vehicle. and if i put these ebay springs on, and i post a picture of something similar to this happening to me, everybody would jump right on the " i told you so ebay garbage springs bandwagon " and you know it.

Lol I love how stubborn you are about something you clearly know little about. For starters, about 13 years ago, I too was dumb and naive and put ebay coilovers on my car. Even put good shocks with them...camber kit..aligntment everything. The collar spilt in half after 2 months of normal use, wrecking my ball joints. So your right...the spring isnt going to crack in half or explode...but those collars are garbage and those are pretty crucial to the coilovers performance..right?
Its irrelvent what the use of the car is. A good, quality suspension is essential to good track times. Those spring rates are a joke and will end up making your times worse. I dont get why your so defensive...nor do I understand how you can justify arguing about a cheap POS ebay parts performance vs proven name brand stuff. While I agree some knock offs can be used (bovs, intake pipes, intercooler) without worry....But a suspension most definitely is one of the most critical components to your car. You abslutly get what you pay for with suspension components. A name brand gets you research and design proven results with a warrantee. Ebay knockoffs get you parts made for imitation, built from inferior/cheaper quality materials. Its mind boggling you even attemp to argue that those shitty "coilovers" can hold a candle to anything name brand. wow. For someone claims to have to be frugal, you just threw away $100. Good job

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Just curious, if the time you listed is from when you were 16, how fast is the car now. It looks like a 10 second car, being all stripped out and having that ginormous FMIC.

Lol I love how stubborn you are about something you clearly know little about. For starters, about 13 years ago, I too was dumb and naive and put ebay coilovers on my car. Even put good shocks with them...camber kit..aligntment everything. The collar spilt in half after 2 months of normal use, wrecking my ball joints. So your right...the spring isnt going to crack in half or explode...but those collars are garbage and those are pretty crucial to the coilovers performance..right?
Its irrelvent what the use of the car is. A good, quality suspension is essential to good track times. Those spring rates are a joke and will end up making your times worse. I dont get why your so defensive...nor do I understand how you can justify arguing about a cheap POS ebay parts performance vs proven name brand stuff. While I agree some knock offs can be used (bovs, intake pipes, intercooler) without worry....But a suspension most definitely is one of the most critical components to your car. You abslutly get what you pay for with suspension components. A name brand gets you research and design proven results with a warrantee. Ebay knockoffs get you parts made for imitation, built from inferior/cheaper quality materials. Its mind boggling you even attemp to argue that those shitty "coilovers" can hold a candle to anything name brand. wow. For someone claims to have to be frugal, you just threw away $100. Good job

No $57.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

I resent the Ebay comments. A lot of highly approved vendors made their start there. Just look at Megan or XTD. How many do we know running their branded parts and live and breath my their choices with no ill effects?

Point : can't say a part is garbage based on where it's bought. It's just that ebay is a free sales source that imitators take advantage of.

 

[compression]

You are right, I am not familiar with suspensions, everything thus far was about how terrible the ride quality is. That's why I made it clear about the cars intenrions. Are these springs softer then the stock springs?
Yes it was with a 16g, I haven't got the car tuned correctly quite yet so the track is going to have to wait until I am ready for it.

You may see some nice things on my car and then some things that make you go WTF , when I started this project I had a lot of cash flow , now I don't. I am sorry for being a Dick but your first post didn't give me any useful information was just kindof rude

 

[yukiz]

you have all those goodies on you engine and you're gonna throw cheapo ebay wanna-be coilover on your dsm? really? and you're gonna use it for track? really?? you really gonna ruin your car bro....
Coilover wont work, they will blown your shocks....
just listen...

 

[vteckiller2000]

Don't get your panties in a bunch, I'm sure we are all well versed in the dangers of ebay knock offs. Some products can work very well though.

I used a set of coilover collars and springs from ebay on my Miata in high school. Paired with a set of KYB shocks they performed admirably and that car was one of the best handling cars I have owned (and I have owned a lot of cars...).

As long as you install them correctly and use the appropriate o-rings you should be alright. This is assuming they fit over the strut at all and have an appropriate spring rate...

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I did say in one of my prevoius posts that for straight line on a smooth track they may be just fine, and I'm not trying to bash parts just because they came from ebay.

I will say that my prevoius FMIC was from ebay, and was some cheapo brand called JDM Sport. I thought it was the greatest deal since homebuyers rebates, but then one day I measured my intake temps after the IC. The next day I bought a used PTE intercooler for $75 and saw 80* cooler intake temps, and shaved a half second off my timeslip with zero tuning adjustments. A little more tuning made it a full second. I sold the Ebay IC for $50 a few days after that. You don't have to be rich to go fast, but some of those parts are just a waste of money.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

you have all those goodies on you engine and you're gonna throw cheapo ebay wanna-be coilover on your dsm? really? and you're gonna use it for track? really?? you really gonna ruin your car bro....
Coilover wont work, they will blown your shocks....
just listen...

Exact same post - about the 3rd or 4th time now. The PO is aware of the situation. He's not worried about input on the quality, he's questioning the performance -facts- and feedback on the system and if anyone has related experience with them.

 

[vteckiller2000]

I did say in one of my prevoius posts that for straight line on a smooth track they may be just fine, and I'm not trying to bash parts just because they came from ebay.

I will say that my prevoius FMIC was from ebay, and was some cheapo brand called JDM Sport. I thought it was the greatest deal since homebuyers rebates, but then one day I measured my intake temps after the IC. The next day I bought a used PTE intercooler for $75 and saw 80* cooler intake temps, and shaved a half second off my timeslip with zero tuning adjustments. A little more tuning made it a full second. I sold the Ebay IC for $50 a few days after that. You don't have to be rich to go fast, but some of those parts are just a waste of money.

Ebay is really hit or miss. I used a cxracing FMIC set up when they were just starting to sell parts (had never heard of them prior) on my supercharged mustang. I made ~500rwhp on that intercooler with charge temps of ~20 above ambient at 16 psi on the completely stock engine. The tuner (a very well known one, I might add) was extremely impressed what that ebay IC.

 

[compression]

off topic, but my wastegate holds boost perfectly, the boost controller (after stretching the spring) is very accurate and easy to use, and i havent seen over 90* on my iat's yet, and i am in florida where its 85* during the winter.

 

[DSMReviver]

"Obviously some people don't understand common sense, if i had tons of money to just blow i would have went and bought " the good shit " why do i even have to explain that? i have X amount of money to put into my car, i would rather not have my car sitting on jackstands for years while i save up enough to please you and your opinions."

"Probably, but that is my point exactly. It is the same argument as the guy earlier stating his tires wore out really fast after using these ebay springs. Completely irrelevant to the actual performance of the springs, was most likely due to lack of re alignment after changing the height of the vehicle. and if i put these ebay springs on, and i post a picture of something similar to this happening to me, everybody would jump right on the " i told you so ebay garbage springs bandwagon " and you know it."


Dude, i love your statement, this is exactly how i feel. We need to look into writing reviews about these ebay products so we all can be informed. I know not all ebay product are gonna be good but, since you have experience with ebay parts can you write a review on them?

 

[PieEyedPiper]

There is a lot of wishful thinking going on in this thread. These types of products have already been proven by the community as well as others. They're proven to be at best detracting from the car and at worst, dangerous.

Some of you guys are really pushing the boundaries of logic with comments like "Have you owned these exact springs?" and notions that we aren't already informed about these kinds of products and this is not, in fact, our first BBQ.

May the OP do as he will. The information is there.

 

[syndr0me]

Oasis of the Seas just called, they want there valve springs back.

 

[compression]

There is a lot of wishful thinking going on in this thread. These types of products have already been proven by the community as well as others. They're proven to be at best detracting from the car and at worst, dangerous.

Some of you guys are really pushing the boundaries of logic with comments like "Have you owned these exact springs?" and notions that we aren't already informed about these kinds of products and this is not, in fact, our first BBQ.

May the OP do as he will. The information is there.

Do you have a link to any threads pertaining to this? i am not arguing with you however i am very curious to read some first hand experience. we have some experiences here, but i doubt the springs from 13 years ago are the same ones around today.

 

[empie1]

Do you have a link to any threads pertaining to this? i am not arguing with you however i am very curious to read some first hand experience. we have some experiences here, but i doubt the springs from 13 years ago are the same ones around today.

Why are you STILL on this???? How can you not grasp the concept that 100$ and under coilovers are a waste of time and money? You have been told the spring rates printed on the springs are junk...you received no installation/warranty info with the product...hell, you the description of the product it self didnt even give information!!!

I get money is tight for lots of people...but lets be realistic here. You have 2 options...

1.Buy shitty parts because you either cant save money or are dumb enough to think the shitty parts are actually good parts for cheap

2.Save money and buy quality, proven, warranted parts

Its pretty basic logic. You get honest feedback from people with more experience than you, then complain when you get answers you dont want to hear. A simple search would have given you even more info on this exact subject. Nothing really to argue about.