Aftermarket Coil-Overs

Joined
17 October 2010
Messages
9
Location
Mississauga
Good evening group. Considering aftermarket coilovers for my 95. Checked out Dali's website and I think the Tein Monoflex or KW Variant 3 would be good choices for a streetable (not Kidny wrenching) feel and that would help at the track. I am aiming for about a 3/4-1" drop as well. Want to stick to that $1700-2400 range as i suspect it may be prudent to upgrade the brakes at some point as well (not to mention sway bars), and i don't want to sell my house to do it. Any suggestions? Any body interested in dealing a pair (gently used) that they may have?

Cheers all,
Rob
 
If you're looking for such a small drop and don't need the flexibility that coilovers typically offer, I would put NSXR suspension high on your list.

That will give you proper f/r ratio spring rates. The others prob won't. You need to pay close attention to the spring rates.
 
i hear you Dave but my understanding is that the two CO's i am considering are fully adjustable to allow for the proper/ideal spring rate. That said please tell me if i am wrong. I also looked at the NSXR suspesion, think it's fantastic but my research tells me (unless i am misinformed) they are close to double the cost at $4k +. Again, am i wrong or is it that you feel they are worth the premium?
 
From the description of the drop you want, I'd say that a set of Bilsteins shocks with OEM springs on the lower perch would fit your needs the best. And with the money you save you could get the Type R chassis bars and front sway bar.

If you really do want to spend $2,400 on shocks and springs, I'd go with the KWs and also look in to the Type-S setup.

On my previous NSX, I've had a different Tien coilover setup and hated it even with the rear springs swapped out for a lower spring rate. On my current NSX I run the 02+ Type-R along with chassis bars and front sway bar and wonder why the hell did I ever consider aftermarket.

Otto
 
Hey Robby,

I have both the TYPE R and Tein RE on my cars and can give you a bit of a comparison.

The Type R is a plug and play set up and only lowers the car by 1/2 inch. Although the spring rates aren't the most aggressive (see the rates below), it is the hardest ride. Make sure your wife wears a bra with titanium linings as it is a rough ride on the streets! You'll hear creeks in your car that you've never heard before. But on the track ... :smile:
I had someone bring it over from Japan and it only cost me $2000 CDN.

The Tein RE (I think now discontinued) has a fully adjustable ride height, compression and rebound adjustments. It lowers my car by close to 2 inches and it's planted - particularly around a tight track like Cayuga or Mosport's DDT. On the hardest setting, it's no where as hard of a ride as the Type R suspension.

Here are the spring rates for comparison:

OEM NA1 NSX:
F: 170 lb/in
R: 220 lb/in

NA1 NSX-R:
F: 447 lb/in
R: 319 lb/in

TEIN Flex:
F: 560 lb/in
R: 672 lb/in

TEIN Mono Flex:
F: 672 lb/in
R: 784 lb/in

TEIN RE Circuit Master:
F: 560 lb/in
R: 672 lb/in
 
While I do have the Tein Mono Flex and like them - they are leaps and bounds better the the twin-tube standard flex - I cannot recommend them since the company as a whole sucks.

Can't wait to call them up and just laugh and then hang up on the day they announce they are going out of business.
 
Streetable and competent on track. Sounds like KW V3s to me. With similar goals, i swapped the front springs in the V3 for 475lbs to get a better f-r ratio and went with the Dali 1.125" Trophy front swaybar.

Unless youre a trackday hero, the stock brakes with good pads and fluid should be fine.


0.02
 
I chose the Toda racing coilovers for my car because those have a very similar f/r spring ratio as the NsxR. They're 2x as stiff but the ratio is the same. If you want to change the handling to feel mire like a gokart, you need to watch the ratio.

Look at the spring rates Daria posted. Notice that NSXR is stiffer in the front? You need a softer rear if you want mire grip. Most others, including stock, are stiffer in the back.
 
...The Tein RE (I think now discontinued) has a fully adjustable ride height, compression and rebound adjustments. It lowers my car by close to 2 inches and it's planted - particularly around a tight track like Cayuga or Mosport's DDT. On the hardest setting, it's no where as hard of a ride as the Type R suspension.

Here are the spring rates for comparison:

OEM NA1 NSX:
F: 170 lb/in
R: 220 lb/in

NA1 NSX-R:
F: 447 lb/in
R: 319 lb/in

TEIN Flex:
F: 560 lb/in
R: 672 lb/in

TEIN Mono Flex:
F: 672 lb/in
R: 784 lb/in

TEIN RE Circuit Master:
F: 560 lb/in
R: 672 lb/in

I'm running the Tein Mono Flex with EDFC controller + NSX-R Chassis bars + NSX-R Front Swaybar for about ~4yrs. I'm running with Tein's recommended setup for rebound/compression/ride height etc. I can always change the rebound front or rear as I'm driving with the EDFC. I'm very happy with them even though most people complain about the higher spring rates in the rear. They ride very well on the street and I've received number of compliments on over all smoothness & how well it rides on the road. I know a lower spring rates are avail for the rears if you find yourself not happy with it.

I've also run the Dali Racing height adjustable Bilstein Shocks and Dali Racing Progressive Rate Springs which I believe were produced by Eibach. I ran them for over 5yrs, this is now currently on my brothers car rides very well smooth and comfortable still.

One more to add to Daria's list from info I had way back Dali Progressive Rate Springs started at:

Front= 152 LBS / 292 LBS +/- 7 LBS
Rear= 150 LBS / 345 LBS +/- 7 LBS

While I do have the Tein Mono Flex and like them - they are leaps and bounds better the the twin-tube standard flex - I cannot recommend them since the company as a whole sucks.

Can't wait to call them up and just laugh and then hang up on the day they announce they are going out of business.

I agree I also like the Mono Flex, the company does suck and I already experianced this first hand the crappy customer service from Tein. Trying to get replacement parts is something to dread. :mad:
 
I installed my Kw v.3 on my nsx a few weeks ago and I am loving them. Just as comfortable as the stock suspension.

I also have this same suspension on my S2000 which I track.
 
Suspension modification is by far trickier and more involved than adding hp.

When I put Tiens on mine (I used RAs) I spent $2000 on suspension tuning, alignment and corner balancing on a chasis dyno. It's not just camber and spring rates.

Once you change the spring rate, or valving of a shock it will interact differently with the tires you're running & sway bars etc. That's why many guys bolt on good parts, and have a firmer ride, but their car actually pulls fewer g's and they run slower at the track. This happens all the time.

The NSX-R is a great solution as Honda did all the research for you and you just need to bolt on the R sway bars as well and job done.

My former NSX was so planted and neutral. It gave me massive confidence at speed, and after driving others with more expensive parts, but no tuning, just install, I could really see the difference.

Your best bet is to talk to Chris at SoS or someone else who is exceptionally knowledgeable for setup (rim size changes things to). Then have it installed at a race shop that knows how to set up suspensions properly, not just bolt them on to a preset spec from the coilover manufacturer.

You should get Stuart involved in this to. He's Red here on Prime, and he's seen it all from an instructor's point of view on the track when it comes to modded suspensions.

----if you just want a lower ride height, there are springs that will give you that while maintaining the overall spring rate. So your handling won't be adversely affected and it is a plug and play solution. Red did this to his 02+ and it's great.-----
 
Holy Crap! Wouldn't it be simpler to just sell the car??

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I have read it over a few times and will probably call SOS or Dali with all this info for some feedback and pricing.

I'm reminded here that it's not just the cars that make 'the hobby' so great...it's the people too. Thanks again for your time and thoughts.

Cheers Gents.
 
Good evening group. Considering aftermarket coilovers for my 95. Checked out Dali's website and I think the Tein Monoflex or KW Variant 3 would be good choices for a streetable (not Kidny wrenching) feel and that would help at the track. I am aiming for about a 3/4-1" drop as well. Want to stick to that $1700-2400 range as i suspect it may be prudent to upgrade the brakes at some point as well (not to mention sway bars), and i don't want to sell my house to do it. Any suggestions? Any body interested in dealing a pair (gently used) that they may have?

Cheers all,
Rob

I have installed both of those coilovers and driven them. They are very good quality The ride is very reasonable. Your nsx will work ten times better on the track
 
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