Pro/Cons of regular springs vs. coilovers

kenjiMR

kenjiMR

Experienced Member
Joined
28 April 2000
Messages
1,190
Location
SF Bay Area / Boston MA
I don't know too much detail on suspension systems, but I was wondering what would be the best decision considering these factors: price, handling capabilities, and durability.
I don't care about harsh ride quality, I do care about price and performance. Can I get similar performance from cheaper springs to replace stock springs from from more expensive systems? If possible, lowering the car 1-1 1/2" would be desireable as well.
I'd be interested to know your opinions... anything over $1,000 would be considered expensive to me at this point...
 
If you only want to lower the car 1.5 inches I say go with springs. I have springs on my X and it handles better, looks better, and rides reasonably well! I haven't rode in a X with coilover but all the Integras and Civics I rode in ride well too. I'm going with coilovers in the spring.
 
Price/performance/ride quality, I chose Bilstein shocks with stock springs from the coupe (not targa). The Bilsteins have a spring perch which allows about 7/8" lowering. Since my X will only see a few track events a year and is almost a daily driver, I found this to be the best setup. The coupe springs are almost perfect for the car. Combined with the Bilsteins the setup is fantasic (although it's not as sexy as coilovers).
 
For around a grand I did the H&R/Bilstein set-up and I'm very happy with it. Yes, it's low and a bit stiffer, but it's nothing I'm not use to anyways. The handeling change vs. the stock set-up makes a huge difference...money well spent.

[This message has been edited by TES (edited 11 January 2001).]

[This message has been edited by TES (edited 11 January 2001).]
 
I just bought the Comptech Coilover's. Adjustable ride height, and Adjustable ride quality is VERY nice. It does run 1100 or so
But the versatility is just too good to pass up.
Especially the Variable rate coil springs..
 
I just got a set of Tein RE coilovers...adjustable height, adjustable damping, adjustable stroke...awesome construction and very fun to drive, but for the $ they better be...
 
Originally posted by vicster:
Price/performance/ride quality, I chose Bilstein shocks with stock springs from the coupe (not targa). The Bilsteins have a spring perch which allows about 7/8" lowering. Since my X will only see a few track events a year and is almost a daily driver, I found this to be the best setup. The coupe springs are almost perfect for the car. Combined with the Bilsteins the setup is fantasic (although it's not as sexy as coilovers).
Click to expand...


I have a 98 Coupe that I just wish to lower. This sounds like a great solution. Where did you get the shocks and how much did they cost?

Dave.
 
http://www.cgimotorsports.com

I believe they're the only ones who sell the NSX version...might be wrong. Price was very reasonable with a lifetime warranty.

In response to the second question, I believe I paid about 4.5 hours labor for the Bilstein install....springs were already there, but they have to remove them to install the shocks anyways. Unfortunately, the dealer had an inexperience NSX mechanic working that day and they had my car for 2 days.

[This message has been edited by TES (edited 11 January 2001).]
 
Edo,

Are your Comptechs the setup with the Yellow Koni adjustable shocks with threaded bodies? How much can you raise and lower it? I'm looking at getting the Comptechs myself.
 
Originally posted by kenjiMR:
Thanks all! I'm thinking the Bilstein shock may be the way to go for me. I read the stuff on the FAQ. Where do you think I can find the cheapest price for these shocks?
Click to expand...

I bought my Bilstein and Eibach's from DALI racing.
 
Originally posted by PUREVIL:
Edo,

Are your Comptechs the setup with the Yellow Koni adjustable shocks with threaded bodies? How much can you raise and lower it? I'm looking at getting the Comptechs myself.
Click to expand...

As far as I understand they are setup up to move from stock height to 2.5" lower. I dont know this for sure as I have not had them installed yet. Apparently Comptech has them backordered and I have to wait until the end of the month. I'll let everyone know how they turn out when I get them.
 
Hello,

Advatage of Coilovers:
1.) Height adjustable
2.) You can have it corner weighted (ask me if you dont' understand corner weight)
3.)Bragging rights =)

Disadvantages:
1.) Price for a decent one (Tein, Cusco)
2.) Noise.
3.) Requires fine tuning for best performance.

Advantages of Regular springs:
1.) widely aviable
2.) cheap

Disadvantages:
1.) Make sure you have the right struts to handle the springs.
2.) none height adjustable.
3.) no corner weighting ability.
 
Coilover suspension is basically a strut+spring setup together. The strut have 2 rings that you can screw up and down (don't think dirty here =) ) and compress or decompress the springs. And by compressing or decompressing the springs you are therefore able to adjust the height. And as for tuning of height (weight cornering) you raise the side that is makes the car uneven. Hence when the driver sits in the car the car's balance is leaned toward the front left side. So with coilovers, you can lift the front left side of the suspension to try to get your car's balance back. But this is a difficult tuning to do urself unless you can measure the weight of all four sides of the wheels @ the sametime and be able to calculate the cross weight of the car with your weight in it.

As for the noise, it comes in two flavors, Most decent coilover setups, HKS, Cusco, TEIN etc. Come with adjustable pillowmounts. Those pillowmounts are basically metal to metal contact with pillow mounting area, therefore it makes squeaking noises. 2nd flavor because it is a coilover setup the springs from time to time will turn, and will make small knocking sounds. I currently have TEIN HA setup on my Impreza.
 
Yo, Bluesaint or other coilover-informed persons:

How much trouble is it to change the setting of the coilovers? Do you have to put the car on blocks or jack it up on a stand and go around to each wheel with a wrench and hand adjust each? Or is adjustment semi-automatic and remote? I suspect the former, not the latter.

It would be great if there were a remote height control in the NSX cabin. So for example, if I wanted to drive around the mountains with the car lowered for max performance, I could press a button to lower the car. And when it's time to drive up or down a steep driveway at home, I could push the button again for rapid upward adjustment, so the car doesn't bottom out. I like the idea of remote height adjustment for practical reasons, not for jumping down the Main steet drag on Saturday night. What's the state of the art on this?

RSVP.


------------------
NSXY
95 NSX-T, 5 sp, Red/Tan, Stock, except Dunlaptya SP9000s
 
They have what you talking about, but it isn't for performance. It's called "Hydraulyics" can't spell. If you want to look and feel like those low rider trucks go for it =) otherwise stay clear. To adjust coilover you have to use the special crecent wrench that they come with. Like i said on my previous post, you have to screw in the 2 rings to lock tight or loose the springs. All you have to do is stick your hands in the tire gap (assuming you have some left over
tongue.gif
) and adjust it from there. I did that once when I went rallying, but my marker to the original setting rubbed off and had to get the whole thing realigned
mad.gif
 
Hey! How do some Exotic sports cars (BMW? Ferrari?) have multiple suspension settings, that are adjustable with the flip of a switch?

Sports driving setting or luxury for a softer ride.

I guess since their not dealing with the height adjustment… are they changing the gas pressure in the shocks?
 

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