coilover faq question - Suspension and Brake Forum

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coilover faq question
Sunday, May 11, 2008 6:54 PM
its been a while since its been written, and since then- the links that are posted there have long-since gone out of date and are no longer valid. im just curious if anyone knows where else to find the information.

also hoping its included in the links-

if you adjust coilovers to the same height as a set of lowering springs or even your stock springs (just for comparison), would the ride be significantly different? ive read (here on the boards) that theyre naturally stiffer than the springs- but it was only on one post and no one cared to comment afterwards.

in the RKsport instruction manual for installing the coilovers- it requires you to modify and reuse parts from your stock strut. what if you were to get an aftermarket strut at the same time (as ive long since learned from our valued members) that required parts from your stock setup as well? ive been thinking of getting d-specs with the rksport coilovers, but- it appears that you need parts for each of the aftermarket parts. (does anyone happen to have this- or a similar setup?)

how long does it take on average to adjust all 4? im guessing theres the normal timeframe of raising and lowering, but i cant seem to find any info otherwise. is it a quick thing or more of an afternoon project? do the tires need to come off while you adjust as well?

how "adjusted" do they come out of the box? stock height? pre-lowered? random?

thx fellas

Re: coilover faq question
Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:12 PM
- Typically they do ride different then springs. Springs are more then not progressive, meaning the spring rate changes depending on how far the spring is compressed. Makes it smoother over small minor bumps but firm when they need to be. Coilvers are a single linear spring rate. Typically coilovers do have a higher spring rate then springs.

- RKSport coilovers are basically copies of the Ground Control coilovers, If you go through carcustoms.net (very very reputable company and will save you money over RKSport) for ground controls you can get them specifically for D-specs.

- Time to adjust depends on what your doing with it. My car for exmaple, I have the front control arms sitting pararell to the ground and with a slight rake to the front..... my coilvers are set almost full to the top, I can throw a jack under the car lift one side of the car and adjust the coilvers with the wheels on... if your lowered alot you will most likely have to pull the wheels to get to the adjusters. If I wanted to just flat out slam my car as low as it will go I could do it in 10-20 minuets..... if your trying to level the car or get it to sit a curtain way its trial and error, adjust it, drive it around the block, check it, adjust it, drive it around the block, check it over and over till you get the result you want. If your really using coilovers for there intended purpose and you have it on scales trying to set corner weights it can get real time consuming.

- Adjustment is random, alot the time if your buying a complete assmbly like the Tien's they aren't even assembled.



Re: coilover faq question
Sunday, May 11, 2008 10:32 PM
if your going to go to a coil over a i highly suggest a set of teins.. a true coilover where when you lower your car X amount you dont loose any shock travel.. I went with a set of Gravana (B+G) coilovers, and like the fact that they are the true coil over but the valving in the shocks is less then crap.. But from what i hear Teins are better valved for the street. As for time it takes it all depends on how close you get them the first time, but if you take the time you can get your car pretty well balanced at all 4 corners

I did have the Koni yellows with ground control coil overs and if i could have gotten the springs about 1.5" to 2" taller and possibly a slight bit stiffer in the front it would have been an awesome set up as in my opinion the konis are the best shocks out there, and working in a speed shop i get the advantage of seeing all kinds of shocks and how they perform on various cars and koni in every case has been the best shock and matched with a nice set of springs or properly set up coilovers would be unbeatable



The First Twin Charged jbody
blue car (R.I.P) - 240whp @7psi..
silver car - 305whp 315lbs.tq @15psi (91 Octane) or 420whp & 425lbs.TQ @20psi (94 octane+Alcohol Injection)
All dynos run on a Mustang dyno
Re: coilover faq question
Monday, May 12, 2008 6:27 AM
Note that you can get Ground Controls with any size springs you want. I also thought the ones they came with were too short, and replaced them with springs an inch higher all around. There's no extra charge if you change the springs you want when you buy the kit. See my registry for the specs on those I'm using.





Re: coilover faq question
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:23 PM
thanks fellas- as usual, the boards are filled with knowledgeable helpful people.

so, would yellows and ground controls be the most popular setup?
Re: coilover faq question
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 8:26 PM
I think the TEIN SS setup is the most popular. Yellows and GC's will give you the most adjustability because you can try different spring rates. I have TEIN SS's and use them for autocross and daily driving. I LOVE THEM. Straight bolton


-Chris

Re: coilover faq question
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:45 AM
If you've already got Yellows, then GC's is the best option I know of.

If you're starting from scratch, I'd go with the Tein SS kit due to the mounts they come with.

You can get different springs from Tein as well though, so from that perspective there's not much difference. I just don't think you can order them up front.




Re: coilover faq question
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 7:03 AM
Darkstars wrote:- Adjustment is random, alot the time if your NOT buying a complete assmbly like the Tien's they aren't even assembled.


that "not" was supposed to be in there





Re: coilover faq question
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 5:50 PM
well, i spoke w/jason yesterday- and my tein ss coilover set should be here in a couple of days- w/it, i also bought a set of strut tower braces and an rk sport high flow intake... hopefully it'll be here soon so i can start fixing up my car again

oh yeah- for those that dont know- jason at "a plus performance" is awesome, he'll do everything he can to get you the best deal possible. give him a shout for your j-body needs
Re: coilover faq question
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 7:47 PM
I just struck a deal for the Gravana system, and i have heard that the valving is tricky, but if set up right they are a very very very very nice ride.



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