Coilovers vs springs for my application.

Sali · 05-12-2011, 07:25 PM

Well I initially thought that I wanted coil overs, I was going to get some Megan EZ streets, but I started thinking and I'm now wondering if I really need to shell out 700$ on coils when I could get some springs & shocks..

See my goal with adding suspension to my car isn't to make it slammed and hellaflush, just lower it so theres less wheel gap (preferably none) and so it handles a whole lot better than my stock R package suspension. I'm not trying to tuck tire, I just want something that will outperform stock while still lowering my car a good amount.

What would you guys who've run both on a miata suggest for my application?

Thanks

brontosaurus · 05-12-2011, 07:32 PM

Koni Sports and Ground Control. No question at that price point.

RedemPhex · 05-12-2011, 07:38 PM

Seriously? THe R package is REALLY nice. I mean you are switching from Bilstein shocks to Konis? How does that workout? Or am I mixing up packages here?

You could get different springs and take the Bilstein shocks and get them revavled for your spring rates. I would contact FCM (Fat Cat Motorsports) and let them know you have the miata Bilstein shocks, are looking for X" drop and want to get them revalved for stiffer springs. That will provide you with all the handling and drop you are looking for for the price of a revalve and springs.

If you still want other shocks, then send me some pics. of the shocks and I will probably buy them off you.

Sali · 05-12-2011, 07:48 PM

yea R package is the Bilsteins. I just want something that handles better, is stiffer and lower are my main needs/wants. I'm willing to spend up to 800-900.

RedemPhex · 05-12-2011, 11:05 PM

Well, to be honest. You won't get a lot of response on this. First handles better, is stiffer, and lower is very generic. What is your application? Street? Autocross? Just to show off (aftermarket springs and shocks are sooo coooool man!)? are you tracking the car?

I am just saying, if I were you, why change out the Bilsteins. You can get FCM to revalve them for the spring rates you want and have one nice fucking setup for half the cost (bilsteins by themselves will run you $1200).

Either way, you are welcome to take me up on that offer when the time comes.

EDIT: I am going to be nice and help you a little more with some info.:
http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_app_guide.htm#Shocks

Read about your shock and make up your mind

emmi · 05-13-2011, 12:32 AM

for purely canyon use... i still stand by a good shock and spring combo. I have flexes, considered one of the softest coilovers and I still hop and bounce around compared to when I had S.techs and AGXs.

Bryan · 05-13-2011, 10:03 AM

I say get your Bilsteins rebuilt/revalved and choose appropriate springs.

Other than that, the Illumina/FM Spring combo is is pretty decent. Also consider getting NB mounts (FM will include them with the kit if you specify it on the website) to improve suspension travel and ride quality.

Sali · 05-13-2011, 11:04 AM

Yea the plan with the car is spirited driving with minimal daily driving. Not really to look cool but ride solid. AutoX and canyons and track are the plans.

Ill read up on the re valving.

2ndGearRubber · 05-13-2011, 12:26 PM

IIRC Fatcat does not offer revalves on R-package shocks. Get the konis, get ground control, love life.

RedemPhex · 05-14-2011, 02:30 PM

Get Bilstein to revalve them for God sake. Who cares really? the revalve differences are there, but I can't imagine Bilstein will really fuck up revalving their own shock.

Ubernathan · 05-19-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedemPhex

Get Bilstein to revalve them for God sake. Who cares really? the revalve differences are there, but I can't imagine Bilstein will really fuck up revalving their own shock.

lol @ this^

MarbleGT · 05-19-2011, 08:55 PM

Coilovers for sure.

I change my ride height twice a month.

imput1234 · 05-19-2011, 08:59 PM

Get coilovers, its 100x better, and pain free.

brontosaurus · 05-19-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imput1234

Get coilovers, its 100x better, and pain free.

Post of the year right here.

bernie3674 · 05-19-2011, 10:21 PM

koni with GC coilover sleeves, FCM top hats

Ubernathan · 05-20-2011, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imput1234

Get coilovers, its 100x better, and pain free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brontosaurus

Post of the year right here.

Less painful than buying a shock/spring combo and realizing you don't like it.

brontosaurus · 05-20-2011, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubernathan

Less painful than buying a shock/spring combo and realizing you don't like it.

Chances are, you won't like the springs and you can change them either way. At least with cheap spring/shock setups you know what the quality of shock you're buying.

(I own a set of semi-garbage coilovers, so yeah)

NAautoxer · 05-20-2011, 07:41 AM

perfectly happy with FM springs/iluminas for my street/track car. sees many track events and it's great.. but that's just me.

freedomgli · 05-20-2011, 08:11 AM

Standard lowering springs (Tein S.Tech, Eibach, Flyin' Miata) with any standard off-the-shelf aftermarket replacement shock (KYB AGX, Bilstein, Koni) are going to be a compromise in the ride/handling department and I'm reluctant to suggest they'd be any better than what you've already got. I am a firm believer that if you want a good handling Miata that also has a lower ride height then you absolutely need adjustable length shock bodies and proper upper mounts. As an added bonus such a setup will typically have a very comfortable ride. Wheel travel is your friend on the street.

If you want to know more about your R-package setup, here is what one expert has to say

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaikh@FatCatMotorsports

Wow, that's an old thread! Quite a few people have already done this - I'm one of them (but not the first). The R-pkg Bilsteins have more rebound damping than the typical Bilstein shocks. Compression is nothing special and some folks (esp. E/S or C/S autocrossers) like to increase the low-speed compression damping which is a very nice idea.

The harshness in compression/initial bump that you may feel from the R-pkg ride comes from OE bump stops.

-a thread on R-pkg/'93LE bump stops
-data from Jyri Virkki's website (updated with my info of OE vs FCM bump stops)
-dyno graphs on R-pkg Bilsteins showing they have enough rebound damping to easily handle springs up and above the standard 375/250 GC rates.

When I told Bilstein I would be running 450/350 springs, they didn't increase the damping much, so definitely save your money on revalving (and save your Bilsteins!)

Shaikh

Ubernathan · 05-20-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brontosaurus

Chances are, you won't like the springs and you can change them either way. At least with cheap spring/shock setups you know what the quality of shock you're buying.

(I own a set of semi-garbage coilovers, so yeah)

plz clarify

Bryan · 05-20-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAautoxer

perfectly happy with FM springs/iluminas for my street/track car. sees many track events and it's great.. but that's just me.

Same here.

05-12-2011, 07:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sali Noob Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 38	Coilovers vs springs for my application. Well I initially thought that I wanted coil overs, I was going to get some Megan EZ streets, but I started thinking and I'm now wondering if I really need to shell out 700$ on coils when I could get some springs & shocks.. See my goal with adding suspension to my car isn't to make it slammed and hellaflush, just lower it so theres less wheel gap (preferably none) and so it handles a whole lot better than my stock R package suspension. I'm not trying to tuck tire, I just want something that will outperform stock while still lowering my car a good amount. What would you guys who've run both on a miata suggest for my application? Thanks

05-12-2011, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
RedemPhex Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,325	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. Seriously? THe R package is REALLY nice. I mean you are switching from Bilstein shocks to Konis? How does that workout? Or am I mixing up packages here? You could get different springs and take the Bilstein shocks and get them revavled for your spring rates. I would contact FCM (Fat Cat Motorsports) and let them know you have the miata Bilstein shocks, are looking for X" drop and want to get them revalved for stiffer springs. That will provide you with all the handling and drop you are looking for for the price of a revalve and springs. If you still want other shocks, then send me some pics. of the shocks and I will probably buy them off you.

05-12-2011, 07:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sali Noob Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 38	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. yea R package is the Bilsteins. I just want something that handles better, is stiffer and lower are my main needs/wants. I'm willing to spend up to 800-900.

05-12-2011, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
RedemPhex Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,325	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. Well, to be honest. You won't get a lot of response on this. First handles better, is stiffer, and lower is very generic. What is your application? Street? Autocross? Just to show off (aftermarket springs and shocks are sooo coooool man!)? are you tracking the car? I am just saying, if I were you, why change out the Bilsteins. You can get FCM to revalve them for the spring rates you want and have one nice fucking setup for half the cost (bilsteins by themselves will run you $1200). Either way, you are welcome to take me up on that offer when the time comes. EDIT: I am going to be nice and help you a little more with some info.: http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_app_guide.htm#Shocks Read about your shock and make up your mind

05-13-2011, 12:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
emmi FUCK YOU!!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 6,696	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. for purely canyon use... i still stand by a good shock and spring combo. I have flexes, considered one of the softest coilovers and I still hop and bounce around compared to when I had S.techs and AGXs.
	__________________

05-13-2011, 11:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sali Noob Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 38	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. Yea the plan with the car is spirited driving with minimal daily driving. Not really to look cool but ride solid. AutoX and canyons and track are the plans. Ill read up on the re valving.

05-13-2011, 12:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
2ndGearRubber Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 593	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. IIRC Fatcat does not offer revalves on R-package shocks. Get the konis, get ground control, love life.

05-14-2011, 02:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
RedemPhex Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,325	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. Get Bilstein to revalve them for God sake. Who cares really? the revalve differences are there, but I can't imagine Bilstein will really fuck up revalving their own shock.

05-19-2011, 08:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
MarbleGT Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 219	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. Coilovers for sure. I change my ride height twice a month.
MarbleGT Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 219

05-19-2011, 08:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
imput1234 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 718	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. Get coilovers, its 100x better, and pain free.
	__________________ My Build Thread

05-19-2011, 10:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
bernie3674 Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 113	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. koni with GC coilover sleeves, FCM top hats

05-20-2011, 07:41 AM	#18 (permalink)
NAautoxer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Strasburg, VA Posts: 2,807	Re: Coilovers vs springs for my application. perfectly happy with FM springs/iluminas for my street/track car. sees many track events and it's great.. but that's just me.
	__________________ my build thread: http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/89-roadster-projects/53809-my-retro-inspired-track-toy.html

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