Your experience with various coilers

[project86]

I've had good experience in cars with BC coils but thats about it. Im wanting a good quality set up for my car (performance, ride, adjustability, blah, blah). What other brands have you had experience with that you would recommend that aren't overly expensive?

[mazpower]

I feel like I've had this conversation recently lol...I really like Tein Flex coilovers. Got them on my FD and Miata. I don't know what you consider "aren't overly expensive" but you will get what you pay for.

[project86]

just realized i didn't finish typing coilovers.... anyway. I am a big believer in you get what you pay for .. but i also don't want to buy an over capable set if i don't need to. I like the price of the BCs and the quality of them. Aren't the Tein Flex around $1100?

[infernosg]

No complaints with my Stance coilovers (old GR+ model: 1-way adjustable, inverted front struts, and rear helper springs). I think all the ~$1000 coilovers (Stance, Yellowspeed, BC Racing etc.) come out of the same shop in China or whatever. I've had good experience with the Customer Support staff at Stance though (in the U.S.).

[chibikougan]

You know what the super drifts where like.

[project86]

ya i forgot you had those. i don't quite remember what they felt like. that was a long time a go haha. you don't still have them do you?

[chibikougan]

No Ryan bought them built a BP na. Then last i heard it was crashed on 10th ave bridge racing a shitbox that cut his lane while they where racing and hit him.


I liked them a lot but they are short stroke and very agro spring rates are very high as compared to the BC's.

[chibikougan]

You have most likely talked to everyone more lately then I have. Well I talked to Sean a while back when I saw him and his daughter out for a drive.

Talked to Matt a little while back.

[RETed]

Are you racing with them?
I.e. autocross, time trial, drag, road race, etc?


-Ted

[Mazdabater]

Honestly check out http://mcasuspension.com/ they are doing all the good WTAC cars at the moment. For $1500AU you couldn't go past the blue suspension at the moment. They were chasing an FC late last year so they have set them up to suit the vehicle properly. I plan on ditching my tiens for some later in the year. With the exchange rate like it is, it's a good time for you to be buying Australian LOL

[project86]

Originally Posted by RETed

Are you racing with them?
I.e. autocross, time trial, drag, road race, etc?


-Ted

Ted. I really just plan on spirited street driving and maybe some occasional track use (autox or road racing) if the opportunity presents itself.

Originally Posted by Mazdabater

Honestly check out http://mcasuspension.com/ they are doing all the good WTAC cars at the moment. For $1500AU you couldn't go past the blue suspension at the moment. They were chasing an FC late last year so they have set them up to suit the vehicle properly. I plan on ditching my tiens for some later in the year. With the exchange rate like it is, it's a good time for you to be buying Australian LOL

Ill have a look at them!

[RETed]

It sounds like you want them under $1,000 (if possible) or just around that price...?

If so, you're going to have to give up some adjustability and options.

I absolutely do NOT touch anything China / Hong Kong / Taiwan / Korea.

Almost anything from Japan (legit) is overly stiff for street use - maybe I AM getting old. :P
This includes Tein.

Absolutely best street suspension I have ever been in an FC is a Koni yellows + Ground Control coilovers.
This is not so much the GC components, but the Koni's...
Koni's are Euro...you can't go wrong with Euro suspension components.

Koni yellows - by themselves, for the FC - are like $500 - $600 for all 4 corners.
Problem is that the fronts are "strut inserts," and you need the hack the bottom, stock MacPherson strut housing to make them work.
Also, these are not drop-in fitments, so the strut shaft are not the same dimensions as the stock pieces.

GC sells their coilover spring kit for $450 - $500.
Combine that with the Koni's and you're already at the $1,000 mark.
GC does sell a "premium" suspension package with their camber / caster plates for a cool $1,699 on their website.
The FC really doesn't need the caster adjustment, but the camber adjustment is welcome, especially if you drop the car significantly or want to fine tune the alignment settings for race...

Just to state the obvious, you can usually get the (GC) pieces (I would recommend you buy the Koni struts brand new) in good used condition, and springs don't usually go bad.
I know there's cheap coilover spring kits out there, and most of them would work with the Koni's (GASP!), but try and get name brand springs like Eibach, Hypercoil, etc.

One of the biggest problems with those complete coilover systems is that if they start to go bad - and they will - how will you service them?
Tein does have a USA service center.
Most of the other brand do NOT - even most of the Japan brands like Cusco, HKS, etc.
Your Koni's can be serviced by a number of authorized service centers around the country.

You want cheap?
Start with a set of KYB AGX's - these are the best bang-for-the-buck shocks for the FC...


-Ted

[project86]

Originally Posted by RETed

It sounds like you want them under $1,000 (if possible) or just around that price...?

If so, you're going to have to give up some adjustability and options.

I absolutely do NOT touch anything China / Hong Kong / Taiwan / Korea.

Almost anything from Japan (legit) is overly stiff for street use - maybe I AM getting old. :P
This includes Tein.

Im not afraid of stiff. My passenger might be but I'm not...

Originally Posted by RETed

Koni yellows - by themselves, for the FC - are like $500 - $600 for all 4 corners.
Problem is that the fronts are "strut inserts," and you need the hack the bottom, stock MacPherson strut housing to make them work.
Also, these are not drop-in fitments, so the strut shaft are not the same dimensions as the stock pieces.

I would really probably prefer a drop in option just for the convenience.. and if i have to pay for that then so be it.

Originally Posted by RETed

One of the biggest problems with those complete coilover systems is that if they start to go bad - and they will - how will you service them?
Tein does have a USA service center.
Most of the other brand do NOT - even most of the Japan brands like Cusco, HKS, etc.

I have considered that. Which is one reason why I was attracted to the BC set up other than the fact that I've actually been in cars that had them. At least i was under the impression that they could be serviced in the states.

Originally Posted by RETed

You want cheap?
Start with a set of KYB AGX's - these are the best bang-for-the-buck shocks for the FC...


-Ted

I'm really not overly concerned with cheap. I just don't want to unnecessarily spend more than i need to. I have Tokico blues and Eibach pro springs on the car now and i enjoyed them. But looking back on it i wish i would have just spend the extra couple three hundred on coilovers instead.

[chibikougan]

You guys quit making me want another FC....

[rdgt99]

I like the Tein Flex on my FD for the money. Plus you can add the EDFC and adjust them from inside the car. I hope to be able to get car on track this year but it has been great for street and mountain driving (Deals Gap, etc).