stock struts and springs replaced or...

"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle) 09/13/2013 at 16:49 • Filed to: subaru summer project

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for pretty much equal price the cheapest of coilovers?

http://www.rs25.com/forums/f9/t167…

and go!

dogisbadob > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 16:55

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Cheapo coilovers suck

Do they make quick struts for your car?

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 16:57

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I always go for Coilovers when I can...I spent the same money for a set of Ksport Coiloevers that I would have for a full set of struts and springs on one car.

Definitely worth it if you have the money and everything.

Racelands though, are shitty, so uncomfortable and bouncy.

Go for a set of Ksports, surprisingly comfortable even slammed.

Takuro Spirit > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 16:58

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I wish raceland made them for my Camry. Everyone else does, but they all want $600+

Frank Grimes > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 17:00

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I have the same conundrum with these raceland coil overs. They will be cheaper than buying new shocks struts and lowering springs. I could lower as little as much as I want and I can feel like I drive a race car when I tell people i have coilovers. the problem I think about is what if the struts and shocks suck? What if they break really easily? What if the car rides terrible I would have been better of with some konis and lowering springs.

Paul, Man of Mustangs > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 17:06

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Don't go with cheap coilovers. They skimp on damper quality to give you easy ride height and spring changes. Poor damping is far more damaging to handling than a low CG and stiffened springs are good for handling. They might not last very long, either. Oh, and simultaneous caster-camber adjustment? No thank you. I like my caster angle big, and my camber small. Like, +6 and -1. These won't allow that.

NaturallyAspirated > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 17:14

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I put a set of Raceland coilovers on my Miata. The ride was horrifyingly bad, and I had to keep raising the ride height because the springs would slowly collapse over time until the car was sitting on the bumpstops. The spring rates and damping rates were incorrect for the car, so handling wasn't great either.

After a few months, I gave up on them. I ended up buying a set of used stock Miata springs and a set of Koni orange "Str.t" struts. Handling was improved, and ride comfort was immensely improved. I wished I had just done that from the start.

Victorious Secret > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 17:17

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Cheap coilovers suck. Do not do it.

Either spend 1k+ on proper coils or don't do it at all

Squid > Frank Grimes 09/13/2013 at 18:23

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Just search Riceland coilover reviews. . . Miata.net has had a bunch of people try them and then pretty much immediately replace them with what should have been bought first. They are cheap and their performance shows it. There also have been reports that the shock shafts have snapped. You are much better off going with known good shocks and springs than these peices of garbage. Unless you are going to slam the car to the ground and don't care about comfort, these should get you as low as you want to go.

Squid > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 18:27

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Don't go with Ricelands. They are crap. If you go with coilovers, spend the money on ones that have done the testing for proper damping and spring rates. Why skimp on something that makes the experience of driving?

chato > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 18:49

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I have BC's on my Legacy GT. about as entry level as you can get. If you NEED the height adjustability (which I do, mixed winter/summer/offroad driving), its probably a justified tradeoff for the lack of travel and leafspring-esque ride quality. They do keep my car pretty flat though, miles better than the stock suspension.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Paul, Man of Mustangs 09/13/2013 at 19:17

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THIS. Dampening is EVERYTHING. If you are paying less than $1200 for coilovers they are likely complete shit. Throw some Koni shocks in there and some good quality springs and roll with it.

Paul, Man of Mustangs > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 09/13/2013 at 19:20

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Precisely. My '94 Mustang handled SO much better with just a set of Tokicos. Stock springs, bushings, sway bars, just tires and adjustable shocks. Besides, I think most Koni struts and shocks can be upgraded to coil overs later on by just adding coilover sleeves.

WarShrike > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 23:08

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Go with quality springs/shocks.

Those look like linear springs, not progressive rate. You'll be porpoising down the road with every bump/undulation you hit. You'll hate life. Their valving probably sucks, same as the dampening ability.

I had QA1 race shocks that were adjustable with coilovers. Sucked.

Went with Strano Springs and Koni Yellows and I'm loving it. The car handles things much better. The Stranos are progressive rate springs, much better for street cars.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > MonkeePuzzle 09/13/2013 at 23:51

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I bought a set of cheap tokico coil overs that I didn't regret. I don't follow stuff like I used to, but I can tell you that anything that's half the size of stock should be a red flag.
I would also add that it should depend on what stock is like. Stock on a '95 golf sucks. Totally worth switching to anything even moderately better. On a Miata, you're as likely to do harm as good unless you spend some serious coin.

MonkeePuzzle > Paul, Man of Mustangs 09/14/2013 at 21:00

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I'm not going for crazy adjustments, close to stock caster and camber, just a little lower.

MonkeePuzzle > Victorious Secret 09/14/2013 at 21:01

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suck as coilovers, perhaps yes, but I'm not comparing to coilovers, I'm comparing to some bland OEM type replacement struts with lowering springs. Thoughts?

Victorious Secret > MonkeePuzzle 09/14/2013 at 21:01

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OEM with lowering springs is still much, much better.

MonkeePuzzle > Takuro Spirit 09/14/2013 at 21:01

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look... a rare "for" answer

MonkeePuzzle > chato 09/14/2013 at 21:02

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interesting, thanks

MonkeePuzzle > Squid 09/14/2013 at 21:03

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why skimp? because its a daily, not a fun spirited driving device. This decision is really about height adjustment. Cheap coilovers, or cheap OEM type replacement struts with lowering springs.

MonkeePuzzle > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 09/14/2013 at 21:04

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ksport is twice the price though. I'm not really attempting to get high quality suspension, just looking for daily driving use at a lower height, thoughts?

MonkeePuzzle > Victorious Secret 09/14/2013 at 21:06

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thanks for the feedback. I'm truly of 50/50 opinion here. I think the reason I'm thinking of coilovers is for adjustment of height, whereas lowering springs will only lower to one height, and I'm concerned it wont be the height I want :S

decisions decisions.

Squid > MonkeePuzzle 09/14/2013 at 22:10

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I'd rather have comfort for a DD and from what I've read the racelands don't provide anything but the ability to go really low. It's your money and car but I would at least try to find someone in your area that has racelands to see how they feel first before buying them. My bet is that you'd be more comfortable in a daily with replacement struts and springs over the racelands.

MonkeePuzzle > Squid 09/14/2013 at 22:16

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thats what I really need, a trial run. I've posted on all the local rocer fprums (to which I am of course a member as a civic owner) but noone local so far has replied.

Squid > MonkeePuzzle 09/14/2013 at 22:46

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I know the Miata.net guys hate these coilovers mainly due to the fact that they have poor damping abilities. If you want comfort I don't think you will find that in the racelands. Good luck finding a trial run. Another note is that pretty much no one will say that they hate them until they get them off of their car or if they are coming from blown stock suspension. The durability of the ricelands also gives me pause. Just some photo evidence of why I would be hesitant to buy these coilovers. Just do your research and make the best possible informed decision you can.

Paul, Man of Mustangs > MonkeePuzzle 09/15/2013 at 02:00

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But even with those, it doesn't look like you get the ability to adjust to stock levels. It's either crazy on both, or nothing on both. And the ride quality will deteriorate rapidly, if it doesn't start out terrible. Just replace the shocks and springs, and you won't have to worry about any of that.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > MonkeePuzzle 09/15/2013 at 16:18

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In my opinion coil overs are the way to go...Just not shitty ones...

Ksports are worth them money, they're comfortable, I had my car sitting less than an inch off the ground and loved the ride, it wasn't stock quality but it was nice.