Coilovers - who, what, where, and how much?

[pu-11-me]

Yeah thats a better pic.... Looks the goods in that one

And you know why you don't get hassled? Because your car is white haha

I have a blue one and a white one. Blue one has no mods and I get hassled. White one has mods and I never get hassled. Go figure haha

 

[ygoslo]

Steve has a white one with blue wheels. His wheels might get hassled.

 

[pu-11-me]

Lol.....

 

[Bad-Karma]

Fitted my Tein Basic Wagons today. Once I have a bit more of a drive, i'll give more feed back.

So far they are really good. Slightly firmer than stock suspension but stiffer, thus reducing body roll.

 

[Macca]

Reviving an old thread but i need some advice.

My car is just running factory shocks but aftermarket springs and i want to upgrade to coil overs.

So what should you look for in a set of coil overs?

Correct me if I'm wrong but:

ISC: Great coil overs, great quality and reasonable price

BC: Bad coil overs

Tien: Good coil overs but expensive

and i haven't really heard much about any others. The ISC ones seem the go from what Ive read here and elsewhere.

And can someone explain to me about the pillow tops and camber adjustment, form the way the ISC ones sound it seems that they have the pillow tops on all four of them so does that make them camber adjustable on all four?

I have a rough idea about camber and toe but what else would need to be considered when fitting some and I'm not 100% on spring rates and the like.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Guest]

BC have been getting good reviews. Tanabe are very good as well. I had diayama's and they were the worst purchase I made for my VR4. basic teins next which were fine and now swapped to HA's but haven't been able to try them as a pothole killed a wheel and tyre last Friday.

 

[Hotwire]

Was going to say BC gets good reviews both here and evolution oz.... look for a writeup by Eddyvr4 for a comprehensive coverage of them

 

[steveP]

ISC, BC and the cheaper end of the TEIN range are about on par in terms of quality.

i like ISC because they are local and can get replacements easily and no hiden surprises with the warrantee. ryan is a honest guy and will help u out if u got issues.

pillowball upper mounts allow camber adjustment, nearly always only on the front. however this isnt applicable with our cars and the double wishbone suspension.

regarding spring rate.. what will the car be used for? street only, lots of track, or somewhere in the middle. however i have found the street spec spring rates compromise very little on outright handling.

 

[Rex Everything]

Did you go 10/8 steve? I'm looking at the ISCs and thinking of going a bit softer.

 

[Macca]

regarding spring rate.. what will the car be used for? street only, lots of track, or somewhere in the middle. however i have found the street spec spring rates compromise very little on outright handling.

Mostly street with a track day here and there. The ISC site has them as 10/8 so whats the go with that? If you increase that number does that make them stiffer?

 

[steveP]

Mostly street with a track day here and there. The ISC site has them as 10/8 so whats the go with that? If you increase that number does that make them stiffer?

yep higher the number, stiffer the spring.

i got 10/6 as obviously theres less weight over the rear wheels of a galant compared to a legnum, and i dont usually have heaps of shit in my boot. so for a legnum i would def recommend a 10/8 spring rate. if i had to get mine again i would go slightly stiffer in the rear too (so 10/8).

surprisingly the coilovers are really comfortable. perfect for daily driving. passengers never comment on the ride being too harsh or stiff. just make sure u play around and get the dampening right.

 

[Macca]

So if you would get 10/8 for your galant would it be better if I get 10/10 or 12/10 or something? I'm guessing the front number is the front springs and the rear number is the rear springs?

 

[pu-11-me]

Maybe a 10/7. There is only around 30kg's difference in the weight over the rear wheels between Leggie's and Galant's

 

[king_panther]

Maybe a 10/7. There is only around 30kg's difference in the weight over the rear wheels between Leggie's and Galant's

Or 130kgs if I'm sitting in the back :sad:

 

[steveP]

So if you would get 10/8 for your galant would it be better if I get 10/10 or 12/10 or something? I'm guessing the front number is the front springs and the rear number is the rear springs?

nuh i wouldnt go any stiffer for street use. like what has been said, its only 30kgs heavier.. however coz u got such a large boot, more likely of having it full of things.

the 10/6 is fine really. i just reckon a slightly stiffer rear would be handy as ive maxed out the dampening to 'full hard'.

again.. get 10/8

yep, first number identifies the front spring rate. it will (usually) be stiffer to take into account the engine.

 

[Macca]

Alright then, sweet. I'm definitely leaning toward the ISC N1's. Australian, spare parts, good warranty, not too expensive and they seem to have good rep too.

 

[Slinz]

Looking at this myself at the moment.. Wondering if the ISC's are worth the extra ~$200 over the BC's? Alll that seems to be the difference in specs is 35 adjustment levels compared to 30. Wondering if there is notable difference in ride quality

 

[Hotwire]

I don't see the value - they are both constructed overseas.

The only local part about the ISC is there is an Australian made alternative for the thrust bearing (camber top) but the rest of the unit is still made in taiwan/china/wherever. Personally I would save the $200 and go BC's

 

[Mac Dog]

Even though there's readily available support and parts in Aus?

I'll be going with ISC's when the time comes.

 

[Slinz]

As far as I can see the BC's come direct from JDM in Sydney, which I presume would mean parts are also available from them? I'm reckoning I might hang on to my 200 bucks and use it to get them professionally fitted and adjusted, which is probably the most important thing anyway