Coilovers VS Springs

[lukeyd900]

I am thinking about getting the Tein SS Coilovers with the Pillowball uppermount. Is it worth the money difference to get the coilovers versus the springs? Are they better for your car as far as the other stock suspension aspect is concerned? Any advice or opinions please.

[Soulbane]

If you're going to be constantly adjusting ride height, and shock absorption then yes.

Coilovers will offer supremely stronger and stiffer set ups than what you can acheieve with OEM struts and springs.

But that's the sacrifice, you'll lose significant quality in everyday driving, and constant adjustment will require constant alignments. Supporting mods.

In the end it boils down to money. If you have the financial strength to spend, then I'd recommend it. Except, if you don't plan to track or race, there's no point in having a fully adjustable coil over system. If you just want some more stiffness, moderate performance, and a lowered ride, then lowering performance springs will do you just fine.

Coilovers will only be worth the money, if you plan on fully utilizing all the advantages they have to offer. If you want a moderate compromise get the Tein Basic coil overs which costs around 200-300 dollars cheaper. You lose the pillowball uppermount and shock adjustability, but its a nice compromise between performance/comfort, with an emphasis on performance.

[lukeyd900]

So every time I were to adjust the height, I would need to have an alignment done?

[Soulbane]

You don't have to, but you should. Drops can throw off your alignment so you might get uneven tire wear, and potential long term damage to your bearings if you don't get it aligned regularly.

You should have tireshops and such that offer like $180 dollar lifetime alignments.

[lukeyd900]

So, if I did indeed purchase the Tein SS Coilovers with Pillow Ball Mount, would I need rear camber links?

[SquallLHeart]

...

no

[lukeyd900]

I think that I am just going to get some aftermarket Struts and then just stay with the Tein H. Techs that I have now. I really won't need to adjust the ride at all, I just wanted the capability to put the ride exactally where I wanted it. It doesn't seem to worth all the trouble. It isn't the money, just the trouble.

[Soulbane]

Yeah, I know how you feel. But if you regularly track, auto-x what have you, being able to adjust alignment, ride height, and dampening is an invaluable asset.

If you want good stout performance, with a preferred ride height, aftermarket struts and springs will do the trick just fine.

It's just for me, I wont be getting the spring rates I want without a full blown coilover system, so I'm pretty much stuck with that option.

[ac3 b00gi3]

in my opinion springs really dnt do much .. jus drops the car and allows the handling to be a little better .. VERY SLIGHTLY tho & only because its lower to the ground .. the effects of roll automatically gets reduced once your low anyway .. coilovers gives u a stiff ride but it HANDLES in rediculous situations like turning at 120 MPH .. i REALLY doubt springs & stock struts can handle that .. i've done it .. but i was rocking side to side like crazy
I'm about to get some coils myself .. headed for those JIC Magics

[lukeyd900]

Well, I am gonna go with the TRD Sport Struts, Tein H. Techs, Hotchkis Front and Rear Sways and the DC Sports Strut Bar. I shouldn't be taking too many turns at 120. Ha ha.

[Soulbane]

Yeah, I'm going with Tein Basics, TRD sways, dezod endlinks, and most importantly

LSD!!!!

[ac3 b00gi3]

I DEFINETLY have to by an LSD .. i'm doing great on my launches but i wanna see how much of a difference the LSD will make

[Soulbane]

They'll make more of a difference under high stree, like corners, not exactly sure how they'll help traction wise on a straight away launch.

[lukeyd900]

Probably a dumb question, but do they make LSD's for Automatics?

[Soulbane]

No sir, they do not.

[ac3 b00gi3]

lol lol .. not at all .. LSD works with the clutch i believe

[Soulbane]

The LSD doesn't work directly with the clutch, it's just that instead of a direct differential turning the axles then the wheels, the LSD will be there in place.

You will definitely lose HP to the wheels with a LSD (maybe 5%-10% power loss), but the performance gained as a result is a sacrifice worth having for sure.

1. LSD
2. Coilovers
3. Sway and strut bars/Endlinks
4. Wheels/Tires
5. S/C
6. Intake/Header/S-Pipe/Mid Pipe
7. Brake Upgrade

Those 7 modifications, and you'll have a well adept street vehicle.

I just can't wait until they make some more aggressive cams for our cars.

[ac3 b00gi3]

Oops .. there i go putting my foot in my mouth .. lol .. but there are sum clutch type LSD

This type of LSD has all of the same components as an open differential, but it adds a spring pack and a set of clutches. Some of these have a cone clutch that is just like the synchronizers in a manual transmission. The spring pack pushes the side gears against the clutches, which are attached to the cage. Both side gears spin with the cage when both wheels are moving at the same speed, and the clutches aren't really needed the only time the clutches step in is when something happens to make one wheel spin faster than the other, as in a turn. The clutches fight this behavior, wanting both wheels to go the same speed. If one wheel wants to spin faster than the other, it must first overpower the clutch. The stiffness of the springs combined with the friction of the clutch determine how much torque it takes to overpower it.