New coilovers or sways & braces?
Thread Starter
Driving Me Crazy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,453
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From: Singapore
New coilovers or sways & braces?
Need some opinions here. Next on my modding list is to add more stability and control to "spirited" cornering and overall handling. I've upgraded the tyres (AD07 245/40R18) and rims (Volk LE37) which made a big difference over stock, but body movement and corner roll is still an issue. Generally I like the feel of the stock suspension and the stock sways, braces and upper strut do a reasonable job, but I'm looking for better street performance.
I'm trying to decide on the best tradeoff to improve cornering ability, but not blow the budget, else I'd just upgrade all of the stock parts mentioned above. Would it be enough to only get new coilovers (with EDFC) so I can adjust the damper setting as desired or would only upgraded sways and underbody braces suffice with the stock suspension? I seem to hit the bump stop on the stocks more than I'd like so I'm wondering if by only changing to say Tein Flex that body movement will be more controlled . New coilovers is the more expensive option, but if I don't need the upgraded stability parts then would seem to be the best option.
Any/all suggestions appreciated
I'm trying to decide on the best tradeoff to improve cornering ability, but not blow the budget, else I'd just upgrade all of the stock parts mentioned above. Would it be enough to only get new coilovers (with EDFC) so I can adjust the damper setting as desired or would only upgraded sways and underbody braces suffice with the stock suspension? I seem to hit the bump stop on the stocks more than I'd like so I'm wondering if by only changing to say Tein Flex that body movement will be more controlled . New coilovers is the more expensive option, but if I don't need the upgraded stability parts then would seem to be the best option.
Any/all suggestions appreciated
Modena
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Wentzville, MO
You could go for the Tein Basic; prices are a lot cheaper then the flex and get the sway bars to.
Only thing about the basic, there is no damper control, just ride height.
I have them and together with the Tanabe sways it is a world of difference.
Car stays flat, planted, roll is almost gone.
Thanks for your offer to get the Tein hood dampers!
Found them, they are available in the US now...
Should have them Tuesday.
Only thing about the basic, there is no damper control, just ride height.
I have them and together with the Tanabe sways it is a world of difference.
Car stays flat, planted, roll is almost gone.
Thanks for your offer to get the Tein hood dampers!
Found them, they are available in the US now...
Should have them Tuesday.
Thread Starter
Driving Me Crazy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
Originally Posted by modena
You could go for the Tein Basic; prices are a lot cheaper then the flex and get the sway bars to.
Only thing about the basic, there is no damper control, just ride height.
I have them and together with the Tanabe sways it is a world of difference.
Car stays flat, planted, roll is almost gone.
Thanks for your offer to get the Tein hood dampers!
Found them, they are available in the US now...
Should have them Tuesday.
Only thing about the basic, there is no damper control, just ride height.
I have them and together with the Tanabe sways it is a world of difference.
Car stays flat, planted, roll is almost gone.
Thanks for your offer to get the Tein hood dampers!
Found them, they are available in the US now...
Should have them Tuesday.
Glad you found the hood dampers in the US, price will most certainly be cheaper!
Modena
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Wentzville, MO
I had the H&R springs first.
The car was very low to the ground and hit the bump stops regularly!
The basics work fine for me, if money would be no object, maybe the flex would
Be on the car. But with the basic set and the sways as it is now?
Happy camper!
There is more then enough damping for me.
The only thing is the springs are a bit bouncy, when "sportive" driving is in order you will need both hands on the wheel!
Don't know for sure but do they have the basics in your neck of the woods?
Tein makes it sound that they where made for the USA only.
The car was very low to the ground and hit the bump stops regularly!
The basics work fine for me, if money would be no object, maybe the flex would
Be on the car. But with the basic set and the sways as it is now?
Happy camper!
There is more then enough damping for me.
The only thing is the springs are a bit bouncy, when "sportive" driving is in order you will need both hands on the wheel!
Don't know for sure but do they have the basics in your neck of the woods?
Tein makes it sound that they where made for the USA only.
Registered
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,553
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i believe that the edfc only works with the tein flexs and not the basics. i would much rather spend more money and get adjustable coilovers.
maybe instead of coilovers you can get a nice spring and shock combo???
maybe you should get the sways first too since it wont make your ride harsher or change your driving habits? coilovers will drop your car so much that the freeway will be bumpy and undesirable
maybe instead of coilovers you can get a nice spring and shock combo???
maybe you should get the sways first too since it wont make your ride harsher or change your driving habits? coilovers will drop your car so much that the freeway will be bumpy and undesirable
Thread Starter
Driving Me Crazy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,453
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From: Singapore
Originally Posted by Mikelikes2drive
i believe that the edfc only works with the tein flexs and not the basics. i would much rather spend more money and get adjustable coilovers
Originally Posted by Mikelikes2drive
maybe instead of coilovers you can get a nice spring and shock combo???
Originally Posted by Mikelikes2drive
maybe you should get the sways first too since it wont make your ride harsher or change your driving habits? coilovers will drop your car so much that the freeway will be bumpy and undesirable
Can anybody comment who's upgraded their suspension, then upgraded their underbody braces?....wondering if the aftermarket braces would then have any noticeable benefit.
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
Here's my experience for your consideration. Last yr when I started tracking (HPDEs) I kept the car stock to see what it can do and decide on what mods I would try. After tracking in Limerock, CT and Watkins Glenn, NY last fall I decided the car desperately needed some work to be any real competition to anyone on track.
Major areas, heavy leaning over in corners, staying in my seat so I can drive (156lbs), plus lack of tire grip. A friend of mine had immediately done (only) coilovers and CZ and he was way ahead of me always so that was one path I could choose.
So last winter/spring, I decided on an alternative approach with mods to accomplish (hopefully) what my friend had done with the goal of keeping the car totally comfortable & streetable w/full stock suspension travel, shocks and springs. After seeming endless research, I ordered 4-pt Autoexe front/rear strut braces, Whiteline heavy duty solid adjustable anti-sway bars, and Falken RT-615 tires, and a PS2. Next all winter I practiced on tracks all over the world in my PS2 (driver mod) .
This year, with these mods plus what's in my signature - at NHIS (Loudon, NH - NASCA track plus twisties), at modest expense, I can happily tell you that I'm more than a match for lots of M3s, some Lotus Elise's, Corvettes, Vipers, and a variety of Porsches, not to mention lots of lesser machinery. The car barely leans, is deliciously controllable with a wonderful tail out attitude, and is a track pleasure. Do people ever pass me on track? Sure. But not many, and not if me and my little red 8 can help it :D
Next mod? I'd like to find 50-100 HP somewhere.... to finally close the door on those last few pesky cars that sneak by
BTW My current opinion on why the 8 is so 'fast' on track - 50% is due to the extrodinary brakes and general balance - most slow down for corners WAY before I need to...then I sail through the corner at higher speed,,, and I'm gone!
Major areas, heavy leaning over in corners, staying in my seat so I can drive (156lbs), plus lack of tire grip. A friend of mine had immediately done (only) coilovers and CZ and he was way ahead of me always so that was one path I could choose.
So last winter/spring, I decided on an alternative approach with mods to accomplish (hopefully) what my friend had done with the goal of keeping the car totally comfortable & streetable w/full stock suspension travel, shocks and springs. After seeming endless research, I ordered 4-pt Autoexe front/rear strut braces, Whiteline heavy duty solid adjustable anti-sway bars, and Falken RT-615 tires, and a PS2. Next all winter I practiced on tracks all over the world in my PS2 (driver mod)
.This year, with these mods plus what's in my signature - at NHIS (Loudon, NH - NASCA track plus twisties), at modest expense, I can happily tell you that I'm more than a match for lots of M3s, some Lotus Elise's, Corvettes, Vipers, and a variety of Porsches, not to mention lots of lesser machinery. The car barely leans, is deliciously controllable with a wonderful tail out attitude, and is a track pleasure. Do people ever pass me on track? Sure. But not many, and not if me and my little red 8 can help it :D
Next mod? I'd like to find 50-100 HP somewhere.... to finally close the door on those last few pesky cars that sneak by
BTW My current opinion on why the 8 is so 'fast' on track - 50% is due to the extrodinary brakes and general balance - most slow down for corners WAY before I need to...then I sail through the corner at higher speed,,, and I'm gone!
Last edited by Spin9k; Aug 1, 2005 at 08:06 AM.
Thread Starter
Driving Me Crazy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
Originally Posted by Spin9k
Here's my experience for your consideration. Last yr when I started tracking (HPDEs) I kept the car stock to see what it can do and decide on what mods I would try. After tracking in Limerock, CT and Watkins Glenn, NY last fall I decided the car desperately needed some work to be any real competition to anyone on track.
Major areas, heavy leaning over in corners, staying in my seat so I can drive (156lbs), plus lack of tire grip. A friend of mine had immediately done (only) coilovers and CZ and he was way ahead of me always so that was one path I could choose.
So last winter/spring, I decided on an alternative approach with mods to accomplish (hopefully) what my friend had done with the goal of keeping the car totally comfortable & streetable w/full stock suspension travel, shocks and springs. After seeming endless research, I ordered 4-pt Autoexe front/rear strut braces, Whiteline heavy duty solid adjustable anti-sway bars, and Falken RT-615 tires, and a PS2. Next all winter I practiced on tracks all over the world in my PS2 (driver mod) .
This year, with these mods plus what's in my signature - at NHIS (Loudon, NH - NASCA track plus twisties), at modest expense, I can happily tell you that I'm more than a match for lots of M3s, some Lotus Elise's, Corvettes, Vipers, and a variety of Porsches, not to mention lots of lesser machinery. The car barely leans, is deliciously controllable with a wonderful tail out attitude, and is a track pleasure. Do people ever pass me on track? Sure. But not many, and not if me and my little red 8 can help it :D
Next mod? I'd like to find 50-100 HP somewhere.... to finally close the door on those last few pesky cars that sneak by
BTW My current opinion on why the 8 is so 'fast' on track - 50% is due to the extrodinary brakes and general balance - most slow down for corners WAY before I need to...then I sail through the corner at higher speed,,, and I'm gone!
Major areas, heavy leaning over in corners, staying in my seat so I can drive (156lbs), plus lack of tire grip. A friend of mine had immediately done (only) coilovers and CZ and he was way ahead of me always so that was one path I could choose.
So last winter/spring, I decided on an alternative approach with mods to accomplish (hopefully) what my friend had done with the goal of keeping the car totally comfortable & streetable w/full stock suspension travel, shocks and springs. After seeming endless research, I ordered 4-pt Autoexe front/rear strut braces, Whiteline heavy duty solid adjustable anti-sway bars, and Falken RT-615 tires, and a PS2. Next all winter I practiced on tracks all over the world in my PS2 (driver mod)
.This year, with these mods plus what's in my signature - at NHIS (Loudon, NH - NASCA track plus twisties), at modest expense, I can happily tell you that I'm more than a match for lots of M3s, some Lotus Elise's, Corvettes, Vipers, and a variety of Porsches, not to mention lots of lesser machinery. The car barely leans, is deliciously controllable with a wonderful tail out attitude, and is a track pleasure. Do people ever pass me on track? Sure. But not many, and not if me and my little red 8 can help it :D
Next mod? I'd like to find 50-100 HP somewhere.... to finally close the door on those last few pesky cars that sneak by
BTW My current opinion on why the 8 is so 'fast' on track - 50% is due to the extrodinary brakes and general balance - most slow down for corners WAY before I need to...then I sail through the corner at higher speed,,, and I'm gone!
So you're saying that the stock suspension is more than adequate for hard cornering and decent handling, but coupled with proper 4-pt front and rear tower struts, with upgraded anti-sways, is basically all the 8 needs (notwithstanding the tyres). Is there anything else you'd consider to improve the handling even further?
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
Originally Posted by Genesis
Excellent post spin...thanks for sharing. I had removed your font colours since I could barely read it So you're saying that the stock suspension is more than adequate for hard cornering and decent handling, but coupled with proper 4-pt front and rear tower struts, with upgraded anti-sways, is basically all the 8 needs (notwithstanding the tyres). Is there anything else you'd consider to improve the handling even further?
So you're saying that the stock suspension is more than adequate for hard cornering and decent handling, but coupled with proper 4-pt front and rear tower struts, with upgraded anti-sways, is basically all the 8 needs (notwithstanding the tyres). Is there anything else you'd consider to improve the handling even further?R-compounds would likely help some, but I didn't want two sets of tires and wheels to cart around. Coilovers should turn it into a nearly unbeatable track twisties car...I'm on the cliff about it though...it's work to install, adjust, tune, not to mention pay for the 3 way adjustable coilovers I would want (I have my eye on KWSuspension's Variant 3 http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/30_P...nt_3/index.php ). Just not sure I'll have the track time, expertise, or ambition to tune it all right and then not have it comfortable on the street afterwards. Perhaps next winter....
Wider wheels might help 8.5" or 9" with wider tires, that's a real possibility for next year too!
BTW the Falkens made a HUGE difference in ride quality from the RE040's. They are a true luxury riding tire, not the stiff, noisy, race-type tire that you would guess.
Thread Starter
Driving Me Crazy
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
Originally Posted by Spin9k
Yes, that was the theory I was going with and it has seemed to be true. I figured that the stock dampers and springs were fairly decent, it was simply being compromised by excessive body roll and some chassis flexing getting it out of its optimal geometry.
R-compounds would likely help some, but I didn't want two sets of tires and wheels to cart around. Coilovers should turn it into a nearly unbeatable track twisties car...I'm on the cliff about it though...it's work to install, adjust, tune, not to mention pay for the 3 way adjustable coilovers I would want (I have my eye on KWSuspension's Variant 3 http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/30_P...nt_3/index.php ). Just not sure I'll have the track time, expertise, or ambition to tune it all right and then not have it comfortable on the street afterwards. Perhaps next winter....
Wider wheels might help 8.5" or 9" with wider tires, that's a real possibility for next year too!
BTW the Falkens made a HUGE difference in ride quality from the RE040's. They are a true luxury riding tire, not the stiff, noisy, race-type tire that you would guess.
R-compounds would likely help some, but I didn't want two sets of tires and wheels to cart around. Coilovers should turn it into a nearly unbeatable track twisties car...I'm on the cliff about it though...it's work to install, adjust, tune, not to mention pay for the 3 way adjustable coilovers I would want (I have my eye on KWSuspension's Variant 3 http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/30_P...nt_3/index.php ). Just not sure I'll have the track time, expertise, or ambition to tune it all right and then not have it comfortable on the street afterwards. Perhaps next winter....
Wider wheels might help 8.5" or 9" with wider tires, that's a real possibility for next year too!
BTW the Falkens made a HUGE difference in ride quality from the RE040's. They are a true luxury riding tire, not the stiff, noisy, race-type tire that you would guess.
I personally perfer a well tuned shock to an adjustable shock on anything except a dedicated track car. I think SPEED magazine sums it up the best - the edfc leaves you perfectly adjust your shocks to the road conditions you just passed 
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