Help with Coilover Install!!
 

anyone know how to install coilovers near Norfolk, Virginia? How to lower the car, do camber, toe, and caster? I've never installed any on any car, but i've read a lot on it in the previous weeks. Anyone down to help? i've got the place with tools and i'd even throw in a 30 for ya
:beer05::beer05::beerchug::beer05::beer05:

I'd also like to know if there are any shops in the area in case i find no one that can do the install (with me helping of course) that you guys would trust doing this install/aligning/etc? i'm new to the area (as well as Virginia) so I don't know which ones are good and which aren't. I've taken a look around and called. East Coast Customz has done an rx8 that i've seen in the photos from the hampton roads meets. they quoted me at $560 out the door for labor and alignment. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Dave

$560 is way too much.

A normal performance shop should charge you 2-3 hours labour (the shop I go to charges $65/hour) for the coilover install and an alignment is normally $60-80 depending where you go.

Therefore all the labour should cost you no more than $250ish.

It takes maybe 1-2 hours to do the coilover install, it's no different than any other shocks/spring installation. I know I can do it in less than 2 hours, did it to mine 3 times already, and I don't even have a shop lift, just good old jack and jack stand.

as for Alignment, it really depends on what you wanna do, usually for stock settings like Muchy said it's around 60-80. For custom Alignment, usually 100-150.

took me a day but i found a lot of it pretty seized up, its all fairly self explanatory once the wheels are off. besides the awkward bit with the top mount at the rear.

well this would be my first coilover install. how long did it take u the first time you did it nycgps?

I was confused for a sec, thought you were in Danbury. If you were I would have helped out, doesn't take very long.

Takes a couple of hours to do it..likely 3 or more if it is the first time...

There is an easy way to do both....you can do the rears and only disconnect one trailing link....and the fronts just the top A-arm. Make sure you disconnect the sway bar end-links on both ends..and the headlight adjusters and the retaining bolts for the ABS sensor wires..that way you have enough slack and you dont stretch them..you don't want to wreck the wires...they are expensive to fix..and the car is nasty when they fail.

If you start to do it yourself and get stuck....let us know whats up and we can help

I will be coming to Danbury to pick up my car on the 22nd and the coilovers should arrive the next day. Could u pm me ur number paimon so I can get in contact with u if they do end up arriving on time. I Have to be back before Monday so I will have to have this all taken care of before I leave

PMed

might just end up trying to do this in norfolk, va. i'm lacking in tools at home and i dont want to get stuck on a rusted or seized bolt and not be able to get back to base in time. Still would like to know if anyone around the norfolk area would be able to come down. thanks paimon btw for all ur help and knowledge.

PMed

op i live by the poconos. if you want to road trip ill do it for free at my brothers garage

Pm'd

got my coilovers installed. A big thanks goes out to GodessHunter for helping me out with everything and having patience with me as it was a learning experience for me as well. thank you guys for all the help. here are some pics of the install.

Dave

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show us a pic of it as low as it goes mate :)

...

after talking it over with godesshunter and asking for his advice since his looked pretty good i just decided to end up going with 30 revolutions in the front and back. as of right now i'd say the front is half a finger from fender to tire and the back is a finger and a half, but should settle soon.

you'll have to excuse the curb rash and the wheels lookin like shit. i'm just waiting for my new rpf1's to come in and it'll look much better. i promise ;)

Rear has settled a bit.

I figured it would. How was the drive down? Don't forget to get it re-aligned after its done settling.

other than hitting traffic in both NY and NJ because of accidents it was great. I finished the trip in 10 hrs and only stopped for gas. had no problems with comfort. settin the dampening to full soft was a great idea too bill.

Im planning on gettin another alignment once the Rpf1's come in. I've been talkin to dan and they should be here this week. hopefully before the meet this sat:fingersx:

i've been hearin a squishin sound from the coilovers. i've done some reading and have heard this is normal. wat do u think?

Dave

Maybe from the shocks. Should go away once you figure out what dampening setting you want to run stiffer.

Ight thanks man.

Pics with rpf1's?