Things they don't tell you about Coilovers

Bshields22 · 07-15-2016, 01:54 PM

Hey guys,

Coil-overs sound great on paper and when done RIGHT, lead to great results.

What are some of the things that don't get highlighted too much until you really begin to dive deep into the process:

Some things to start the conversation:

Additions to coil-overs: New control arms and such to maintain spec camber

Cornering balance and alignment

Cost of Installation usually

Overall comfort while not on track preferably a good setting that balance track and road use. i know there is a "softer than stock setting"

Ease of use to adjust settings between track and road use

Life span (mild track use)

Tire wear??

All i can think of right now. Maybe someone can share their comments on the above and/or provide additional topics that don't come to mind. Who knows, maybe i hit all of them on the head

Thanks fellas

cv129 · 07-15-2016, 02:39 PM

This is pretty broad. I remembered you've recently started to modify the suspension for tracking purposes. Do you have a specific coilover in mind in relation to the listed items?

Zbrah · 07-15-2016, 02:47 PM

The items you have listed aren't specific to only coil overs but also apply to lowering springs.

NorthStyle · 07-15-2016, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bshields22

Hey guys,

Coil-overs sound great on paper and when done RIGHT, lead to great results.

What are some of the things that don't get highlighted too much until you really begin to dive deep into the process:

Some things to start the conversation:

Additions to coil-overs: New control arms and such to maintain spec camber

Cornering balance and alignment

Cost of Installation usually

Overall comfort while not on track preferably a good setting that balance track and road use. i know there is a "softer than stock setting"

Ease of use to adjust settings between track and road use

Life span (mild track use)

Tire wear??

All i can think of right now. Maybe someone can share their comments on the above and/or provide additional topics that don't come to mind. Who knows, maybe i hit all of them on the head

Thanks fellas

If you've read around on here, just about every single topic you brought up has been discussed in detail. For example (I'm numbering them based on the order you asked):

1. Adjustable arms are highly recommended, even when using lowering springs. Are they necessary? That depends on how much you plan to lower, but if you're going to do it, do it right.

2. A corner balance isn't necessary unless you heavily track your car, then I'd say to get one done. An alignment should always be accomplished when changing suspension components.

3. Cost will vary from shop to shop. If you have the tools to do it yourself it's not difficult. I didn't, and paid $500 for my shop to install coilovers, front control arms, rear toe arms, rear camber arms, eccentric lockout, get it aligned and change my oil. They also routed my air lines from the trunk to the front suspension (cup kit).

4. Comfort is subjective. All of my cars for the past 10+ years have had coilovers so I'm used to them. The stock suspension on my Nismo left much to be desired in the realm of "comfort" so my coilovers were an upgrade in that area. This isn't always the case. My Lexus is stiffer, but still plenty comfortable to me and the wife.

Street and track settings are up to the individual so you will hear something different from every person. I set mine up depending on where I drive and adjust over time until I find the best setting that suits me.

5. Once I set the height I usually leave it. Adjusting the dampening is as simple as turning a knob.

6. Life span varies. My Fortune 500's on my Lexus are at approximately 30k miles and ride fine. But I don't track the car outside of an occasional drive on the Nurburgring. The Stance SS+ Pro (or whatever they're called now) have been on the Z for less than 500 miles so too new to comment.

7. Tire wear will depend on driving habits and getting a good alignment. Which goes back to #s 1 and 2.

A recommendation I've learned is to always ask if springs/spring rates are available and to speak with the company you're purchasing them from to get a recommendation based on what your intentions are. I always suggest purchasing Swift springs when available.

Hope this helps some.

Bshields22 · 07-15-2016, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthStyle

If you've read around on here, just about every single topic you brought up has been discussed in detail. For example (I'm numbering them based on the order you asked):

1. Adjustable arms are highly recommended, even when using lowering springs. Are they necessary? That depends on how much you plan to lower, but if you're going to do it, do it right.

2. A corner balance isn't necessary unless you heavily track your car, then I'd say to get one done. An alignment should always be accomplished when changing suspension components.

3. Cost will vary from shop to shop. If you have the tools to do it yourself it's not difficult. I didn't, and paid $500 for my shop to install coilovers, front control arms, rear toe arms, rear camber arms, eccentric lockout, get it aligned and change my oil. They also routed my air lines from the trunk to the front suspension (cup kit).

4. Comfort is subjective. All of my cars for the past 10+ years have had coilovers so I'm used to them. The stock suspension on my Nismo left much to be desired in the realm of "comfort" so my coilovers were an upgrade in that area. This isn't always the case. My Lexus is stiffer, but still plenty comfortable to me and the wife.

Street and track settings are up to the individual so you will hear something different from every person. I set mine up depending on where I drive and adjust over time until I find the best setting that suits me.

5. Once I set the height I usually leave it. Adjusting the dampening is as simple as turning a knob.

6. Life span varies. My Fortune 500's on my Lexus are at approximately 30k miles and ride fine. But I don't track the car outside of an occasional drive on the Nurburgring. The Stance SS+ Pro (or whatever they're called now) have been on the Z for less than 500 miles so too new to comment.

7. Tire wear will depend on driving habits and getting a good alignment. Which goes back to #s 1 and 2.

A recommendation I've learned is to always ask if springs/spring rates are available and to speak with the company you're purchasing them from to get a recommendation based on what your intentions are. I always suggest purchasing Swift springs when available.

Hope this helps some.

Great information thank you sir! I wanted to start a new thread which summarizes everything. Fact from preference gets a bit jumbled when you bounce between a ton of threads

Bshields22 · 07-15-2016, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cv129

This is pretty broad. I remembered you've recently started to modify the suspension for tracking purposes. Do you have a specific coilover in mind in relation to the listed items?

I saw one thread where Megan Racing was showcased. Seems pretty solid. What do fellow Z owners think?

I am also looking to do sway bars but thought i would do it all at once. Good memory lol

Chuck33079 · 07-15-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bshields22

I saw one thread where Megan Racing was showcased. Seems pretty solid. What do fellow Z owners think?

I am also looking to do sway bars but thought i would do it all at once. Good memory lol

Megan is cheap Chinese crap. If you can't afford better than Megan, keep saving.

Ape Factory · 07-15-2016, 11:31 PM

Coil-overs are not set and forget. After the initial installation, say three good weeks of driving daily, you'll need to go back in and recheck ride height and preload because the springs will settle. How much depends on the quality of the product.

2011 Nismo#91 · 07-18-2016, 03:01 PM

After reading and researching a lot about coil overs. For me I have come to the conclusion that unless I am ready to spend many thousands of dollars not only in parts but tuning as well it's better off not to mess with it (it being the nismo setup). From what I have read the lower cost and even average mainstream shocks for the most part are so poor in consistency it made them wonder if they even came from the same manufacturer.

This guy coveres not only shocks but pretty much everything suspension wise.
Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - Buying Shocks

Bshields22 · 07-18-2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

After reading and researching a lot about coil overs. For me I have come to the conclusion that unless I am ready to spend many thousands of dollars not only in parts but tuning as well it's better off not to mess with it (it being the nismo setup). From what I have read the lower cost and even average mainstream shocks for the most part are so poor in consistency it made them wonder if they even came from the same manufacturer.

This guy coveres not only shocks but pretty much everything suspension wise.
Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - Buying Shocks

Ya its that right there that may convince me to stay with the setup I have, maybe just add some sway bars...maybe. If I don't understand it and it requires all of this work on tuning it and such, i just don't track it in that much of competitive way to where it makes sense. I think I may be happy with what I have then. CAI, CBE, Tune, Stoptech rotors and Hawk pads. BOOM lol. Plus, the best thing for track in my opinion is bomb-*** brakes and tires.

07-15-2016, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bshields22 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 422 Drives: 2012 Black 370Z-R Rep Power: 697	Things they don't tell you about Coilovers Hey guys, Coil-overs sound great on paper and when done RIGHT, lead to great results. What are some of the things that don't get highlighted too much until you really begin to dive deep into the process: Some things to start the conversation: Additions to coil-overs: New control arms and such to maintain spec camber Cornering balance and alignment Cost of Installation usually Overall comfort while not on track preferably a good setting that balance track and road use. i know there is a "softer than stock setting" Ease of use to adjust settings between track and road use Life span (mild track use) Tire wear?? All i can think of right now. Maybe someone can share their comments on the above and/or provide additional topics that don't come to mind. Who knows, maybe i hit all of them on the head Thanks fellas __________________ 308 rwhp \| 252 rwtq \| Fast Intentions CBE 18" Res \| Stillen Gen 3 CAI \| EcuTek Tune \| Stoptech Slotted Rotors and Sport Pads \| KW V3 Coilovers \| SPL Upper Control Arms & Lower Rear Arms \| Seibon CF TS Hood \| Vossen CVT \| SPC Toe bolts

07-15-2016, 02:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,190 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 159827	This is pretty broad. I remembered you've recently started to modify the suspension for tracking purposes. Do you have a specific coilover in mind in relation to the listed items? __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

07-15-2016, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5451	The items you have listed aren't specific to only coil overs but also apply to lowering springs. Bshields22 likes this. __________________

07-18-2016, 03:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,380 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	After reading and researching a lot about coil overs. For me I have come to the conclusion that unless I am ready to spend many thousands of dollars not only in parts but tuning as well it's better off not to mess with it (it being the nismo setup). From what I have read the lower cost and even average mainstream shocks for the most part are so poor in consistency it made them wonder if they even came from the same manufacturer. This guy coveres not only shocks but pretty much everything suspension wise. Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - Buying Shocks cv129, gomer_110 and Bshields22 like this.

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07-15-2016, 11:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ape Factory Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: San Antonio Posts: 210 Drives: Audi RS5/QX70S Rep Power: 9	Coil-overs are not set and forget. After the initial installation, say three good weeks of driving daily, you'll need to go back in and recheck ride height and preload because the springs will settle. How much depends on the quality of the product.