Debating on Suspension

[SittinOnDubsWGW]

Alright guys I am debating on what to do, Suspension is an area that I can honestly say that I do not know a great deal about.

I plan on using my car mostly for daily driving and also plan on auto-x'ing and drag a couple times a month.

My budget is around a grand, but am willing to spend a little bit more if I feel I should wait a little longer to buy a better quality product.

So far I have thought about and approximate prices:
AGX's w/ eibach, whiteline,or tein springs ($600)
AGX's w/ Ground Control coilovers ($800)
Tein Basic ($800)... no damping adjustibility though
Tein SS ($1000)
Tein HE ($1200)

I am just looking to have a nice suspension setup that will handle well for auto-x but not be overkill on ride quality on the streets, since it is my daily driver.

Any other suggestions that you guys have would be greatly appreciated also.

Thanks a lot,
Kyle

[FoCaL]

Im in a similiar situation. I really need new suspension as I have a blown shock and I feel like Im driving a cadilac or something. I have similar requirements (autoX, street, etc..) and Im going the AGX and eibach route. Im not really concerned about right hight, so the CG coil overs are our of the qustion. I looked into the Tein Basic, but I can see spending that much and having no adjustability. Cause its either going to be great for autoX and suck for daily, or visa versa. My budget is not quite big enough for the big boys $1000+ either. I figure it this get me around a while and I like maybe about the time Im looking for my SR and have a beater Ill invest in some nice coilovers. Just my thoughts

[CleanS14]

Just get the Tein HE's... they are good for the price and fully adjustable. Dousan can attest to their performance on both the street and track. Don't waste money on shocks/springs if you plan to change them later. Just my 2 cents.

-Jay

[Dousan_PG]

if your gonig to track more the like 2 times a month, get the HEs

if you are heavy daily driver, get Tein FLEX

both you can upgrade on and both are both suitable for daily driving, the FLEX being mroe suitable of the two

[pruto]

i dunno, if you're just going to daily drive and autox once in a while, shock springs should be just fine. cheap, and good to learn on.

but if you want coils, don't go ground control, for the money you might as well go full coilover.

[crioten]

where in st louis are ya? were you at the last autox?

im also debating with going for the agx/prokits or just waiting until next summer to get some coilovers...i just cant figure it out...i like to do something right the first time.

id like to hit the autox at least 2 times a month, and i like that you can make your ride more comfy on springs/shocks, but can you make them as comfy w/ coilovers?

[pruto]

also ask yourself how much time per month you REALLY drive your car hard. Autocross and drag isn't exactly track. Per autocross session you get 3-5 runs depending on area, with avg run time of 50 to 90 sec. so thats at max 10 minutes of running hard on your suspension. Same with drag. Do that a couple times a month, thats less than 30 minutes a month.

i've had my GAB/eibach for a year and a half now i've done total:
3 autox
1 track event
4 drift events

granted that is a lot less than what i wanted to do, but had i known i was only going to get so much action out of my suspesnion, i would have spent less on my shock/springs to begin with and saved up for coils when i start getting really track happy (next spring).

all that to say if i had to do it all over, i would get agx/springs to begin with until i got a feel for my car and what i want to do with it.

enjoy, remember, its not about how much your car gets from you, but how much you get from your car. maximize the fun per dollar

[crioten]

i understand that im not actually putting a ton of time in on the track right now, but im planning on doing so. but my question is still the comfy factor still

[DuffMan]

Tein HE are not too comfy really. You can daily drive them, but passangers complain, and it can get bad on poor roads.

Tein flex is a bit more and offers similar features, but better ride comfort.

[SittinOnDubsWGW]

Has anybody tried the Tein SS or know anybody w/ them.

[nrcooled]

Originally posted by pruto
i dunno, if you're just going to daily drive and autox once in a while, shock springs should be just fine. cheap, and good to learn on.

but if you want coils, don't go ground control, for the money you might as well go full coilover.

Agreed. I have shock spring combo (AGX/HKS) and it's a great setup, handles beautifully and is forgiving on the street (if you change the settings on the AGXs) The whole thing cost me $450 used.

Good suspension doesn't have to cost alot but it does take research.