Springs or Coilovers? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

moose · 01-18-2003, 06:24 PM

I did my searching and I have found that Tein has the best coilovers, but what about us guys that aren't made of money? Is there one step cheaper that still gives quality ride smoothness and good handling?
I live in Canada so I want to be able to lower it in the summer and raise it in the winter. I figure coilovers are the best bet, but not anything too expensive.

What do you think??

Bbandit · 01-18-2003, 06:26 PM

try kyb agx + ground control coilover combo...
www.ground-control.com
they sell those combo for $800ish i believe

moose · 01-18-2003, 06:35 PM

I forget to mention that this a daily driver and not a race car.

Bbandit · 01-18-2003, 06:58 PM

yea well those setup i gave you is very streetable...
or you can just get some cheap regular springs with shocks combo...
whats your budget?

moose · 01-18-2003, 07:04 PM

My limit is 15 g's (canadian dollars) for the car and the mods. I was thinking I could run Eibach lowering springs in the spring/summer/fall and then switch back to my factory springs for the winter. What do you think, I think it would work.

AKADriver · 01-18-2003, 07:14 PM

Tein doesn't make the best 'full coilover' setup.. in fact they're basically entry-level.

Ground Controls will be perfectly streetable if they're installed properly. Make sure to use something between the body of the strut and the threaded collar to take up the gap to prevent noise.

bbp · 01-18-2003, 08:03 PM

If you want adjustable shocks:

Koni's are great, also tokico makes a nice affordable shock.

Just remember that single adjustables adjust REBOUND, not compression, the terms soft and hard are commonly misused. they dont necessarily adjust the firmness, the adjust the rate that the shock rebounds after it has been compressed

Non Adjustable:

Bilsteins are excellent.

If this is a street car that is a daily driver and you are doing the suspension purely for athstetics, look into basic lowering springs and a maybe some Bilsteins. It will ride nice and look good. Putting coilovers on a car that does street duty (esp snow...dangerous) 100% of the time is, IMO, a waste of money.

*SaintlyCharBoy* · 01-18-2003, 11:12 PM

i was in a similar boat not too long ago, but as i drive my car in the winter (her in NH they salt the hell outta the roads) i was warned against using alluminum bodied height adjustable coilovers. the salt on the roads supposedly pitts the alluminum and kills any adjustability

i ended up with tein springs and love them

019 · 01-18-2003, 11:21 PM

i have the sportlines with tokico blues on my s14 and with the few snowstorms we've been getting here in virginia, i've been running fine in the snow. i guess it would depend on how much snow we're talking about, especially since you're in canada.

RBSileighty · 01-18-2003, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKADriver
Tein doesn't make the best 'full coilover' setup.. in fact they're basically entry-level.

Ground Controls will be perfectly streetable if they're installed properly. Make sure to use something between the body of the strut and the threaded collar to take up the gap to prevent noise.

You must be talking about the HE's or something... the RS kit is super adjustable and very track worthy. I would go with springs if I were you. It would be a lot easier to swap in and out during the year. Don't forget this is going to make you have to get an alignment every time you do this... Good luck!

240fluke · 01-19-2003, 01:11 AM

Actually, I wouldn't bother switching the springs in and out of your car (it is rather a hassle to do, but if you do it, I am sure you will get pretty fast at doing it). For basic height adjustment the Eibach Ground Controls are supposed to be pretty good when mated to a good shock.

As for the best coilover out there, I think that is really preference and dependent upon the model. For our cars BASIC coilovers will run you around $1k, whlie good ones run around $1.5K and super adjustable track ready, yada yada, will run you $2k+. It really comes down to preference though. I think a good majority of people would probably agree or at least have to say that JIC's and Zeal's are probably some of the best coilovers available, but once again that is preference.

You might even want to consider just getting a lowering spring that doesn't drastically drop the car, but does improve performance. I run Eibach Pro-Kit and GAB Super HP's and the ride is awesome. Since I lowered it, I actually seem to have an EASIER time getting over speed bumps and such. I still think I would of liked to have gone with the H&R sport's, but I am very pleased with my setup and highly recommend it.

Tim '95 SE

moose · 01-19-2003, 09:17 AM

hey thanks, um I'm really not made of money, and I have to think about university, but does anybody know what your car is like lowered in snow? Does it make a big deal at all?

*SaintlyCharBoy* · 01-19-2003, 09:56 AM

well, i currently have over 2 feet of snow on the ground right now
in the early morning sometimes i plow the snow, but not usually - and stock height does that anyway

the suspension differences only matter when you hit frost heaves

as far as i am concerned - it didn't matter

moose · 01-19-2003, 12:19 PM

So if I buy eibach springs and I lower the car 1.5" then that should be enough ground clearance for winter and summer, depending on roads? Cause I definetly want to get of that wheel gap!

1 Dirty Truck · 01-19-2003, 12:27 PM

Tein HA goes for like 1k and they are great. Save up for them if you have the time.

Oh yeah I have seen them on like three cars and they are beginners but good for the money.

YellwMonky · 01-19-2003, 01:14 PM

from what i've heard, neither prokit nor sportlines will get rid of the ugly gap. The sportlines may help, but not much.

tnord · 01-19-2003, 04:32 PM

haven't seen much have you?

see sig for reference.

019 · 01-19-2003, 11:42 PM

with my sportlines, i get great clearance. i just have the stock bumper though, no lip or anything. but yeah, i'd say both sportlines and prokit will give you great clearance as well as get rid of the wheel gap, so you can't really go wrong on that matter.

YellwMonky · 01-20-2003, 12:45 PM

My friend had a 93 hatchback with eibach sportlines and stock rims. It did NOT look dropped. If the pro-kit does even less than that, it must not do much.

Dousan_PG · 01-20-2003, 01:20 PM

tein does make high end coilovres you jsut dotn see them stateside.

coilovers:

good if you like to:
lie on your back.
scratch your head.
use tape measures a lot
enjoy fine tuning
enjoy paying out for corner balance (if your serious about coilovers)
enjoy getting out of the car for damper setup
enjoy changing it for events or types of setups

coilovers arent made for people who like to lower their car to a ok height and never adjust them. its a waste of money. buy shocks and springs if your going to do that.

shock spring:
once on its set.
damper adj shock makes changes quick and easy.
camber plates can be added to add more adj.

that's just my thoughts on it.

i have coilovers. going to readjust them again this week to perfection..well, as perfect as i an before i get it corner balanced in the coming month (get it set to hieght i want it at and make sure everything is lined up perfectly) heh..

RBSileighty · 01-20-2003, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dousan36
tein does make high end coilovres you jsut dotn see them stateside.

coilovers:

good if you like to:
lie on your back.
scratch your head.
use tape measures a lot
enjoy fine tuning
enjoy paying out for corner balance (if your serious about coilovers)
enjoy getting out of the car for damper setup
enjoy changing it for events or types of setups

coilovers arent made for people who like to lower their car to a ok height and never adjust them. its a waste of money. buy shocks and springs if your going to do that.

shock spring:
once on its set.
damper adj shock makes changes quick and easy.
camber plates can be added to add more adj.

that's just my thoughts on it.

i have coilovers. going to readjust them again this week to perfection..well, as perfect as i an before i get it corner balanced in the coming month (get it set to hieght i want it at and make sure everything is lined up perfectly) heh..

I couldn't have said it better myself.

019 · 01-20-2003, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by YellwMonky
My friend had a 93 hatchback with eibach sportlines and stock rims. It did NOT look dropped. If the pro-kit does even less than that, it must not do much.

i can't really say much for s13's. but my sportlines did drop my s14 a good 2 inches. yes, it is not a really obvious drop if you've never seen the car at stock height, but that's probably because the stock height is too high... i feel that my car looks the way it should've stock. and judging from tnord's pic of his s14, the wheel gap is pretty much gone. looks great. i don't mean to be an ass or whatever, but if you would've checked moose's profile, you would've seen that he owns a 95, therefore an s14.

240Dori · 01-21-2003, 12:58 PM

on the topic of coilovers...i have been wondering if anyone has bought used coilovers...if so how much were they and how much rebiulding did you have to do...i ask this because i know that you can get used coilovers imported from japan from junkyard sharks or classifieds and was thinking about maybe doing this myself...just wondering if anyone has done this.

01-18-2003, 06:24 PM	#1
moose Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Brunswick, CANADA Age: 40 Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Springs or Coilovers? I did my searching and I have found that Tein has the best coilovers, but what about us guys that aren't made of money? Is there one step cheaper that still gives quality ride smoothness and good handling? I live in Canada so I want to be able to lower it in the summer and raise it in the winter. I figure coilovers are the best bet, but not anything too expensive. What do you think?? __________________

01-18-2003, 06:26 PM	#2
Bbandit Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Texas and now Jakarta Age: 43 Posts: 2,674 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Bbandit Feedback Score: 0 reviews	try kyb agx + ground control coilover combo... www.ground-control.com they sell those combo for $800ish i believe __________________ ==>>TGL GARAGE<<==.. RIP! S13 coupe KA-T @ 0.5 Bar = SOLD! A31 Cefiro + SR = Current

01-18-2003, 06:35 PM	#3
moose Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Brunswick, CANADA Age: 40 Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I forget to mention that this a daily driver and not a race car. __________________

01-18-2003, 06:58 PM	#4
Bbandit Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Texas and now Jakarta Age: 43 Posts: 2,674 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Bbandit Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yea well those setup i gave you is very streetable... or you can just get some cheap regular springs with shocks combo... whats your budget? __________________ ==>>TGL GARAGE<<==.. RIP! S13 coupe KA-T @ 0.5 Bar = SOLD! A31 Cefiro + SR = Current

01-18-2003, 07:04 PM	#5
moose Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Brunswick, CANADA Age: 40 Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My limit is 15 g's (canadian dollars) for the car and the mods. I was thinking I could run Eibach lowering springs in the spring/summer/fall and then switch back to my factory springs for the winter. What do you think, I think it would work. __________________

01-18-2003, 07:14 PM	#6
AKADriver Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Age: 43 Posts: 3,517 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Tein doesn't make the best 'full coilover' setup.. in fact they're basically entry-level. Ground Controls will be perfectly streetable if they're installed properly. Make sure to use something between the body of the strut and the threaded collar to take up the gap to prevent noise.

01-18-2003, 08:03 PM	#7
bbp Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: oHIo Age: 53 Posts: 477 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you want adjustable shocks: Koni's are great, also tokico makes a nice affordable shock. Just remember that single adjustables adjust REBOUND, not compression, the terms soft and hard are commonly misused. they dont necessarily adjust the firmness, the adjust the rate that the shock rebounds after it has been compressed Non Adjustable: Bilsteins are excellent. If this is a street car that is a daily driver and you are doing the suspension purely for athstetics, look into basic lowering springs and a maybe some Bilsteins. It will ride nice and look good. Putting coilovers on a car that does street duty (esp snow...dangerous) 100% of the time is, IMO, a waste of money. __________________

01-18-2003, 11:12 PM	#8
SaintlyCharBoy Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bow, NH Age: 43 Posts: 849 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	i was in a similar boat not too long ago, but as i drive my car in the winter (her in NH they salt the hell outta the roads) i was warned against using alluminum bodied height adjustable coilovers. the salt on the roads supposedly pitts the alluminum and kills any adjustability i ended up with tein springs and love them __________________ 92 vert - KADE + VH41 + GM MA5 = too many parts in the garage 95 base - retired

01-18-2003, 11:21 PM	#9
019 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: blacksburg, va Posts: 697 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i have the sportlines with tokico blues on my s14 and with the few snowstorms we've been getting here in virginia, i've been running fine in the snow. i guess it would depend on how much snow we're talking about, especially since you're in canada. __________________ Red '96 240sx www.streetdynamics.com

01-19-2003, 01:11 AM	#11
240fluke Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Ramon, CA Age: 45 Posts: 185 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually, I wouldn't bother switching the springs in and out of your car (it is rather a hassle to do, but if you do it, I am sure you will get pretty fast at doing it). For basic height adjustment the Eibach Ground Controls are supposed to be pretty good when mated to a good shock. As for the best coilover out there, I think that is really preference and dependent upon the model. For our cars BASIC coilovers will run you around $1k, whlie good ones run around $1.5K and super adjustable track ready, yada yada, will run you $2k+. It really comes down to preference though. I think a good majority of people would probably agree or at least have to say that JIC's and Zeal's are probably some of the best coilovers available, but once again that is preference. You might even want to consider just getting a lowering spring that doesn't drastically drop the car, but does improve performance. I run Eibach Pro-Kit and GAB Super HP's and the ride is awesome. Since I lowered it, I actually seem to have an EASIER time getting over speed bumps and such. I still think I would of liked to have gone with the H&R sport's, but I am very pleased with my setup and highly recommend it. Tim '95 SE

01-19-2003, 09:17 AM	#12
moose Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Brunswick, CANADA Age: 40 Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hey thanks, um I'm really not made of money, and I have to think about university, but does anybody know what your car is like lowered in snow? Does it make a big deal at all? __________________

01-19-2003, 09:56 AM	#13
SaintlyCharBoy Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bow, NH Age: 43 Posts: 849 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	well, i currently have over 2 feet of snow on the ground right now in the early morning sometimes i plow the snow, but not usually - and stock height does that anyway the suspension differences only matter when you hit frost heaves as far as i am concerned - it didn't matter __________________ 92 vert - KADE + VH41 + GM MA5 = too many parts in the garage 95 base - retired

01-19-2003, 12:19 PM	#14
moose Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Brunswick, CANADA Age: 40 Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So if I buy eibach springs and I lower the car 1.5" then that should be enough ground clearance for winter and summer, depending on roads? Cause I definetly want to get of that wheel gap! __________________

01-19-2003, 12:27 PM	#15
1 Dirty Truck Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: U mom's house. Age: 74 Posts: 13 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Tein HA goes for like 1k and they are great. Save up for them if you have the time. Oh yeah I have seen them on like three cars and they are beginners but good for the money. __________________ I need two peears get me two peears. www.importfanatix.com a pretty cool NE Nissan site.

01-19-2003, 01:14 PM	#16
YellwMonky Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fog Town Posts: 341 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	from what i've heard, neither prokit nor sportlines will get rid of the ugly gap. The sportlines may help, but not much. __________________ s13 92 White 240sx SE Coupe Last edited by YellwMonky; 01-19-2003 at 01:19 PM..

01-19-2003, 04:32 PM	#17
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	haven't seen much have you? see sig for reference.

01-19-2003, 11:42 PM	#18
019 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: blacksburg, va Posts: 697 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	with my sportlines, i get great clearance. i just have the stock bumper though, no lip or anything. but yeah, i'd say both sportlines and prokit will give you great clearance as well as get rid of the wheel gap, so you can't really go wrong on that matter. __________________ Red '96 240sx www.streetdynamics.com

01-20-2003, 12:45 PM	#19
YellwMonky Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Fog Town Posts: 341 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My friend had a 93 hatchback with eibach sportlines and stock rims. It did NOT look dropped. If the pro-kit does even less than that, it must not do much. __________________ s13 92 White 240sx SE Coupe

01-20-2003, 01:20 PM	#20
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 46 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	tein does make high end coilovres you jsut dotn see them stateside. coilovers: good if you like to: lie on your back. scratch your head. use tape measures a lot enjoy fine tuning enjoy paying out for corner balance (if your serious about coilovers) enjoy getting out of the car for damper setup enjoy changing it for events or types of setups coilovers arent made for people who like to lower their car to a ok height and never adjust them. its a waste of money. buy shocks and springs if your going to do that. shock spring: once on its set. damper adj shock makes changes quick and easy. camber plates can be added to add more adj. that's just my thoughts on it. i have coilovers. going to readjust them again this week to perfection..well, as perfect as i an before i get it corner balanced in the coming month (get it set to hieght i want it at and make sure everything is lined up perfectly) heh.. __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

01-21-2003, 12:58 PM	#23
240Dori Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: MI Age: 41 Posts: 162 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	on the topic of coilovers...i have been wondering if anyone has bought used coilovers...if so how much were they and how much rebiulding did you have to do...i ask this because i know that you can get used coilovers imported from japan from junkyard sharks or classifieds and was thinking about maybe doing this myself...just wondering if anyone has done this.