coil-overs?

[Abs0lut]

Sup all,

J/w what exactly coil-overs are? I see them all around and I see people who have them..... but I don't quite understand what exactly they are. When I see something like hummm, lemme think of an example. Tein HA Coilovers, now what does this include? is it the shock and/or strut with the springs as a package? Is it for a set of 4? Any info helps. Thanks

John

[DSC]

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'> guess we can both just copy and paste, hehe

Coilover is kindof misleading. &nbsp;When someone says "i'm buying coilovers" they are saying a spring/shock setup with height adjustability built on to the shock and usually shock dampening adjustability as well. &nbsp;But, coil-over is also a suspension type, where the coil (spring) is over the shock...like on the 240.

Typical coilover. &nbsp;Notice the threads built onto the shock for height adjustability.
http://www.apexi.co.jp/products/footwork/n1_damper_type_v/shouhin.jpg

[adey]

...DSC you know better than that... those Apexi N1 Pros are NOT "typical coilovers"! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> They're super sexy coilovers.
In tuner language though, coilovers mean exactly what DSC said, rather than a (simple) coilspring-over-shock set up as is found on stock 240sxs (and many other cars.)

A few things to note though, when looking at coilovers: Some have dampening adjustability while others do not. The specifications will tell you whether or not yours (or the ones you're looking at) do.
Nice/proper performance coilovers run between US$900 (bare bones, no pillow uper and non-adjustable dampening, but still ride-height adjustable) and US$2,800 (complete race coilover with 50mm piston, remote oil/gas (?) 'reservoir', 14kg/mm springs 24 way adjustability and height adjustability w/out affecting shock travel)... most will fall in the 1,200 to 2,000 range, though.

Also, nicer coilover sets (read: more expensive) also come with the upper mount, which is known as a pillowball mount or pillow upper mount. This is included in most coilovers EXCEPT Tein Type HA, Tein Type HR and Apex'i Worldsport (and a few others).

HOWEVER! These days there are more and more wannabe-coilovers, which are simply coilsprings with an upper seat and an threaded (adjustable) lower... "tube". These are NOT true coilovers! Most of these are made by gay butt loving people (like APC and Arospeed) who have no idea about performance tuning. These cost in the neighbourhood of $200 USD, but are worth closer to $20. They also require custom fabrication and work to the car and possibly the shocks that they're going on.

[DSC]

Got me on that one, those are definitely ubber coilovers <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

But it should be mentioned that ground control IS a good company to buy the "fake" coilovers from...actually the only company I know of that makes good quality and caters to the Nissan crowd.

[Abs0lut]

does a set consist of 4 pieces? 2 front struts and 2 back shocks? what exactly does the pillowball mount do? what would be a good street/competition coilovers? nothing fancy, just simple, realible and to the point? thanks for the feedback

John

[adey]

Usually what you'll find when you open the coilover box are 4 coilovers (assembled if you don't get Teins), a set (2) of height-adjusting wrenches for (duh) height adjustment, and if you got an adjustable set, it will also come with a small tool that you use to adjust the stiffness of the ride.

Pillowball mounts replace stock rubber bushes at the top of the shock/strut tower (where the coilovers bolt onto the car) to give more precise steering and more road feedback. You will sacrifice a little bit of comfort for better road feel with these.

How much do you plan to compete? If you're only going out once every 2 or 3 months, springs and shocks may be more appropriate (unless you have the $$ to spend and want the 16 way dampening ability and ride height control).
I wouldn't call coilovers "nothing fancy, just simple, reliable and to the point" ... because that's just not true. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> coilovers are about as fancy as they get re: suspension tuning; they are not that simple (compared to a spring/shock combo - no tuning required on your part) since they require your attention to ride height and stiffness, ... in most cases they WILL be reliable, but if you get something in the $2,000-and-over range they will require rebuilds every so often (depending on how often you run them), and I guess you can say they're "to the point", since they're oft. seen as the ultimate suspension setup to have.

wow, that was long winded.

DSC- agreed, ground control are definately a better manufacturer than most other phony-coilover-makers; don't they use Eibach springs?

edit: spelling

[AuburnRyan]

Ground control does use eibach springs, and you can choose your own spring rate...these are nice setups (properly chosen), and will require KYB AGX struts.

But remember, by the time you've spent $400 on struts and $300 on the GC's you still have to modify (read: cut perches) on the AGX's. &nbsp;Not bad, but be informed modification IS required...

[Evil S14]

the ride on my apex-i ws are rough as hell, cant imagine it with pillow ball mounts, for more info check out my review in the reviws section <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>