Coilover recommendations???

[mixxamike]

Hey everyone. Thanks for responding to my JIC thread. Due to some of the imput people left there, I've started to second guess my initial thoughts of going with JIC FLTA2. I'm interested in spending around $1600 or less for coilovers and would like to install them myself. Would you all be so kind as to tell me what kind of coilovers you have, the pros and cons, anything objective you wish to add, and most importantly, your experience with the company (customer service). Just so you have some background info on me, I'm an avid racer who wants to move out of Gstock into whatever class coilovers will put me into. I have done my research on coilovers time and time again, I just want you opinions. So please, don't tell me to search.

Thanks!

-Mike

[KiDyNomiTe]

Tein HEs, good for the price. Usually around low thousands. Talk to places that deal with Tein. TougeFactory does, I forget thier price on HEs.

I don't have them myself, but my friend does and he loves them, and there are more than enough good comments on the forum about them.

Other choices: Tanabe has a few things in that range. Pro DDs are just a bit over it, Sustec Pro SS are low thousand.

[mixxamike]

Thanks KiDyNomiTe, The tein HE's were the first coilovers I looked at. They fit my needs, but I decided the JIC's might be better because they appeared to be beefier, and all around a better built coilover (I've heard of rusting problems with the Teins). If I'm not mistaken, I think the JIC spring rate or 8k/6k is stiffer than the HE's, which is a plus i my book. But I might be looking at those HE's again.

dousan...didn't you used to run Tein HE's on your fastback?

[DuffMan]

One thing to keep in mind about inverted strut coilovers like the FLT-A2's and most expensive ones, is that beefiness can work against you.

You hit a curb with HE's, you spend $250 to replace 1 corner. Say the strut is strong enough not to give, and the impact gets transfered to the strut tower. Wrecked strut tower is pretty much a fubared car.

[Heartwork]

i have experience a few different brands/models, but im going to say Cusco Comp Zero 2's....i have them with 8/6 setup, love them, easy adjustability, quality build, beefy too...

if i would to get another set, i would love to try out the Tanabe Sustec Pro DD :naughtyd:

[nightwalker]

Ohlins, remote reservoir.

[SR_TeXaN]

what about the fact that HE's dont like wheel offsets of +38 ????

[DuffMan]

The thing with coilovers that have a huge bracket to clear wheels, the strut isnt lined up with the steering axis anymore.

Is this bad? I dunno. Maybe?

[bing]

as strange as it may sound... a few buddies have received their D2's.

these are guys that have used or are using JIC FLT-A2's, GAB, etc etc.. SR's... the lot.

so they arent newbs, and they fully approve of the D2's thus far.

[nismo skyline]

i'm running HE's right now, got them for $1150 on a group buy on here. the 8/6 spring rates and 16 way adjustability are good for daily driving around la. if i set it at the firmest setting, it gets super easy to get the back end loose. for the money they are very good, very easy to adjust. tein is local to me, as in 10 mins drive from my house. so if i need a rebuild it wont be too much of hassle

[Dousan_PG]

ya i have HEs
they are ok. do the job and that's all that really matters

if i could do it all over, Kei office XR or Apex'i N1 Pro, Cusco Comp2r.

[mixxamike]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. And just so you know...I don't think I will ever be doing any type of drifting (very little if any). I'm mainly a track/autocross whore.

[the240sxer95]

what about the work yamaguchi dampers?

[Flybert]

I have Apexi N1 PRO and love them. Wouldn't have gone with anything else. Largest piston of them all. Apexi has a US HQ but I'm not sure if they do revalving there. Anybody know if they do?

[markeese180sx]

my friend in the states has tein HE's and he says they are horrible...you can feel every single bump on the road so its terrible for long distance drives as he says...JIC makes good quality cheap coilovers...but i would just save for a Kei Office...oh wait...im in japan...BWHAHAHAHAH...err...yeah i like JIC

[Shin_Kudo]

You can get Kei Office coilovers from driftspeed. Check their site for info if you're interested.

As for HEs, I like mine. They are bumpy, but I imagine that I can fix that a bit by turning down the damping force, and the handling is totally worth it.

[SR_TeXaN]

can i get a cadillac ride out of some N1 Pros?

[AutoRnD]

well you could always opt for zeal suspension.. which costs a bit more.. but rides like a cadillac... or get the tein he's.. for entry level..

[russian]

Zeals kick arse. pricey tho. JIC is your best bet for $

[mixxamike]

Dousan, I've read some of your other replies to similar "coilover" posts, and i've seen you diss JIC and also praise them. The same thing goes for Tein...you like em now, or now you hate em. Be totally honest with me...please.

[mixxamike]

As of now, I'm leaning more toward Tein HE's they seem like they would be a sufficient coilover. They're inexpensive, have good customer support here in the USA, and are readily available.

[Flybert]

I'm going to tell you how it is. If you can find a good deal on an aluminum inverted strut designed coilover like Apexi N1 PRO, Tanabe DD, Cusco Comp2R, Kei Office XR, Zeal B series, or lastly because their customer service blows, JIC FLTA-2 then go with one of those, otherwise go with Tein HE. They get the job done and the best thing about Tein is that they have a US HQ that can do revalving and swap springs. I've heard from friends that they have good customer support as well. Pretty sure Dousan will agree with that since he's told me the same thing about his Teins. I'd be sporting the HE's if I hadn't found a good deal on my N1 PRO. And I don't know where to get a good deal on any of those so I'm not the person to ask.

[TurK]

whats up w/ ppl sayin teins rust?

[mixxamike]

do a search here and you'll find the answer to your question. I've read it a few times, but mainly with people who live in the north/northeast...all that salt can do bad things, but i guess that's with anything. I'm not too worried about it here, the only time it snows is when im up at school in the winter, so there's not a lot of driving to be done on campus anyway.

[mixxamike]

That Tein Group buy oh here is looking pretty nice right about now...HE's $1.2k shipped....yum.

[the240sxer95]

contact ryan @ works and ask about there dampers

[DuffMan]

Tein HE's dont rust from my experience. And this was driving them in winter in Chicago with salt on the road.

HA's are supposed to rust though.

[mixxamike]

Perhaps that was a missunderstanding of mine. Thanks DuffMan.

[pruto]

Apexi N1 pro, 52mm piston
only prob is they're currently out of stock.
Flybert: $78 revalving per shock, according to a post by phase2 a few months back...

[TurK]

how is the riding quality(normal driving) of the Tein HE's?

[SR_TeXaN]

HE's and stock wheels/brakes can it be done? Also Z Brakes/Upgraded wheels work or fitment issues on either??

[TurK]

ahhhh i hope so...

[nightwalker]

I have HEs with stock wheels and brakes. With stock wheels, Z brakes are 50/50.

[Zoom8112]

how is the riding quality(normal driving) of the Tein HE's?

i have the HE's on my 96 zenki, and even on the softest recommended setting, its too bumpy for me

then again, i have had the chance to drift/track/xcross my car so thats just my opinion of them for daily driving

i also live in SF, CA and the street/roads here are horrible

[theronin]

i got he's on my s14 with r33 gtr wheels riding on 235-40's

i have them on 12 clicks front 10 rear, what tein recommends for mostly stock ride.... my fiance never knew the difference in the ride. crank them down to 6 clicks front 5 clicks rear when shes not around and it gets a little harsh but thats what i want. why spend the money for a nice susp if you cant feel the road? i even rode around on full stiff just to get used to the sumbitches. why are you buying coilovers if you dont wanna drive them guys?

[mixxamike]

Thanks theronin. I can't wait for these coilovers! I'll post my opinions in a month or so after I have time to install them (industrial design is a bitch major which allows for very little play time) ;) Thanks for all your help guys!

-Mike

[theronin]

please.... call me ronin

[final act]

hows the hks hpermax 2 coilovers?
they any good, for drifting?
anyone have them, how do they feel, drifting?

[final act]

the ones right here >http://www.alamomotorsports.com/products.html?http://www.alamomotorsports.com/hks_coilover.html

[lbcklik1486]

hows the hks hpermax 2 coilovers?
they any good, for drifting?
anyone have them, how do they feel, drifting?

Pricy, but I'd imagine that if they are used on Taniguchi's s15, they prolly get teh job done.

[GTGuy06]

has anybody ever messed with the Tanabe Sustec Pro SS Type II?? Since my suspension is shot, I'm goin to replace em with those coil-overs since I can get them for a grand and I need suspension anywayz