Ride Comfort advice

[Reiman]

This my first post so if these questions are f'ing stupid I apologize. I have an '89 240 coupe lowered with JIC FLTA-2 coilovers. I am trying to tune my suspension to get more ride comfort out of it. The coilover choice was prolly not the best for ride comfort in the first place(I realize this now). I'm about to raise the car and put 5zigen fno1's on it. Any advice on adjusting the damper (it's supposed to be 15 way adjustable)? What can I do/buy to help improve the ride comfort? Don't be affraid to let me have it if it's supposed to be rough ride and I'm just being a biatch.

[chmercer]

you bought the wrong stuff if you wanted a smooth ride. basically all you can do is turn the damper all the way down, that is gonna be the softest setting but it might be a bit bouncy, if its bouncy raise it up a couple of clicks until it stops.

hope that made sense.

[Irukandji]

I'd say just turn the damper setting on the softest setting, thats as soft as its going to get. FN's will make your ride even more harsh due to low profile tires (assuming you aren't getting 15's). Good choice on coilovers but not exactly the most backfriendly setup.

good luck

[Reiman]

Thanks guys! chmercer where in texas are you?

[wootwoot]

Hope you diddnt order those wheels if you want comfort. Get some 16's or even 15's with some higher sided tires and you're set

[TurDz]

I rode in FLT-A2's on an S13 w/ 15'' wheels and the ride was perfect...better than my stock S14 ride. If you want ride comfort, get 15'' wheels or less.

[95Blue240sx]

Change turn them all the way to soft, and buy new springs from jic.

[sykikchimp]

You don't need to buy springs from JIC. They wll rape you.

I run JIC FLT-A2's as well. I just bought 2 ~5K springs with a close diameter and length and moved the 6K's to the front. ALL the springs on the JIC FLT-A2's are the same length so it's just a swap process.

Total cost: $80 for the springs.

2 kidneys SAVED! :)

edit: after looking around the info was a little difficult to find so:

I believe the original springs are 60mm ID x 200mm length. You can substitue a 2.5" id x 8" spring which is what I did and it works wonderfully. there is a very small amount of play on the spring perch but not enough to cause a problem. Also 8" is a hair longer so it actually gives you a little more travel.

If you do this, I would suggest preloading the 6K springs on the front about 1/2". This will ensure you do not have bottoming out problems. (I was advised to do this by JIC.)

To determine the standard spring rate multiply your KG/MM by 56.

so 5 x 56 = 280lb/in
since no one makes 280lb/in springs you can go a little harder for a more loose ride or a little softer for a more controllable and tighter ride.

I went with 275lb/in and couldn't be happier.

alsio in case your having trouble finding somewhere to buy them: www.pitstopusa.com is where i got mine, but any racer parts store should be able to get them. Whatever brand you want too. :)

and for anyone not running JIC's this same idea should work. Just measure the ID and length of your springs and your good to go.

Happy motoring! :mephfawk:

[95Blue240sx]

Thats awsome, good info. Should move this to the faq. I never thought about using other springs on my tiens, but now i think i might.

[wootwoot]

Whoops semi thread jack
Sykikchimp, would you consider the dampening to be adversely affected after this or is just not really that noticeable? I was thinking about dropping the spring rates down on the Megan's after purchasing them but wasnt so sure if it would provide negative effects

[sideview_180sx]

dood just deal with it, you don't have shit dampers, rock them halfway b/w soft and hard. Just get a brix seat to make your ride comfy.

[Reiman]

Adjusted it down all the way and it feels much better. Can't wait to raise it up and put those wheels on!

Thanks for the replies

[mistaanime]

heh..there is no comfort ride in Flt A2's...want comfort mite as well stick to stock setup..if you were looking for comfort coilovers..you bought the wrong stuff..as said above..Sell them and get something less agressive..like..tein Flex..FLT A2s are designed for track..when set at the lowest..its still uncomfortable...after riding wit them for awhile..you get adjusted to them anyway so that it doesn't seem that uncomfortable anymore..very good coilovers..juss not for someone lookin for comfort.

[A Spec Products]

i run FLTA2 and drive over 75mi a day with them no comfort issues whatsoever, sometimes a bit bouncy, but its never harsh, quite smooth actually, do you have the US version? (i am using japanese FLTA2)

+ bucket seat + 215/45/17 and its still not an issue, this is on six click front and 4 click rear

like people were saying you can run a 15" chubby and that will make the ride "softer" (but more boaty imo)

jic replacement springs, nah man, get with titanium! hehe, swift springs all the way, i need to get mine in soon!