Quote:
Originally Posted by jsensk
I am a total NOOB, but anxious to get going! I want to deal with suspension/handling before engine.
Coilovers seem worth the investment to me from what I have read. The adjustability factor seems like it gets you over the whole question of getting it "just right" with a spring-only swap. I am the type that would do just the springs and then a few months later wish I would have just saved up and gone for the coilovers.
Can anyone recommend a brand, model, and seller for a quality coilover that will be best suited for "routine/daily driver-looking-for-added-performance-but -not-heading-to-the-track-anytime-soon"-type driver? My wife does actually have to drive this car too (lame, I know) and with 2 kids at that, so I am looking for something that keeps things within reason for her as far as overall ride quality/close to OEM-ish, but with the performance there when needed. Am I dreaming and/or making a kook of myself? Please advise.
As well I carry some cargo too sometimes-- nothing crazy-heavy, mainly my drum kit which includes a hardware bag (stands, etc.). It's not more than the weight of a couple of fat passengers, though, I don't think, but I see some sag with my stock suspension when fully loaded, just FYI. I really appreciate this forum and all the knowledge here!
|
No, you're not crazy. There are a lot of us who want exactly the same suspension performance that you posted. Some of us in the SF Bay area have been trying for months to find a way to obtain Dual Rate springs that used to come from KGM in Japan. But we are losing hope. Even with a Japanese translator trying to contact them for us, there has been no response, and it looks like they have gone out of business.
With the minor changes coming in the '09 model Fits, making anything radically new for USDM Fits seems like a dead-end. All of us looking for a better spring/shock absorber/strut combination are probably SOL. I doubt (hope I'm wrong) that we will see any high performance shock/strut offerings from the really high performance makers. Even KYB makes shocks & struts for the '04-'06 Scion XB, but nothing for us.
I keep reading reviews of existing coilover sets, and mentally juggling price vs. performance vs. customisability aspects, but hoping for a spring and damper combo. that will give me 1. adjustable height, 2. softer ride to eliminate the busy, dancing vibration over freeway expansion joints, 3. springs that act like bricks in hard turns to eliminate body roll, and dampers that are adjustable (in my case to further control rebound).
Like I said, so far, SOL.