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!
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).
WOW- just checked those out and they sound awesome as far as the description anyway. Anyone have these?? All that adjustability seems like you would be able to get anything you want. Hmmm.
i put some megans on my car yesterday. without any preload they are not low enough. BARELY more drop than my tanabe df210 springs i took off. i think im goin to have to preload the springs to get the ride height i want or take off some perches one. im afraid prloading the springs will make them to firm. right now they are pretty firm but handle great. on the hardest setting they are VERY firm and i would never daily drive it like that but im glad i know its there
were they just megan springs that you installed cmack?
couple days ago i installed the full suspension and they dropped far enough to make my rear bumper screw snap off because my 16x7 rims was practically pushing the body/bumper out while i started to test drive it. The fronts wouldn't stop rubbing either, so i had to raise them probably a quater of an inch above the tire.[minimal rubbing on both front and rear when taking hard turns] overall if you love mountain and scca kinda roads like i do, you'll like the megan suspension. i put it on more softer settings and its still pretty tight, so jsensk if you're daily driving your car on crappy paved roads it would be up to you to decide these. but i live hawaii and our roads are pretty crappy & my gf doesn't mind them.
hope that helps w/ the megan coilover dis.
-r0ss
i heard in general that megan coilovers are pretty good. i heard they get stiff though just like the ksports.
i dont mind it being stiff, thats why i actually want to get coilovers is to have a nice stiff ride. you make sacrifices when you want a bit more performance out of things.
but i think all that dampening stuff is too much, like 36 is just too much, i wish it was like teins...which is like what 1-7? it makes it easier, because with the 36 you have to count all those clicks just to get to where you want it at. to much of a hassle, but my buddies run them on their integras and tc's. they love them
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James- my baby is going under cosmetic surgery.
WOW- just checked those out and they sound awesome as far as the description anyway. Anyone have these?? All that adjustability seems like you would be able to get anything you want. Hmmm.
manxman-- you familiar with these?
No I'm not. But the member who is trying to get Ksport to make a rear disc brake kit for Fits says that he just installed the Ksport coilovers on HIS Fit. this is "wgnths". Use "search" to find the "Ksport Rear Disc Brakes" thread. My last post was a strong invitation for him to post details on his new suspension, as well as on the possible brake kit.
No I'm not. But the member who is trying to get Ksport to make a rear disc brake kit for Fits says that he just installed the Ksport coilovers on HIS Fit. this is "wgnths". Use "search" to find the "Ksport Rear Disc Brakes" thread. My last post was a strong invitation for him to post details on his new suspension, as well as on the possible brake kit.
just installed skunk2 springs a few days ago. gonna wait until they wear out the stock shocks. by then i can afford to replace them with the MUGEN 5-way adjustable suspension kit.
Many vendors will let you specify the spring rate for the springs that come with the coilovers. The manfacturer packages them with the springs they feel represents their company and products, not necessarily what customer may want. Talk with you vendor to find out what options they offer. Most will charge extra for the springs, but really, that will give you more options for setting the stiffness of your ride.
Since the actualy shocks are adjustable for stiffness, I'd imagine you can attain a stock ride, but benefit from possibly better designed shock/springs and a lower ride height.
And I've only heard terrible things about slip-on coils...each to his own, but most seem to thing they ride very harshly.
Many vendors will let you specify the spring rate for the springs that come with the coilovers. The manfacturer packages them with the springs they feel represents their company and products, not necessarily what customer may want. Talk with you vendor to find out what options they offer. Most will charge extra for the springs, but really, that will give you more options for setting the stiffness of your ride.
Since the actualy shocks are adjustable for stiffness, I'd imagine you can attain a stock ride, but benefit from possibly better designed shock/springs and a lower ride height.
And I've only heard terrible things about slip-on coils...each to his own, but most seem to thing they ride very harshly.
YES-- I have heard that at times too and it makes me nervous about spring-only mod. Adjustability almost certainly increases option for a "just right" or at least "happy medium" ride, so product quality actually becomes the foremost concern for me.
So I think it's some good reviews that I seek at this point! Seems like plenty out there on springs, but not so much on coilovers/higher-end suspension mods, but I am still new to this (just trying to do it right!).
Additionally, I would be completely a lost soul without this forum, so I really appreciate it!
were they just megan springs that you installed cmack?
couple days ago i installed the full suspension and they dropped far enough to make my rear bumper screw snap off because my 16x7 rims was practically pushing the body/bumper out while i started to test drive it. The fronts wouldn't stop rubbing either, so i had to raise them probably a quater of an inch above the tire.[minimal rubbing on both front and rear when taking hard turns] overall if you love mountain and scca kinda roads like i do, you'll like the megan suspension. i put it on more softer settings and its still pretty tight, so jsensk if you're daily driving your car on crappy paved roads it would be up to you to decide these. but i live hawaii and our roads are pretty crappy & my gf doesn't mind them.
hope that helps w/ the megan coilover dis.
-r0ss
they are megan streets. all the way down with no preload on the springs it has a little tire to fender gap. thats not acceptable. all the way down on any other coilover on this planet will sit the fender liner onto the tire and them raise it up from there. im goin to have to preload the springs or take them back off the car to remove the bottom 2 perches.
I'm going to hold out for ground control coilover springs and koni yellow inserts. Hopefully they will be released soon.
good look. this is what i had on my crx. i loved it. had it set just a tad under stock ride height. good and firm..
personally, i dont expect to see koni yellows for the current version fit. perhaps for the 2009 model since i expect that one will be around for a while.
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