hey kennef, what suspension are you running in those pix? and on a side note, who what where how did you get the door ding protectors on there?

 

hey eldaino, thanks for the compliments.

suspension is swift. door ding guards came with the car even though i told them specifically i wanted a car with zero options. ended up getting it plus wheel locks plus floor mats for free, though i'm pretty sure i got charged for it elsewhere.

 

After riding in Tool's car I've decided to go with Progress springs. I already ordered the Progress Sway Bar. Should get that sometime this week hopefully. I am currently running on 17s atm. For those of you who saw my car at our Bay Area meet saw how small the gap in the rear is. I am currently not rubbing but lowering the car will probably will. I was gonna hold off on getting springs til i got 16s but decided to try getting spacers for the rear springs. I'm going to be ordering Progress springs sometime this week and getting spacers custom made in the rear kinda like those pictured in Ciburri's post. I'm most likely gonna get 1.5" to 2.0" spacers made of either Rubber or Polyurethane. I spoke to my brother in law who has been using spacer on his Toyota 4Runner. Basically what I need is to measure the diameter of the springs and get it custom faced for the end of the coil on the springs. I will take measurements once i get the springs in the perch where the springs sit and on the springs. My brother in law mentioned a place that can make custom made spacers out of rubber but I want polyurethane. I also work in a machine shop so I might ask someone who works on a CNC lathe to frabricate me some spacers. Problem is getting a hold of the polyurethane without getting into trouble haha. I'll let you know what happens in the next few weeks or sooner. This is gonna take some time most likely. I just hope that by adding the spacers I don't sacrifice ride comfort too much in the rear although I rarely have anyone back there.

 

Please keep us advised on your progress. Your plan is exactly what I intend to do if the KGM springs ever become available (which gets more doubtful by the day). Good choice on the polyurethane vs. rubber- the poly won't compress, and is not affected by ozone & smog.

 

Hi guys


Can you tell me which one is better in terms of performance.

1. Tanabe GF 210
Drop Rate(F/R): 1.5"/0.9"

2. TEIN S TECH springs . Drop: 1.8/1.2 inches Spring Rate: 163/336 lbs/in

 

so i've pretty much decided that shocks are going to be neccessary when i get my springs and aj's sells the j's/showa springs and shocks combo and the spoon ones as well.

i asked ben about how much they lower and the springrates and he wrote me the following:

Hi Dain,

Sorry I didn't include the springs info because ppl usually don't ask about that.

The rates of the showa is F2.8k R.4.8k

Spoon is F. 2.8k and rear is 5.2k

Thanks
Ben


is it just me...or are these spring rates REALLY REALLY stiff?!! i dunno what he meant by 'k' ( i know they are in canada, but i don't know what measurments they go by over there.) any clarification? the drops are really nice about as much as the swifts, BUT with the added benefit of a matched damper.

if i am reading this wrong, then thats great, because the j's set up is really appealing. otherwise, it may be too stiff, and i dunno if i'm going to jump on the springs-only bandwagon.

and if thats the case, then it looks like the mugen suspension for me.

 

i don't have any direct experience with tein. i just know that most people that i go to the track with never take either of those brands seriously when it comes to performance.

are they progressive? if the are, i definitely wouldn't go with the teins because the drop is too much. with a soft initial spring rate plus that much drop, you won't like them much if you get a bump mid turn, if performance is your priority.

 

for reference, 3k/5k are the rates on the swifts. it aint harsh. i wouldn't spend the money on the aftermarket dampers until after installing the springs and getting your own impression. my tax return money is going to a set of bridgestone RE-01R's for the street class time attack...

 

wonderful. i may end up just doing the swifts, but it would be nice to do the dampers and springs all at once, especially if they are matched from the factory.

 

I was just on the US Swift site. The drop for the front is 1.2 (1.18 to be exact) not 1.4. Ive had much experiance with these springs on my Forester, EVO's, STi's etc. They have to be one of the best spring companies around. They do alot of reseach before putting them on the market. They ride incredible. One of the best everyday springs you can have. Their street springs are designed and engineered using the vehicle's factory struts/shocks. These will be going on my Fit...

it also wouldnt hurt if Koni would come out with a set of struts...

 

I seem to be torn between two sets of springs after reading all of this.

I was looking into the Skunk2 springs at a cost of around $150 and Eibach Pro springs for around $200. This is my daily driver that the wife will take once in a while so i need the ride quality to stay as close to OEM as possible. The biggest wheel that will ever go on my Fit would be the 16" HFP ones.

Will the extra .1 drop in the front and extra .3 drop in the rear with the Eibach Pro's make that much of a difference?

Is the extra $50 worth it to get the Eibach's over the Skunk2's?

Any input would be great as i want to get some springs ordered and install for this spring.

Thanks.

 

Biven5,

comfort is a relative thing and everybody has a different opinion.
That is why we decided to do a comparison and see the difference among them.
There is very little noticeable difference among them. With that said, I have Eibach Pro's and my wife is 4 months pregnant. She is not comfortable with the Fit at the moment and we keep taking a Civic when she is coming along. I also swapped wheels with my CRX (15x7 wheels with 205/50/15 Dunlop Direzza DZ1) and car is even more harsh.
Honestly, if I had to commute something would have to give in. Either going back to OEM wheels due to softer sidewall tires, or back to OEM springs!
I like the drop and virtually eliminated body roll, but I miss initial 1-3" of softer travel.
Keep up with the numbers on the chart is my best advice. Numbers do not lie.
I hope this helps (probably even more confused?).
Ivan

 

It does help a little.

I have a 110+ mile commute Monday thru Friday so if i'm looking at the chart correctly the Eibach numbers are closer to OEM numbers than the Skunk2 are.

I have had Eibach Pro's on 2 previous cars but they were more tuned for racing and the Fit will not be so i'll have to wait and see.

Thanks,

Bill

 

does anyone know if, getting springs, not coilovers,

are the same for the US fits and JDM(s) fits and jazz's?

Basically, are they the same set up? Can we use "JDM" springs? I plan to look up some other brands when I go to Hong Kong, but im not too sure if the JDM fits are the same set up as what we have here.

Might be a stupid question, but if we have different bumpers and stuff, who knows. Thanks.

 

Ive also used the pro kit on 3 of my cars. I will not buy them again. Way to soft. Drop the car another 1/2 an inch after they settle. will not buy again

 

Did anyone find the OEM spring rates?
I cant find them anywhere..

 

so judging by the data.... which springs would offer the best driving experience less "shake" and still keep it lowered to look good.. stiff i guess is the word?

 

And I've had the opposite experience. I've found Eibach's to be one of the most predictable brands of springs and I've loved the ride. To each his own.

(Not trying to argue with you, Evil XT...just want folks reading this thread to know there's another opinion out there)

 

I dont mind man... I just joined your fit club on myspace..

 

I've got a set of OEM springs coming, and I'll take some measurements when I get them in. I've got to keep OEM springs to race in SCCA H-Stock class, but knowing the rates will help get the shocks set up. Sure wish somebody made plug-n-play struts & shocks that WORKED for reasonable $$$...

HF