Im looking for a suspension upgrade for the R and have decided that I dont want to pay the extra money for some true coilovers just yet. As of now, I'm not doing much tracking, but definitely will, so no flames on not using the R for what it was meant!

Anyways, I have done some research on some basic suspension upgrades such as springs and adjustable shocks, and have narrowed my search to Koni Yellows and H&R sports. How is does this setup sound?

I'm wondering if it will improve the stock suspension?
There have been many times where I have read that anything other than coilovers, is worse than the stock setup and not worht getting? Is this true or will what I have in mind improve upon it?

Does anybody have this combination, and if you do, how does it look: too low, too high? Also, is it worth it, or is their an even better spring/shock upgrade I can make?

Any input is welcome and try to keep in mind that this is a street car... at least for the time being.

Thanks

 

Shocks and springs are a good suspension setup. I assume a lot of ppl would like to lower their cars for to make it look better or increase the handling. If you lower the car more (like around 35-50mm) will result better stability at corners since you have more camber for turns . If you run shorter springs (for example H&R Race) with shocks like Koni or Tokico...etc then you will scrafice the suspension travel i.e. you will have more chances of bottoming out your shocks .On the other hand if you run short stroke dampers then we are talking about different story.

Coil-overs are better cuz they comes in shorter stroke (most of them comes in shorter body) and bigger valving compare to most of the shocks. This is designed to let you run stiffer springs without scraficing comfort .You can also adjust your ride height according to your weight distribution for your car (corner weight) so you will have almost same camber to each side of the wheels. If you go too low then camber kit may require.

For the amount of money you send for shock & springs why not spend a bit more to get a set of coil-overs? Coil-overs are very streetable even though you dont go to the track all the time but I do think you make turns everday!!!

I don't think true coil-overs are any worse than stock suspension only if you run coil-over spring kit.

Another suggestion for you is just springs since the stock ITR has pretty good shocks so upgrading springs like Spoon or Kg/mm will definitely improve handling and looks. These springs are design to lower the ITR to the lowest point that it won't affect too much of the camber .

Furthermore, IMO I won't suggest you to go H&Rs, I have driven them and I didn't like it that much.


[Modified by AJ PwR, 2:50 AM 11/15/2001]

 

Thank you for your response,

I am still looking into Koni Yellows and H&R Sports, since you have ridden in a car equiped with them, can you tell me more about them? If not these, then would you suggest a different setup of shocks/springs?

I am not on a very large budget for my ENTIRE car, and although I value handling as a most imporant aspect, I have other areas where my money needs to go. However, since you mentioned coilovers, would you recomend any, and how much would I be looking to spend? I have done my research and still havn't found enough reasons to spend that much money on good quality coilovers. Maybe you can change my mind...

Thanks again


[Modified by SOMEguyFROMoregon, 12:05 AM 11/17/2001]


[Modified by SOMEguyFROMoregon, 12:07 AM 11/17/2001]

 

Bilsteins with Ground Control sleeves and Eibach springs. Rates 400 front, 500 rear. I love it. A little harsh for everyday driving, but feels awesome on the track.

Bryan

 

I will recommend the Zeal B2's they featured:
-6way adjustable
-ride height adjustable
-uppermounts (hard bushing type)
-chromoly steel body
-38mm piston
-Springs F.12k R.8k or F.10k R.6k
-short stroke body

I have them on specials please IM me for prices.

 

If you are getting koni yellows, they are great shocks! they are both bound and rebound ajustable! instead of droping the money for the h&r's got with ground control! they are 400 bucks any spring rete you want and fully ajustable. That is the way to go! hope it goes well for you.

-nate

 

 

I thought you caved and went 400/600?

Definately a better setup than most of the prepackaged stuff you'll find. This is actually a package for handling. Bling factor is very low.

Warren

 

what spring rates can Koni Yellows handle without revalving????

TIA

 

Ive been told, 400-500 for the Koni's, and 600 for the bilsteins.

Warren: I will be try'n 600's very soon, im sure.

Bryan

 

I love the quality of the Zeal B2 kit..... and I love the customer service from Ben and Alan from AJ.

 

Whats the benefits of running 400/600? I'm curious cause i'm in the market for a suspension upgrade and heard lots about R specified Bilsteins and GC w/ ERS. How much does this package run for usually?

 

I know a bunch of guys who run 600lbs in the rear for bimmers and the bilstiens are a little over powered by the springs. If you are running higher that 600lbs then get the ground control shocks they will valve it correctly for you spring rate.

nate

 

I'm running 400F/600R on the bilsteins and it seems fine. The Bilsteins seem to handle the workload fine. Very happy with the outcome.

 

I also agree with them. Bilsteins here with GC ghetto threaded bodies/sleeves with 450 front and 600 rear. I love the setup.. actually want to go a little higher.. maybe 600-900.. but I'll finish relearning this setup first.

 

Nate, That doesn't mean that Bilsteins on integras would have the same problem. While i haven't run more than 600lb springs on the Bils' yet, I will in the future and they handle 600 better than they handled my POS H&R springs.

 

so everytime u want to adjust the sleeves, u need to get the car corner balanced?

 

We measured distance from a FLAT surface to the side jack points, 5mm higher in back with the driver in it. Carlex did the same thing with his car and was within 2%, which you wont notice.

 

Since the rear rates are so stiff with the 450/600 GC setup, does one still need the m00gen rear 26mm bar?

yoshi - whose just curious

 

I thought about ordering the 26mm bar, still might. A little more rotation is a good thing, right?

Bryan

 

Yoshi: Remember I have a GS-R.. I'm running the comptech 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Rotates nicely. I want more, but I'll wait for a bit..

 

Yeah, I wanna find a bigger bar. It'll allow me to run less tire pressure and less shock in the back, which should stabilize straight line braking a bit more. It's very exciting right now if I go deep into a braking zone with my suspension setup for "hang the **** on" mode.

Warren

 

Ditto, turn 1, and 5 at Summit is this type of turn now, with just the 500s. I cant wait for the rear sway.

Bryan

 

I have Eibach 400#F and 600# R with the Mugen 26 mm rear bar.

Totally predictable handling, great on street tires even better on R compounds. A little loose in the wet - but again catchable if you are paying attention

I've run this setup for about 18 months now and have done numerous track events with it. Turn in is crisp and the rear nicely rotates in a predictable manner.

Adding the 26mm rear bar stiffened up the rear considerably - but my CD player still works fine. (polyurethane engine mounts are a different story...ugh).

My shop feels the Bilsteins are good up to an 800# spring without revalving. My rears are holding up fine with the 600#s. The Bilsteins I think do fine on Rs because there's hardly any weight in the rear.

 

can you guys tell me what height (how low) you guys set the car at?
Ground to top of fender (F&R) or ground to jack-up points (F&R)

yoshi - whose saving this thread for future reference