Hi, I didn't really want to re-ask the question over and over again. However, I couldn't find the previous post about how the different settings and combinations of springs and shocks affect the handling of the car.

Also, I notice there are 2 group of people on this forum. Some of them only go for JDM brand name coilovers like Zeal and Tein while some other prefer picking their own combination like Eibach, Koni, KYB etc.... Why do people prefer one kind over another?

 

Most people in here stay away from the JDM suspension stuff.

I think the biggest reasons are:

- Price
- Effectiveness
- Quality
- Customization
- Availability

I have heard more horror stories about Tien than any other brand. The Konis are lifetime guaranteed and they do exactly what they are supposed to do. The more budget-minded individuals go to the Tokicos and such.

Also, when you are racing **** breaks. It is a helluva lot easier to get a Koni last minute than one of the pimpy Tien shocks. I also feel IMO that the setups most here run offer far more customization in terms of valving and spring rates.

Just my .02

 

Do anyone have a website to give me more insights about Koni shocks? I am looking for a factory replacment but would like to stick with GS class.

thanks

 

While I don't have a website, Konis are popular with racers somewhat because they're popular. I'm not trying to be cheeky and slight Koni's quality, which seems great so far on my set.. What I am saying is that many shops will revalve and service Konis, so racers have plenty of options later on. Another shock that had a reputation of 3rd party revalving/servicing support was Bilstein, but I seem to remember one of the big players in the revalving Bilsteins scene just got out of the business (don't take that as gospel truth)...

I probably could have gotten away with a cheaper shock choice than the Koni Yellows for my purpose (local G Stock Autocross).. but the money is already spent and I'm quite satisfied.. (earlier I had ideas of going to a higher investment level with that car for Open Track events... but now I'm eyeing a 2nd gen RX-7 to start working on instead-- less financial impact if I throw the car away..)

As for coilovers, for Fwd motorsport, the US style is to build a tailhappy car by stiffening up the back end with high rate springs (and shocks to cope).. JDM style uses higher rates in the front, and is rumored to use narrower tires out back to try to dial out the understeer of the stiff front end. I don't know much about the customization options of the Japanese coilover kits with regard to choice of spring rates, but US manufacturers such as Ground Control offer quite a range to pick from as well as advice based on your application.

 

Try the Koni website, it's got lots of information or contact TrueChoice (http://www.truechoice.com) or ProParts (http://www.propartsusa.net)

Any of the above can give you expert advice on Koni's, the later two having significant experience building/custom valving them for and utilizing them in race conditions for SOLO, Road Racing, etc.

And fwiw the "off the shelf" Koni's for the rear of the ITR are not externally adjustable. They are adjustable if you remove them from the car or you can have them converted to externally adjustable, but as they come no external adjustments

Also, with B18C5 in your signature I think you mean DS, not GS right?!?

 

I am one of those who went with Zeal because of the following:

1. Adjustable Dampening/Ride Height/Spring Tension
2. US branch will service them.
3. Got a great deal on the price.

Had I not had the option of Zeal then I would have gone Koni/GC or Advanced Designs.

I like having the stiffer springs up front because I can dial in as much oversteer as I want by adjusting the rear shocks. It would seem to me that because most of the weight of a car is in the front you would have stiffer springs up there.

 

Read this page...
http://www.se-r.net/car_info/suspension_tuning.html

It's one of the better ones I've seen for understanding suspension dynamics.