ive been searching for 30 mins, and i KNOW there are threads regarding this issue.. i'm trying to decide between Omni's adjustable coilovers and something along the lines of koni/spoon progressive-rate springs.
lots of mountain driving/light track/daily driven ( but don't mind a slightly bumpy ride ).

can someone direct me to any threads that they know of or even discuss it here?

i remember reading about some custom revalved Konis and Ground Control coilovers.. some Spoon setups, etc.

please help!

 

This has been covered a lot. Most of the people that respond are going to tell you to leave it stock.

I personally wouldn't put the Omni's on my ITR from what I've seen so far (in terms of quality at least). It's not much more expensive for a set of Koni yellows with custom rate Ground Controls.

 

ground control track/school kit.

 

Just love my Omnipower coilovers (sport 12k/9k).
A bit bumpy on the road, but very nice on the track. And a very good price!
Take a look at the video thread and you can see my itr with omni on a slalom course...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Travis10 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ground control track/school kit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What spring rates are you using and what type of shocks?

Are you using their top hats also?

 

I'm not going to presume to give you absolute advice, but I have a couple of observations.

A Ground Control kit with 400# F and 500# R straight ratio springs with Bilstein shocks will be a great combination. The Bilsteins remove the doubts associated with using Konis and they seem to perform every bit as well if not better than out of the box Koni Yellow.

If you go with Koni Yellow because of their overwhelming popularity, then my advice is to absolutely <u>not</u> go over 500# springs and expect that they will last any amount of time at all. You should also use the Ground Control top hats to maximise the life of the Konis in high performance applications (lots of track driving).

The problem with Koni Yellow is that if you really get into enjoying the car on the track you are going to want to start moving up on the spring rates, and stock Koni Yellow wear quickly over 500# and/or they need shortening or extended top hats. Koni makes high performance shocks that will last longer than the OEM Yellow, but they are not generally available over the counter. The racers who swear by Koni are using heavily valved SPSS3 Koni that were specially ordered. Just don't buy Koni Yellow and think you're getting the same thing, which is the mistake a lot of us made some years ago.

Spoon Progressive Springs are OK, but since they are progressive they are a little more comfortable on the street and a little less effective on the track. They're not awful or anything, and it'll perform better than OEM, but you really want your springs on the track to be completely predictable, with a straight ratio that you know will behave the same way every time. Since progressive springs perform differently in low-G situations than they do in hi-G situations, you might actually feel less comfortable and/or pick up some driving habits that will serve you less well in future high performance situations.

If you want to buy Spoon Progressive Springs, bear in mind that they were designed for hybrid street/track situations and are not nearly as heavy duty as other choices you could make. In fact, you can use Spoon Progressive Springs with your OEM shocks (in good condition) and do perfectly well for extended periods. If you choose to have Konis in conjunction with your Spoon Progressive Springs, please make sure you are using the most modern, most recently designed Koni application with two spring perches on the rear and externally adjustable on the rear.

Spoon Progressive Springs also have the heavier rates up front, enhancing safety at the expense of ultimate handling.

User "Azcheron" is selling a slightly used set of Spoon N1 coilovers. If you want to take a giant leap, then you could learn to drive on these just because they are such an extraordinary buy. The spring rates are heavy for street use (14K and 16K) but this is going to be better than you expect just because the valving on the Showa are just that good. The set of Spoon N1 that he's selling is the economy version of the N1 suspension. It has the same excellent built quality and valving, but you will notice that it is heavier than some N1 suspensions.

On the other hand, Azcheron's suspension is only $1500 compared to as much as $4300 for an equivalently valved lighter weight N1 suspension.

At the other end of the scale, the Omnipowers you mentioned aren't so bad. They're a little heavy and you can tell from looking at them they are economy minded. On the other hand, for the price people pay for them, they're a great buy. These also come with the heavy rates up front, which as you learn to drive your Integra you will learn you probably want to change.

If you're thinking about Omnipower then I'd recommend that you buy them directly from Omnipower or from one of the bigger retailers like Mike Teller. There are very attractive prices advertised elsewhere, but I have noticed that a lot of these great prices are evidently from people who are not actually Omnipower dealers, so you end up wondering what's going on and where they're coming from.

If you buy your Omnipower from either of these two, you will get reliable service and in the case of Mike Teller you will get an extended warranty.

Allow me to go ahead and mention what you're going to hear in this thread shortly, anyway: Think about spending your money on some NASA track weekends this spring instead of on a suspension now. Spending time on the track with your car gives you a better idea of what it is you want to change on the suspension...if anything.

 

I agree with George. Also, if you want a somewhat milder setup (for street and light track duty) the Bilstein's (sports) work well with the stock springs. Just use the lower mounting point on the shocks. Slightly lower ride height, less body roll, good ride on the street, and stable and predictable on the track.

(I think what I miss most about my ITR was the suspension - it handled really well, but managed to have a decent ride as well)

 

Is there anyone that can write a review on H&R street road race and KW variante3 coilovers?

H&R kit has 42 mm. Bilstein non adjustable monotube shocks with 6.5 Kg. front - 5.5 kg. rear, f/r progressive springs with helpers.

KW kit has Koni bitube shocks with separated compression & rebound controls, linear springs on front, progressive springs on the rear and helpers too.

They seem to be a good choise for a street/track purpose.


Modified by paulITR at 3:35 PM 11/9/2005

 

You're looking for suspension for the ITR that you're selling?

 

Mugen 5way adjustable lowdowns set to "3"

 

Personally, I was looking at the Tein Flex for my DD ITR, does anyone have any comments regarding the Flex?

or ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A Ground Control kit with 400# F and 500# R straight ratio springs with Bilstein shocks will be a great combination. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I run GC 400/500 with koni yellows and GC tophats.
Very good setup IMO

I wouldnt consider progressive rate springs.

 

i've heard of the revalved Konis. i hear they are in the $600-or-so range. is this about right?
i like the idea of the 400/500 GSs with the Bilsteins. sounds very simple, easy to replace anything that could wear or break, and give me the added performance i'd like. are bilsteins adjustable?
i'm assuming that the GC coil overs come with GC top hats, correct? why would anyone change them?
right now i have OEM ITR shocks with ground control coil overs and an Ingalls camber kit. what will i need to change out? start over?

thanks for all the input. i know this has all been covered before, i just couldn't find it!

thanks again!

 

LOL, Jay you need to update your sig

The Ground Controls on the car now are of an unknown rate, they came off of a used GSR.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What spring rates are you using and what type of shocks?

Are you using their top hats also?</TD></TR></TABLE>

nope, i dont own it, but i do know people who do, and from what i have heard, and ridden in, its one of the better ones out there, for the price at least,

 

Word of advice.. OMNI suck and they break down and they have to take it off the market because people could seriously get hurt.. No Omni please =D

 

SPOON N1 COILOVER SYSTEM!!!!



buy mine for sale, cheap with only 400 miles on them

seriously amazing system

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Azcheron &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SPOON N1 COILOVER SYSTEM!!!!



buy mine for sale, cheap with only 400 miles on them

seriously amazing system</TD></TR></TABLE>

i can't find your ad.. but probably out of my price range anyway. i'm in the $800ish range. but thanks.

nevermind. i just put sigs back on. man. i wish my ITR were yellow.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reilly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LOL, Jay you need to update your sig

The Ground Controls on the car now are of an unknown rate, they came off of a used GSR.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

i can't see my sig. i have them turned off

 

so what about Azcheron's setup? the H&Rs with the Bilsteins?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kaj &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i've heard of the revalved Konis. i hear they are in the $600-or-so range. is this about right?
i like the idea of the 400/500 GSs with the Bilsteins. sounds very simple, easy to replace anything that could wear or break, and give me the added performance i'd like. are bilsteins adjustable?
i'm assuming that the GC coil overs come with GC top hats, correct? why would anyone change them?
right now i have OEM ITR shocks with ground control coil overs and an Ingalls camber kit. what will i need to change out? start over?

thanks for all the input. i know this has all been covered before, i just couldn't find it!

thanks again!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Getting the konis revalved is probably smart. I dont think mine are(I bought used) and they seem fine.

Bilsteins are not adjustable, but as many people here will say, they're fine, so no adjustment is necessary. I played with the adjustments on the konis to fine tune the under/overstear some.

GCs do not come with tophats. Thats seperate. I'm running them because it gives the shocks more travel. I lowered my car 1'', so with the tophats I should still be getting a stock amount of shock travel. Without enough shock travel they will hit the bumpstops which probably isnt good.

I wouldnt run stock shocks with 400/500lbs springs. They'll blow out. Assuming your spring rates are right, I would think all you would need is the new shocks.

 

it sounds like i need to try to figure out what spring rates my gc coilovers are and see if i can get top hats for them, then upgrade my shocks..

 

i did the super stiff daily driven suspension on my civic (1000lb front 900 rear) on properly valved BUddy Clubs from japan. Even though the ride was not as bad as you think, it gets anoying after a while.
Very hard to drive. On RA1s it was, grip grip GRIP GRIP going gone lol


On my R, it came with Skunk2 coilvers on stock shocks, HORRID. The car came with new Koni yellows and stock springs. I swapped them in real quick and am very happy. turn them soft for the street, hard for the track.
i find it more progessive, grip grip GRIP GRIP grip grip going saved lol

Going with a very stiff setup is a handfull for a novice driver.
The tires grip is more the limiting factor, and once that goes thats it. It's not progessive


Just my opinon others may differ

 

i've decided to go with the 500/400 Ground Controls with Bilsteins with GC top hats. can anyone recommend a good place to get some? thanks again guys! awesome help

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zc911 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i did the super stiff daily driven suspension on my civic (1000lb front 900 rear) on properly valved BUddy Clubs from japan. Even though the ride was not as bad as you think, it gets anoying after a while.
Very hard to drive. On RA1s it was, grip grip GRIP GRIP going gone lol
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Are you talking about the Rear, front or both loosing traction like that?
and what Swaybars are you using?