Considering getting adjustable coilovers but not sure which brand to go with. What is the best coilover (adjustable) setup for H22a powered 4th generation accords?

Thanks,
Mark

 

Ground Control, Skunk2. FYI, an H22 is approximately the same weight as an F22 so the engine shouldnt really determine the type of suspension you get.

 

Yes, i understand that, but what does everyone recommend? Ground control or Skunk?

Mark

 

Depends what you want dude. Do you want a stiff suspension but rough ride? Height adjustability? Soft suspension with a small drop? What?

 

I want height adjustment and a comfortable ride. Looking to drop at least 2-2.5 inches. I will be using Tokiko Illumina shocks up front.

Mark

 

GC/Skunk2 with Tokicos or KYB AGX's.

 

Thanks. Will look into getting the Ground Controls. I have heard they are very good.

Mark

 

Hold on. What rear shocks are you using?
With Groundcontrol, you can get yor choice of spring rates. Find out what their "stock" spring rate is and we can help you select if those spring rates are right for you.

 

I have Tokiko blue shocks installed on my rear Eibach springs. The front shocks are Tokiko Illuminas.

Mark

 

Groundcontrol all the way. I don't think Skunk gives you a choice of spring rates.
If you want a comfy ride I'd suggest spring rates in the ~250 lb/in range, with a +/- a 50 lb difference in the rear depending on if you want to reduce understeer. Those rates would be similar to an Eibach Prokit or something, so the car would ride like that if you've felt those. If you want some serious handling, go 300 or above. I've got 350F/400R and it's pretty stiff. I'm not sure what kit Dunreit has, but the rates are like 500 lbs/in and he says it's too stiff. I'd believe it.

 

Hey 4doorH22:

So you are using Ground Controls on your accord? Is the combination of 350F/400R overly stiff or does it feel generally comfortable? I don't want to go overly stiff but of course not on the real soft side. Would you consider this combination to work similar to the Eibach Sportline springs?

Thanks,
Mark

 

I dunno. It's quite subjective. Morgan has 300F/350R. That's probably more in-line with Sportline rates. I might do that too. I'd just need 300 lb/in springs for the front, and swap my current 350s to the rear. That's the nice thing about these setups, you can experiment rather cheaply. The springs are ~$50 each.


[Modified by 4doorH22, 12:14 AM 3/31/2002]

 

So how does the lb/in specifications work? The higher the rate, the stiffer the spring? Should the front springs always have a higher lb/in than the rear springs?

Mark

 

300 lb/in, it takes 300 pounds to compress that spring 1 inch, so higher numbers mean a stiffer spring. Stock springs and boxed-sets like Prokits and Sportlines have lower rates in the rear to keep the car understeering (safer) at the limit. Those of us who track our cars put higher spring rates in the rear to reduce understeer. Along with a fat anti roll bar in the rear, you can get it to rotate nicely on the track. I'm not sure which way you should go. Do you plan on autocrossing and/or road events?

 

No autocrossing or road events. Just basic normal street driving and occasional quarter-mile runs at the track. I do enjoy a slightly stiff ride though. Do i need to consider that i am running 18 inch wheels with 215/35/18 tires? So a lower lb/in will enable the spring to lower with less weight?

Mark

 

Unsprung weight can definitely affect handling, but the strategy applied to spring rates will be the same for your purposes.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean here. If you're asking about how far the spring will compress under your car's load, that's pretty much irrelevant, as it can be dialed-out with the Groundcontrols.

We just need to find out what spring rates would be good for you and a rear or front rate bias, if any.

Do you want springs that handle comparably to something like the Sportlines?



[Modified by 4doorH22, 1:19 AM 3/31/2002]

 

Yes, i am looking for a combination that will ride like the Eibach Sportline springs i have right now. Maybe a tad softer.

I want to replace my Sportlines with adjustables because i would like to customize the lowering of my vehicle without having to cut the Sportlines. I'd rather invest in a good set of coilovers and get the job done correctly. Where i am unclear here is what type of lb/in would be adequate for what i want.

Mark

 

I you go too soft, you'll risk bottoming out with a 2-2.5" drop. When I had my Neuspeed Sports, they were quite comfortable, but their low spring rate allowed my car to bottom out on the road (many scatches on my header, oil pan, and toe engine support brace). Now, on the other hand, too stiff a spring is almost not streetable. My Skunkworks coilovers are 500 lb/in... way too stiff for a comfortable ride. In fact, it can actually be dangerous in less-than-perfect road conditions when you're cornering and there's a dip or large bump, the rear of the car rebounds real hard over the road hazard, and your rear end slides out... but, the car has absolutely no body roll...

 

Thanks for the input. Now, what would be a reasonable spring rate for a stiff but comfortable ride? Can anyone post their spring rates and tell me what kind of ride quality they have? As i mentioned earlier, i currently have Eibach Sportline springs and like the stiffness of them. I'd like my ride to be similar to the Sportlines, but just a little bit softer. Not much, just a tad.

Mark

 

Go with the progess full coil overs i have them and they are great prefect ride for dailly driver helped my 60 foot times and i corner like i am riding on rails

 

what do you guys think of max speed coilovers? Any pros or cons to having them? Any recomendations for shocks to get with max speed?