I'm at a crossroads here... I have a couple options on where to go with my suspension both for cosmetics and for performance. This is going in my daily driver Integra. All in all, I like the current suspension but I don't like the front fender being higher than the rear one. I want a suspension that is comfortable as a daily driver, cost-effective, and great for autocrossing.

Discuss:

1) Keep current suspension: OTS (off the shelf) Koni Yellows and Eibach Pro-Kit
2) Swap out springs only to: OTS Koni Yellows and OTS Ground Control
3) Swap out springs only to: OTS Koni Yellows and Custom (350f/450r) GC
4) Swap out shocks and springs to: OTS Tein SS true coilovers

If I get the Tein, will I be able to have a nice soft ride on the street and a great handling ride on the track? People have told me that even with my Koni's on Full Soft like they are now, if I swap out for GC, my ride quality will worsen.

Ben
ps - crossposted in Tech

 

No matter what you do, if you get harder springs, your ride quality will worsen. I'd go for the GC custom rates personally...

 

I just went through this. Unfortunatly I don't have the new stuff on so I can't give a review. From stock I went to koni yellow and nuespeed sport springs. I really liked the daily driver ride of the spring. Highway was better than stock (IMPO). Around town on a rare occasion over bumpy roads was a touch rough, but that was only when I wanted a supper smooth ride. Autocross on those springs was margional. I am switching to a GC setup with a semiprogressive front (~380#) and 300# linear rear. I have heard the ride gets worse when the rear rates increase past 350 or so. Regardless if you want a good daily driver ride you will sacrifice autocross performance (unless you can really drive). I would think custom GC springs, possibly in a progressive rate, would offer the best comprimise.

 

False, false, false.....

I just put Konis and GC sleeves, 375/450# on the car. It rides no worse than stock on the highway, and if it werent lowered 2 inches it wouldnt be any worse in the city either. With the shocks on full soft you hardly know the rates are that high.

If you have well matched dampers, they will not ride worse.

 

Interesting. I may have to look into higher rear rates.

I have also heard people say the ride quality is more effected by stiffer bushings.

 

I'll have to agree with RJ here... Last summer when I was running 500F/400R withg properly valved konis I could tell very little between the 2 setups on the highway. The car had all advantages of a soft stock suspension and alot of the disadvantages have been removed. This is still not a "competative" setup but its certainly not that slow.

I'll inform you guys in a few weeks on how my properly valved 650F/800R setup is. The car will still be daily driven!!




[Modified by Watkinsm3, 8:37 AM 2/24/2003]