[shark1986]

I was recently told by my mechanic that I'm going to have to replace my struts in about three to four months. So, I was contemplating: Struts or Coilovers? I understand that coil-overs are supposed to be the shiznazzle when it comes to handling, but they cost like 1,500 dollars for good ones (KW). I was thinking if I go with struts i'll go with the KYB GR-2, and megan racing lowering springs, performance sway bar (haven't decided yet), and front and rear strut bars (DC sports). I'm taking a wild guess and thinking that all those performance additions will help my handling better than just the coil-overs and I'll end up saving a couple hundred dollars. What I'm looking for are thoughts on my idea on what I think I should do and any ideas anyone has. Ex: Brand recommendation, coil-over vs struts, best for the money, etc
Thanks to everyone that adds something constructive!!

 

[BF15]

you dont need to spend that much to get good coilovers, thats just ones that have more features.

are you goign to auto x or anything?

if not then the cheaper 1000 coilover sets woudl be what i'd recomend as most guy's end up geting springs and then wanting that extra 1-3 inchs lower that you can get with coilovers.

coilovers will help handleign more than geting sway bars, and strut bars..

 

[RetfirDMX]

there are d2's or megan racing coilovers for ~900-1000 bucks. so you can probably go with those. they will have camber plates up front. if you don't really care abotu camber plates that much but like the adjustable ride height, you can wait for the raceland coilovers that are currently in development. should be out at the end of your timeframe for shock replacement from what i hear.

 

[carbonshark]

i went with tein springs and kyb struts...my advice is to go for coilovers, the 1.7/1.3 drop was good with me for a couple months but now i want more aggressive stance and going to end up losing money on the spring set-up. coilovers all the way

 

[dlanes]

Maybe wait it out for Raceland coilovers. Otherwise just stick with kybs and springs.

 

[Octane]

Maybe wait it out for Raceland coilovers. Otherwise just stick with kybs and springs.

Right here ^ it's also about the money, if you have the money for coils it would be totally worth it but, if not and you need to replace your struts - definitely just go with a spring/strut combo. That's what I did :3_chubby:

 

[KyleWGuelph]

I've never gone strut and lowering spring so I can't compare, but I know with my coilovers everything is adjustable from ride height to spring tension to dampening. Worth the $1200 IMO. I have the ARK ST-P plus.

 

[Paxfaux]

Just be aware that after one winter adjustable coilovers aren't so easily adjusted.

 

[KyleWGuelph]

.....good thing I purchased the second-vehicle-mod and will only be taking my baby out when its warm and sunny hehe

 

[shark1986]

there are d2's or megan racing coilovers for ~900-1000 bucks. so you can probably go with those. they will have camber plates up front. if you don't really care abotu camber plates that much but like the adjustable ride height, you can wait for the raceland coilovers that are currently in development. should be out at the end of your timeframe for shock replacement from what i hear.

Is there a rumor on how much the raceland coilovers are gonna retail for?

 

[shark1986]

Just be aware that after one winter adjustable coilovers aren't so easily adjusted.

Yeah, I'm thinking of waiting till after winter (get a beater for the winter) and throw some kw's on if the moneys there.

 

[Takahashi240]

Coilovers are all-around better. Well worth the cost compared to struts+springs. You shouldn't have to do a mod twice. If you do, you did it wrong the first time. Just go right the first time and get coilovers, then save up for the other stuff you listed.

 

[RetfirDMX]

the rumor is that it will be price in the 300-400 area for the complete kit, as that is the pricing on most of their coilovers that they offer for other cars. there are a few in the 400-500 range but nothing past 500. racelands that is. 400-500 is the price for subaru RS coilovers with ride height/camber adjustability, and for the 300-400, it's only ride height adjustability.

 

[shark1986]

you dont need to spend that much to get good coilovers, thats just ones that have more features.

are you goign to auto x or anything?

if not then the cheaper 1000 coilover sets woudl be what i'd recomend as most guy's end up geting springs and then wanting that extra 1-3 inchs lower that you can get with coilovers.

coilovers will help handleign more than geting sway bars, and strut bars..

I actually just drive like an ******* lol. I'm looking to be able to hold corners and weave in and out of traffic without worry. handling is even more important to me than speed, so if i get coilovers, is it worth it to spend the extra for KW's over ARK? Or ARK or Megan? And have you heard if its worth it to spend the money on sway bars and strut bars?

 

[Takahashi240]

I actually just drive like an ******* lol. I'm looking to be able to hold corners and weave in and out of traffic without worry. handling is even more important to me than speed, so if i get coilovers, is it worth it to spend the extra for KW's over ARK? Or ARK or Megan? And have you heard if its worth it to spend the money on sway bars and strut bars?

Oh boy, am I looking forward to the total and part-out thread on this one...

 

[shark1986]

the rumor is that it will be price in the 300-400 area for the complete kit, as that is the pricing on most of their coilovers that they offer for other cars. there are a few in the 400-500 range but nothing past 500.

What kind of quality does raceland produce? would it be worth it to buy megans, ARK, or KW's over Raceland?

 

[RetfirDMX]

just read reviews on other cars' forums about raceland coilovers. search on google. from the reviews i've seen, people like the quality.

 

[Paxfaux]

Coilovers are all-around better. Well worth the cost compared to struts+springs. You shouldn't have to do a mod twice. If you do, you did it wrong the first time. Just go right the first time and get coilovers, then save up for the other stuff you listed.

wouldnt argue the fact that coilovers allow for better handling. I would argue that once you are really utilizing the extra handling allowed you on a public road, you're not driving very safely.

and whats the point in paying for adjustable coilovers if you just want to it to be a one and done project?

 

[2008tibb]

I actually just drive like an ******* lol. I'm looking to be able to hold corners and weave in and out of traffic without worry. handling is even more important to me than speed, so if i get coilovers, is it worth it to spend the extra for KW's over ARK? Or ARK or Megan? And have you heard if its worth it to spend the money on sway bars and strut bars?

strut tower bars, yes!! just do like me get the ebay front one for 38$+shipping and then i got the ark rear strut bar for 111$shipped, which is awesome!! sway bars if you have some on your car, keep them there, engineers over at Hyundai corp. knew what they where doing, and if you get stiffer sway bars, you have to consider that you will be able to take more agressive turns, but when you start wiping out, theres no bringing it back!!

 

[optimummind]

I'm taking a wild guess and thinking that all those performance additions will help my handling better than just the coil-overs and I'll end up saving a couple hundred dollars.

Never. A coilover system will outperform and out-handle all other suspension modifications combined. I recommend the Ark DT-P coilover system. Call Arkspeedracing and talk to Ted. Great customer service & reasonable pricing.

I've had my DT-P's since 2008 and they're holding up great. Makes driving so much more enjoyable and fun--especially up in the mountain roads. :3_shiny:

and whats the point in paying for adjustable coilovers if you just want to it to be a one and done project?

He may be thinking that but one never knows what the future will bring. Once I found my perfect height, I thought that that was it. A couple of years later, I found myself wanting some new wheels and tires of a difference size but wanted to maintain the same height level. If I only had some shocks and springs, it would've made it difficult or required me to buy extra hardware. With coilovers, I simply adjusted the height.

In addition to better handling, balance, and traction, coilovers offer adjustability (damper setting, height setting, camber setting) as well as FLEXIBILITY for future suspension mods.

Coilovers all the way~!! :3_bier: