Coilovers?

[oompahlumpa]

I am looking into suspension work for my car, and I came across these Skunk2 coilovers. My question is how does a coilover work? Does it just replace your stock springs, or what?

Any help on clearing this up would be great. I wanna know what I am getting before I purchase.

[Vtec_Power]

imagine a spring....simple right? it just sits on the perch on the shock and cant be adjusted. now the difference between a spring and a coilover would be that theres a little cylinder with 2 locking perches on it that can be moved up and down according to how high/low you want your car. Thats the best way i can explain it right now...i kinda fried my brain playing Half Life 2 for the past 7 hours.

you can kinda see it in this pic.



I have coilivers, a spring would just sit on the shock instead of the locking perch...generally the springs are a lot taller, they just have a softer spring rate so that the weight of the car will make it sit lower.

[oompahlumpa]

oh ok thanks murat...

[b16a2sir]

BUT, those Skunk2 ones, and others like APC!!! are just sleeves which go over your shock, to allow you to adjust your ride hight by raising/lowering your spring position. These types will give you a bouncy ride, noisy, and not the best thing to purchase. IMO

I would suggest you think about these 2 other choices:

1. Using a 'sport' or 'race' spring from most manufacturs will give you roughly a 1.5" and 2.25" drop. Match these with a firm sporty shock designed for lowered cars. Adjustable shocks are available. My first set was tokico illumina shocks and springs. the springs were a little to soft for me.

2. A true coilover system has a threaded shock body(instead of sleeves on a reg. shock.) and adjustable perches which the spring sits on. Most come as a package spring shock combo and diff spring rates are available. Most are also dampening adjustable, which is great for fine tuning the suspension how you like it. especially if you autocross. I am currently using Buddy Club race spec damper and spring, and they made the hugest possible improvment on handling, body roll and control.

The sleeves make noises because they are not secured to the shock body, allowing the spring to bounce up momentarily and 'clicking'. But if all you want is a lower car and dont care for any performance, then they will work great. Just don't expect it to be perfect.

This is just my opinion, wanted you to be informed before your purchase.
-Jared

[Doughboy]

skunk2 springs altogether are freakin CRAPPPPP!!!!!!!! Coilovers in general are crap. trust me I know..... Take my advice on this one and save yourself some major headaches and get a spring/strut setup from Tokico or something. Buying separately ends up being more expensive.


avoid coilovers though...Unless your going for show and never drive your car. Coilovers and daily drivers dont mix at all.

[b16a2sir]

These are mine, Couldn't be happier with them....

[Calesta]

Originally posted by Doughboy@Feb 4 2005, 09:58 PM
skunk2 springs altogether are freakin CRAPPPPP!!!!!!!! Coilovers in general are crap. trust me I know..... Take my advice on this one and save yourself some major headaches and get a spring/strut setup from Tokico or something. Buying separately ends up being more expensive.


avoid coilovers though...Unless your going for show and never drive your car. Coilovers and daily drivers dont mix at all.

You really need to make the distinction between coilover sleeves and true coilover systems. "Sleeve-overs" like Ground Control work well if they're high quality (GC is), but true coilover systems like Tein, JIC, Buddy Club, HKS etc will outperform just about any spring/shock combo you put together on your own.

I have a set of Tein Flex coilovers on my Civic, and I absolutely love them.

[Doughboy]

Coilovers in general aren't my fav regardless of how well they worked for you guys. MINE SUCKED, then again i didnt pay top dollar. Hopefully anyone who DOES pay top dollar will have better luck than I did.

My friend has ground controls on his 2002 si and they make all kinds of noise too.. so Im gonna stick with springs. Goodluck w/ whatever you decide to get.

[b16a2sir]

It is worth it to save up and good a good set, This way you won't be unhappy with what you got, and if you take good care of them, they will last fo long time!!

[CivicSi04']

mmmmmmmm.....buddy club and tein. good stuff right there