Coilovers?

[1987Rock]

I have a 94 5.0 that's got 2 inch drop springs that are WAY to stiff. I get jumped out of the seat on certain bumps! I also have 18 inch wheels with 275/40's on em that don't help.
I want something that will ride good on the street, but I like a good sporty spring. I know what kind of springs and shocks I'll buy if I go that route, but I was wondering whether or not coilovers would work. That way I could adjust the ride height somewhat too. Has anyone ever put any on one of these cars?
If I don't find a cost efficient way to do this, then I will probably go with either ford motorsport b springs or eibach 1 inch drops with tokico shocks. Eventually I might even go back down to 17 inch wheels.

 

[HGFireHazard]

Coil-overs aren't a new concept for our cars. The great part about running coil-overs is the ability to run a higher spring rate without losing a degree of comfort. Coil-overs are also adjustable which allows for a wide array of setups.

MM makes a great kit, but be prepared to spend some money. Ultimately it probably comes down to your wallet.

If you have your heart set on something less expensive than coil-overs probably aren't for you. I've heard people say they like the Eibach pro-kit and seems to have a softer feel. It isn't a radical drop (<2"), but it's more than the B springs you mentioned earlier. You can also call a place like MM, tell them what you want, and they can recommend a spring rate/spring for you.

 

[1987Rock]

Yeah, I know runnin coilovers is fairly expensive, so I'll probably run the eibach/tokico combo. I just though maybe the adjustablilty would be a good thing to have.
I plan on autocrossing and doing open track days all the time at Road Atlanta and Roebling Road when the season opens, so that's the only real excuse for coilovers.

 

[HGFireHazard]

After research I'm partial to coil-overs as well. Suspension upgrades are my next up mods for the Spring and an all around coil-over setup is what I'll be running.

For autocross I think you've come to a good conclusion, and the ability to adjust ride height all around the car not only helps you for specific tracks, it helps make the car sexy around town too

 

[earleys94gt]

With coil-overs, like many other things, you get what you pay for.

My brother put a cheap coil-over kit on his Accord...junk.

The Eibach Pro-Kit is a progressive rate spring, meaning it does give a softer ride as compared to a linear rate spring(stock GT spring type). The Pro-Kit will lower the car 1.5 inches, Eibach Sportlines, which are linear rate, will lower about 2".

The Pro-Kit with some good dampeners would be a decent and cheaper combo.

Coil-overs, while more expensive, will allow for more adjustability and tuning. I don't have any personal expierence with coil-overs however.

Just my two cents.

 

[Killercanary]

I run coil-overs on my car and I wouldn't have it any other way. The only problem I've encountered was tire clearance, but I also have custom made wheels that were made when I had regular coil springs up front. There are so many benefits to coilovers that once you start researching them you will not go with a normal spring. Be aware that their spring rates and lengths are all customizable. I run a 14" 175lb spring which is what you'll find on more street/strip cars. On autocross cars you'll find 12 and 14" springs in the 300+lbs range. As was mentioned, a call to MM or the like would be your best bet. i run the strange coil over kit with strange adjustable shocks and I love it. I'd pick your coil over kit and struts at the same time because some coil-over kits don't fit certain struts... you'll often see this with bilstein struts. Also, I'm not sure which class you plan to run in at the auto cross, but coil-overs will bump you way up in the classes. I'm not sure if they are ESP legal, but I don't think that they are.

 

[earleys94gt]

So good advice, as Grady always says, is to plan ahead.

Like if you ever think you might put larger wheels and tires on, you may want to think about coil springs vs. coil-overs, as Killercanary pointed out above.

Not to discourage you or anything, but just to save you from buying things twice.

 

[HGFireHazard]

So good advice, as Grady always says, is to plan ahead.

Like if you ever think you might put larger wheels and tires on, you may want to think about coil springs vs. coil-overs, as Killercanary pointed out above.

Not to discourage you or anything, but just to save you from buying things twice.

I'm not sure if changing wheels/tires necessitates a second guess on getting coil-overs. I'm not sure what kind of specifics his wheels/tires come out to as far as offset and such. I haven't heard of an issue like this before.

Although I do agree that one should plan in advance, and Grady's advice is that of a wise man

Just like with horsepower and supporting mods, one should have a final goal of where they want to be in the very beginning. Suspension should be treated the same way with goals of the end in mind, which should hopefully allow one to start a foundation of what they ultimately want, and not have to build twice, or more.

 

[1987Rock]

I think I'm defintely gonna run the Eibach pro kit, but yes, I plan on changing my 18x9.5's for a staggered set of 17x9 and 17x10.5 down the road so I can run some huge meats. Thanks for the help.