To Coil-Over or Not To Coil-Over?

Black Sun 5.0

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Oct 27, 2006

#1

• Oct 27, 2006

• #1

Well, that's the question. I will be upgrading my front end when I embark on this project of mine. Should I go with coil-overs or not? Pro's? Con's? Is it even worth it for the fun weekend car?

 

tunedin302

I AM the law!!!

Jul 29, 2004

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Oct 27, 2006

#2

• Oct 27, 2006

• #2

Are you still doing the tubular K? I did MM coil over w/ bilsteins on the rear (front will be in the spring) and I wish I had done it many years ago. I love them and would recommend them to anyone who loves their car. However, I have heard horror stories about some cheaper coil-over kits like UPR.

 

Black Sun 5.0

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#3

• Oct 27, 2006

• #3

I think I may skip the k-member only because I know it pushes the front wheels up and I plan on going with 17x8 wheels. I'm trying to avoid any tire rubbing issues, especially since the new car is a '90 and has smaller wheel wells.

 

Prime Lord

Crappy Default Title

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Oct 27, 2006

#4

• Oct 27, 2006

• #4

As I've said, there are advantages if your racing it, but really the car just isn't designed for it. It may give a better ride quality, but I don't know if it'll be THAT much better to warrant the hassles of the install. Also, you really can't do a coil over if you don't have all the braces you can on the front end. Since the car isn't designed for it, the strut towers flex like CRAZY w/o the braces.

 

Black Sun 5.0

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#5

• Oct 27, 2006

• #5

I'll be getting a strut tower and k-member brace.

 

D

Daggar

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Jul 19, 2004

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Oct 27, 2006

#6

• Oct 27, 2006

• #6

Hmmmmm.... not too much technical or "how to" info in here.

--moved to talk--

 

Black Sun 5.0

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#7

• Oct 27, 2006

• #7

That's not entirely true. Someone could point out the whole pro's-con's thing from a technical standpoint. Not that I'm arguing or anything......

 

D

Daggar

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#8

• Oct 27, 2006

• #8

New thread sticky at top of Tech forum said:

Technical Section:

Technical threads are those threads that ask questions or provide information of a technical nature (go figure). The technical section is NOT the place to post threads that ask:

What store can I find this?
How much should I pay for that?
What price should I ask for this?
How much HP can I make?

Instead, a technical thread would ask questions like:

How do I ____________________?
What is/are ___________________?

They can also be instructions of a techincal nature:

This is how you _________________.

Of course, Sale or Want ads of any kind, are not permitted in any of the Tech/Talk/Tuning sections of these forums.

Click to expand...

 

Black Sun 5.0

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#9

• Oct 27, 2006

• #9

Yeah, but since I know minimal about the product, how do I know that someone's not going to come back and say that a con would be upgrading to coil-overs would affect the upside down, inverted, backward radius of my sunroof? Now, I would never have known that in a million years until someone informed me of it.

 

D

Daggar

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#10

• Oct 27, 2006

• #10

Not picking on you at all bro... I jsut have to draw the line somehwere and the entry I made in that sitcky illustrates the line.

It DOES serve a purpose. That purpose is to keep "should I buy this or that", type threads out of tech and Keep factual problem solving and reference type threads in the searchable forum.

So... Once you've decided upon which system you want to go with, you are more than welcome to start a technical thread to get your questions answered about installation etc. You are also welcome to start a technical thread about installation of "Unit X" or whatever, before puchase if you require it.

To most, it may seem like splitting hairs but you must understand that I'm doing my damndest to make the tech section as searchable and usable as possible by weeding out search results that do others, no good whatsoever technically.

--Daggs

 

Kabuki_notch

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Oct 27, 2006

#11

• Oct 27, 2006

• #11

Tunedin do you have any rubbing up front with your coil-overs with the 18x9's?

 

9

9 Deuce GT

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Dec 10, 2003

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Oct 27, 2006

#12

• Oct 27, 2006

• #12

Prime Lord said:

It may give a better ride quality, but I don't know if it'll be THAT much better to warrant the hassles of the install. Also, you really can't do a coil over if you don't have all the braces you can on the front end. Since the car isn't designed for it, the strut towers flex like CRAZY w/o the braces.

Click to expand...

Your joking, right? Read the coilover section on MM's website to set yourself straight on the topic. I have been running the front MM coilovers for 2 years trouble free. They are a great product and deff. made a huge difference in ride quality. If you don't believe me, ask Tunedin about his experience with his rear coilovers and the ride quality.

Are they necessary, no. Do they give a better ride, without question.


One last thing, get a quality kit. I have also read about the horror stories related to cheaper kits.

 

Black Sun 5.0

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#13

• Oct 27, 2006

• #13

I would be going with the MM kit. Thing is, how do I find out my spring rate?

 

9

9 Deuce GT

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Dec 10, 2003

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Oct 27, 2006

#14

• Oct 27, 2006

• #14

Call them with your future plans/goals for the car. They will help you decide. I would listen to what they say, they have been doing this for a while.

 

tunedin302

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Oct 27, 2006

#15

• Oct 27, 2006

• #15

9 Deuce GT said:

Call them with your future plans/goals for the car. They will help you decide. I would listen to what they say, they have been doing this for a while.

Click to expand...

+1 - MM will tell you the spring rate you need based on your distribution of the engine weight (alum heads, blower, battery relocation, etc) and rear weight (removed spare, seat delete, battery relocat, etc).

As 9 Deuce said - the MM coil over is amazing. Is it needed? only if you want to fall in love with your car all over again. Worth every penny and then some.

Kabuki - PM sent.

 

stang22

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Jan 29, 2003

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Oct 28, 2006

#16

• Oct 28, 2006

• #16

Here are a couple of Pros:

1. Ride quality is much better and much more efficient.
2. Going tubular (control arms) will save you some weight.
3. Adjusting ride height on the fly in a matter of minutes.
4. Change all 4 springs on your car in under an hour.
5. Will improve handling efficiency.

Cons:

1. $$$ on a good setup, to do it right the first time.
2. I can't think of any more.

FAQ's: http://maximummotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=faq

Tim

 

duner

Mr. Warmth

Jul 21, 2003

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Oct 28, 2006

#17

• Oct 28, 2006

• #17

I have MM coil-overs all the way around on my ‘92GT. I also have their strut tower brace. The coil-over install was straightforward. I've changed the springs on 4 '03 Cobras and installing coil-overs was MUCH easier.

I like the coil-overs. The car stays very flat in the corners. The fronts have 375 lb/in and the rears have 225 lb/in springs. I’m using Bilstein Sport valved struts and shocks. This is a little firm for a daily driver. But, since I’m slowly building this car to enjoy an occasional ride through the twisties and for HPDE/open track events they are perfect.

I would stay away from the cheap units that are out there. If you are considering coil-overs do your research.