Endura-Tech S13 Coilovers

[musashin]

So the Endura-Tech coilovers are on sale again for just $1050. I know AZHitman has them on his car and loves them, but does anyone else have them? There isn't too much in the way of reviews of these things anywhere.

One of the things I really want to get done this summer is get a quality set of entry level coilovers, and this just seems like too good a deal to pass up. It's either these of the Stance GR+ Pro. Basically, if I don't jump on this sale (which, I was told in an email from Endura-Tech, will only last until the end of the month) I'll get the GR+ Pro.

So...should I take the leap?
Modified by musashin at 12:50 PM 4/18/2008

[adrianfromthecastle]

if you used the search function, you would have found this... but let me quote big boss here:

Spent Saturday morning installing a set of Endura-Tech coilovers on my S13 convertible...

For the past 1200 miles, she's been rolling on Megans.

I'm not a suspension expert, so my impressions will be from a layperson's point of view. I know what I like, and I know what "feels" right, but my limited knowledge of suspension componentry will be pretty evident here.

So, if you're looking for a real technical review, well, you'll have to find it elsewhere...

The first thing you notice is the quality of the finish and the construction. The Endura-Techs "feel" very well put-together, and the finish is impeccable. I'm a firm believer that a company that pays attention to little details on the outside, will likely grant that same care to the internal construction.

The lower mounts on the fronts are quite a bit beefier and more sturdy:









Installation of coilovers is one of their best features, and these were no exception... Old ones out, new ones in - Nice, especially if you're used to messing with a spring compressor and all that nonsense.

Swapping the fronts was so simple - Remove the top 3 nuts on the top of the strut tower, disconnect the brakeline clip, remove the two lower mounting bolts, and remove.

The spring perches on the Endura-Tech coilovers are really, really nice - It's cleanly machined, with a precision feel. It's beefy, and rather than having an adjustable perch and a "lock nut", it has an allen head setscrew that locks it in place. Very convenient, and more secure.





Also, that additional thickness means your adjustment wrenches fit on better, and there's no need for TWO of them (which was always a pet peeve of mine).

The upper mounts on the Endura-Tech coilovers seems a little thicker, and rather than a conical upper flange, it's more of a triangular shape (for additional strength).





As a side note - Despite the beefier construction, the Endura-Tech coilovers only weighed in .8 lb. heavier each.

There's less dampening adjustability in the Endura-Techs, with 10 settings (compared to 32 in the Megan's). However, there seems to be a WIDER range of adjustment in the ET's. In other words, the "softest" setting seems softer, and the "hardest" setting seems much stiffer.





The ET's have more adjustments for camber, with 5 holes as opposed to three.

The lower mounts on the rears are equally beefy - Here, you can see a comparison:







The rears were equally simple to swap - Again, 2 bolts on top and one on the bottom (although, doing them on a convertible is a bit more work, as the top mechanism can get in the way). Still, not a tough process at all.

Here's a few more pics:











And, a spec page:http://www.endura-tech.com/etc_ns1300.pdf

Initial driving impressions: Again, since my review is from a layperson's point of view, I can only say that the ride quality is excellent. I had the Megan dampening set fairly soft on all four corners. We set the ET's to one click shy of the firmest setting, and I think I could keep them there. There's no "skittering" (as is common with an underdamped setup), nor is the ride harsh. It IS controlled in hard cornering, and amazingly smooth at freeway speeds, even over expansion joints.

I'll be experimenting with some varied settings, but for now, these get a hearty "two thumbs up".

zerothread/210342

[musashin]

I have searched, and I have seen that thread and read it, along with his other comments on the coilovers. I was just wondering if anyone -else- has them or has experienced them. Thanks anyways though.

[adrianfromthecastle]

I have searched, and I have seen that thread and read it, along with his other comments on the coilovers. I was just wondering if anyone -else- has them or has experienced them. Thanks anyways though.

eh.. I tried. I know they had a booth up at SEMA and the guys behind the table really stand strong behind their product. They're pretty reputable in the Subie world... I say give them a shot and be one of the first to do a real deal review for the 240 world.

[Darius]

I have them and like them so far, but I've only driven on them for about 100 miles before I tore my engine apart again. The installation was a snap and everything appeared very sturdy and well-put-together. Brake lines lined up and everything. Customer service was always very responsive and Justin actually called me a couple weeks ago asking how I liked them for my S14. I should probably call him back, oops!

Shouldn't be too much longer until I can get the car out and explore them more. Take this part with a grain of salt since these are my first true coilovers.

[Endura-Tech]

I have them and like them so far, but I've only driven on them for about 100 miles before I tore my engine apart again. The installation was a snap and everything appeared very sturdy and well-put-together. Brake lines lined up and everything. Customer service was always very responsive and Justin actually called me a couple weeks ago asking how I liked them for my S14. I should probably call him back, oops!

Shouldn't be too much longer until I can get the car out and explore them more. Take this part with a grain of salt since these are my first true coilovers.

Darius-

No need to call me back, glad to see your post.Musashin- if you have any questions that I can answer for you directly, just email me or ask away here.

JustinEndura-Tech