Streetable Comfortable Coilovers for an S14 a possibility ?

[Kinesthesia]

Before anyone grabs a flamethrower, I realize what I'm looking for is something of an oxymoron, catch22, whatever. However, I want some pussified coilovers ...

I would like to have a coilover suspension that on it's lightest setting is half way comfortable. I can see all the spring rates for coilovers but I keep hearing that it's "all about the valving" which is something that doesn't seem to be on any kind of chart.

I've been searching around, and I've found some information about Tein Flex coilovers and it sounds like you can replace the springs +/- 2 kg/mm which could give me coilovers with 4 kg/mm front springs and 3 kg/mm rear springs. I also sent an email to JIC, but I haven't heard back yet.

I don't know if coilovers have bushings similar to the spring/strut setup. So I suppose I might give up some drivability there. But what I would like is coilovers, something along the lines of a Eibach ProKit / KYB AGX feel at the low settings.

In case you are wondering why I don't just put Eibach/AGX's in my car, it's because I don't much care about the price difference and I would like the added adjustability that seems to only come with coilovers.

If anyone has gone from Eibach/AGX's to a set of Flex or other coilovers and could compare the ride for me, that would be ideal.

Thanks.

[whiterps13]

the nice thing about the flex coilovers is the availability of the edfc. it allows you to adjust the valving of the dampers inside the ****pit of your car. i would definately go this route if you have the money and want comfort. you can hit a button to have them on the softest setting, and when you feel like carvin some hard corners you just hit a button to put them on the hardest valving. such a trick idea...

[whiterps13]

why did it bleep out c0ckpit?

[Q45tech]

http://www.rqriley.com/suspensn.html

As you see from the formula 188/ SQRT of spring static deflection all divided by 60 = frequency in Hertz of the spring.

An 8" free to mounted compression with weight has a 1.1 Hz frequency, 7" compression = 1.185 Hz............6" = 1.28 Hz

[rico05]

Why don't you just do Prokits, AGXs and camber plates? That has all the adjustability you need on the street.

[Nismo_Freak]

http://www.rqriley.com/suspensn.html

As you see from the formula 188/ SQRT of spring static deflection all divided by 60 = frequency in Hertz of the spring.

An 8" free to mounted compression with weight has a 1.1 Hz frequency, 7" compression = 1.185 Hz............6" = 1.28 Hz

And now in English!

It'll ride smoother with a taller spring

[Nismo_Freak]

Before anyone grabs a flamethrower, I realize what I'm looking for is something of an oxymoron, catch22, whatever. However, I want some pussified coilovers ...

I would like to have a coilover suspension that on it's lightest setting is half way comfortable. I can see all the spring rates for coilovers but I keep hearing that it's "all about the valving" which is something that doesn't seem to be on any kind of chart.

I've been searching around, and I've found some information about Tein Flex coilovers and it sounds like you can replace the springs +/- 2 kg/mm which could give me coilovers with 4 kg/mm front springs and 3 kg/mm rear springs. I also sent an email to JIC, but I haven't heard back yet.

I don't know if coilovers have bushings similar to the spring/strut setup. So I suppose I might give up some drivability there. But what I would like is coilovers, something along the lines of a Eibach ProKit / KYB AGX feel at the low settings.

In case you are wondering why I don't just put Eibach/AGX's in my car, it's because I don't much care about the price difference and I would like the added adjustability that seems to only come with coilovers.

If anyone has gone from Eibach/AGX's to a set of Flex or other coilovers and could compare the ride for me, that would be ideal.

Thanks.

In all honesty... you will be better off not getting coilovers.

[Dystopia]

pdm-racing.com is now selling some coils for the s14 madde for the street

[chmercer]

if you really wanted comfort with adjustability im sure you could call ground control and get a soft spring with an adjustable perch.

[Kinesthesia]

Thanks for all your help. I agree that coilovers, no matter how bad I want them are not for me. So, I just ordered the same KYB AGX/Eibach Pro Kit combo that I had on my S13.

I loved it before, I'm sure I'll love it again.

[Q45tech]

The English translation is measure [check FSM] the free length [unmounted] then mount the springs and measure the compressed [by car weight] length, this will let you calculate the natural resonant frequency of the springs as installed.

Then with the wheelbase length you can design the car for zero pitch over a specified length bump at specified speed.

As the spring frequency goes up the IDEAL speed goes up for say equal spaced highway undulations [tar strips, etc.].

If you don't know what you are doing with springs, you can get some really strange rides at highway speeds.

Treat progressive rear springs as linear at least over the normal less than 1" highway bumps.

If the factory chose 55, 60, 65 mph add 8-10 mph with Eibachs, obviously twice as stiff springs are not optimized till 110-130 mph.

[SmithSR]

^^That is perhaps the finest explanation I have read. Thanks Q45tech!

Kinesthesia, I agree with you about the Eibach / KYB setup might be a safe play for an everyday commuter car... while the coilovers are just plain overkill. Let us know how it turns out.

Phil:)

[YRUSOSLO]

OK so I've seen several replies that coilovers are bad "overkill" but no real explanation as to why?? I wanted to get them to lower my cars highth. Maybe I'll just get some 16's??

[YRUSOSLO]

I wasn't joking I really want to know what's wrong with coilovers. I may go with the Eibach pro kit if I can read some good pros and cons.

thank you