Due to some unforseen repair expenses, my suspension budget has somewhat diminshed. Add to this having to pay for a college course until my employer reimburses me at the end of the semester...well, I'm down to ~ $1000. My original plans of Tein coilovers are a no-go.
I'm looking for a "budget" streetable setup. Probably won't see the track, but want something that will stand up to "spirited driving".
Here's the plan:
KYB AGX's on all 4 corners from coximports.com for $370
Suspension Techniques springs for $189.99 @ enjukuracing.com
Tein Camber Plate (front) @ mvpmotorsports.com for $170
whiteline strut tower bars (fr & rear) @ pdm-racing.com for $240
KYB strut boots for ~12 each = $48
Total= $1018 plus some shipping & misc other minor costs.
So, what do you think? These are my plans for the summer. I'm getting a bit of money for my birthday in July, so this is probably when I'm going to order.
Anything missing? Better prices somewhere else?
Suspension on a Budget
Exar-Kun wrote:looks good man. I might add a set of sway bars, but that would put you over your dollar limit. Overall, that should be a nice setup for you, lemme know how it works out!-chet
Yeah, I thought of some Whiteline sway bars. Do you think they would be more of an impact than the STB's? I could hold off on the STB's and get the sways.
This fall I'd like to do some Whiteline bushings and a VLSD.
I REALLY want to try the new (to the US) RS-R "race" springs, but I *know* those spring rates (something like 5 kg/mm fr 4.5 kg/mm rear) would be too much for the AGX's. Someone over @ FA is running that setup, but he just installed it, so we'll see about longevity. KYB says that the AGX can handle spring rates 50% greater than OE...the RS-R springs are more than 100% stiffer.
I thought you were looking into the tein he's? They are not that much more and if your heart's set on them, you'll never be happy if you get something else. If you want something different, and it's only a couple hundred $'s more, save up and be patient. Also, be aware that owning an older project car will always be filled w/ unforseen repairs. Hell, earlier this week, I planned a simple brake pad change in the front. Well, it turned out to be anything but simple. The glide pins for the torque arm were seized from rust. I tried to heat it w/ a blow tourch and pull it, but it broke. Fortunately, I have a friend that was helping. He works for a race team and had the tools to bore out the rusted bolt and keep it to stock specs. Still, the new glide pins and boots were a rip off and I was without my car for a couple days.
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Tweaky_Tom
- Posts: 552
- Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2003 7:12 am
Looks good bro, i think i'll let you do my shopping from now on! <<<Tom>>> [email protected]
I could still buy the HE's, but I figured I'll go with the AGX/Suspension Techniques set up and see how I like it. My recent repairs have made me crave a newer car...mmmm warranty. The ideal situation would be to get a new car and keep the 240 as my hobby car.Dori Dori wrote:I thought you were looking into the tein he's? They are not that much more and if your heart's set on them, you'll never be happy if you get something else.
So, for now I'm going to keep my investment in the 240 a bit on the low side. I just had lifters replaced (ouch), and who knows what else could happen.
Depending on how my job goes, I could get a new car next year. For now, I'll stay on the modest side with the 240 mods.
I *do* think the AGX/ST setup will be a very nice street setup, so it's not like I'm gonna go buy some crap parts (and my girlfriend won't hate riding in my car too much).
91nis240 wrote:go with a set of sleeve coil overs like ground control to go w/ the agx's. Lowering springs have much to soft of a spring rate but that my opinion, others wise you sound like you got a good set up going.
The Suspension Techniques springs are fairly stiff and offer a mild 1.3" drop. I believe the rates are 206 lb/in front and 155 lb/in in the rear. They are linear springs.
I'd love to try the RS-R springs, but I have my doubts as to whether the AGX's could handle them.
We discussed this in an earlier thread, but I have an irrational fear of sleeve coilovers.
The RS-R "race" springs are 279 lb/in front and 251 lb/in in the rear. They are close to the default rates on the Tein Flex. If there are stiffer springs available than those RS-R (in the US) then I've never seen 'em.
I'd try the RS-R in a second, but I really don't know if the KYB are up to the task.
The Eibach Race Springs are stiffer, but won't fit on our cars without something like the Ground Control coil-over sleeve.
http://www.rs-r.com/suspension/rsr_spring_data.xls
I'd try the RS-R in a second, but I really don't know if the KYB are up to the task.
The Eibach Race Springs are stiffer, but won't fit on our cars without something like the Ground Control coil-over sleeve.
http://www.rs-r.com/suspension/rsr_spring_data.xls
If you can swing the cost, I'd replace the strut tower bars with the whiteline sway bars. I think you'll get a lot more feel with the sways than with the STBs.
We ran a friend's S13 hatchback at the track in back-to-back sessions with and without the STB. There was a little change, but not nearly as drastic as when I changed to the whiteline sways.
For an alternate shock, you can look into prices on the Koni yellow adjustables. I dunno if they'll be more or less - but it gives you another possibility.
joe
We ran a friend's S13 hatchback at the track in back-to-back sessions with and without the STB. There was a little change, but not nearly as drastic as when I changed to the whiteline sways.
For an alternate shock, you can look into prices on the Koni yellow adjustables. I dunno if they'll be more or less - but it gives you another possibility.
joe
jam149 wrote:For an alternate shock, you can look into prices on the Koni yellow adjustables. I dunno if they'll be more or less - but it gives you another possibility.
I'll go with the sway bars instead of the strut tower bars. Depending how my engine work turns out, I might have a bit of money left to spare.
I've thought about the Koni's, and I know they're a very good shock. The install is a bit rough, which doesn't bother me, but the rears must be removed from the car to be adjusted.
They are currently going for $540 shipped at shox.com, who, BTW say they will price match other sites.
It would be very tempting to pair the Koni Sport's with the RS-R "race" springs. I'd switch the Suspension Techniques springs for the RS-R ones, but I think it would kill the AGX's.