Tips for tuning D2's (and coilovers in general...)

[mrbean]

I just installed my new D2's on my s13 over the weekend, and while I'm impressed by the improved accuracy in handling, I know there's a lot more I can be getting out of them. I'm a complete newb when it comes to suspension, so I'd just like to clarify a few things...

1) Like a couple of other people have mentioned, upon installing my D2's, I noticed that no matter how I set my dampening, the ride was still sorta bouncy. Nothing major, but I can definitely feel it. Could it be that my springs (7/5) aren't seated right? All i did before installation was match the heights of the spring perches and bottom mounts by eyeball on the front and rear coilover pairs. Should I have done something more?

Does anyone else who just got the D2's still have the bouncy problem? If so, I'd love to get some feedback on what your solutions were.

2) I've also heard several people mention preloading the springs. I just like to clarify: preloading is adjusting the spring perches so that the spring is compressed already before installation, right? I'm sure I didn't do that, but what exactly does preloading do? How can I tell if I need it or not?

3) How big a difference should there be between the different levels of dampening? I played around with this all day today, and to be honest, it really took going from full dampen to no dampen for me to notice a difference. This is in part due to the bounciness, but I was expecting more of a difference between different levels of dampening. Is there something I should be doing?

Like I said, I'm a newb, so any advice or warning s would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

p.s. New (lower) sig pic coming soon!

[Gonad]

Well, I preloaded mine since someone suggested it. But I guessit you really don't have to. You can just install it straight out thebox (but just measure the spring lengths to make sure).

I preloaded mine so that the length from top of coil to bottom offirst collar is 7-3/8".

I set all my coilovers to this length. And I still do get bouncybouncy ride but what can you really do about that? Your springsare stiff so they are moving with the road surface.

I also have 3/2 dampening currently but I will most likely run 0/0for the street sine I already have slightly stiffened ride due toreplaced bushings (and swaybars).

Here's a pic for reference:

[j-z]

when i first installed my 7/5 setup they were really bouncy like whoa. now they ride really nice after putting atleast 1k miles on my car. i could tell after time they softened up quite a bit. right now my dampening is set 3.5 turns in on the front and 3 turns in on the rear. i could tell a difference in ride from adjusting them a half turn. i cant be more satisified, other than my camber in the rear sucks nuts, but my momma just ordered me some rear upper arms for my b-day .

[Gonad]

Wow, guess it isn't just me. After riding on the D2s for a while(not 1000KMs, hell not even 100kms), I hvae noticed the bouncybouncy has gone away somewhat. Feels a lot smoother now.

[whiterps13]

they need to break in. i noticed the same with previous coilovers...

[unfrgivn]

Hmmm mine were fine out of the box. Car is solid and doesn't hardly bounce with 7/5 springs. I also have my dampning set about 3 turns. The only time I really bounce is when I'm going fast on the highway and I hit a bump and then it bounces a little, but not much. Maybe I just don't notice.