Downside to Coilovers?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,102
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From: Muskegon, MI
Downside to Coilovers? Is there any downsides to coil overs? I was looking at doing konis or bilsteins, I already have Strano springs. Anybody have any complaints with thier coilovers?
Adjustable coil-overs? The adjustment is a pain in the ***. I had Bilsteins (Strano revalves in the front with 400 lb/in springs and 3rd gen HDs in the back with 125 lb/in springs), and they were nice and all and everything worked fine, but I ended up going with Koni single adjustables with Strano springs in the end. Unless you are dead set on being able to change the ride height, and are willing to go through the lengthy process of adjusting them, putting the car back on the ground, checking the height, lifting it back up, adjusting it again, etc until you finally get it right...I adjusted mine around 4 times or so over the 3-4 years I owned that setup.
Not to mention that if you do the adjustable collars up front on the Konis, I think you end up voiding the warranty since you have to modify them to accept the collar.
Not to mention that if you do the adjustable collars up front on the Konis, I think you end up voiding the warranty since you have to modify them to accept the collar.
I've had really good luck with threaded collars over Bilstein shocks. Been racing on the same set of collars since 05 and shocks since 07 inspite of all the warnings from "experts".
Changing springs is a breeze and you are able to source what ever rate and free length you want for ~$50/spring. And there are tons of used springs out there for half that price.
Finally, being able to fine tune and adjust front ride height for handling, clearance, rake, stance ... whatever ... it's YOUR preference, not some one else's.
There are threaded collars out there for various size shock bodies.
Changing springs is a breeze and you are able to source what ever rate and free length you want for ~$50/spring. And there are tons of used springs out there for half that price.
Finally, being able to fine tune and adjust front ride height for handling, clearance, rake, stance ... whatever ... it's YOUR preference, not some one else's.
There are threaded collars out there for various size shock bodies.
Last edited by mitchntx; Dec 24, 2010 at 01:48 PM.
adjustable collars? can you guys expand on this?
I think you can have one of the koni rebuild centers machine a new groove in the shock tube that allows you to mount the perch in (they come with the upper and lower location and this is just another option you can have)
I think you can have one of the koni rebuild centers machine a new groove in the shock tube that allows you to mount the perch in (they come with the upper and lower location and this is just another option you can have)
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None really. If you have time to change springs and adjustment to include alignment till you find what you like. And fyi. The winning man of the hour Mitch is referring to also has run a coil over to find what works. Spend any time at a dirt track and you will see where the big three got ideas from. Think about this. Those guys can make around 700hp and make their car hook on dirt. With street tires. 99bluz28 has talked About using adjustable collars before and has used different springs also. Search his stuff. Maybe It can answer your questions.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,102
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From: Muskegon, MI
Thanks guys, sounds great. I do want to be able to set up the perfect stance. I have a freind who is a crew chief for a late model team and also the suspension setup guy. He is going to spec and valve some shocks up for me. The guy is great and runs a shock dyno for a lot of late model and dirt teams in the area. He suggested the coil over idea to me as I was just thinking Koni's or Bilstiens with my Strano springs. Thanks for all your help guys. I was honestly worried about this turning into a thread with 20 people just saying get Koni's. I am sure they are great shocks but they aren't for everyone.
Last edited by Pony Exp.305; Jan 10, 2011 at 05:39 PM.
I did consider penske shocks. Overkill for the car that needed shocks. With the addition of lowering A arms now coupled with a coilover setup your wanting. You should be able to get the shock travel and the stance you want. See no train wreck. Just advice. Like most other members would do. What shocks you have in mind? Hydraulic or N2? What size body/piston. Subscribing to see your setup. I been thinking of something similar to do to mine with lowering A arms for added travel.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: Muskegon, MI
Shock choice would be purely my set up guy's choice. I trust in his ability, all his team does is win. Teams have flown him from here to TX to crew chief and help setup for Nascar races so I think my lowly F body should be doable for him. I am kind of thinking those Penske's look like the way to go and that should help a bit because he is sponsered by them.
I have Koni's with the Ground Control perches and 600# front/175# rear springs. There is no machining that I had to do to make them work, they fit on the Koni's fine. I autox my car, so it is nice to be able to dial in the ride height and shock setting that fits your driving style and needs the best. Adjusting them isn't too hard when new, only a little tougher after you get some dirt/rust in there, but still not bad. It does make swapping out the springs a much easier task. I recommend the Ground Control setup.