Smart People - Chose my suspension

Alright whoever has educstion that allows them to make sense of spring rates/shocks/vehicle weight/etc. I need your help.

Cheaper is better but I don't want to sacrifice quality. I am considering Megan's (ultra affordable but not great quality?), used Ego MR struts with lowering springs (affordable and OEM quality, but used and possible not high enough spring rate?), Teins (hit or miss quality).

I use the car mostly for street use (my only vehicle right now) so durability and ride quality is a concern. However I autocross and plan to drag and road race in the future and would like better handling.

Any advice? Thank you!

A properly working ECS setup with springs is better than the cheap coil overs on the market right now imo. All the current coil overs are over sprung and have too little travel, especially downward.

Jason

Ya I was considering new ECS as I like the ride but worry about killing the struts with lowering springs and no increase in handling. May be the best choice, though..

i prefer the ride of my megans to the stock suspension in my DD is300.

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Originally Posted by i3igpete

i prefer the ride of my megans to the stock suspension in my DD is300.

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Really! How does the handling compare. I know you road race so I trust your opinion. DG made me feel like Megan's were shit in terms of handling although I thought the ride quality was decent (only had a short ride once).

to be honest, i don't think i'm at the skill level where it really matters from megans to the pricier stuff. height adjustment and low maintenance are top priorities for me.

i put megans on my 94 tt i had the valving set pretty aggressive so it was alittle on the rough side but loved how they handled on the same note i had tein stechs on stock replacment kyb's opn my 92 tt and compaired to the megans on the 94 they were sloppy but def gave a good ride quality but with an upgrade in handling

I would recommend the Megan coilovers. I never found a setup using ECS or non-ECS with lowering springs that was able to get rid of enough body roll. I never experimented with sway bars either so that may have been an additional option worth checking out. For the price the Megans are good for the street. You can set them up for a decent ride where there's still enough damping to where it isn't bouncy. The K-Sports were too harsh and leaked. The Teins were very stiff and the front coilovers didn't have enough travel at all. The car would tripod around corners sometimes or if I hit a bump it would completely upset the car knocking it off track. The Apexi S1s I'm using now seem to have the best street ride so far but they're not nearly as cheap either. My tires let loose before I pushed the limits of the coilovers nor have I been to the track.

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Originally Posted by i3igpete

to be honest, i don't think i'm at the skill level where it really matters from megans to the pricier stuff. height adjustment and low maintenance are top priorities for me.

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Well I definitely am not either, then. Ive done a few autocrosses but never road race yet. Low maintenance is great along with decent comfort and improved handling.

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Originally Posted by nodoze

i put megans on my 94 tt i had the valving set pretty aggressive so it was alittle on the rough side but loved how they handled on the same note i had tein stechs on stock replacment kyb's opn my 92 tt and compaired to the megans on the 94 they were sloppy but def gave a good ride quality but with an upgrade in handling

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Well that is good to hear that the handling is improved over springs.

I think I am going to get Megan's as I have enough money for them and my gut has been telling me to order them for years. Is there anything I should know before installing? Like to keep the height/alignment from changing/etc.? I heard someone say aftermarket camber bolts help keep the alignment in spec? Also how low can I go without adjustable arms? Thanks!

Edit: turbo, I really wanted to try the S1s but realistically they are out of my budget. I'm glad to hear you like the Megan's though!

keep in mind if you get used evo struts and go with lowering springs the good evo lowering springs (swift) are $300 and the evo adapters are $150. This also means you won't have stock camber adjustment anymore and will need camber plates. You will be spending Megan money on this set-up. Also not sure what your car weighs but this is an MR evo corner weight
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/723...nerweights.jpg
Also, the swift springs are progressive rate.. same as stock at first (about 200lb/in) then going to about double that.

the megans come with camber plates for the front but you will need to get upper control arm replacments for the rear if your going to drop it at all ,i had my megans dropped quite a ways
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...9/DSC01043.jpg

so def worth getting an alignment done after you tet done setting them where you want them , when i set the height i measured from the four most equal spots on the body behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels to get it even , andthen used a level on the roof to double check front to rear and side to side ;)

Well I was wondering if I could get away without the rear arms if I didn't lower it too much just to save some money.

As far as the bolts, I just heard the aftermarkets help lock in the alignment? Not sure. I will definitely be getting an alignment, though!

Lou, Terry started a package deal on the control arms. You can get them for $125 when purchasing the coilovers, a savings of $30 over buying them later.

My opinion is just to get them. You can't go much lower than stock without the need for the arms. Do really want to save a few dollars on arms, only to spend it on tires because of them being chewed up?

Well if I get the arms I will get the upgraded ones which are more, but your right. Better to buy them instead of buying them later anyhow and getting another alignment. Now just need to decide if I wanna do bushings and/or aws delete at the same time..

Thanks!

Just ordered the Megan's and arms. Now need to find the right size boots and decide if I need camber bolts? Super excited to get these on and get an alignment!

these should work for you

Seals-it RERS3 Single Rod End Boot, Heim joint/Spherical/Metric/Male/Female | eBay

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Originally Posted by Rakuny

keep in mind if you get used evo struts and go with lowering springs the good evo lowering springs (swift) are $300 and the evo adapters are $150. This also means you won't have stock camber adjustment anymore and will need camber plates. You will be spending Megan money on this set-up. Also not sure what your car weighs but this is an MR evo corner weight
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/723...nerweights.jpg
Also, the swift springs are progressive rate.. same as stock at first (about 200lb/in) then going to about double that.

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Good grief, that's fantastic! (balanced)

Just installed NEX coilovers on my VR-4 and I'm very satisfied. 620 shipped to my door with a 1 yr warranty. They ride like stock ECS..mine had 90k on them and worked fine. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase them again.

My car is a street car that gets driven on chicago roads...they suck..but the car rides pretty comfy. Occasionally I go to the drag strip..but very limited times. Mostly street races and highway pulls.

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Originally Posted by Forest Gump

these should work for you

Seals-it RERS3 Single Rod End Boot, Heim joint/Spherical/Metric/Male/Female | eBay

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I have a couple of this size left over from when I bought them. I'll let them go cheap but FYI I ruined two of six before I got mine on. LMK.

BTW I also have new stock ECS with Tein S Tech front / Tein H Tech rear. This setup is Spyder specific with the taller H Techs keeping the rear end from squatting too low. I think the stance is perfect and handling has been great however I have not attempted autocross.

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Originally Posted by Forest Gump

these should work for you

Seals-it RERS3 Single Rod End Boot, Heim joint/Spherical/Metric/Male/Female | eBay

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You the man, as always!

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Originally Posted by NOMIEZVR4

Just installed NEX coilovers on my VR-4 and I'm very satisfied. 620 shipped to my door with a 1 yr warranty. They ride like stock ECS..mine had 90k on them and worked fine. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase them again.

My car is a street car that gets driven on chicago roads...they suck..but the car rides pretty comfy. Occasionally I go to the drag strip..but very limited times. Mostly street races and highway pulls.

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I never heard of those... glad you like them though. Pretty impressive the ride is similar to sport!

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Originally Posted by Jimvr4

I have a couple of this size left over from when I bought them. I'll let them go cheap but FYI I ruined two of six before I got mine on. LMK.

BTW I also have new stock ECS with Tein S Tech front / Tein H Tech rear. This setup is Spyder specific with the taller H Techs keeping the rear end from squatting too low. I think the stance is perfect and handling has been great however I have not attempted autocross.

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How many do you have a how much?

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Originally Posted by HLxDrummer

How many do you have a how much?

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I can offer two of them for $10 shipped.

Well since I have to order more from eBay, with combined shipping it is cheaper/easier to get them all there. Thanks though!

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Originally Posted by NOMIEZVR4

Just installed NEX coilovers on my VR-4 and I'm very satisfied. 620 shipped to my door with a 1 yr warranty. They ride like stock ECS..mine had 90k on them and worked fine. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase them again.

My car is a street car that gets driven on chicago roads...they suck..but the car rides pretty comfy. Occasionally I go to the drag strip..but very limited times. Mostly street races and highway pulls.

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I looked at their site but couldn't figure out what the spring rates are all around. Do you know what they are? Haven't really heard of them.

fronts are 10kg and rears 8kg

With Megans, car feels like it should be from the factory. I just wish it'd have little less travel at corners... or maybe I lowered too much?

Sweet, good to hear. Can't wait to get these installed!

The key is to use bigger sway bars so the struts dont have to keep the car level on a hard turn. Then the struts can be comfortable and thats the best setup for the street.

^ and you get to run less static negative camber