Let's talk coilovers

[2fnloud]

Running both the Megans and Ground Controls at some point over the years I find it hard to believe that someone is recommending the GC's.

I am honestly considering it, but would have helper springs installed to prevent unloaded spring issues. The other unknown factor is the proper spring rate to the dampening rate of the ECS strut.

You get that out of balance and you destroyed the ride of the vehicle.

[niterydr]

For those that run the ECS with lowering springs. Which spring do you like and why (Has anyone compared these from a quality and ride standpoint)?
H&R Sport Springs
Tein S
Tein H

[HLxDrummer]

I might have to call up these guys, too, to see if they'll do a custom build.

Buy PIC Select - Mitsubishi Evolution 8/9

I guess they're located in Chicago.

Those seem nice but then you need to pay extra for springs to match your car/adapters/etc.

Would it be feasible to buy Megans/Ksports with the springs you want, send them to the place mentioned in this thread that would rebuild/revalve them, and have essentially the same thing? Just be using the Megans/Ksports for the strut body and spring? I feel like lowering springs may not be stiff enough for what I want (most of them are barely stiffer than stock) but don't want the inconsistency and rough ride of the Megans if I can help it.

I still don't see the issue with the Megans aside from quality control from strut to strut as long as the shocks match the springs... Originally I was thinking of getting Megans with a set of springs one level softer than default for a better ride (they say the shocks can go +/- one level on the springs).

[B-Man]

Those seem nice but then you need to pay extra for springs to match your car/adapters/etc.

Would it be feasible to buy Megans/Ksports with the springs you want, send them to the place mentioned in this thread that would rebuild/revalve them, and have essentially the same thing? Just be using the Megans/Ksports for the strut body and spring? I feel like lowering springs may not be stiff enough for what I want (most of them are barely stiffer than stock) but don't want the inconsistency and rough ride of the Megans if I can help it.

I still don't see the issue with the Megans aside from quality control from strut to strut as long as the shocks match the springs... Originally I was thinking of getting Megans with a set of springs one level softer than default for a better ride (they say the shocks can go +/- one level on the springs).

You can specify spring rates with a lot of spring manufacturers.

When most people complain of 'rough ride' it's from damping, not springs.

[J. Fast]

I am honestly considering it, but would have helper springs installed to prevent unloaded spring issues. The other unknown factor is the proper spring rate to the dampening rate of the ECS strut.

You get that out of balance and you destroyed the ride of the vehicle.

I'll give you guys a brief summary of the stock suspension from the dyne info I got from 3R regarding the shocks and springs.

Front Suspension

1) Front ECS shock stroke: 6"

2) Stock ECS shock Compression Rates at 1 ft/sec
Hard: 265 lbs
Medium: 250 lbs
Soft: 220 lbs

3) Stock ECS Rebound Rates at 1 ft/sec
Hard: 580 lbs
Medium: 360lbs
Soft: 140lbs

4) Spring Rate: 218 lbs/in


Rear Suspension

1) Front ECS shock stroke: 8"

2) Stock ECS shock Compression Rates at 1 ft/sec
Hard: 221 lbs
Medium: 192 lbs
Soft: 149 lbs

3) Stock ECS Rebound Rates at 1 ft/sec
Hard: 375 lbs
Medium: 255 lbs
Soft: 120 lbs

4) Spring Rate: 157 lbs/in

[J. Fast]

IMO, TEIN H-Tech is best overall spring rate match for the ECS.

[DG]

but don't want the inconsistency and rough ride of the Megans if I can help it

That is intrinsic to the Megans. It is built into the shock. It canot be fixed without manufacturing your own shimstacks and pistons. Potentially you might be able to modify Bilstein internals to fit in a Megan housing... but that's just silly when you can buy the straight-up Bilsteins.

I'll give you guys a brief summary of the stock suspension from the dyne info I got from 3R regarding the shocks and springs.

12 in/sec is WAY too fast to dyno at. At that speed you've already blown past the digression knee. All the handling and ride stuff happens at 3 in/sec and slower.

It can be worthwhile to see higher speeds (I'd usually provide a trace at 15 in/sec just to see it) but all the important stuff - like spring matching - happens between 0-3 in/sec.

More to follow later.

DG

[HLxDrummer]

Alright after reading your site, DG, I have a few questions. Are the "adjusters" on the ECS shocks linear and repeatable?

Is there a way to do a Bilstein strut setup with spring rates between that of coilovers and lowering springs? I like the idea of ECS if it is linear and repeatable, but I would like a stiffer setup than what lowering springs will do.

Thank you!

[HLxDrummer]

What do you guys think about the Apexi S1's with the SCE adapters? Just ran across them on SCE's site. Relatively affordable if they are a quality product and work well on a near stock weight VR4.

[familyMAN]

Where do KW's fit into this coilover discussion?