Smart People - Chose my suspension

[HLxDrummer]

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!

[JasonY]

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

[HLxDrummer]

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..

[i3igpete]

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

[HLxDrummer]

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

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).

[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.

[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

[TurboSinceBirth]

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.

[HLxDrummer]

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.

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.

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

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!

[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

Also, the swift springs are progressive rate.. same as stock at first (about 200lb/in) then going to about double that.