Coilovers vs springs
17 March 2017, 10:40 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: swindon
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coilovers vs springs
hi guys,,,
I was thinking of doing the suspension on my WRX hatch and was wondering if coilovers or uprated springs is the way forward.
I don't track the car so it really only gets road use but would I get better driving with coilovers or some good uprated springs etc
thoughts please...
I was thinking of doing the suspension on my WRX hatch and was wondering if coilovers or uprated springs is the way forward.
I don't track the car so it really only gets road use but would I get better driving with coilovers or some good uprated springs etc
thoughts please...
18 March 2017, 07:36 AM
#3
I'd always go springs on a road car, but make sure the springs are designed for the struts you have... road cars need to be compliant over bumps and undulations in the road surface, otherwise the car becomes skittish... which means it will be slower on all but the smoothest of surfaces... unless you can afford £1k per corner coilovers that is.
There is a lot more to a better ride and handling than just dropping the car by 40mm... so anything you do needs to be well researched... you also need a clear objective of what it is you're trying to achieve... something as simple as all new poly bushes or just a few well chosen ones could be the answer to what you want... better turn in, less roll mid corner, less dive under braking, less lift upon acceleration, precise direction changes, which essentially tightens the feel of the car without loosing the ride quality... this can all be done via bushing and roll bars.
A stiffer lower car is not necessarily a better handling car, especially on the road, you want a car that soaks the bumps up so as not to unsettle it... it will go way, way faster than one that's hard as nails and scraping the floor, it will also be very progressive and predictable on the limit of grip... as opposed to, grip, grip... gone.
There is a lot more to a better ride and handling than just dropping the car by 40mm... so anything you do needs to be well researched... you also need a clear objective of what it is you're trying to achieve... something as simple as all new poly bushes or just a few well chosen ones could be the answer to what you want... better turn in, less roll mid corner, less dive under braking, less lift upon acceleration, precise direction changes, which essentially tightens the feel of the car without loosing the ride quality... this can all be done via bushing and roll bars.
A stiffer lower car is not necessarily a better handling car, especially on the road, you want a car that soaks the bumps up so as not to unsettle it... it will go way, way faster than one that's hard as nails and scraping the floor, it will also be very progressive and predictable on the limit of grip... as opposed to, grip, grip... gone.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 18 March 2017 at 07:41 AM.
18 March 2017, 07:49 AM
#5
Do you know what you're trying to achieve?
Have a read of this thread, it should give you some ideas.
https://www.scoobynet.com/suspension...-uk-roads.html
Have a read of this thread, it should give you some ideas.
https://www.scoobynet.com/suspension...-uk-roads.html
Trending Topics
16 April 2017, 08:43 AM
#16
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: swindon
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
done some research and found that BC actually make or made pedders stuff for them as well and apparently they are the largest manufacturer of coliovers in the world.
I have just purchased a full set as I need to replace the 2 front shocks and just those alone are best part of £1000 so a set of coilovers came out winning....
I will let you all know what I think once fitted and set up etc
I have just purchased a full set as I need to replace the 2 front shocks and just those alone are best part of £1000 so a set of coilovers came out winning....
I will let you all know what I think once fitted and set up etc
18 April 2017, 09:43 PM
#17
Scooby Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: a town
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a daily driver only, coilovers are pointless IMHO.
BC Coilovers have been great for me on the wagon, but I only have them because I wanted control over my suspension when I do track days. This was my objective and for me, coilovers were the obvious choice.
Then I looked at value for my usage. I track several times a year and take it fairly seriously, but this still wasn't enough for me to be spending 1800-2500 on the top coilovers from Tein and Bilstein
The BC's get a fair bit of grief online, but I've not seen specific reports on specific weaknesses and I was recommended them by 2 separate subaru specialists. The BC's will not be a Bilstein, but it's reflected in the price and you make that choice, it doesn't make them defacto 'crap'.
They must be setup properly first though, ideally each corner weighted on scales before starting to play with settings.
Subaru OEM parts do a pretty good job of comfortable, compliant but fast road suspension. Higher quality OEM replacements can be just the jobin your case. Any change towards lowering, stiffening etc. will always compromise comfort on any surface.
As others have said though, figure out the objective and then buy the best you can for the money you have/value you'll get out of them.
BC Coilovers have been great for me on the wagon, but I only have them because I wanted control over my suspension when I do track days. This was my objective and for me, coilovers were the obvious choice.
Then I looked at value for my usage. I track several times a year and take it fairly seriously, but this still wasn't enough for me to be spending 1800-2500 on the top coilovers from Tein and Bilstein
The BC's get a fair bit of grief online, but I've not seen specific reports on specific weaknesses and I was recommended them by 2 separate subaru specialists. The BC's will not be a Bilstein, but it's reflected in the price and you make that choice, it doesn't make them defacto 'crap'.
They must be setup properly first though, ideally each corner weighted on scales before starting to play with settings.
Subaru OEM parts do a pretty good job of comfortable, compliant but fast road suspension. Higher quality OEM replacements can be just the jobin your case. Any change towards lowering, stiffening etc. will always compromise comfort on any surface.
As others have said though, figure out the objective and then buy the best you can for the money you have/value you'll get out of them.
08 August 2017, 12:32 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Chichester
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got bc on my wagon, daily driver, shakes the mrs **** around, shakes your voice a bit when talking and hitting imperfections, but well worth it when stepping on the loud pedal around corners to loose pretty much anything that's chasing you 👍😁😁
19 August 2017, 09:04 PM
#20
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are alot to a good set of coilovers than just springs rate.
For example, many people often swap to MeisterR and comment how much more "comfortable" they are, even if the springs rate is the same as other suspension.
That is because how the damper are valved makes a huge difference to ride quality.
If your suspension feels like it isn't "giving" when you hit that initial bump, that is when you are going to feel that the car is harsh and the ride is rubbish.
Many time this isn't something you can adjust with the damping adjustment, as it has alot to do with how the internal was designed.
Most of the time if a suspension brand have the word "racing" on it, I will always ask to double check because you do not want a "racing" suspension on a "fast road" car.
Jerrick
For example, many people often swap to MeisterR and comment how much more "comfortable" they are, even if the springs rate is the same as other suspension.
That is because how the damper are valved makes a huge difference to ride quality.
If your suspension feels like it isn't "giving" when you hit that initial bump, that is when you are going to feel that the car is harsh and the ride is rubbish.
Many time this isn't something you can adjust with the damping adjustment, as it has alot to do with how the internal was designed.
Most of the time if a suspension brand have the word "racing" on it, I will always ask to double check because you do not want a "racing" suspension on a "fast road" car.
Jerrick
19 August 2017, 10:58 PM
#21
BC's are crap. This is from experience. I had them on my car for a few years. Set up properly, corner weight etc. Had a broken spring and both front shock cartridges replaced then knackered again within a year. Not good when they were £500 to replace. Now running KW's, night and day. Far better quality and ride. But they do cost a bit more.
20 August 2017, 06:09 PM
#22
I have BCs on my widetrack blob,been on for 5 yrs 25/30k miles,fitted and fast road set up at Scoobyworld-not had any issues,all road miles,no track,imo they are ok,i cant compare to KW,Ohlins etc as I have never run them,but if I am in the market for suspension in the future,im pretty sure I will be getting shocks/lowered springs
25 August 2017, 11:09 AM
#23
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Ireland
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try the BC's with the softer springs and long travel dampers!! I replaced a set of adjustable tein coilovers with these!
The teins were just to hard and crashy for the roads around my way!
I went for 4/3 springs on my classic with long travel dampers!
They were a custom order from the factory and took about 3 weeks!
On the soft setting there as soft as the oem setup!
I went for this option due to the bumpy backroads in Ireland!
And when I say backroads, I mean roads the width of the car!!
The teins were just to hard and crashy for the roads around my way!
I went for 4/3 springs on my classic with long travel dampers!
They were a custom order from the factory and took about 3 weeks!
On the soft setting there as soft as the oem setup!
I went for this option due to the bumpy backroads in Ireland!
And when I say backroads, I mean roads the width of the car!!
Last edited by Pugtk; 25 August 2017 at 11:13 AM.