Are coilovers really neccesarry?

DroopDaddy408 · Post by **DroopDaddy408** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:54 pm

My car is bone stock but I plan to build it as much as I can going the N/A route while still keeping it streetable since it is my DD. I love the slammed look. I also plan to upgrade the suspension with bushings, strut and sway bars,etc. But I'm stuck between strut/spring combo or c/o's. There are no canyons to carve here, no twistys to make use of or any kind of fun roads. We do have a 1/4mi track close by, tho. So are c/o's really needed?

OB · Post by OB » Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:35 pm

Coilovers are better for a couple of reasons, but they are indeed designed to be used for their purpose: handling. If you are only concerned with looks, it would be silly to spend $1200-1500 on a set when you could easily buy a spring/strut combo for $400-600. There are cheaper coilover alternatives that can be had for less than $1000, but the quality is lower. I recommend starting with a solid spring strut combo and going from there. Also note, without cutting springs, you will not be able to fully slam a Neon on using any available aftermarket coil spring.

DroopDaddy408 · Post by **DroopDaddy408** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:04 pm

I've seen a couple of neons with the Eibach Sportline with the Tokico Blues combo and like the look. I believe its a 2inch drop. Thats koo with me. And its not that I'm only concerned with the look of the car. I would love to be able to build a car that handles good. But without canyons or twistys, what is my car supposed to "handle" on?? Cutting thru traffic?? I just dont want to spend $ on c/o's is my car isnt gonna get to make use of them, ya know?

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:26 pm

I had the sportlines and Kyb combo. handling did improve, as well as looks, but not near what COs actually do, which is what i'm running now.

flhmfd · Post by **flhmfd** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:10 pm

take it from me, I'm on tokicos with sportlines. Get coilovers. Unless you enjoy changing struts every month.

randomZERO · Post by **randomZERO** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:52 pm

Yes, coilovers are necesary. I didn't read any of the other posts and this statement is very true.

bstc00 · Post by **bstc00** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:10 pm

dont spend $600 on a strut/spring combo then come to find out you CO then spend another $1200 on them. Just save another $600 and get the CO. Get the CO you will love them!!

nate-00neon · Post by **nate-00neon** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:58 pm

how long do C/O last compaired to struts like KYB or the Blues?

flhmfd · Post by **flhmfd** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:32 pm

Well struts suck. Nothing will handle my drop...maybe Koni yellows, but I'm almost done with neons LOL, so stock WTF.

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:10 am

I liked driving my neon with eibach lowering springs (sportline). It looks good with almost no fender gap, it drove well and handled well.

But if you go the spring route, be sure to get new struts. If you use your stock struts, you will be pis*ing in the wind.

03wingswestR/T · Post by **03wingswestR/T** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:46 am

im on springs lol look at my for sale ad!

viewtopic.php?t=43004&highlight=

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:14 am

Coilovers are like jesus but better you have to have them or your neon will never be uber fast yo

excon · Post by **excon** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:02 pm

nate-00neon wrote:how long do C/O last compaired to struts like KYB or the Blues?

I'd also like to know how long coilovers last. The eibach coilovers have a two year warranty while the BC coilovers only have a one year warranty...

OB · Post by OB » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:52 pm

The dampers in coilovers are really no different than those sold separately. The difference is in the tuning; coilovers are set up with damper settings that match their spring rates. With setups like Tokico/KYB + (insert spring brand here), the balance is not always ideal, and the struts have to work harder and in different ranges than they are designed for. Tokicos have a reputation for being able to handle a pretty wide range of drops and spring rates, but there are limits. The lower the drop, the more strain there will be. Coilovers are designed to handle an even wider range of heights. The key is setting the damper to match the drop. A lower height will require a stiffer setting to keep the coilover in its optimum range, so as to prevent overheating and overworking them.

So, in a nutshell, coilovers will last a long time if setup correctly. Then again, the same can be said for strut/spring combos. Obviously, road conditions, driver skill, and maintenance play a considerable role in both. If you spend all your time hitting pot holes without concern, and carve every corner as if you're in a road race, you will definitely see early wear and/or failure compared to a driver who drives normally most of the time and has their suspension tuned for where they will spend most of their time. Streets destroy race suspension, almost unavoidably so.

jrumann59 · Post by **jrumann59** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:13 am

to add a little CO will maintain full suspension travel which is good, spring and strut combos can be as competitive but they lose suspension travel. Any aftermarket spring would require an adjustable strut like Koni's for a 1st gen or Tokico's for the 2nd gen. Even with after market struts you need to make sure you get the right spring that has a decent spring rate otherwise you will kill the aftermarket strut. For a strut spring combo I recommend a nice linear spring that doesn't lower you more than 1.5 inches and is pretty firm. Please note either set up will make the ride a lot more harsh when it comes to road noise and road feel.

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:39 pm

i've got the megan racing coilovers. they're the older BC's with a different color. i love them. throw hotchkis sways under there too. turn all the rubber into polyurithane. toss on some DC strut bars. swap over to rear discs. yeah, that makes for a pretty sweet ride

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:35 pm

Hudson_Neon wrote:i've got the megan racing coilovers. they're the older BC's with a different color. i love them. throw hotchkis sways under there too. turn all the rubber into polyurithane. toss on some DC strut bars. swap over to rear discs. yeah, that makes for a pretty sweet ride

i also have megans on stock sways and bushing kit i love them

glasswars has megans on hotchkis and from what i know he is happy with them