Coilovers - so many to choose from! Any opinons?
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
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Coilovers - so many to choose from! Any opinons?
I am looking for full coilovers for my car. Choices so far include:
1. Tein SS
2. B&G
3. Progress Auto
4. Tein basic (if they were freakin available and less expensive)
5. KW
6. JIC magic
Those are all the ones that I know of that are released for our cars. Of those, I am considering the Tein SS, B&G, and Progress auto - because they are in my pricepoint (about $1000 +/- $200). The progress auto aren't too bad - they are new to the market - and I've found 1 place that lists them:
http://www.andrewsimportperformance.com/coilovers.htm
They sell for about $1200. B&G also list there for around that price. Tein SS from Rob go for about $1050.
Now - what the h e double hockeysticks is the difference between the three??
Anyone with experience with any of these three - please feel free to chime in!!
1. Tein SS
2. B&G
3. Progress Auto
4. Tein basic (if they were freakin available and less expensive)
5. KW
6. JIC magic
Those are all the ones that I know of that are released for our cars. Of those, I am considering the Tein SS, B&G, and Progress auto - because they are in my pricepoint (about $1000 +/- $200). The progress auto aren't too bad - they are new to the market - and I've found 1 place that lists them:
http://www.andrewsimportperformance.com/coilovers.htm
They sell for about $1200. B&G also list there for around that price. Tein SS from Rob go for about $1050.
Now - what the h e double hockeysticks is the difference between the three??
Anyone with experience with any of these three - please feel free to chime in!!
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From: Brewster, Washington, US
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by 1siksivik
I got B+G's and I love them. I can get them for you for $975 if you want them. Thats how much I paid.
I got B+G's and I love them. I can get them for you for $975 if you want them. Thats how much I paid.
they look really good
you can never go wrong with tein either
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From: San Benito,Texas
Rep Power: 333 I personally would go with Teins SS or B&G's but I here the Tein Basic are already out for our cars... I want to know how those are.. I think price according to Tein Advertisement in the Super Street Mag, was 975 so....
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 B+G, doesn't sound like a bad deal! What is the P/N from B+G? I don't see them listed on B+G's website.
Questions about them:
-what is the construction like? (ie what material are they made from)\
-what is the min/max height for adjustment?
-can you adjust the damping like tein ss?
Anything else I should know? Any one have any opinions on the Progress coilovers?
1siksivik - you have a PM...
Questions about them:
-what is the construction like? (ie what material are they made from)\
-what is the min/max height for adjustment?
-can you adjust the damping like tein ss?
Anything else I should know? Any one have any opinions on the Progress coilovers?
1siksivik - you have a PM...
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From: Northern Virginia
Rep Power: 318 part number for the B+Gs is GF-28-012. they will drop between 1" ~ 3"
they use high tensile chromium-silicone wire. the springs are cold wound on precision CNC coilers, shot peened, and heat treated for maximum strength and longevity.
the dampers are adjusted automatically, so there is no manual adjustment necesary. I dont know about the spring rates...
they use high tensile chromium-silicone wire. the springs are cold wound on precision CNC coilers, shot peened, and heat treated for maximum strength and longevity.
the dampers are adjusted automatically, so there is no manual adjustment necesary. I dont know about the spring rates...
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 So how do you like your coilovers? I've been reading old threads of people having lots of creaking / popping / noises from their suspension! That worries me if I am going to get them. I wonder if they are including instructions now, and if they still need to be installed with a spring compressor.....
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From: Northern Virginia
Rep Power: 318 Originally posted by opto_isolator
So how do you like your coilovers? I've been reading old threads of people having lots of creaking / popping / noises from their suspension! That worries me if I am going to get them. I wonder if they are including instructions now, and if they still need to be installed with a spring compressor.....
So how do you like your coilovers? I've been reading old threads of people having lots of creaking / popping / noises from their suspension! That worries me if I am going to get them. I wonder if they are including instructions now, and if they still need to be installed with a spring compressor.....
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 Mex - I noticed that, thanks. Except the pictures do not work any more (I believe). So did you ever end up getting all of your problems solved? I see you were having quite a few! How's the ride? Nice and tight? Its either a toss up between these and the Tein SS I guess (esp for $875, if that is correct!).
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well, by not listing their spring rates, B+G has just droped them selfs down to "Lowering Coilover" status for me. Rather then Performance coilover. I'm all for performance handling, so when a company dosn't list their spring rates, that automatically dismisses them selfs from my list of possibilities. I even feel that the SS's have a some what "Mild" spring rate, and if I do end up getting a set, I would ask Tein to put the Flex springs on them. But then if I were to do that, why then not just get the Flex dampeners, or ever JIC? at least then I'll have the intergrated Camber plate.
The flex and JIC dampeners have Very simalar Spring rates. the Flex dampeners have a Higer rate in the back then the JIC but the JIC's have a slightly higher rate in the front, so It appears that Tein is attempting to make a dampener set that possibly dosn't need an Anti-roll bar on the rear where the JIC's might. Untill some one does track testing of the two, we'll never know wich one handlies better. OR some one could just Mathmatically calculate the Roll couple Distrobution of the 2 setups, that will at least give us an Idea on which one will cause Push and wich one will be loose.
The flex and JIC dampeners have Very simalar Spring rates. the Flex dampeners have a Higer rate in the back then the JIC but the JIC's have a slightly higher rate in the front, so It appears that Tein is attempting to make a dampener set that possibly dosn't need an Anti-roll bar on the rear where the JIC's might. Untill some one does track testing of the two, we'll never know wich one handlies better. OR some one could just Mathmatically calculate the Roll couple Distrobution of the 2 setups, that will at least give us an Idea on which one will cause Push and wich one will be loose.
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From: malaysia
Rep Power: 0 Well, not to diss JIC coilovers, but if you have any plan to get them, stay away fr the track coilovers (not sure which model..sorry...as it was purchase 2nd hand). A friend of mine has it (not a honda car), and its soooooo hard, driving on any road will seem to be an off-road event 
Everyone who sat in his car have complain its a hell ride. He had tried changing the springs, but its still hard as ever. Gd thing about it, you wouldnt need any stabilizer bars, as there is very little/non-existence body roll. Im sure not all the JIC models are that hard, but my point is..if you dont want to have a very uncomfy ride, make sure you dont get those that my friend have.
Everyone who sat in his car have complain its a hell ride. He had tried changing the springs, but its still hard as ever. Gd thing about it, you wouldnt need any stabilizer bars, as there is very little/non-existence body roll. Im sure not all the JIC models are that hard, but my point is..if you dont want to have a very uncomfy ride, make sure you dont get those that my friend have. 
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From: NOVA
Rep Power: 0 I think you have a couple levels of coilovers
1) adjustable perch
2) adjustable perch + adjustable dampening
3) adjustable perch + adjustable compression dampening + adjustable Extension (?) dampening
Basically the last one from what I understand is there is a high speed and a low speed setting, so for the dampers there is an adjustable nitrogen chamber which slows the rebound effect? Something to the extent of there is a different damping for high speed and low speed.
I would also look at whether the coilover kit has one single progressive spring or 2 seperate springs (linear) a main and helper spring.
The B+G coilovers have the 2 seperate springs, which are a notch up on a single progressive spring. The KWs also have the 2 seperate springs.
I personally went with the KWs simply because I have an EP3, and they're the only seperate spring coilovers specifically for the EP3, and I didn't want to take any chances... only to find out it doesn't make any difference, ep3 =em/es suspension. ANywhoo, the KWs are stainless steel, as opposed to all the others are galvinized, which basically means you lose your adjustable perch after a couple of winters unless you keep them clean and rust proof. (the stainless steel ones are much more resistant to weathering).
That's just some stuff I picked up while reading about coilovers. I gaurantee nothing, that's just what I read somewhere. Bill
1) adjustable perch
2) adjustable perch + adjustable dampening
3) adjustable perch + adjustable compression dampening + adjustable Extension (?) dampening
Basically the last one from what I understand is there is a high speed and a low speed setting, so for the dampers there is an adjustable nitrogen chamber which slows the rebound effect? Something to the extent of there is a different damping for high speed and low speed.
I would also look at whether the coilover kit has one single progressive spring or 2 seperate springs (linear) a main and helper spring.
The B+G coilovers have the 2 seperate springs, which are a notch up on a single progressive spring. The KWs also have the 2 seperate springs.
I personally went with the KWs simply because I have an EP3, and they're the only seperate spring coilovers specifically for the EP3, and I didn't want to take any chances... only to find out it doesn't make any difference, ep3 =em/es suspension. ANywhoo, the KWs are stainless steel, as opposed to all the others are galvinized, which basically means you lose your adjustable perch after a couple of winters unless you keep them clean and rust proof. (the stainless steel ones are much more resistant to weathering).
That's just some stuff I picked up while reading about coilovers. I gaurantee nothing, that's just what I read somewhere. Bill
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From: Northern Virginia
Rep Power: 318 Originally posted by Ocelaris
they're the only seperate spring coilovers specifically for the EP3, and I didn't want to take any chances... only to find out it doesn't make any difference, ep3 =em/es suspension.
they're the only seperate spring coilovers specifically for the EP3, and I didn't want to take any chances... only to find out it doesn't make any difference, ep3 =em/es suspension.
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From: NOVA
Rep Power: 0 i think you're right, the front/back spring rate is a valid concern
I just figured the Si and EM/ES suspension is often paired together by manufacturers, but the RSX/RSX-S is not... Alot of people on the Ephatch board reccomended the Tein SS which are for the EM/ES civics and they really liked them, but I doubt any of them have had a set made specifically for the EP3 on their car to compare.
Mex, I'm going to probably try and do my coilover install either the July 4th weekend or after. Just depends on whether I want to try doing it myself or if I can find some help.
Maybe I can do a light swap or something for you 
I should be getting them sometime next week. Maybe this weekend will be nice and we can meetup at maleks. When you say the B+G dampers are self adjusting, what exactly does that mean? Like the KWs I ordered are adjustable damping... but not like I'm going to know what to set it at, probably just in the middle... I think there are some charts for the dampers showing the different levels of damping... I wonder if I can find some B+G charts to compare?
Anyone see the article in Honda Tuning where Jackson Racing hooked up a Civic Si and an RSX-S with the KW coilovers? The didn't give much details, just showed pics, the article was on the supercharger they made for the Si.
I just figured the Si and EM/ES suspension is often paired together by manufacturers, but the RSX/RSX-S is not... Alot of people on the Ephatch board reccomended the Tein SS which are for the EM/ES civics and they really liked them, but I doubt any of them have had a set made specifically for the EP3 on their car to compare.
Mex, I'm going to probably try and do my coilover install either the July 4th weekend or after. Just depends on whether I want to try doing it myself or if I can find some help.
Maybe I can do a light swap or something for you I should be getting them sometime next week. Maybe this weekend will be nice and we can meetup at maleks. When you say the B+G dampers are self adjusting, what exactly does that mean? Like the KWs I ordered are adjustable damping... but not like I'm going to know what to set it at, probably just in the middle... I think there are some charts for the dampers showing the different levels of damping... I wonder if I can find some B+G charts to compare?Anyone see the article in Honda Tuning where Jackson Racing hooked up a Civic Si and an RSX-S with the KW coilovers? The didn't give much details, just showed pics, the article was on the supercharger they made for the Si.
Last edited by Ocelaris; Jun 26, 2003 at 09:05 AM.
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From: malaysia
Rep Power: 0 Hmm, i no nuts about the construction of the coilovers, but i think the 3rd coilover you mention have an extra small cylinder on the side of the coilovers, which gives a more comfy ride on the highway. I dont think my friends jic have adjustment dampening, its just has the height adjustment & have the ball bearing on top of it. When it was purchase, the springs & the absorber was very hard..the car didnt even sink down a bit when 5people sat on it..neither did it move a bit when we tried pressing down the car. Now that the springs have been change too slightly softer, it still hard as hell, with a slight improvement.
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From: NOVA
Rep Power: 0 check out this link:
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/gewi...varianten.html
it gives a good overview of the KW lines, explains the 3 different versions that KW offers... of course there are different versions, but this helps alot. Bill
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/gewi...varianten.html
it gives a good overview of the KW lines, explains the 3 different versions that KW offers... of course there are different versions, but this helps alot. Bill
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From: NOVA
Rep Power: 0 Check this out, Glen the guy who is the contact at KW dropped me a line. I should be getting the KWs sometime next week. I will ask him about the front/back motion ratio tommorrow, hopefully that'll clarify the application of EP3 version coilovers to EM/ES version coilovers.
"To officially introduce the new reference standard in Coilover suspension for your 2001 and up Hatch, Coupe or Sedan the staff at KW Suspensions North America would like to extend this special offer. "
I don't have any affiliation with KW whatsoever, I just so happen to be one of the first INOX line EP3 Customers
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthr...threadid=16327
KW FULL coilovers $1150 that's for adjustable dampening, stainless steel, and adjustable perch... Version 2. And if you haven't checked out that KW website link, it has alot of good info/explanation, obviously tilted towards KW, but hey, I couldn't find squat for info on some of the other companie's site...
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/
"To officially introduce the new reference standard in Coilover suspension for your 2001 and up Hatch, Coupe or Sedan the staff at KW Suspensions North America would like to extend this special offer. "
I don't have any affiliation with KW whatsoever, I just so happen to be one of the first INOX line EP3 Customers
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthr...threadid=16327
KW FULL coilovers $1150 that's for adjustable dampening, stainless steel, and adjustable perch... Version 2. And if you haven't checked out that KW website link, it has alot of good info/explanation, obviously tilted towards KW, but hey, I couldn't find squat for info on some of the other companie's site...
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/
Last edited by Ocelaris; Jun 26, 2003 at 11:19 PM.
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From: 909, Socal
Rep Power: 431 Originally posted by Ocelaris
Check this out, Glen the guy who is the contact at KW dropped me a line. I should be getting the KWs sometime next week. I will ask him about the front/back motion ratio tommorrow, hopefully that'll clarify the application of EP3 version coilovers to EM/ES version coilovers.
"To officially introduce the new reference standard in Coilover suspension for your 2001 and up Hatch, Coupe or Sedan the staff at KW Suspensions North America would like to extend this special offer. "
I don't have any affiliation with KW whatsoever, I just so happen to be one of the first INOX line EP3 Customers
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthr...threadid=16327
KW FULL coilovers $1150 that's for adjustable dampening, stainless steel, and adjustable perch... Version 2. And if you haven't checked out that KW website link, it has alot of good info/explanation, obviously tilted towards KW, but hey, I couldn't find squat for info on some of the other companie's site...
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/
Check this out, Glen the guy who is the contact at KW dropped me a line. I should be getting the KWs sometime next week. I will ask him about the front/back motion ratio tommorrow, hopefully that'll clarify the application of EP3 version coilovers to EM/ES version coilovers.
"To officially introduce the new reference standard in Coilover suspension for your 2001 and up Hatch, Coupe or Sedan the staff at KW Suspensions North America would like to extend this special offer. "
I don't have any affiliation with KW whatsoever, I just so happen to be one of the first INOX line EP3 Customers
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthr...threadid=16327
KW FULL coilovers $1150 that's for adjustable dampening, stainless steel, and adjustable perch... Version 2. And if you haven't checked out that KW website link, it has alot of good info/explanation, obviously tilted towards KW, but hey, I couldn't find squat for info on some of the other companie's site...
http://www.kw-gmbh.de/e_version/
i had fun with tein ss on em2
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 Ok - I'm not all too familar with this "EPxx" talk - what's the deal? I know that certain #'s refer to certain cars - just not sure which ones! Do they make KW's for the 2001 civic LX? They sound pretty nice for the price.....
