LittleBlueZ28

Ok, been searching for hours now to no avail (think we need a sticky write-up on coilovers). BUT, here's my grand question. I'm not sure if I should go coilover on the front/rear for my build or not. I'm after corner carving performance here,meaning I fully intend to use the widest stickiest tires I can possibly fit into the wells without tubbing. I've heard rumor of possible tire fitment issues with front coil setups. If this is true that alone would nix the idea for me. I've already got all the rest of my bases covered. Been a member here for awhile now reading and reading and reading some more. With the wealth of knowledge available I've learned exactly where I wanna go suspension wise save for this little tidbit, can anyone shed some light on the subject for me?

mjds

you got to be careful with the backspace on the front wheels, because the diameter of a coil over is bigger then just the strut soo its hard fitting wide rims while still being tucked into the wheel well other then that make sure the spring rates match up with the dampening.

Lonnie P

Skip the coil overs if you want big tires on the front.

You want the tires as inboard as fas as possible for the best suspension geomery & the most fender clearance.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Yep. Coil-overs up front limit front tire size. 3rd gen suspension is already a great handling design, just needs to be tightened up & a upgraded, but not redesigned.

LittleBlueZ28

Thanks for the info guys, I thought clearance would be an issue, I'm soon to be doing a major overhaul on my 91(about 18k worth parts alone) didn't want to end up with any major parts conflicts. So with skipping coilovers on the front I know I'm doing springs and struts I'm on the fence between qa1 and koni yellows any words of wisdom there? How about coilovers on the rears with my math I think the shock/spring combo back there is roughly the same price as a coil-over setup would be any significant reason why or why not to go with the coil-overs on the rear end?

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Go with Weight Jacks. I got mine from Ground Control & never regretted it. You get to choose the spring rate YOU want & still have the ride height that YOU want, not what the springs set you at.

wretched737

Vetruck used to have a great write up about the ultimate suspension, and he didnt like the spring and strut turning at the same time, hence why i am not going with coilovers either, weight jackers and some drop spindles to keep your geometry in line

UMI Sales

I'm working on our coil over kit right now. It has thrust bearings on top and bottom to take care of the steering through the coils but I'm not convinced it's an ultimate handling option. I am convinced it'll be great for drag racing and street use for adjusting ride height with modest size tires.

My vote is for big springs and Koni's on the front.

We've only ever used stock style springs on the rear so I can't comment on rear coil over.

ramey

wretched737

Dont quote me but im not sure of well supported coilovers would be on the rear, also, weight jackers give you the same adjustability and are just as easily installed

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

coilovers dont work very well in the rear of these cars. You need to reinforce the upper shock mounts, or you will break them. The width of the springs is almost too much and it can/will rub on the axle housing slightly. The other issue is finding a coilover shock that will work in the rear, it has to be the same overall installed length and have the same stroke. I havent found one. The ones Spohn uses are the right length and stroke, out of the box from qa1, but add the upper mounting clevis and it all goes to pot. You have to lower the bottom shock mount to properly use them on a 3rd or 4th gen if the car sits slightly lower than stock or you will bottom them out. Happened on both my cars and i have to lower the mounts on both of them, and neither are really that low to begin with.

as for the front, turning with the springs installed on the strut is a non issue, i felt no difference in steering input between a stock spring setup and the coilovers i used to have up there.

LittleBlueZ28

So basically what I'm getting is on these cars, coilovers are best used on a drag setup due to longer potential spring travel, but if one wants a corner carver (like myself) they would be best to employ good struts/shocks stiffer springs (I've already looked into spring rates) a good weight jacker system up front, and of course panhard,lca,lca relocation,wonder,torquearm,tubed a frames, and poly/del bushings where applicable for desired strength (road noise tradeoff with del-sphere I know). Are qa1 struts as good as koni yellows, which ones should I go with, knois are slightly more spendy but is that a name or quality I'm paying for?

UMI Sales

For a corner carver personally I'd choose big springs and Koni's. They are indeed salty but are considered the performance and quality leader from a handling standpoint. That doesn't mean there aren't better ones out there but for readily available stuff, they're premium.

For carving, I worry about the strut top carrying the steering and screwing up the feel. Hopefully our kit proves me wrong when we get to the Auto-x with our IROC this summer.

As for the rest of the items on your list, we're building another 3rd Gen right now to showcase our products and it's going to be a corner burner very similar to what you describe.

Hopefully we can work together on your project.

ramey

kreator33

ok,now you people got me scared,i just purchased the coilover kit from spohn,,,but i have big tires! i have 18x9.5 c6 replicas,,, what is the max backspace i can get away with ,with coil overs? it should clear the stock iroc 16 wheels right? wich i think are 4.5 backspace,,,,ill have about 5 backspace.

91camarosRS

iTrader: (5)

i wish umi could come up with a ground control-like product. ground control only sells the whole set. for 475. i wish there was a place to get just the front or just the rear.



UMI i hope you are hearing this!


as far as i know ground control is the only place to get weight jacks and springs that "bolt in" to our cars.

91camarosRS

iTrader: (5)

i would like to use as much umi stuff on my project as possible!

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

Call GC and ask for just the front or just the rear. They have sold half sets in the recent past, but you have to call.

You can even make your own, they are really not that hard to make

UMI Sales

Consider your request heard. Thanks for considering UMI!

91camarosRS

iTrader: (5)

considering?! i have decided.


so i dont clutter this thread.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...ld-thread.html

91camarosRS

iTrader: (5)

called, they wont.

and i really dont have the equipment to build my own at this moment. wont have a shop to really work in untill i buy a new house.... then i get power tools

UMI Sales

Awesome! Thanks for deciding on UMI!

kreator33

yes,the undercarriage of my car glows red from umi stuff,,, the only thing i need now, is a set of weight jacks as well,and a strut tower bar!

paul_huryk

I like the idea of coil over front struts, but as others have said, you limit your front tire size with the coil to tire interference.

As UMI said, it is more for a drag race/maximum weight reduction situation as it can drop quite a few lbs off the front end and give more compliance due to lower spring rates. But it may limit you to a 245 tire in front where you can run a 275 in front with a stock style setup. Personally 30mm more tire on each side has more benefit than 10 or 15 less lbs.

You could go tubular front A-Arms with an adjustable strut and still lose some weight and get less suspension deflection with the big tires out front.

Kat

iTrader: (4)

I have 275/40/17 tires on the front of my car with the Spohn coil over kit.