BC coilovers installed (how-to & feedback)

['*Ace*']

I have the BC Coilovers. Do you think it is better to have no preload on the springs and have a harder damper, or vice versa. I think my springs might be preloaded and I am pretty sure(%80) I am at the softest setting....

[Ryephile]

uhhh, you're trying to do the same thing with two different functions.

Springs are adjusted for where you want your suspension travel to be and to tune steady state chassis behavior [going through the corner]. The preload you need depends on your cars static weight and weight distribution and the spring rates you're running. With a stock weight MCS and the standard 8kg/mm springs the BC's come with, zero preload [just having the spring perches touch the spring snugly, not compressing it more than a 1/16"] will get you about a 1/2 extension and 1/2 compression travel bias, which is somewhere about right depending who you ask.

Dampers are adjusted for transient response like swerving or big bumps/ride quality. You adjust the dampers first to critically damp the spring rate installed, and then from there fine tune for ride quality and transient behavior. If you have the standards 8kg/mm springs the BC's come with, then 15 of 30 clicks is a good starting point.

I hope that helps,
Ryan

['*Ace*']

Thanks for the advice!

[bluesmini]

BLMY,

it's been a few months on these now. how has your impression changes since you first reviewed them?

[COR BLMY]

update ...

I am still very happy with these units.

I ran a SCCA auto-x this past weekend and did play around a bit with the settings between runs. The lot a Monster park had a bump (most there were calling it a JUMP)
I did run at 20 (10 softer than full hard) and at the jump i did feel a bottom out. on the front.
and I was lifting a rear wheel in a long sweeper.

for run 2 I went to 26 that is 4 softer than full hard) on the front.
At the "jump" I did not bottom out and the wheel lift from a spotter was "almost no daylight". that run was more agressive and a improved time.

3 rd run i stiffend up the rear and it was PLANTED ... another time inprovement.

yes a lot of other influences I do know but at least the 2nd run was a better feel due to the suspension.

Nicest thing was to drop back to 15 / 15 for the ride home

I do have one remote adjustor that has lost some of its indent feel.
I did remove the panel and at the strut the feel is as it should be... perhaps the cable or set screw are to blame ... but no issues.

[justintime]

what are the front and rear spring rates?

[bluesmini]

8k i think is what it says in earlier post.

[COR BLMY]

mine are 8s and I only drive a bit as a daily driver.
Mostly auto-x, track or "on a run"
If this was my daily driver and less "fun" I may opt for the 5s also now avaliable at time of purchase.

[justintime]

as in 800lbs????!

[bluesmini]

it would convert to 447lbs/inch

[Ryephile]

I had a chance to take my BC coilover setup on the Dragon this past weekend. I was very impressed with the balance [as in understeer/oversteer] of the car. The "composition" of the car could use improvement. What I mean by this is; in the Gravity Cavity, where the road undulates wildly, the car feels a bit "blocky" or not totally compliant. I believe it's due to the reduced suspension travel overall [versus stock], however on more sweeping roads nearby the car felt totally planted. Of course keep in mind I'm running H-Sport Comp sway-bars with the rear on full-stiff, so that would reduce undulation compliance in a place like the Gravity Cavity, adding to that blockiness feel.

Nevertheless; I still highly recommend these coilovers when combined with a set of Swift springs!

My current setup is 7kg/mm front and 5kg/mm rear springs, with front dampers at 12 from soft and rears at 11 from soft. My travel is setup for 2/3rds droop and 1/3rd compression, including bump-stop compression [same ratio as stock]. Many people have been impressed at the "stock-like" ride quality, yet greatly improved stance and handling balance.

[justintime]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

I had a chance to take my BC coilover setup on the Dragon this past weekend. I was very impressed with the balance [as in understeer/oversteer] of the car. The "composition" of the car could use improvement. What I mean by this is; in the Gravity Cavity, where the road undulates wildly, the car feels a bit "blocky" or not totally compliant. I believe it's due to the reduced suspension travel overall [versus stock], however on more sweeping roads nearby the car felt totally planted. Of course keep in mind I'm running H-Sport Comp sway-bars with the rear on full-stiff, so that would reduce undulation compliance in a place like the Gravity Cavity, adding to that blockiness feel.

Nevertheless; I still highly recommend these coilovers when combined with a set of Swift springs!

My current setup is 7kg/mm front and 5kg/mm rear springs, with front dampers at 12 from soft and rears at 11 from soft. My travel is setup for 2/3rds droop and 1/3rd compression, including bump-stop compression [same ratio as stock]. Many people have been impressed at the "stock-like" ride quality, yet greatly improved stance and handling balance.

Im having the same experience with my teins. im running 6 in the front and 4 in the rear. 0 the stiffest

[ChrisMCS04]

Hey guys could someone explain the difference between the BC's and Megan's coilovers other than the spring rates that you purchase them at?
To me they are the same in quality...
I do know that the Megan's have 32 way instead of 30, but that really is not a big deal to me...So please someone lend me info on these two ...

[Ryephile]

For sure the BC's use a different lower mount locking collar that has a more positive retention. They also have tied compression and rebound damping curves [I dunno about whether Megan ties them with the adjustment knob]. The BC's also include a rear upper mount, whereas with Megan you have to reuse the stock rubber mount. The BC uses a relatively short [3/4" front cone, 1" rear cone] active rubber bumpstop, and I've heard the Megan is similar.

I have no idea how travel lengths, shock body length adjustment, overall length variances are. It "seems" that the amount of "comfortable" lowering is similar, all else equal. For sure they both have throw-away springs included, yuk.

[ChrisMCS04]

Thanks Ryan. That helps me out.

[flyboy2160]

My BC Racing coilovers seem to be softening up during the first several weeks of driving. Has anybody else experienced this or am I just getting used to the stiffness?

Thanks.

[COR BLMY]

I felt that the springs did "work in" after a short time.

Maybe a bit of both ...

[midMOmini]

where did you guys buy your bc coilovers at?

[COR BLMY]

I got mine from IMPORT IMAGE
They were the first to get them from BC ... may be others that carry them now

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by flyboy2160

My BC Racing coilovers seem to be softening up during the first several weeks of driving. Has anybody else experienced this or am I just getting used to the stiffness?

Thanks.

Mine have been totally consistent since I installed the Swift springs. It's been a couple thousand miles now...perfect.

[mct]

Originally Posted by midMOmini

where did you guys buy your bc coilovers at?

Minspeed - here is the link http://www.minspeed.net/BCCO.htm

[mct]

Originally Posted by flyboy2160

My BC Racing coilovers seem to be softening up during the first several weeks of driving. Has anybody else experienced this or am I just getting used to the stiffness?

Thanks.

I was actually thinking the same thing. I think it is more of me getting used to them though.

[rjtrout2000]

Where can you find BC coilovers for a good price?

[Ryephile]

I bought mine from Import Image like COR BLMY did. Not the quickest guys to work with, but pleasant nevertheless with great service and pricing!

[S-Driver]

Nice write up!