Suspension ST Coilovers installed, some thoughts and pictures
Suspension source is awesome for hooking it up on some STs. just got some for my mcs and installed yesterday. no spacers on mine :] for now. I got about a 1.7 finger gap in the front and 1 in the back. But definitely need spacers for front if going lower.
AWESOME! You have pics? You have about the same ride height as me. I'm running 215/45/17 though so maybe that's why I needed the spacers
My $.02...
The most important reason to get coil overs is for the corner balancing capabilities. Otherwise, you have introduced a DETRIMENTAL handeling aspect to your car. Picture this; if you are driving with a loved one in your car and there is an improper balance of weight and an evasive maneuver has to be done at highway speeds, there is not telling how your car will react. Do not be silly and say that you do not drive your car hard enough on streets to necessitate a corner balancing, foolish. Otherwise, get springs only and the the spring manufacturer figure that out for you.
What you did is decide to play with the BIG TOYS and get a set of coil-overs. Awesome! Now get responsible with your new toys and get them corner-balances.
Have you ever tried driving at speed with a spare tire or a under inflated tire and had to make a sudden change in direction only to discover that your weight is severely skewed? Please, get your coil-overs corner-balanced. It really shouldn't cost more than $200 or so. Otherwise, you seem handy enough. Find/rent some scales and do it yourself.
Rant over,
Aaron
The most important reason to get coil overs is for the corner balancing capabilities. Otherwise, you have introduced a DETRIMENTAL handeling aspect to your car. Picture this; if you are driving with a loved one in your car and there is an improper balance of weight and an evasive maneuver has to be done at highway speeds, there is not telling how your car will react. Do not be silly and say that you do not drive your car hard enough on streets to necessitate a corner balancing, foolish. Otherwise, get springs only and the the spring manufacturer figure that out for you.
What you did is decide to play with the BIG TOYS and get a set of coil-overs. Awesome! Now get responsible with your new toys and get them corner-balances.
Have you ever tried driving at speed with a spare tire or a under inflated tire and had to make a sudden change in direction only to discover that your weight is severely skewed? Please, get your coil-overs corner-balanced. It really shouldn't cost more than $200 or so. Otherwise, you seem handy enough. Find/rent some scales and do it yourself.
Rant over,
Aaron
Those underbody panels were originally part of the factory aero kit. I used to have the part numbers, but I can't find them anywhere. If you call the dealer and ask for everything, including the brackets that are required for installation, the two panels along with all the hardware should cost you around $130.
My ST coilovers should be here next week, and I'll have them in by the 17th (out of town next weekend). Can't wait!
My ST coilovers should be here next week, and I'll have them in by the 17th (out of town next weekend). Can't wait!
My $.02...
The most important reason to get coil overs is for the corner balancing capabilities. Otherwise, you have introduced a DETRIMENTAL handeling aspect to your car. Picture this; if you are driving with a loved one in your car and there is an improper balance of weight and an evasive maneuver has to be done at highway speeds, there is not telling how your car will react. Do not be silly and say that you do not drive your car hard enough on streets to necessitate a corner balancing, foolish. Otherwise, get springs only and the the spring manufacturer figure that out for you.
What you did is decide to play with the BIG TOYS and get a set of coil-overs. Awesome! Now get responsible with your new toys and get them corner-balances.
Have you ever tried driving at speed with a spare tire or a under inflated tire and had to make a sudden change in direction only to discover that your weight is severely skewed? Please, get your coil-overs corner-balanced. It really shouldn't cost more than $200 or so. Otherwise, you seem handy enough. Find/rent some scales and do it yourself.
Rant over,
Aaron
The most important reason to get coil overs is for the corner balancing capabilities. Otherwise, you have introduced a DETRIMENTAL handeling aspect to your car. Picture this; if you are driving with a loved one in your car and there is an improper balance of weight and an evasive maneuver has to be done at highway speeds, there is not telling how your car will react. Do not be silly and say that you do not drive your car hard enough on streets to necessitate a corner balancing, foolish. Otherwise, get springs only and the the spring manufacturer figure that out for you.
What you did is decide to play with the BIG TOYS and get a set of coil-overs. Awesome! Now get responsible with your new toys and get them corner-balances.
Have you ever tried driving at speed with a spare tire or a under inflated tire and had to make a sudden change in direction only to discover that your weight is severely skewed? Please, get your coil-overs corner-balanced. It really shouldn't cost more than $200 or so. Otherwise, you seem handy enough. Find/rent some scales and do it yourself.
Rant over,
Aaron
The OEM suspension is almost certainly not corner balanced, and any aftermarket spring set-up will not be corner balanced either.
Coilovers may have been developed primarily for corner balancing, but at this point that is just one of many advantages that they offer over a fixed perch solution.
What I'd like to know is the spring rate of these coilovers.
- Andrew
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, California
While I agree that corner balancing is worthwhile, it is not the end of the world if the car is not corner balanced. Your example of having a loved one in the car would actually throw off any corner balancing that was performed.
The OEM suspension is almost certainly not corner balanced, and any aftermarket spring set-up will not be corner balanced either.
Coilovers may have been developed primarily for corner balancing, but at this point that is just one of many advantages that they offer over a fixed perch solution.
What I'd like to know is the spring rate of these coilovers.
- Andrew
The OEM suspension is almost certainly not corner balanced, and any aftermarket spring set-up will not be corner balanced either.
Coilovers may have been developed primarily for corner balancing, but at this point that is just one of many advantages that they offer over a fixed perch solution.
What I'd like to know is the spring rate of these coilovers.
- Andrew
andyroo:
The factory setup is tuned for mild understeer, almost the same in every factory car; and most aftermarket tuners do take the time to tune the springs to the car. True about the loved on in the car, but nobody will be in danger with such a slight weight difference. Most coil-over purchasers tune the set-up for looks which can contribute to a highly imbalanced car!
Have you seen the drop's on cars these days?
I don't know about you, but living in New York city, Los Angeles, and Miami, I've been blessed with the privileged to live and drive with some of the worst drivers in America, and seen some of the most nonsensical actions in cars you could imagine! With drivers like that out there dropping their cars to who knows what and hot-shottin' it at freeway+ speeds, most of them hardly need an off-balanced suspension to hurl them into your' or my families' car. The problem with the non-corner-balanced c/o suspension is that it gives them even more false confidence to be even less intelligent and go even faster and kill more innocent people.
aaron
The factory setup is tuned for mild understeer, almost the same in every factory car; and most aftermarket tuners do take the time to tune the springs to the car. True about the loved on in the car, but nobody will be in danger with such a slight weight difference. Most coil-over purchasers tune the set-up for looks which can contribute to a highly imbalanced car!
Have you seen the drop's on cars these days?
I don't know about you, but living in New York city, Los Angeles, and Miami, I've been blessed with the privileged to live and drive with some of the worst drivers in America, and seen some of the most nonsensical actions in cars you could imagine! With drivers like that out there dropping their cars to who knows what and hot-shottin' it at freeway+ speeds, most of them hardly need an off-balanced suspension to hurl them into your' or my families' car. The problem with the non-corner-balanced c/o suspension is that it gives them even more false confidence to be even less intelligent and go even faster and kill more innocent people.
aaron
I should take some pics. My ride height is a bit lower than yours so I needed spacers as well. I got 205/45/17 and didnt need spacers at your height. I'm about 1 finger gap all around. The lowest point is the front splash guard on the stock S bumper which is 2inches off the ground. I gotta angle or else it scrapes. Besides that the quality and handling are much better. Just need to get alignment and stuff.
andyroo:
The factory setup is tuned for mild understeer, almost the same in every factory car; and most aftermarket tuners do take the time to tune the springs to the car. True about the loved on in the car, but nobody will be in danger with such a slight weight difference. Most coil-over purchasers tune the set-up for looks which can contribute to a highly imbalanced car!
Have you seen the drop's on cars these days?
I don't know about you, but living in New York city, Los Angeles, and Miami, I've been blessed with the privileged to live and drive with some of the worst drivers in America, and seen some of the most nonsensical actions in cars you could imagine! With drivers like that out there dropping their cars to who knows what and hot-shottin' it at freeway+ speeds, most of them hardly need an off-balanced suspension to hurl them into your' or my families' car. The problem with the non-corner-balanced c/o suspension is that it gives them even more false confidence to be even less intelligent and go even faster and kill more innocent people.
aaron
The factory setup is tuned for mild understeer, almost the same in every factory car; and most aftermarket tuners do take the time to tune the springs to the car. True about the loved on in the car, but nobody will be in danger with such a slight weight difference. Most coil-over purchasers tune the set-up for looks which can contribute to a highly imbalanced car!
Have you seen the drop's on cars these days?
I don't know about you, but living in New York city, Los Angeles, and Miami, I've been blessed with the privileged to live and drive with some of the worst drivers in America, and seen some of the most nonsensical actions in cars you could imagine! With drivers like that out there dropping their cars to who knows what and hot-shottin' it at freeway+ speeds, most of them hardly need an off-balanced suspension to hurl them into your' or my families' car. The problem with the non-corner-balanced c/o suspension is that it gives them even more false confidence to be even less intelligent and go even faster and kill more innocent people.
aaron
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver Island, Canada
I'm not sure what the offset on these wheels is, I'll have to try to track it down. If I end up ordering the ST's i'll just get spacers to be on the safe side.
Does anyone else have these installed? I'd love to hear as much feedback as possible, especially regarding handling improvement. Obviously the drop looks awesome
Does anyone else have these installed? I'd love to hear as much feedback as possible, especially regarding handling improvement. Obviously the drop looks awesome
Here are better pictures. Back is maxed out to bottom thread, front is 2 cm from bottom. It could probably go lower but then the splash guard needs removing and it would be pointless cause I wouldnt be able to get out of my driveway.
Keep in mind that I lowered this today just to see what it looks like (front is way to low for my daily driving preference). Gonna raise it up to normal :]
Keep in mind that I lowered this today just to see what it looks like (front is way to low for my daily driving preference). Gonna raise it up to normal :]
I just installed these over the weekend. I've never done suspension before, but the install was a breeze. Mine is about as low as cawtou's, maybe a tiny bit higher. I love it! With my m7 lip, the front of the car is 3" off the ground. I'll get pics up later this week.
