The Coilover Settings Thread
Jul 11, 2011, 10:57 AM
#16
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i'd suggest driving them about 2-3000km's then adjust your damper settings accordingly. mine were pretty stiff breaking in and now after lots of km's, i've actually turned mine harder.
if you want sharper turn-in, i'd suggest hard tie rods. they make a world of difference in turning response.
if you want sharper turn-in, i'd suggest hard tie rods. they make a world of difference in turning response.
guess I'll just reserve judgement/adjustments until I get more miles then?
Jul 11, 2011, 12:59 PM
#17
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I'd agree.
At first they were so stiff I kept it at full soft rear and +10 from full soft front.
Then ~4K miles later (about a month ago) I noticed it softened up quite a bit. So last week I turned my fronts up to 20 (-10 from full hard), and then down a hair to 16. I need to drop the rears and turn them up to 10.
Point of my ramble is, it took a surprising amount of time to soften up (although there was ALSO a noticeable initial softening after 500-600 miles).
At first they were so stiff I kept it at full soft rear and +10 from full soft front.
Then ~4K miles later (about a month ago) I noticed it softened up quite a bit. So last week I turned my fronts up to 20 (-10 from full hard), and then down a hair to 16. I need to drop the rears and turn them up to 10.
Point of my ramble is, it took a surprising amount of time to soften up (although there was ALSO a noticeable initial softening after 500-600 miles).
Sep 28, 2011, 04:38 PM
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Question for the BC Racing RAM Coilover owners. I just got mine and on the front coilovers, the dampening dial is on the bottom. Do any of yours have this or is the dial on the top? I'll try to get a picture tonight.
Last edited by TOralliart; Sep 28, 2011 at 04:41 PM.
Feb 28, 2012, 12:22 PM
#22
DO NOT order anything other than the 08+ Lancer parts for the Ralliart, nothing else will fit.
Mar 11, 2012, 07:01 PM
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what should i go for then? I want it to feel kind stiff (make stearin wheel stiff to move like a bmw) I want to go pretty low would the spring rates have affect oh height or does it matter cuz I can go lower if i want? or is spring rates just "stiffness". sorry I'm not smart with suspension.
Mar 13, 2012, 05:41 AM
#28
what should i go for then? I want it to feel kind stiff (make stearin wheel stiff to move like a bmw) I want to go pretty low would the spring rates have affect oh height or does it matter cuz I can go lower if i want? or is spring rates just "stiffness". sorry I'm not smart with suspension.
Apr 21, 2012, 07:52 PM
#29
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+My turn 
2010 Ralliart Sportback
BC Racing BR coilovers
Spring Rates: 8k Front, 6k Rear
Front dampers: full soft right now for DD and break in
Rear dampers: 15 clicks from full hard/soft
Ride height: BC Racing factory settings for front and +5/8" rear (***)
Alignment:
Front: camber -2*, 0 toe
Rear: camber ~-2*, 0 toe (**** probably closer to -1.7* now)
Wheels: 18x8.5 TR Motorsport MT01
Tires: 245/40 Bridgestone Potenza RE 760 Sport
Initial Impressions:
The rear is too low. The rear tires are slightly tucked. This is causing my rear camber to be far to negative. With the damper set to 15 clicks, it seems it might be too stiff. However, given that these have a substantial break in period according to everyone that has BC Racing coilovers so far, they should 'loosen up' over time. So, I'm leaving them at 15, and will re-evaluate in July.
Other than the rear, I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by the comfort level of these coilovers. All this time, I've been living in fear of an ungodly stiff suspension, causing me to not to get coilovers much sooner. I think this came from hearing horror stories from friends with Honduhs back in the day. So, coming from H&R drop springs to these BC Racing BR coilovers with these springs, the change in ride comfort is very welcomed.
In comparison, the H&R springs were "comfortable" and with satisfactory handling traits, when I was the only person in the car. When I started adding passengers, it loaded up the suspension even more, and, being on drop springs, (the passengers) shortened the already shortened suspension stroke to the point that it was nearly riding bump stops. Some of the rougher roads near downtown LA clearly felt like there was 0 travel.
The shortened stroke on the rear suspension was the most annoying, because the rear of the car would buck and bounce over certain bumps/humps in the freeways that i drive.
With these coilovers, I get the same ride height as drop springs, but with a longer suspension stroke. Which means that when I add my passengers to the car, I am not riding on bump stops. As a "test" i went down one of the more annoying sections of freeway with myself and 2 passengers, and everyone noted that the ride no longer felt abusive to us.
I need to raise the rear suspension tomorrow, and then take it for a spin up some local canyons to see how it feels in a more sporty environment... I'll add more to my impressions afterward.
**Update: Added 1/2" to the rear height, and took a run up Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest Hwys. I gotta say, that in addition to having very acceptable ride comfort, the sure footedness while canyon carving was very satisfying. Nothing seemed able to upset the car including mid corner off camber dips in medium speed sweepers.
Overall, these are so far a much better "all purpose" solution for a DD than drop springs are.
***Update 2: Added another 1/8" to the rear height. It looks about right height wise, and no longer feels like the rear is sagging when I drive. So, the rear camber should be closer to -1.7* at this point.
2010 Ralliart Sportback
BC Racing BR coilovers
Spring Rates: 8k Front, 6k Rear
Front dampers: full soft right now for DD and break in
Rear dampers: 15 clicks from full hard/soft
Ride height: BC Racing factory settings for front and +5/8" rear (***)
Alignment:
Front: camber -2*, 0 toe
Rear: camber ~-2*, 0 toe (**** probably closer to -1.7* now)
Wheels: 18x8.5 TR Motorsport MT01
Tires: 245/40 Bridgestone Potenza RE 760 Sport
Initial Impressions:
The rear is too low. The rear tires are slightly tucked. This is causing my rear camber to be far to negative. With the damper set to 15 clicks, it seems it might be too stiff. However, given that these have a substantial break in period according to everyone that has BC Racing coilovers so far, they should 'loosen up' over time. So, I'm leaving them at 15, and will re-evaluate in July.
Other than the rear, I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by the comfort level of these coilovers. All this time, I've been living in fear of an ungodly stiff suspension, causing me to not to get coilovers much sooner. I think this came from hearing horror stories from friends with Honduhs back in the day. So, coming from H&R drop springs to these BC Racing BR coilovers with these springs, the change in ride comfort is very welcomed.
In comparison, the H&R springs were "comfortable" and with satisfactory handling traits, when I was the only person in the car. When I started adding passengers, it loaded up the suspension even more, and, being on drop springs, (the passengers) shortened the already shortened suspension stroke to the point that it was nearly riding bump stops. Some of the rougher roads near downtown LA clearly felt like there was 0 travel.
The shortened stroke on the rear suspension was the most annoying, because the rear of the car would buck and bounce over certain bumps/humps in the freeways that i drive.
With these coilovers, I get the same ride height as drop springs, but with a longer suspension stroke. Which means that when I add my passengers to the car, I am not riding on bump stops. As a "test" i went down one of the more annoying sections of freeway with myself and 2 passengers, and everyone noted that the ride no longer felt abusive to us.
I need to raise the rear suspension tomorrow, and then take it for a spin up some local canyons to see how it feels in a more sporty environment... I'll add more to my impressions afterward.
**Update: Added 1/2" to the rear height, and took a run up Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest Hwys. I gotta say, that in addition to having very acceptable ride comfort, the sure footedness while canyon carving was very satisfying. Nothing seemed able to upset the car including mid corner off camber dips in medium speed sweepers.
Overall, these are so far a much better "all purpose" solution for a DD than drop springs are.
***Update 2: Added another 1/8" to the rear height. It looks about right height wise, and no longer feels like the rear is sagging when I drive. So, the rear camber should be closer to -1.7* at this point.
Last edited by nunyas; May 2, 2012 at 07:30 PM.