2004 Lancer RA Megan Racing Coil Overs
Dec 18, 2012, 06:22 AM
#1
2004 Lancer RA Megan Racing Coil Overs
Car: 2004 Ralliart with 228,000 miles
Purpose: Winter car and sometimes summer (she might have seen a NASA time trial last year...)
Modern Automotive Performance hooked me up with this suspension. Background is the car had been running the Tein S-Techs for years with new struts periodically. Last winter the struts had blown and I replaced with another set. Less than 1 year from those new struts - blown again.
Very, very, very few options for suspension changes on this car. Ended up going with Megan Racing coil overs. A revisit to see how they have come along since coming into suspensions years ago.
Previous Suspension Setup:
KYB GS-2 Struts
Progress 21mm rear sway bar
CS7A Tein S-TECH (SKR66-AUB00) Springs F: 219 lb/in -1.1, R: 157 lb/in -0.2
Current Suspension Setup:
Progress 21mm rear sway bar
Megan Racing Street Coil Overs (MR-CDK-ML02)
Lowered the car -1 front and -0.5 rear. Very close to how the Teins sat.
Lowered Front:
Measured 7/8in up from threaded knuckle attachment.
Lowered Rear:
Measured 1in from top of height lock nut to lower spring lock nut.
SPRING RATES:
F: 62mm ID; 200mm length; 8 kg/mm (450 lbs/in)
R: 62mm ID; 180mm length; 5 kg/mm (280 lbs/in)
DAMPER SPECS:
F: 120mm stroke; 280mm length; M2 valving code
R: 105mm stroke; 200mm length; A11 valving code
Alignment Specs:
3 caster
-1.3 front // -1.0 rear
0 toe // .1 toe in
Driving Impressions:
To follow.
Pictures:
To follow.
Purpose: Winter car and sometimes summer (she might have seen a NASA time trial last year...)
Modern Automotive Performance hooked me up with this suspension. Background is the car had been running the Tein S-Techs for years with new struts periodically. Last winter the struts had blown and I replaced with another set. Less than 1 year from those new struts - blown again.
Very, very, very few options for suspension changes on this car. Ended up going with Megan Racing coil overs. A revisit to see how they have come along since coming into suspensions years ago.
Previous Suspension Setup:
KYB GS-2 Struts
Progress 21mm rear sway bar
CS7A Tein S-TECH (SKR66-AUB00) Springs F: 219 lb/in -1.1, R: 157 lb/in -0.2
Current Suspension Setup:
Progress 21mm rear sway bar
Megan Racing Street Coil Overs (MR-CDK-ML02)
Lowered the car -1 front and -0.5 rear. Very close to how the Teins sat.
Lowered Front:
Measured 7/8in up from threaded knuckle attachment.
Lowered Rear:
Measured 1in from top of height lock nut to lower spring lock nut.
SPRING RATES:
F: 62mm ID; 200mm length; 8 kg/mm (450 lbs/in)
R: 62mm ID; 180mm length; 5 kg/mm (280 lbs/in)
DAMPER SPECS:
F: 120mm stroke; 280mm length; M2 valving code
R: 105mm stroke; 200mm length; A11 valving code
Alignment Specs:
3 caster
-1.3 front // -1.0 rear
0 toe // .1 toe in
Driving Impressions:
To follow.
Pictures:
To follow.
Last edited by Smike; Dec 19, 2012 at 02:06 PM.
Dec 18, 2012, 10:13 AM
#9
My experince with the RA is that it always needed more front mechanical grip (FSB) that it never got OE or aftermarket support. High rates can help with that front end.
My 2011 Mustang has 10-14k rates on KW coil overs that are very smooth and very nice to drive. Rate is not everything...but in that case I have very good valving too.
Dec 18, 2012, 03:44 PM
#11
Updated alignment specs.
Valving at (from full soft) 7 front and 15 rear.
Side note - I tested the track versons years ago on my Evo. Valving didn't seem to do much between 0 and 32.
For the RA, 15 front was a bit harsh for ride and joint slap. Down to 7 and it was improved. Left there for now.
Side note - I tested the track versons years ago on my Evo. Valving didn't seem to do much between 0 and 32.
For the RA, 15 front was a bit harsh for ride and joint slap. Down to 7 and it was improved. Left there for now.
Last edited by Smike; Dec 19, 2012 at 05:32 AM.
Dec 19, 2012, 08:55 AM
#14
I'll get more pictures today for here.
Ride to previous setup is much better. The Tein/KYB had harsh joint slap and thud over most road breaks and harsh uptake of bumps. At the end there was bouncing as well since the struts had lost optimal valving. Current has less roll and pitch with more response to steering inputs. The added caster is a nice touch/feel as well. Little heavier wheel now.
Ride to previous setup is much better. The Tein/KYB had harsh joint slap and thud over most road breaks and harsh uptake of bumps. At the end there was bouncing as well since the struts had lost optimal valving. Current has less roll and pitch with more response to steering inputs. The added caster is a nice touch/feel as well. Little heavier wheel now.
