Personally I'd rather pay for quality stuff. Doubt you will find many EDM coilover threads with complaints and issues. Not saying there arent good options in the 1k range, but not my cup of tea.

Seems like lots of v-dubbers like the PSS9's, as do their 4 ring counter parts.

 

I would tend to agree with you. You usually get what you pay for. I just would like a little more info on these coilovers from folks who daily-drive their Evos. Unlike most people, sadly, I'm interested in improved handling before aesthetics. Somewhere between performance and looks is daily driveability. The stock '05 VIII RS suspension is pretty aggressive. I'd like to be able to roll the aggression back but still be able to adjust the coilovers for an occasional track day. I'm wondering if the PSS9 is the right way to go?

 

Custom KW V3's would fit the bill a little better for your uses.


- Andrew

 

Andrew...Why is that?

 

KW V3's just give you a little more flexibility. The PSS9's are indeed very good at what they do, providing a nice, compliant ride that can still hang with other cars when you start pushing it.

But ultimately, if you intend to track your car, even just occasionally, i think you'll be left a little disapointed in them. They are soft.

Custom KW's will effectively give you the best of both worlds. Not stiff (unless you want us to provide those rates ), but not soft. Definitely compliant with the right spring rates. And it's a true 2-way coilover so you'll be able to get the car to handle exactly the way you want it on the track and on the street. The range of the damper is broad enough to allow it to work well in BOTH situations.


- Andrew

 

I was originally looking at Tein SS coilovers, but the more I read about these PSS9's the more they seem ideal for my purpose (99% street). I'm not quite clear on their mounts though. Do these come with a pillow ball top or do they reuse the stock upper mounts? And regarding camber, I have seen it mentioned that these can be paired up with Tein or Cusco camber plates -- at what point does this become a good idea? I'm not looking for a crazy drop, just something to remove the 4x4 look. Will any drop put me outside of the adjustment range (in terms of alignment) or are the camber plates only needed for severe drops (2" +)?

Thanks!

 

The PSS-9 are designed to be used with stock upper mounts, but also work with Tein and/or Cusco camber plates with a little modification. The PSS-9s also would with recommended range of adjustment so you don't lower your car too much ...

 

Correct, reuse your stock upper mounts but require a little work to work with most camber plates. We have done it in the past.

You could probably stick with the stock top mounts for street driving though, so it's a moot point.

- Andrew

 

I use the KW V3, its my daily driver. I choose the KW's for several reasons: 2 way (had cusco zero 2r and wanted more adjustability), the rep and reviews they have (mainly the euro cars..vw...audi), and price considering others with the features i wanted. DMS 50s, Olhins that are 2 way...another I considered was Hotbits, but not enough info to make me jump on a set. BTW I use stock upper mounts (can still get -2.4 up front).

As far as the PSS9's go...Ive read lots of good things about them from guys on VW boards, and they get the same feedback here. Either way between these two coils you'll get what you pay for.

 

I thought since coming from the subie world that coilovers would be the best bet, but considering how firm things were from the start I would try a set of springs first. So I went with Swifts...they were great, but still left room for improvement...such as being a bit bumpy, and not as smooth. That being said I still think they are the best choice when coming to springs from everything I've read. They did great considering some of the springs ive put on my various imprezas before going to c/o's.

For a few bill I would try some swifts first then see if you want to foot the extra money and get some good coilovers. I sold my Swifts within 10 minutes of posting them...so getting some money back on them isnt going to be an issue.

Good luck...Lots of choices & $$$$$$.

 

Thanks Ashumo. Unfortunately I'm still traumatized from the daily punishment of the Eibach springs from my old SRT-4. It's been almost 2 years now but I can still remember the pain. I swore I would go "***** in" if I ever did the suspension thing on my Evo. It's not the money for me. I'm prepared to pay to play. Suspension is the wrong place to cut corners on cost. You have to live with it every day. When it comes to dropping the car more than anything I'm terrified of 1.) losing the amazing handling capabilities of the stock setup and 2.) becoming a living, breathing bobble-head doll during my daily commute.

I'll research more on the KW's. This is a PSS9 thread so I'm not going to take it any more OT. Also big thanks to Andrew for the info.

 

I have the PSS9's on my 05 RS and I've logged just over 6700 miles so far. It used to be my daily driver through the street of San Francisco and around the Bay Area. Depending on the settings, it could be a little harsh (full stiff, especially downtown SF), but I would usually soften them up after autocrossing...and that was the reason I bought them.
I do believe in the old adage...you get what you paid for...and you won't be disappointed if all you are going to do is drive on the street and autocross. I haven't taken it to the track, so I won't make any assumptions about them there.
The pro's...the quality/ workmanship is outstanding. The street ride, IMO is better than the stock struts/ springs. Gets rid of the ugly 4x4 gap. 9 way adjustable...15+ adjustability can be a little overwhelming for the average person...especially for the street. Made to use stock top hats. Headquarters are in SoCal. They are pretty good for above entry level coil-overs for autocrossing.
The con's...made to use stock top hats. This can be a good or bad thing. I need negative camber...stock top hats don't cut it...all JDM camber plates use a 12mm bolt, while the PSS9's use 14mm. I had custom/ one-off camber/ caster plates made...but, I found out later on, that Cusco does have a 14mm bolt; you just have to ask for it. Some what of a negative point, is the adjustment on the front is on the bottom, so you have to crawl under the front, if you want to change it...reach means you have to jack it up. If you are in the Bay Area…shoot me a PM and I’ll take you for a ride.

Dennis

 

I've had Pss9 for 6 months or so. They are great for the street. Very nice ride on the softer settings. Less bumpy than stock. I have tracked the car with them and even on the stiffer settings they are soft. So, if you're 99% street, you will love them. If you are doing any road racing I would steer you to something else. That said, I don't think the KW with the standard spring pack is as smooth a ride as the pss9. I haven't driven a car on the track with KW so I can't comment on their track feel.

 

Can you set the EVO IX to stock ride height with the adjustments on the PSS9 springs?

 

I have the PSS9 on my car and for people to say "oh don't by the PSS9s, they're too soft for the track blah blah" is kind of bothersome. It all really depends what matters to you. Being a bit faster on the track [which may or may not be true depending on individual driver skill] or having a smoother than stock ride, adjustability, and better handling. For people to say that just buying the more race/expensive coilover will make you faster is false. It will make it easier though

Having said that I sort of wished I saved a lot more money to invest in some more elusive coilovers (Vishnu Ohlins yum ) instead of modding the turbo etc. But anyways that's my opinion and I could care less about ride comfort. Now I have a bunch other things to do to my car and upgrading to another suspension system is on the last of my list.

Also I believe Bilstein offers custom valving and spring rates for a price for those of you who already have the PSS9s.