The more I read these threads, the more I wonder if I need new struts. I really want SmikeEvo's exact set-up. Well, atleast the Bilstein HD's. I'll have to figure out what I want to do with my sway bars. But I don't have the money right now

 

The installs are not that bad Just need a lift and to take down the front a little.

madmax stated the best way. One way to test while on the car. Go to all 4 corners and push down. The car should sag under your weight then bounce up back to the static state and not move anymore. When my strut went it would sag really easy then bounce around when I let go. Another way to tell is more of a feel thing. When you are on the freeway it tends to feel like you are riding a waterbed not an Evo.

Ya, those are not the best examples. But that might help you. Beyond the fluid leaking and having it off the car to test out. Clunking, bouncing around, fluid leaking - all signs a strut is toast.

 

thanks for the help..

anyone one know of budget coilovers that handle well?

 

Megan's are a good bang for buck option. Of course, there are MANY great coil-overs that are much better, but for the money, they're hard to beat I have no personal expeirence with them. I'm just going by the opinion of another person I know who is rather knowledgable about suspension

Smike, I've actually done those tests myself on my car. The car does ride perfectly fine. When I bought the car it had 61k on it with Tein S-techs. Two reason I thought about possible strut failure. When I did the spring swap to the Swifts, I didn't notice any leaks during the install. But with the body roll this car has (always had since I bought it) made me think. My Mirage has VERY little body roll, so I may just be having a hard to getting used to the roll. The Evo is much faster around a corner and has MUCH MUCH more grip then the Mirage, it's just the roll is a little uncomfortable for me.

 

Ick, the S word...S-Techs. One on the worst parts out there for our cars. Right behind the HKS SSQV...Swifts have a very nice roll then bite. Makes transitions very fun and smooth to go through.

I actually went from Megan Tracks to my current setup. Reasons: 1, MI (or CT or anywhere with snow/salt) Winter + Coilovers = dead coilover. 2. MI roads suck. And I wanted to sharpen the cars handling. Last year - middle of the pack, this year a few trophies. Difference - suspension.

 

Smike, where are you in CT?

- andrew

 

The switch from Tein's to Swifts was an immdediate differance! The car does corner a bit flatter, but it's still an Evo. I have a lot of faith in good spring/strut combo's. I could have bough coil-overs, but decided not to.

 

About 15 mins outside of Norwich

 

k, IMing you now.


- drew

 

so megans are good bang for the buck coilover??

 

bump?

 

*shrug* megans are.... stiff. If you have an MR, get the Swift Sport or Swift Spec R's and don't change the stock shocks until they die. If you don't have an MR, then get the HD shocks.

You will have a more comfy ride than the megans... and it will handle better on the street and track.

 

Actually no the Megans aren't stiff at all and I have the track series. They ride and absorbe bumps and cracks in the road much better than the stock GSR in my opinion. My wife even like the ride better and she didn't even know what I did. Her exact words were wow all of a sudden your car rides smooth what happened. There is no way you can beat it for the price IMO. If height adjustability is important to you its the way to go unless you go all out KW Varient 3's.