I don't know if you've noticed it from watching these three videos, but from 1->3 you've changed your seating position (you're closer in a more "race" position), and you are much smoother on the throttle (listen to the video without watching it and you'll hear what I'm talking about). As well you appear to be braking a bit harder. Did you change your brakes during that offseason as well?

 

you also are not shuffle steering as much which leads to smoother and more consistant cornering. First video looks like you are fighting your car for control, 2nd and 3rd looks like you and your car working together {thumbup** nice job

 

These are two of the moments where a damper really shows if it's good or not. Transitions and fast bumpy corners. The increase driver confidence in being able to handle these sections quicker IS worth time. And the better damper in the bumpy section.

Really though...the Megans SHOULD be faster then Smike's set-up. More camber and stiffer rates is almost always worth time. But the fact the he's not points to driver mods, driver confidence in his set-up, and a better damper and better balance.

- Andrew

 

Tein FLEX with the EDFC are my choice as those are all I have rode in. I have had them for over two years and they are very reasonable.

It also depends on what size your tires are. I noticed a pretty big difference going from a 255/35 to a 245/45...the taller the tire, the more "comfortable" the ride. Performance isn't better obviously.

 

Do You have solid proof of this? Otherwise its simply biast and speculation I hated my PSS9's which obviously a Bilstein product

 

LOL now you sound like me. PSS9's should come with the footnote: this suspension is great for the street if you never want to re adjust the dampening and do not want a stiffer spring rate than stock.

 

well a better damper will be smoother in rough, broken and changing pavement because it will react better.

That said, what you see on the street, in theory, is a lot rougher than a track (should be). Kinda like brake pads do you need two sets?

 

I remember having this conversation I didn't mind the crawling under the car to readjust. I just didn't like the ride at all it.

 

Proof? Well for the balance....the spring rates on the Megans....8k/6k is not the way to go. I don't know how to "prove" it to you beyond recommending you do some research. I don't mean that in a negative way but it's a basic thing with the EVO rear suspension.....it's not a strut. Yeah you can make it work with the 6k rear with band aids but that's not the best way to do it. Any real suspension tuner starting a real suspension build looks at spring rates and knows you don't want 8k front and 6k rear on an EVO. Same with standard KW V3's....9k/6k rates which is even worse. You see a lot of vendors selling these now that don't know anything about suspension but are just dumping them at super cheap prices because suspension isn't their thing. People see the success Robi and company have had with custom KW's but cheap out and get the standard ones from an "all in one" tuner shop and are out of luck when it comes to knowledgeable support and advice.

As for the valving.....shock dynos of BC coilovers were posted on here before and there is too much rebound and too little compression. And too little travel. Megans are made in the same factory are very similar. In my opinion. To be fair, the shock dyno was a bit better then I expected. The write-up from the evom site project car were they took off Ohlins and put on Megans had very similar feedback to Smike. Megans weren't bad, but lost most of the their time in the bumpy high speed sweeping corners. AKA, the valving was lacking.

But they do have stiffer spring rates then stock
Yes they feel soft and no they aren't a hardcore track coilover. Not everyone is looking for that "soft" feel. There are other coilovers in that range that i prefer honestly, but it's no secret that some of the national level EVO autocrossers are running revavled PSS9's.

- Andrew

 

slvrr - no offense taken. In the internet world I come off as grumpy.

Yes, lots of variables in AXing. And I agree, no best, but there are bad options. Yes, the Z1s are much much much better than the 615s.

Yes, Tim is correct. I was not fighting my car anymore. First AX of the season it was evident right in the first turn.

And as always - drivers learn.

goofygrin - actually different cameras. I am sitting in the same position but the lenses sees differently. Video 1 is GranSport GS5 pads Video 2/3 is Hawk HPS. The GS5 by far stop better than my HPS - so much so, they are back on the car now. I think its the camera tricking the video on the braking.

I wish I was somewhere warm - a year AXing would be nice.

 

So I don't mean to say Megans are completely terrible. They definitely have a following and some quick drivers run them. Megans and BC's are clearly the best of the under 1k coilovers IMO. Off the shelf KW V3's come with 9k/6k rates which i think are just silly. I'd get new springs for them too and frankly I'm not sure what they were thinking (even after they gave me a BS reason for it).

Back in the day there were debates over Bilstein vs. Koni and people picking sides and debating endlessly over which was better. Myles (owner of Racecomp/GTWorx) can get in a car blindfolded and tell you if it's on Bilstein or Konis. And really it's like....do I want the tall skinny blonde? Or do i want that exotic dark haired girl who's a little quieter but has a killer body? Really a LOT of it at this level for street based kits is personal preference. Some people just like the "feel" that Megans give you. Stiff rates for cheap is tough to beat and has it's advantages (a stiff, direct "feel" is what a lot of people associate with good handling. But stiff rates do help control body roll and reduce camber loss effectively). Other people like the "feel" that Billies give you. Compliance, confidence, etc. They like to feel the suspension "working." Also worth something. I personally feel the valving is better for certain tracks, but for a super smooth circuit the stiffer rates of the Megans (with proper spring rates ) very well could be faster.

It's always difficult to judge when people say things about ride quality and performance because everyone is so different. You have people with S-techs saying the car handles "like it's on rails" when everything about them is wrong for handling, and then you have people on 12k/16k rates saying the ride quality is "better then stock." So it's a judgement call just interpreting what other people are saying.

Really at this level a lot of it comes down to driver skill, driver preference, and driver confidence. Smike is probably the only one that i know of that has gone from Megans to a Bilstein HD + Springs + Sways combo and for HIM it was faster. Maybe it was driver mod. I think it was partially driver, but judging from his feedback a lot of it was the dampers especially for his track. That's my opinion.

- Andrew

 

Sorry....i've been ranting the last couple of days.....maybe something about a blonde or a dark haired girl i mentioned earlier has been getting me worked up.....

- Andrew

 

Im aware that the rates are reversed on the Megans. However I haven't seen any specific testing done on the street version or the track version. I was refrencing to the track version which are 12k 10k. I didn't take the do some research comment as rude at all its all good man. I know you are one of the better suspension Gurus on here and wasn't questioning your knowledge only wether you or anyone had actually tested them.

 

No problem man and yes it is nice not having crazy winters but the trade of in the summer CAN be unbarrable at times

 

Well it is really tuff when it comes to our car and using it for a DD'er and also a track beast. If I ever redo any one part of the car it will be to have built custom suspension that exactly matches the car. for the cash the Megans offer lots, noisy is the only down side I have seen so far. ( slow speed bumps turns into driveways ect)...


Now when it comes to girls well, Andrew, you simply need to just get one of each. There is no other sensible answer. And if you can not get one of each, then just make the one you have change that hair color each season! Works great! {thumbup**