Are coilovers worth it?
Are coilovers worth it?
Now that I have the evo paid off I am going to slowly build it for road racing. Never been to a road course, only auto x once.
Is the handling improved over stock with say, $1000 Megan racing coilovers?
Also, any tracks in the NY area?
Thanks in advanced.
Is the handling improved over stock with say, $1000 Megan racing coilovers?
Also, any tracks in the NY area?
Thanks in advanced.
If you never take your car to the track then a cheap($1000) set of coilovers will be fine as long as all your going for is the slammed look. Cheap coilovers will be ok for the track but not spectacular by any means. If your gunna build your car for road racing then a nice expensive set of coilovers is kind of a must. Not necessary but youd be surprised. I had Robispec KW V3 on my evo, simple amazing!
I agree.
Seat time is more important then anything. I would only get what you need and start.
Good track brake pads
High Temp Brake fluid with a full bleed of entire system (dont forget to bleed the inner and outer caliper on teh front). Nothing worse then coming up on a turn from high speed and the petal touches the floor...
Tires.
Work your way up from their. I have been going to the local track down here for the last 5 years and have only changed a few things. Im still on the stock struts with Eibach springs, better tires on my stock rims and a few suspension upgrades and have a blast and run in the top of my group (well except for the drivers that have ANY skill anyways as I need more track time too).
Seat time is more important then anything. I would only get what you need and start.
Good track brake pads
High Temp Brake fluid with a full bleed of entire system (dont forget to bleed the inner and outer caliper on teh front). Nothing worse then coming up on a turn from high speed and the petal touches the floor...
Tires.
Work your way up from their. I have been going to the local track down here for the last 5 years and have only changed a few things. Im still on the stock struts with Eibach springs, better tires on my stock rims and a few suspension upgrades and have a blast and run in the top of my group (well except for the drivers that have ANY skill anyways as I need more track time too).
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1) Go to said track.
2) Drive.
3) Repeat steps one and two multiple times.
4) Note what you dislike like about the way your car handles.
5) Perform research to find out what part will improve what you noted in step five.
6) Buy, install, and test part.
7) Repeat until satisfied.
2) Drive.
3) Repeat steps one and two multiple times.
4) Note what you dislike like about the way your car handles.
5) Perform research to find out what part will improve what you noted in step five.
6) Buy, install, and test part.
7) Repeat until satisfied.
Evolved Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MD
1) Go to said track.
2) Drive.
3) Repeat steps one and two multiple times.
4) Note what you dislike like about the way your car handles.
5) Perform research to find out what part will improve what you noted in step five.
6) Buy, install, and test part.
7) Repeat until satisfied.
2) Drive.
3) Repeat steps one and two multiple times.
4) Note what you dislike like about the way your car handles.
5) Perform research to find out what part will improve what you noted in step five.
6) Buy, install, and test part.
7) Repeat until satisfied.
Evolved Member
iTrader: (33)
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,313
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, Transplanted from Toronto, Canada
Fact is if he is asking about coilovers then he is probably like most of us. Enjoys his Evo on regular roads. he may have plans to get to a track but the majority of his driving will be street. And to be honest unless you live in a place that gets alot of snow during the winter and you plan to drive your car through it and like it slammed in the summer most people are not going to raise and lower their car on the regular (I'm one of the people that wanted this adjustability but I NEVER change my ride height. Its a PITA doing it properly).
That being said. Honestly Megan, Tein, Apex'i, HKS, Tanabe, D2, Omni, BuddyClub, BC Racing, Cusco, JICMagic...... All kind of the same in terms of ride quality and adjustability. Price point is on you.
The cheapest effective way to lower your car is the MR Bilstein strut/Swift soring combo mentioned before.
Its generally accepted that KW's, Bilstein coilovers and higher up on the food chain, Muton, JRZ are considered coilovers for the serious track enthusiast.
I do think that Fortune Auto's, JICMagic's, Zeal's and Cusco's are good as well but htis is coming from a car enthusiast, not track enthusiast.
Good luck and search the Suspension forum. There is a ton of info there and some threads I'm sure addressing this. GTWorX, Smike, FJF and a few others are pretty knowledgeable about suspension from a honest "want the car to track better" standpoint. If you just want the car lower and could care less about handicapping the handling capabilities of the Evo since you won't be competing in it then also check the show and shine forum.
That being said. Honestly Megan, Tein, Apex'i, HKS, Tanabe, D2, Omni, BuddyClub, BC Racing, Cusco, JICMagic...... All kind of the same in terms of ride quality and adjustability. Price point is on you.
The cheapest effective way to lower your car is the MR Bilstein strut/Swift soring combo mentioned before.
Its generally accepted that KW's, Bilstein coilovers and higher up on the food chain, Muton, JRZ are considered coilovers for the serious track enthusiast.
I do think that Fortune Auto's, JICMagic's, Zeal's and Cusco's are good as well but htis is coming from a car enthusiast, not track enthusiast.
Good luck and search the Suspension forum. There is a ton of info there and some threads I'm sure addressing this. GTWorX, Smike, FJF and a few others are pretty knowledgeable about suspension from a honest "want the car to track better" standpoint. If you just want the car lower and could care less about handicapping the handling capabilities of the Evo since you won't be competing in it then also check the show and shine forum.
I agree.
Seat time is more important then anything. I would only get what you need and start.
Good track brake pads
High Temp Brake fluid with a full bleed of entire system (dont forget to bleed the inner and outer caliper on teh front). Nothing worse then coming up on a turn from high speed and the petal touches the floor...
Tires.
Work your way up from their. I have been going to the local track down here for the last 5 years and have only changed a few things. Im still on the stock struts with Eibach springs, better tires on my stock rims and a few suspension upgrades and have a blast and run in the top of my group (well except for the drivers that have ANY skill anyways as I need more track time too).
Seat time is more important then anything. I would only get what you need and start.
Good track brake pads
High Temp Brake fluid with a full bleed of entire system (dont forget to bleed the inner and outer caliper on teh front). Nothing worse then coming up on a turn from high speed and the petal touches the floor...
Tires.
Work your way up from their. I have been going to the local track down here for the last 5 years and have only changed a few things. Im still on the stock struts with Eibach springs, better tires on my stock rims and a few suspension upgrades and have a blast and run in the top of my group (well except for the drivers that have ANY skill anyways as I need more track time too).
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,002
Likes: 12
From: somewhere testing various tires, brakes, and suspensions.
I agree.
Seat time is more important then anything. I would only get what you need and start.
Good track brake pads
High Temp Brake fluid with a full bleed of entire system (dont forget to bleed the inner and outer caliper on teh front). Nothing worse then coming up on a turn from high speed and the petal touches the floor...
Tires.
Work your way up from their. I have been going to the local track down here for the last 5 years and have only changed a few things. Im still on the stock struts with Eibach springs, better tires on my stock rims and a few suspension upgrades and have a blast and run in the top of my group (well except for the drivers that have ANY skill anyways as I need more track time too).
Seat time is more important then anything. I would only get what you need and start.
Good track brake pads
High Temp Brake fluid with a full bleed of entire system (dont forget to bleed the inner and outer caliper on teh front). Nothing worse then coming up on a turn from high speed and the petal touches the floor...
Tires.
Work your way up from their. I have been going to the local track down here for the last 5 years and have only changed a few things. Im still on the stock struts with Eibach springs, better tires on my stock rims and a few suspension upgrades and have a blast and run in the top of my group (well except for the drivers that have ANY skill anyways as I need more track time too).
1) Go to said track.
2) Drive.
3) Repeat steps one and two multiple times.
4) Note what you dislike like about the way your car handles.
5) Perform research to find out what part will improve what you noted in step five.
6) Buy, install, and test part.
7) Repeat until satisfied.
2) Drive.
3) Repeat steps one and two multiple times.
4) Note what you dislike like about the way your car handles.
5) Perform research to find out what part will improve what you noted in step five.
6) Buy, install, and test part.
7) Repeat until satisfied.
Fact is if he is asking about coilovers then he is probably like most of us. Enjoys his Evo on regular roads. he may have plans to get to a track but the majority of his driving will be street. And to be honest unless you live in a place that gets alot of snow during the winter and you plan to drive your car through it and like it slammed in the summer most people are not going to raise and lower their car on the regular (I'm one of the people that wanted this adjustability but I NEVER change my ride height. Its a PITA doing it properly).
That being said. Honestly Megan, Tein, Apex'i, HKS, Tanabe, D2, Omni, BuddyClub, BC Racing, Cusco, JICMagic...... All kind of the same in terms of ride quality and adjustability. Price point is on you.
The cheapest (most) effective way to lower your car is the MR Bilstein strut/Swift soring combo mentioned before.
Its generally accepted that KW's, Bilstein coilovers and higher up on the food chain, Muton, JRZ are considered coilovers for the serious track enthusiast.
I do think that Fortune Auto's, JICMagic's, Zeal's and Cusco's are good as well but htis is coming from a car enthusiast, not track enthusiast.
Good luck and search the Suspension forum. There is a ton of info there and some threads I'm sure addressing this. GTWorX, Smike, FJF and a few others are pretty knowledgeable about suspension from a honest "want the car to track better" standpoint. If you just want the car lower and could care less about handicapping the handling capabilities of the Evo since you won't be competing in it then also check the show and shine forum.
That being said. Honestly Megan, Tein, Apex'i, HKS, Tanabe, D2, Omni, BuddyClub, BC Racing, Cusco, JICMagic...... All kind of the same in terms of ride quality and adjustability. Price point is on you.
The cheapest (most) effective way to lower your car is the MR Bilstein strut/Swift soring combo mentioned before.
Its generally accepted that KW's, Bilstein coilovers and higher up on the food chain, Muton, JRZ are considered coilovers for the serious track enthusiast.
I do think that Fortune Auto's, JICMagic's, Zeal's and Cusco's are good as well but htis is coming from a car enthusiast, not track enthusiast.
Good luck and search the Suspension forum. There is a ton of info there and some threads I'm sure addressing this. GTWorX, Smike, FJF and a few others are pretty knowledgeable about suspension from a honest "want the car to track better" standpoint. If you just want the car lower and could care less about handicapping the handling capabilities of the Evo since you won't be competing in it then also check the show and shine forum.
See bold. Good coil-overs are worth it...on the track. Budget are not - anywhere. Do it right, when ready for it, not before or half-assed.
Even if you just want to make the car look better and enjoy the ride - I'd still recommend Bilsteins and proper springs.
Totally agree. Please, Please, Please address your brakes before you spend money on coilovers and go to a track day. If you are really planning on driving hard at a track day, you can go through pads very quickly. Our cars are heavy and reach some pretty high speeds, depending on the track, of course. One thing to add to the list of good track pads and high temp brake fluid (I use ATE Blue) would be stainless steel lines.
It's a lack of cooling on the Evo that damns it. Good pads, good DOT4 fluid, ducts = track ready. Driver
Brakes
Over-modified car
Tires
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,002
Likes: 12
From: somewhere testing various tires, brakes, and suspensions.
Yes, NY has a handful of tracks. Check out NASA NE for their track events. HPDE1 is great for instruction and safety on track.
Autocross more. Stop modifying the car until you know what it needs. And if wanting to complete...do not touch the car until you see the rules and know what class you want to run in.
Autocross more. Stop modifying the car until you know what it needs. And if wanting to complete...do not touch the car until you see the rules and know what class you want to run in.