Hey guys, I was serching the forms for some input on suspensions setups and have been running into too many decisions.

I live on a dirt road, drive through grass, and play around in the sand. This is a main reason i bought the car in 2013, it can get anywhere.
I dont think that lowering the car would be smart due to the life it lives.
Current height is stock struts and springs with a possible 187k Miles on them. Anythings got to be better than them.
I will say the RF just started knocking about 1k miles ago so not that bad i guess.

My max price is $3500 for the struts so all options are within my budget.

Ive been looking at:
TEIN Mono Racing Coilovers w/ EDFC Kit
KSport Gravel Rally GR Coilovers
KW Coilover Kit V3

The TEIN and KW lower the car a minimum of .6 in and .9 in respectivly
The KSport allows for + 30mm (1 1/8in) around stock height and clames to have a longer spring and stroke length.

EDIT: All three use a 6k spring so thats not changing anything.
EDIT: All three do not use 6k springs
TEIN: 16k / 14k
KSport: 6k / 6k
KW: 9.1k / 6.1k (Listed as: 515lbs/in / 340lbs/in)

I was thinking about adding some of STMs Swift Assist Springs at 4k to allow for a veriable commpression on the spring (More like the OE style springs) Provided they fit.
I also have access to a mill that i could create strut spacers for the TEIN and KW if i go that route.

The car is a daily driver i put about 800 miles a week on and off the road so i would like something comfortable as well as useable for autocross.
Oh yeah, and to get home.

I did see one thread that was talking about any Gravel Rally Kit under $6k is trash but that was the closest ive found to a review on them.
However, everyone seams to run a $1.5k to $4k coilover. So i dont know......

So what seams more logical to do?
Get the "Cheep" Rally coils
The Expensive KW and use a strut spacer to matain height
Or the Fancy self adjusting TEIN suspension with strut spacers to matain height?

Thoughs, Inputs, Cautions, Notes

 

If your stock struts lasted 187K with your driving style, you definitely don't need rally-grade aftermarket suspension. When people talk about proper Rally suspension, they're referring to jumps and high-speed bumps and other such abuse that would have destroyed stock struts in the first few hundred miles. After 187K on stock struts, it's safe to say your struts aren't taking anywhere near this abuse.

If you don't want to lower the vehicle much, you want low spring rates, and you place a lot of value on ride comfort, why not just buy some OEM MR Bilsteins and call it a day? The MR suspension is not bad for stock rates and ride height.

If you step up coilovers the ride will feel more controlled (damped) but it won't feel more cushy due to the stiffer springs. You could try to adjust the ride height back to stock and install softer springs, but if you can achieve similar performance by buying the OEM Evo MR Bilstein suspension, I'd prefer the OEM parts.

 

I was looking at blisteins but cant seam OE height springs.
With almost 200k miles you can tell they are done. the casing is cracking, the metal is swelling with rust. Its time for all of it before it breaks.

In the thread titled "Stock spring rates of USDM EVO8??" conclustion of OE spring rate is 180 and 225 lb/in Front/Rear
That means they are approx 3.5 kg/mm and 4.0 kg/mm
Anyone confirm these numbers?

So at this point, as edited in my first post:
TEIN: 16k / 14k (tein.com)
KSport: 6k / 6k (ksportusa.com)
KW: 9.1k / 6.1k (Listed as: 515lbs/in / 340lbs/in on inspire-usa.com)

The KSport are the closest to OE spring rate although they do set all 4 springs to the same rate....

I found this article: http://www.superstreetonline.com/how...vo-suspension/
About 1/4 of they way down they setteled for 550in/lb and 650 in/lb springs, (approx. 9.8k and 11.5k)
Also they used 200 in/lb (approx. 3.3k) tender springs.
They were building the car for the track though so that would be a max for me.
So TEIN is out unless i swap springs.

Speaking of which, anyone have input of "swift" springs?
On springrates.com they offer different length springs at given rates and they are priced at $100 each.
If they are decent then ill get the longer struts (KSport) and run 150% spring rates of stock. (5k and 6k)

 

The nice thing with coilovers is that the sky is the limit when it comes to spring options. Most use a standard size generally 2.5" ID so then you get to pick whatever length and spring rate you need.

I only mentioned that bc you seem very hung up on comparing different options based on their rates so Im here to tell you to not bother bc you can set them up however you'd like.

Now with that being said the first response you received was sound advice. Swapping to adjustable coilovers does not make sense for you. Most will at the very least lower your car some. Sure you could perhaps combat that with spacers( I wouldnt) or by maybe running longer springs. But why even bother? The other thing you mentioned was you are only looking at replacements your current setup has seen better days. But you got some serious like out of them! Of the coilover options you mentioned you'll be lucky if you get 10k of out those before theyre blown leaking rusty etc. The KWs are OK but there are much better options at the same price point. But again, I dont see them offering any advantage in your situation.

If it were my money I would find a nice used set of Bilsteins and call it a day. Otherwise buy some new ones. But whatever you do please do not buy those Ksports or other pick your color coilovers bc honestly they suck.

 

Swift makes quality springs. You can find them cheaper than $100 if you search.

Start with the Swift website, select the ID, length, and spring rate you want, and then search the internet for the matching part number: https://www.swiftsprings.com/circuit-off-road-drag/

Aftermarket coilovers aren't necessarily better than OEM when it comes to resisting the elements. In fact, getting a full 200K miles out of aftermarket coilovers would probably require at least one rebuild, potentially many more depending on the brand.

If you don't necessarily need the additional damping range and performance of aftermarket coilovers, the OEM parts could arguably be the better option for longevity.

 

i love my Teins

 

If your gonna keep her get a better set of coilovers and don’t go cheap

 

Thank you guys for the input!

I see that now the more i look. I just hate to buy one spring to use another but thats the name of the game i suppose.

As i keep looking, I continue to stumble upon higher prices and better, happier reviews although they become harder to find.
Then XYZ poped up. Ive herd about them in rally before. Anyone have input on them?

These two kits:
https://www.performancesuspension.co...ng-gravel-rall
https://www.performancesuspension.co...-racing-gravel

 

Ive decided to go with the XYZ Gravel Rally Suspensions Coilovers.
They seam to be decent and at 1,495.95 euros ($1690.08) they are not "Cheap"

Two to three week lead time so ill be doing a review due to not finding anyone with a review on these coils.

Again, Thanks on the input!

Ive decided on them due to the extra travel they allow, they are set at 6k f/r (might get 5k fronts), and under $2k.

Time will tell how they preform.

Note: I might look into Fox Racing. Yes i know they dont make anything for the Evo.
But ive got access to a mill and like challenges.
The rear would be simple with upper/lower adapters but the front are a different story.
Fox struts are not made to be a Structural item.
There for a upper control arm would need to be used.
Maybe one day ill revive this but for now XYZ it is

 

Why on earth would you pay $1,700 for a set of no-name Taiwanese dampers when you can get a set of custom valved Ohlins for a bit more, which are serviceable, top shelf, and have actual resale value? You're not seeing any reviews because people do the right thing and buy name-brand dampers.

 

Are you still able to cancel within that two to three week lead time?

XYZ is rebranded KSport / D2. Somehow more expensive than just buying the KSport. Price is not an indicator of quality.

I agree with RS200: If you're going to spend the money, spend a tiny bit more and get the proven Ohlins setup. It's one of the few aftermarket coilover setups that I'd trust to extended street use. You can either spend the extra money on Ohlins now, or you can spend the extra money later replacing those XYZ coilovers.

Or if you're still seeking stock-like ride height and spring rates, a set of Evo MR Bilsteins is a perfect fit.

Or I suppose you can continue to ignore all of the advice you're receiving and deal with whatever you get.

 

I am not ignoring the advice. The biggest problem is the height of the car.
As it is now going over my dirt roads i occasionaly scrape and thats with OE height.

I cannot drop the car any.

The car is not a city car. I cant justify the $10k suspension the Ohlins gravel rally and the rest drop the car so.....

We will see. If they are as bad as they are claimed ill take the fool status.
Ive made more mistakes with money than $1600.
Ill take this one for R&D

Heres the link:
https://xyz-racing.co.uk/product/mit...ion-coilovers/
They are rebuildable too.

If i need something better, ill fix another few cars and get the cash.
Then ill have to make strut spacers and all that so it will take a little more time than what i have at the moment

 

No one is suggesting the $10K suspension. The Ohlins R&T can be adjusted to within 10mm of standard ride height without exceeding manufacturer specs. Or you can get back to stock ride height if you're willing to push it a few threads further.

Really though, OEM MR Bilsteins are still a great option for someone who wants stock ride height and spring rates. Cheap rebranded coilovers aren't going to last anywhere near as long as OEM hardware.

For street driving at low spring rates, the performance doesn't really matter. The valving might be painful over sharp bumps (MR Bilsteins and Ohlins R&T have a digressive valving curve for improved ride quality, no clue what the XYZ does). The real difference comes in longevity. If you have to replace a coilover every couple years or buy new top hats every 20K miles when they start clunking, it's not exactly cheap over the long term.

 

I'll second a set of Evo MR Bilsteins. You don't need height adjustment, you don't need damping adjustment, you don't need anything other than stock spring rates. You absolutely do not need coilovers. Why would you pay that kind of money for a cheaply-made product that gives you absolutely nothing and is worse than stock?

 

Ill look into them.
If they are the best i can get for my purpose then i suppose thats what it will be.

I do wish there was an option though.
I suppose the demand is just not there.

Thank you everyone for the advice.
Its much appriciated.