coilovers / springs

[Tricked out DelSol]

This is the problem. I have enough money to buy some springs or coilovers. The problem is not picking between the two but do i need shocks? I rode in my friends are that has some cheap coilovers and his ride quailty is crap. I have another friend that has neuspeed springs and hits ride quailty is quite good (both civics). So i'm just confused....do i need expensive kind? Also do i need shocks? I know my ride will be rougher.....but i dont' want it to be bouncy like some are.

[s2Ksol]

Well, you need shocks with springs and coilovers. It's a must.

Did your friend with the cheap coilovers upgrade his shocks and struts? You can use your factory shocks and struts with both springs and coilovers, but it isn't good for ride quality and can cause damage over time to the car. You can get by with using factory components for awhile, but it is a must to upgrade to aftermarket shocks/struts to create better ride quality. Think about it. If you have a spring or a coilover system that isn't the factory height, then the factory shocks and struts will not work to there fullest potiencial. If a spring/coilover are designed to a smaller height then the shocks/struts are compressed instead of there natural, neutral state.
That is why you would buy aftermarket shocks, like KYB adjustables,etc and struts to complement the height of the new spring/coilover. Maybe you can look at various websites like ground control, ebiach, skunks, vis, tanabe, etc. to get a better understanding of how springs and coilovers work.

There are 2 types of coilover system. One you buy the system seperate. Like ground control, skunks, etc. This is just the coilover unit. You still would need to buy shocks and struts. The coilover systems are usually around $300 on up.

There there is Tanabe, VIS, etc. that the spring, coilover, and the shock are all one unit and cost from $1000 on up. I have a set of tanabe sustec pros.

Springs can range in price as well from about $250 on up.

A general rule of thumb too is that the lower you go the worse your ride quality can get. If someone is lowered at 2.5 inches versus 1.5 then they will feel more of the road and the ride quality can be stiffer. If your at 2.5 inches, then there isn't as much forgiveness in movement up and down. Also the size of the wheels/tires can affect the ride quality. You will notice more bumps in the road if you are on 17's with low profile tires then like factory 15's with a higher/thicker tire wall. Also the type of road can also affect ride quality. I have noticed over the years that black top roads are smooth and nice to drive on, but concrete patch layed roads can tend to be bouncy.

This is general info. for you and there maybe some give and take about it, but I hope this helps. Other message boards to check out where solers are: www.darksol.com
www.superhonda.com, www.dezoris.com www.honda-acura.net

Blair 95 VTEC
www.teamsolil.com