Coil overs?

[bumble bee]

Any body out there put coil overs on? How are they on the street as far as ride quality. How easy to adjust? Thanks for responses.

[DJWorm]

The advantage for coil overs is they are the ultimate in adjustability and tuneability.

That's good but it can be bad.

To effectively use coil overs you have to know exactly how the car is to be used, how it handles, what your goals are, the correct spring rates to start with etc etc. You really have to know what you are doing. Otherwise you can do more harm than good and will never get you money's worth......and they are expensive.

The best place for them is really the track. If the car is to be a dedicated racer or dual purpose car then I might consider it.
I wouldn't if it will only be a street car.

There are also some bad set ups out there. I think a couple of the West Coast shops sell a brand that has a gold anodized shock. This are noted for breaking the shock body and top mount.

You need the best spring AND the best shock. If you skimp on either you will be throwing money away.

I have FE3 adjustable and computer controlled Bilsteins with Hyperco springs on my C4 Callaway.
For my Z06 I am up grading my Penske double adjustables to triple adjustables and adding either Hyperco's or a custom Titanium spring from Germany.

I might consider Eibach springs but in my mind Hyperco's are the way to go.

The Penske shocks are the best but JRZ's are just as good but parts and service is tough as they are made in England.

One further note I strongly suggest that the upper shock mount be reinforced for coil overs especially in the front.

You should also check with the sanctioning body if you compete....in some organizations coil overs will put you in the top class competing against full blown race cars.

For only a street car I would up grade the springs with the VB&P
Extreme spring(s) with a good set of single or DA Penske's and Hardbar's titanium rear lowering bolts, adding VB&P bushings and T1 bars. Not coil overs.

[sconi]

DJ.... you know yer stuff!!! I love readin yer answers! Thanks.

[bumble bee]

D.J. Thanks for the info.It does sound like you know your stuff. I appreciate it.Definatly more homework needed!

[No Doubt]

I have JRZ double adjustable coilovers with Eibach springs.

DJ, JRZ's are made in Holland.

[1baduramax]

WHERE DO YOU PERCHASE THEM?

[DJWorm]

Yes , my bad, JRZ's are made in Holland. I dealt with a distributor in England sorry.

This is a dumb question(s) ....but ....how do you like them???

How are they on the street??

How much testing did you do with them?

Any set up problems??

Who set them up for you?

[No Doubt]

This is a dumb question(s) ....but ....how do you like them???

Love em

How are they on the street?

Definitely firmer and harsher than stock. But considering I also have VB&P poly bushings and the fact coilovers transmit all noise directly into the frame that's to be expected.

How much testing did you do with them?

I have two track days on them so far. Initial turn-in is quicker. Transient response is MUCH better. The car is flatter through turns and retains a hint of static and dynamic understeer. I was on F1's and could very easily overdrive the tires. I need to test with R compounds to fully exploit them. As you know the front F1's just don't offer enough grip.

Any set up problems??

No. They're pretty much a bolt on. Not any more difficult that DA Penske's. The remote cannisters and lines are the only thing that need some custom touches. Of course the spring rates and shock pressures are important.

Who set them up for you?

Greg Fordhal of Fordahl Motorsports installed them and setup the car. He's the chief engineer for Alex Job Racing. You might know of him as he won a few SCCA national championships (autoX) in F Prepared I believe. He has a lot of experience with vettes as well and works with some T1 guys. He was telling me about a data aquisition system one T1 car was running and how they can upload suspension and shock data to him for analysis. Pretty interesting.

Oh, I asked him if there was any truth to the C5 shock mounts not being strong enough for coilovers and he said it is definitely not an issue. He's never seen one fail. He said he saw a C4 shock mount fail but that was after a crash but that the C5 mounts are much stronger and no reinforcement is needed.

[Mark Olson]

I have JRZ double adjust, with about 10k now, All seem fine, we did have one that was leaking down but was serviced and has been fine (6k). Racers Group at Sears Point or Infieon dose my service and that is were I got them. Ryan there have been great to work with. I do all my own set up all on R compound tires (Mitch Pilot Sport cups) and (Hoosiers) different Comp/Rebound/Pressure depending on Tires and surface. The shocks set up for street. 5C/4R front at 125psi 3C/4R Rear at 100psi.