Well looking to replace my Tein Basics with something a little stiffer. The basics were good for me but now that I am getting more aggressive with the autox events I want something stiffer. I am looking at Megan street coilovers and Helix DNA coilovers both are around the same price, under 900 shipped both have pillowball mounts and camber adjustments The helix have 16pt adjustments and the megans have 32 Both have good reviews from nasioc Supposively the Helix's DNA could have an EDFC type controller in the future. They are in the process of development. Thats a rumor, I havent been able to confirm that yet. Gruppe S claims they are the best coilover in that price range. I do autox and I also do highway driving so thats why I want some ability to adjust the dampening. So what would you buy or suggest? A third that I am looking at is BC Racing. Also in that price range and Have heard nothing bad about these ones.
For the BC racing coilovers-http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1308625 not sure what the price is yet, awaiting PM.
Justin and Fuji are on the BC coilovers. they seem pretty high quality to me. I have heard nothing bad about Megan coilovers. alot of people on RS25.com are running them. I have heard zero about the helix DNA. Although I have used helix parts (3" DP) and they are superb quality. I think you will be fine either way you go. RCE makes some really nice stuff for a little bit more. http://www.rs25.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75196
Since you stated that AutoX is a consideration for your purchase, I would not weigh the potential for an EDFC-type component into your decision. Having one equipped would more than likely throw you into a class that you would be uncompetetive. If that $1000 is the price point is your personal limit, you've pretty much hit the nail on the head with what is available. The Megan/BC/Helix/army of clones coilovers are pretty much your options. Of those, quite a few people have good things to say about the BC Racing series coilovers. Since you want something stiffer, have you compared the stock rates of the C/O that you're looking at? I don't know the rates of any of those, but they might not differ all that much. It might be more cost effective to just replace the springs rather than the whole setup. Why spend the dough on slightly stiffer springs if you aren't gaining an apreciable improvement in damping and bump stroke? You may also want to consider keeping your eyes open for a used set of higher end C/Os. You might be able to snag something with better valving and more stroke for your money. Edit: Depending on what class you're shooting for, you may find it more cost effective to run a fixed perch/spring setup. You get the adjustibility of coilovers (at the loss of corner balancing) and the ability to stay in a stock class. Furthermore, it might be adventageous to look into sways to meet your needs. You can use sways to increase your effective spring rate without replacing your current setup. Adjustable sways also won't jack up the DDness of the car like ramping up the spring rates would.
All good imput here. I do have an Adjustable RSB installed. I havent really thought about replacing the springs on the coilovers. I kinda want the ability to adjust the stiffness in the dampening due to highway drives and such. I am leaning towards the BC Racing series the more I reasearch. They also do rebuilds on them and since they dont have the ability to rebuild they just give you a whole new set for $95 a side. You cant go wrong there. My autox class doesnt matter to me since here in ND we dont always get enough competitors so we dont break down in classes all the time. I do it more for fun so If I do go to an event that I have to be in a much higher class for, then so be it.
I was under the impression that BC (Bor Chuan) manufactures Megan, K-sport, and Tanabe... so the Megan's should be the same as the old BC's, but different from the BC inverted. I drove the BC inverted for half a year last year and Fobia has them now. They are decent. Great for the price, but nothing spectacular. Spring rates are pretty high (8k/6k standard) for daily driving but it didn't bother me. I believe you can modify the spring rates for a nominal price. Yr $95 a side estimate is a little inaccurate. It's more like $180 for the cartridge with a $90 core charge. This is for the cartridge only... so if the top hat/camber plate breaks or the strut body or coilover spring breaks, that's extra. Still cheap and fast tho. Adjustabilitywise, only about 1/2 of the settings are usable due to the spring rates. The camber plates got me -2.75 degrees with the stock front bolts tho. That was nice. Also, research a bit more about Helix and winters if yr thinking about running these year round. That said, between yr choices, I'd go with the BC non-inverted. Cheaper, just as easy to adjust since you have a wagon, great customer support, and Josh (importimage) can get you a good price.
^^^ thanks Yeah I had seen something about the Helix in the winter and Rust. Not good since I would end up running all year. Yeah BC is prolly the way I am gonna Go, just awaiting a PM from Josh on Nasioc.
Dont' want to get into any kind of coilover vs coilover arguement. So I will just throw in my $.02 EDFC type system > All
