Thread: Coilovers Vs Drop in Strut/Spring Combo

Originally Posted by Max Cook

Either way im getting AGX struts and either way im going with ZZP. Agx because I want the best quality, and I'd rather do it right the first time on something that should last awhile. ZZP because they're literally a few miles down the road and I've known them since they were just a tiny shop off division ave.

AGX...meh, whatever. i don't think they are super awesome or worth the cost, but it's your car.

The question is... To coilover or not to coilover?

duh, the answer is yes.

I save about $250ish by going with the drop in spring combo and I save on labor for sure as well I'd imagine. With the ZZP Drop in spring combo you get SSC springs which from what I understand are some of the better ones.

I've heard coilovers are noisy, finicky, and problematic. My friend at ZZP already said he can get the stiffer spring rates for it so from what I understand that helps greatly. But what about the ride quality? Is it noticibly lower than SSC? Does the weight savings make any real difference? Are they a constant PITA?

a) coilovers are going to ride more stiff, but less harsh. it's their nature (higher spring rates).
b) coilovers arent any noisier than stock.
c) they are height adjustable, but you lose strut travel as you lower. you pick your height and how much you want to ride on the bump stops.
d) they go A LOT lower than SSC if you want.
e) they'll handle worlds better than any spring/strut combo you can put together. end of story.

I like the idea of doing it right the first time and not looking back with regret but coilovers are at the edge of my budget and im not sure if they're worth it? I like the idea of getting the perfect ride height but if they're going to need constant adjustment and constantly end up being an overall PITA I'm not sure I'm all that interested.

who said you'd have to constantly adjust them? whoever said that is stupid.

see my responses to what you got going on above...

Originally Posted by Bio248

e) they'll handle worlds better than any spring/strut combo you can put together. end of story.**

i'll take this line and add a disclaimer to it.

** if you have the car corner weighted (can't do that without coilovers), your alignment is where it should be (NOT STOCK), and your other suspension/wheels/tires are all up to the task.

I wouldn't say that coilovers for the Prix would ride better than a strut/spring combo.

Handling would be better...it's be a more predictable ride...but with the stiffer springs, you're going to feel the road more. I drove down I94/131 last fall...drove down plenty of Michigan roads...and I'm about an inch off the ground...was it tolerable? Sure. Would I daily a car with coilovers up there...meh, probably not.

Hell I don't even know why I'm daily'n this car here in KC...our roads are total crap.

and to reply to your second post that i didnt see right away...

it sounds like you want coilovers with the way you're talking. you can go lower than SSC and still have the car handling how you want. i'm not sure which spring rates work well since i haven't tested them, but if you don't go really low i don't see why the "stock" spring rates wouldn't be fine for you. any more rate and you'll be upset with the ride quality.

and i don't like AGX because of their qualities. an adjustable strut is so you can adjust it to the spring rate that you put on it, making it a useful strut for a wider application of spring rates. it's not setup well for one spring rate and the adjustment is there so you as the owner can dial them in as you see fit. if you can figure out a way to get a set of struts valves specifically for the springs you are going to run you'll be worlds ahead of the AGX, but it may end up costing you more in the end. i also think the adjustability is laughable. i would settle with GR2 and be happy with them.

only you can determine that, really.

Originally Posted by Max Cook

Hmm... Do I need shortened dogbones too btw?

maybe, i've had some conflicting information bouncing around in my head on this stuff for a while. i feel it has a lot to do with axle and motor mount wear than the actual suspension geometry, but that's still yet to be seen. spacers for the motor/trans mounts are a better option than shortened bones, though.

Originally Posted by Max Cook

Would It still be better handling than stock and look lowered and good if I just went with the AGX/SSC combo? I'm thinking with the money saved I could get a GMPP Rear Sway Bar as well, which apparently makes a massive difference. I think with coilovers im going to end up over budget in the end and annoyed with my spring rate choice or something. Where as SSC/AGX its just drop in and go..

it'll handle better and be lowered on SSC for sure (in comparison to stock). i'd say that the rear sway bar would make more of a difference than the front because it'll promote rotation of the rear under hard cornering whereas the front is always going to plow...

Alot of people also shortened the endlinks when they lower there car it also helps alot.

You know the end links are short enough when you have to bend the sway bar...rite? lol.

if you like low cars, don't even think about a spring/strut setup when you can do coilovers. it's worth it in the end to be part of the sanitation department, cleaning up the streets with your bumper.

You should check this thread out.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/coilo...nal-73311.html

Heads up on AGX, they'll wear out pretty quick.

Originally Posted by Bio248

it'll handle better and be lowered on SSC for sure (in comparison to stock). i'd say that the rear sway bar would make more of a difference than the front because it'll promote rotation of the rear under hard cornering whereas the front is always going to plow...

Honestly after trying every part on a W body short of lateral links and coilovers, I'd have to rate the front bar as the #1 improvement in handling. It helps control all of that weight out front.

Next was bilstein HD/vogtland up front.

Next was trailing arms, followed by rear sway (ADDCO bar, 22mm solid)/bilstein HD/vogtlands, with STB's in dead last. And by dead last I mean basically worthless with all of those other components.

Arguably, I didn't notice much difference with the rear struts/springs/sway. The rear end still had way too much play on high speed sweepers. That's not to say it didn't help, it surely made a difference, but after you consider springs were $150, struts $600, sway $200. Probably would have been better off buying the BMR rear end link kit.

All depends what you're after. With all of that done, you could feel every little bump in the road. However the ride wasn't uncomfortable. Firm but smooth, the bilstein way.

Oh and I did all of this on 225/60R16. Enough tire to smooth out the bumps, yet still competent enough to provide a solid enough steering feel given the obvious heavy front end. Driven cars with 1" sidewalls, interesting, but not for a daily.

I have the ZZP coilovers with AGX struts, and i love them, i have them set decently low and i still have a decent ride quality.
Pic of the ride height im at