259 replies to this topic

[JackS60]

Matt_, on 18 January 2012 - 09:48 PM, said:

Your car's looking Great! You're pulling the front plate off really good. The black frame matches the trim and really goes together perfectly.

kalvin, on 18 January 2012 - 10:15 PM, said:

I would suggest a front lip and/or more low as the next course of action. Doin well so far.

Thanks guys. Kalvin, I like the front lip idea. I decided I'm not going to lower it any more because it would constantly feel like driving on bricks here in Fremont/Ballard where the streets haven't been maintained ever. Front lip is something to think about for 2013 though any word on those decals?

[Matt_]

JackS60, on 18 January 2012 - 10:23 PM, said:

Front lip is something to think about for 2013 though any word on those decals?

What do you have planned for the car in the meanwhile?
I'd sacrifice a little ride quality for the looks of lowering the car just a little.

[JackS60]

Matt_, on 18 January 2012 - 10:40 PM, said:

What do you have planned for the car in the meanwhile?
I'd sacrifice a little ride quality for the looks of lowering the car just a little.

In the meanwhile? Maybe some spacers, but that's about it. I've put so much money into it over the last 7 months, my wallet needs a break.

I'm not going to go coilovers because that would kill the ride. I might eventually cut the springs but I'm not sure. It would look sick...

Or 18s in 2013...

[the ünderstüdy]

JackS60, on 18 January 2012 - 11:06 PM, said:

In the meanwhile? Maybe some spacers, but that's about it. I've put so much money into it over the last 7 months, my wallet needs a break.

I'm not going to go coilovers because that would kill the ride. I might eventually cut the springs but I'm not sure. It would look sick...

Or 18s in 2013...

Cutting the springs will really up the honda factor.

[kalvin]

JackS60, on 18 January 2012 - 11:06 PM, said:

In the meanwhile? Maybe some spacers, but that's about it. I've put so much money into it over the last 7 months, my wallet needs a break.

I'm not going to go coilovers because that would kill the ride. I might eventually cut the springs but I'm not sure. It would look sick...

Or 18s in 2013...

Spacers would make an improvement in the meantime.

In terms of ride quality: Coilovers > Cut Springs

18s will also cause ride quality to take a hit.

[Matt_]

No cut the springs. Coilovers will get you the lowest but why not go with some eibach or H&R springs?

[JackS60]

Yea spacers are a good idea sometime soon. But the coilovers/cut springs/18s wouldn't be coming for a quite long time.

[kalvin]

Matt_, on 19 January 2012 - 01:16 AM, said:

No cut the springs. Coilovers will get you the lowest but why not go with some eibach or H&R springs?

I believe he is already on springs.

[Kevin.]

You do realize that coilovers make your car ride and handle better

[Matt_]

kalvin, on 19 January 2012 - 01:30 AM, said:

I believe he is already on springs.

My mistake. I was thinking he was still on the OEM suspension.

[kalvin]

Matt_, on 19 January 2012 - 01:32 AM, said:

My mistake. I was thinking he was still on the OEM suspension.

No worries. I can't remember for sure but I thought I saw he installed H&Rs at some point. I'm sure he'll chime in eventually.

A1C Beiber, on 19 January 2012 - 01:31 AM, said:

You do realize that coilovers make your car ride and handle better

This depends entirely on how you set them up.

[JackS60]

Yea I'm on Eibach springs right now. Matt, Garrett, and I put them on in July.

And Kev, from what I heard it'd be worse for me.

[Kevin.]

18s or 19s on an S60 w/ coils would be sexy. just sayin.

[JackS60]

No doubt. That costs $$$ though and I won't be spending that kind of money on my car til 2013.

[dmelviØØ7]

JackS60, on 19 January 2012 - 02:35 AM, said:

And Kev, from what I heard it'd be worse for me.

Nope. The springs on the coils are designed for the coils whereas your springs are designed for multiple different strut assemblies.

[JackS60]

Hmmmm well alrighty then! good to know

[kalvin]

[JackS60]

[Kraske]

TL:DR - Buy a kit that includes everything. Expensive but worth it.

Adjustable coil-over suspension is a great upgrade and well worth the money especially if you are thinking about taking the car to the track or auto-x. Obviously you CAN just do the adjustable springs (to get low) but without better dampers your handling will be like with cut springs. If all you want it low (which is totally valid), there are cheaper ways to do it and cooler ways to do it.

Springs and dampers go hand in hand; this is why you get a nice kit that includes both. Get one designed especially for your car. It will take most of the math out of your choices. Otherwise you have to:

• Select a spring rate. With adjustable coil overs, it all depends on the spring rate (and height) you use and what kind of damper (i.e. damping coefficient) you use. Once you're on a good set of adjustable spring perches replacement springs are like $40 each so it's pretty cheap to experiment and find a rate you like. With a car as heavy as the S60 you should probably start around 300-350 lbf/in.

• Select dampers. Dampers will probably end up being the most expensive part of the conversion if you buy nice (read: adjustable) ones. I have no idea what product support is like for S60s but I recently bought a set of Tokico Illumina dampers (nice dampers for street driving but not adjustable enough for serious track work) and they retailed for $160 each.

• Consider suspension geometry factors. For example, if you're going to lower the car more than 1.5 inches, it may become necessary to retrofit shorter dampers into the car to regain some suspension travel. This would require either sectioning the stock housings and purchasing shorter strut inserts (if they're removable) or purchasing shorter strut assemblies. The only other thing I can think of off hand in this category is that it may be necessary to make sure that the vertical spacing between the LCA and the tie rod is corrected to alleviate any bump steer. I don't think roll steer is much of an issue on the backs of these cars but again, I don't know them that well.

[JackS60]

Much of that flies over my head but I think I understand the basic concepts presented. I'm going to C&P that to a word document and save it for next year when I'll think about doing more big work.