Definite next suspension mod...Finally found!

[D_Eclipse9916]

So ive been looking and looking browsing the boards looking for something to fix my camber. Camber kits are nice, but ive always wanted to go with something like adjustable control arms. Ive spent a whole year looking for, anything! I finally find this obscure little link today that has them!!!

Why buy camber kits when I can get a nice little forged alloy control arm!!! Muhahahahahha. Sorry I had to share this with someone because I almost shat my pants when I found these. Unfortunately the DSM market has shit-ton of engine and that kind of stuff, but we are behind the times in suspension development. 420 dollars isnt too bad considering it adjusts camber and caster and is lighter than the stock control arms.

PS- Yes I am pretty much eventually going to go all out with the suspension of this thing. I decided im not going to get another car, as gas prices do not justify getting another track car that honestly could be obsolete in the next 10-20 years.

Suspensions mods planned
-RM Sway Bars with custom endlinks
- ATI stage 2 dampening system for 2g including spherical top mounts
- These control arms
- Strut Bars (got em already)
- Roll Cage
- And of course replacing everything with better bushings.
- New tie rods (got em already)

(Yes im a little behind on getting suspension work done, but im almost done with my engine work so suspension next)

So yes anyone that is interested here is the link........

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.prosuspension.com/product_info.php?products_id=391&osCsid=3dbcce0de702fa3355982d047629ce7e">http://www.prosuspension.com/product_in ... 047629ce7e</a><!-- m -->

"SPC Performance is launching their "Pro Series" with a new line of high-performance forged upper control arms for 96 - 00. Constructed of aerospace aluminum alloy these arms are torsionally stiffer than the OE control arm and are anodized for improved appearance and corrosion resistance. One point adjustment for both camber and caster, with the caster adjustment featuring a "Positiveive lock" mechanism designed for high load acceleration and braking. With applications for racing, show and street tuners, these arms will be the aftermarket's choice when choosing a high end, light weight replacement arm to correct alignment angles and to save weight. This kit includes two front control arms."

[white_2kgt]

how does that adjust caster?

[Sijray21]

i'm not seeing it either. the strut assembly doesn't look like it's top or bottom mount is adjustable, thus not being able to adjust the caster. am i missing something?

[ScottyB]

does the control arm mount such that the mounting points sit in between the two nuts on the inside bolts? if that's the case, then yeah i can see how you adjust caster through raising/lowering one side in relation to the other.

nice little product, i'm curious why more DSM'ers don't use them.

[Sijray21]

does the control arm mount such that the mounting points sit in between the two nuts on the inside bolts? if that's the case, then yeah i can see how you adjust caster through raising/lowering one side in relation to the other.

that's what i was thinking as well, but wouldn't that put stress on the lowered side? i feel like that kind of stress wouldn't be good for the nut.

[.RJ]

Those SPC arms are pretty nice but you run into two problems - you'll reduce suspension travel (i.e. the control arms may smack the frame on the inner fender well) and you'll reduce tire clearance - and then there's also the possibility that the joint will slip, but locking nuts and washers goes a long way to fix that. Do you need more camber?

This is just a pet peeve - but I dont like to hear "going all out" on suspension - because all you really need is something thats going to be reliable and predictable and then work on seat time. If you really wanted to, you could spend $15k on your suspension without breaking a sweat.

What are your goals with a new suspension under the car? What are you going to do with it? Can you provide some more info on these - ATI stage 2 dampening system for 2g including spherical top mounts ?

Generally, the shock spring combos marketed as "full coilovers" come in a pretty box, with nice anodized hardware and "pillowball" mounts, but the springs are poorly made and the damping adjustment range doesnt help you at all - and the general damping characteristics give you nothing but a harsh ride and a marginal improvement in handling.

That said, I'd recommend a set of Koni shocks + Ground Control sleeves. Its tough to beat for the price ($800-900), they offer a lifetime warranty and their customer service if something breaks down the line is fantastic - you'll never get that from JIC, Tein, etc.

Then from there, a nice set of swaybars and replace all the worn bushings with OEM rubber (poly on a street car wont last long) and get an alignment and corner weight done. Use the $$ saved over some of the blingy parts on tires and seat time.

[G.Irish]

:?: I thought Tein had good customer service (although it'd probably take longer than Koni). JIC = stay away.

[Evan]

no actual product pic. not a good sign

[.RJ]

Dont :?: me boy.

Tein doesnt offer a lifetime warranty on their products, and until recently they did not service shocks stateside. They will rebuild/revalve to handle higher rate springs though, and their shock dynos look fairly decent. If you were going to go with something other than Koni in the same price range, then Tein would be a good choice. I'm not sure what their turn around time is for work, or how good their tech support is - when one of the adjuster knobs on my Konis broke, I sent it off and had it back at my door in 5 days.

[Andy]

I don't know about other cars but most MR2 racer guys warn against "jdm" coilovers. Apparently, they don't hold up against track conditions

[G.Irish]

I don't know about other cars but most MR2 racer guys warn against "jdm" coilovers. Apparently, they don't hold up against track conditions

Its probably like anything else, some are good, some are not. Tein has a pretty good rep and I think there are a few HC cars that run Zeal suspension (although its stupidly overpriced). Evan had a pretty good experience with his Cusco suspension on his WRX.

Can't go wrong with the price to performance ratio of the Konis though.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Alright you have to remember guys that the 2g DSM suspension is NOT a strut suspension as ive seen a few of you complain about.

RJ, pretty much going all out, BECAUSE there is not much out there yet for a dsm. Yes I could spend 100 of thousands of dollars doing R&D, but im pretty sure you understand that that is not within my range, so all out, is what I can do with bolt on and a little bit of customization.

RJ, the "full coilovers" you are thinking of are ones such as megan racing and JIC and Tein. I am considering JIC, but the ATI suspension is basically a step beyond it.

Its funny that you mention konis + ground controls, because that is basically what it is. They take koni yellows, revalve them and dyno-trace EACH shock and make sure that it performs exactly to your spec, blah blah blah they do basically the same to all 4 corners and springs. The spherical top mount is a TRUE spherical top mount, not a pillowball. This actually reduces tension of the side to side motion of the spring and better controls it then a simple pillowball.

hold on, let me find the link. ARgh, they are updating my old link just goes straight to the main page now....Let me work on finding the link......

Oh and I have thought about some penskes...

Remember guys, im a freshman, I have a long time to get this stuff done, ill still be racing when your in your diapers again...lol just playing!

[D_Eclipse9916]

I don't know about other cars but most MR2 racer guys warn against "jdm" coilovers. Apparently, they don't hold up against track conditions

Its probably like anything else, some are good, some are not. Tein has a pretty good rep and I think there are a few HC cars that run Zeal suspension (although its stupidly overpriced). Evan had a pretty good experience with his Cusco suspension on his WRX.

Can't go wrong with the price to performance ratio of the Konis though.

Problem with a lot of japanese shocks including Teins are they are not dual adjustable. Compression and rebound are adjusted together, while on a good shock, these should be able to be adjusted seperately or having a better ratio than the Tein. That is why I dont like Teins.

[navin]

So D.J are you gonna begin tracking the DSM? If so thats dope man, glad to hear..

On the suspension thing, I finally realized after trying to "tweak" my car with all the cool trinkets, etc and then tracking it back in October of 05' its really not worth it. I've been driving my car with some POS JDM coilovers I got for dirt cheap from a Japanese importer, eye'balled alignment, and a rear sway

Since then I havnet really dropped a dime into more performance mods into my car, just mainteance and other things here and there..

Just a thought

[G.Irish]

Problem with a lot of japanese shocks including Teins are they are not dual adjustable. Compression and rebound are adjusted together, while on a good shock, these should be able to be adjusted seperately or having a better ratio than the Tein. That is why I dont like Teins.

Their higher end shocks are adjustable for compression and rebound. I think that'll be pretty much the case with most shock suppliers. The Koni Yellows are like that.

[Evan]

Their higher end shocks are adjustable for compression and rebound. I think that'll be pretty much the case with most shock suppliers. The Koni Yellows are like that.

Koni yellows are not rebound adjustable. Knob adjusts compression but rebound stays constant. (or ive got it backwards....one of the 2)

[G.Irish]

Their higher end shocks are adjustable for compression and rebound. I think that'll be pretty much the case with most shock suppliers. The Koni Yellows are like that.

Koni yellows are not rebound adjustable. Knob adjusts compression but rebound stays constant. (or ive got it backwards....one of the 2)

Yeah that's what I meant, the lower end shocks (Koni Yellows) are only single adjustable. And 'lower end' is relative, they're still excellent shocks, they're just not expensive and don't have a high maximum damping force (for high spring rates).

[ScottyB]

Oh and I have thought about some penskes...

so have i, but then i blacked out. after coming too, i found my wallet hiding under the bed.

[Andy]

So D.J are you gonna begin tracking the DSM? If so thats dope man, glad to hear..

On the suspension thing, I finally realized after trying to "tweak" my car with all the cool trinkets, etc and then tracking it back in October of 05' its really not worth it. I've been driving my car with some POS JDM coilovers I got for dirt cheap from a Japanese importer, eye'balled alignment, and a rear sway

Since then I havnet really dropped a dime into more performance mods into my car, just mainteance and other things here and there..

Just a thought

I'm right there with you. Spend as little as safety will allow and blow the rest on seat time.

[.RJ]

I think there are a few HC cars that run Zeal suspension

Zeal is also junk, IMO.

Their higher end shocks are adjustable for compression and rebound. I think that'll be pretty much the case with most shock suppliers. The Koni Yellows are like that.

Depends on what you buy. The konis are only rebound adjustable, and compression stays constant. With a lot of cheaper shocks, the compression is changed to, and this is not what you want. Compression damping controls the unsprung weight of the car and is more or less a 'set it and forget it'.

They take koni yellows, revalve them and dyno-trace EACH shock and make sure that it performs exactly to your spec, blah blah blah they do basically the same to all 4 corners and springs. The spherical top mount is a TRUE spherical top mount, not a pillowball.

Got a link? This seems like it would be a good option. Who does the revalving work and what does it cost? What springs are used?