Coilover advice

Beachbum957 · January 24, 2019, 17:03

Koni has 2 kits. One uses H&R springs and the kit sold in the US uses Eibach springs. Both use the Koni cartridges which require cutting the stock housings. Since the Tein-S springs are similar in rate to H&R and Eibach, all three setups should work well

thetyrant · January 25, 2019, 11:57

Quote from: Beachbum957 on January 24, 2019, 17:03
Koni has 2 kits. One uses H&R springs and the kit sold in the US uses Eibach springs. Both use the Koni cartridges which require cutting the stock housings. Since the Tein-S springs are similar in rate to H&R and Eibach, all three setups should work well

That's interesting thanks for info, I was going to order the Koni dampers next week but the rears are out of stock everywhere I tried so far, Koni HQ are quoting march for next lot, will see if I can find a reseller with stock.

Im tempted to get some coilover conversion sleeves so I can play around with spring rates but I think for time being I will just run with the Tein springs and see how they go for my usage.

Ian

thetyrant · January 25, 2019, 11:58

Quote from: james_ly on January 24, 2019, 16:57
I had it in my head that KWs were getting on for 2k? If so, then I doubt there's many MR2 owners who would fit them..

KW v3 isn't cheap around £1500, I can get a bit cheaper via contact there but its still pretty pricey, its a quality kit thought and from past experience you do get what you pay for with such things.

thetyrant · February 6, 2019, 11:03

Ok after lots more thinking and research I decided to go with my original plan of Koni Sport damper inserts which I will initially run with my Tein-S springs, I managed to find some Koni stock in Germany so ordered today and should be here next week.

Long term plan is probably to convert the stock strut housing to take a coilover threaded sleeve so I can then run normal 2.25 or 2.5" coilover springs, this will enable me to fine tune things giving quality adjustable damping with the Koni insert and adjustable height and spring rates, it does mean welding on a threaded sleeve to damper body but as its got to be cut open anyway for the koni insert its no biggy, this is a common mod in usa on these and other cars and makes a nice ride giving a more road friendly coilover setup.

Will see how I go on the Tein springs on the Konis first as it might be ok for what im doing, If its just some extra stiffness for track I need then another option is to stay with Koni/Tein setup and fit uprated ARB, so plenty of options to explore.

silversprint · February 20, 2019, 10:05

Here are two other option both of which I have done.

First you can built source a used set of coilovers with koni shocks and build your own koni coilovers. You will have full ride height adjustment, camber plates, and choice of any spring rate you want.

Here is a set I built using used HSD coilovers.

Second you can source a set of used BC racing coilovers and swap out the internals with digressive bilstein pistons and shims. Valves properly it will ride just a good as any koni shock and give you the advantage of monotube adjustable.

Mark A · June 27, 2021, 17:03

Has anybody done the Bilstein re-valving and shimming on here?

Anybody also recommend some slightly softer springs for the BCs?

TiA Mark

1979scotte · June 27, 2021, 17:52

Quote from: Mark A on June 27, 2021, 17:03Has anybody done the Bilstein re-valving and shimming on here?

Anybody also recommend some slightly softer springs for the BCs?

TiA Mark

If you want softer than BC sell and get meister R

Mark A · June 27, 2021, 19:54

I would do but I'm on a tight budget and already have the BCs.

Mark A · July 7, 2021, 12:55

I might have found a solution, I'll let you know Monday or Tuesday when potential solution arrives.

shnazzle · July 7, 2021, 22:31

Quote from: Mark A on July 7, 2021, 12:55I might have found a solution, I'll let you know Monday or Tuesday when potential solution arrives.

I'm curios too...

Mark A · July 8, 2021, 11:00

Patience my child! Santa is coming soon.

Mark A · July 13, 2021, 10:56

My secondhand KW Coilovers V3 I bought recently off a popular auction site arrived yesterday, they need quick wash as they've sat gathering dust in a garage for a few years, but they look in really good condition with a couple of very small rust spots on the springs . I'll hopefully fit them to car this weekend and report back but I'm really looking forward to trying them out. Undecided if I should try and fit the BC top mounts or just opt for the KW rubber top mounts.

1979scotte · July 13, 2021, 13:59

Quote from: Mark A on July 13, 2021, 10:56My secondhand KW Coilovers V3 I bought recently off a popular auction site arrived yesterday, they need quick wash as they've sat gathering dust in a garage for a few years, but they look in really good condition with a couple of very small rust spots on the springs . I'll hopefully fit them to car this weekend and report back but I'm really looking forward to trying them out. Undecided if I should try and fit the BC top mounts or just opt for the KW rubber top mounts.

I'd stick with all KW if it was me.

Dev · July 13, 2021, 14:08

Quote from: Mark A on July 13, 2021, 10:56My secondhand KW Coilovers V3 I bought recently off a popular auction site arrived yesterday, they need quick wash as they've sat gathering dust in a garage for a few years, but they look in really good condition with a couple of very small rust spots on the springs . I'll hopefully fit them to car this weekend and report back but I'm really looking forward to trying them out. Undecided if I should try and fit the BC top mounts or just opt for the KW rubber top mounts.

Congrats. Hopefully they are in good shape. Most use the Cusco topmount with these.
Maybe you can add them later on.
Looking forward to your review.

Mark A · July 13, 2021, 16:44

Cheers Dev, my thinking re the top mounts. I'll do a back to back review and I might even try a short video before and after on the rubbish roads around the house.

They have come off a race car which had them fitted, entered a race series and needed to use something else to be eligible for the competition, they then sat in the garage for a length time so fingers crossed.

Dev · July 13, 2021, 18:33

Quote from: Mark A on July 13, 2021, 16:44Cheers Dev, my thinking re the top mounts. I'll do a back to back review and I might even try a short video before and after on the rubbish roads around the house.

They have come off a race car which had them fitted, entered a race series and needed to use something else to be eligible for the competition, they then sat in the garage for a length time so fingers crossed.

The pillow ball mounts generally have a lot less compliance so you should get better shock performance as well as turning feel but I am sure it will work just as well.
The camber plates will allow you to dial in the right amount which I found essential in reducing understeer. From some older discussions on these the reason why they never came with this feature is they could not be approved for street use. I wish KW would have sold these plates as race only options so you didn't have to get them from Cusco.

When you mentioned in an earlier post you found a solution, you certainly did. Good luck.

Roj · July 13, 2021, 18:41

Quote from: Mark A on July 13, 2021, 10:56My secondhand KW Coilovers V3 I bought recently off a popular auction site arrived yesterday, they need quick wash as they've sat gathering dust in a garage for a few years, but they look in really good condition with a couple of very small rust spots on the springs . I'll hopefully fit them to car this weekend and report back but I'm really looking forward to trying them out. Undecided if I should try and fit the BC top mounts or just opt for the KW rubber top mounts.

Nice purchase

Apologies if already mentioned elsewhere but are you currently running BCs?

Mark A · July 15, 2021, 14:44

Hi Ron,

I bought a cheap set of BCs which I refreshed with some powder coating, changing of spring collets/seats and general cleaning.

Dev, hopefully I've found a nice solution that's not cost a fortune.

Mark A · July 15, 2021, 15:29

Shortly to be replaced by

Gaz mr-s · July 15, 2021, 16:23

@Dev the numbers on the helper springs... front 10 - 60 - 80 rear 20? - 60 - 80

Are the latter two the I/D & length? The 10 & 20 - Nm/mm ?

Main spring numbers?

Dev · July 15, 2021, 19:15

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on July 15, 2021, 16:23@Dev the numbers on the helper springs... front 10 - 60 - 80 rear 20? - 60 - 80

Are the latter two the I/D & length? The 10 & 20 - Nm/mm ?

Main spring numbers?

If you are referring to the KW springs I do not have any idea.
Just know the spring rate for twin tube and the kind of valving will be very different than a mono tube strut like the BC and cant really be compared.
What I do know is KW has done very good work determining the proper spring rates and damping for the street with plenty of real adjustability. Most cheap coilovers do not have much if any damping adjustably.

Dev · July 15, 2021, 19:28

Quote from: Mark A on July 15, 2021, 14:44Hi Ron,

I bought a cheap set of BCs which I refreshed with some powder coating, changing of spring collets/seats and general cleaning.

Dev, hopefully I've found a nice solution that's not cost a fortune.

They look ok. What I would do if you have the time is mark and loosen the spring adjustment. Remove the top hat and spring then compress each damper. This is to check to see none of them are locked up from a bent rod and to compare each one against each other to see if they all behave the same way of the force of going in and coming back. If they all seem consistent without any obvious leaks I think they should give you confidence you got a good set.