Father of 3

Lot's of threads about PSS9s (sounds ideal, expensive, and perhaps a bit over the top for non-track cars) vs. bilstein HDs + fill-in-th blank coils. What is the consensus on the various mfgs. of coils out there? Is one noticably better than the others? If one is already on a car, is another good enough to switch out to?

Was going to hijack another thread for this question but thought others might want the answer to this question as well. Thanks for the input.

914und993

I think the consensus is that if there is any chance you will be taking the car to the track or autocross on a regular basis, and want as much flexibility as possible, you want the PSS-9 or H&R coilover systems. If you are going to race seriously, there are other systems more suited for that.

For the occasional DE or autocross, where you aren't trying to eke out the last little bit of suspension performance, the ROW M030, Eibach, or H&R springs with Bilstein HD shocks are great. I don't think there is a consensus that one is clearly superior to the other, though you will find lots of people on this list evangelizing their own choice as the best. Suspensions here are almost like religions.

Chip

Edward

F of 3,

Chip says it well. It's all about your priorities and what you're willing to compromise in order to gain. FWIW, the "mainstream" suspensions such as Bilstein HD, RoW M030 on HDs, PSS9, H&R system (...heard of less-than-favorable things of Eibach, FWIW) mentioned on the numerous threads you had waded through are all high-quality systems that have numerous testaments of happy users. Just remember YOUR priorities for the desired ride, and that the cost of the installation/alignment/corner balance is the same for any system you choose so you want to choose well. If at all possible, get a ride with some folks with the various setups to get a better idea. I notice you're in LA. I'm in Santa Clarita (Valencia) and work in the SanFernando Valley if you want to check out mine with PSS9s and 17" cups. PM me if you like. Take care
...BTW, I like your call name.


Edward

Jean

Building on FO3 question, what is it exactly that you want to be looking for in a good spring. I have driven and raced modified cars for several years and I can still not tell the difference between two brands of good springs with the same rating in a blind test.

Edit: I am strictly talking about springs which is what my understanding is of FO3's initial question

Any tips?
Thanks,
Jean

Stevarino

FO3:

I'm not sure what you're driving, but my cab has ROW M030 (front) and ROW turbo (rear) with Bilstien HDs and runs on 18" turbo hollowspokes. I didn't intend to track the car - hence a cab - and find this a little stiff on certain roads. I also prefer OEM. As my brethren suggest, it really depends upon your needs. You're welcome to drive my car to sample this setup.

chris walrod

My vote would be for the factory ROW M030 springs. I am a bit biased towards factory engineered springs, although I do not know how much effort is spent by H&R and Eibach to engineer their springs. I hear great things about the H&R springs coupled with Bilstein's HD's.

traveller09

Hey Father,

I have been debating the same Shock/Spring issue as you. Even though I have only had my car a week, I knew this was something I wanted to do before I bought it. I have a stock 95 C2 that I took for a nice ride through the mountains yesterday, what a great day for it. Even though my skills are pretty novice the car seemed a little too….bouncy/soft (I think those are the words I am looking for) and too loose in the turns. Granted my only comparison to go off of is a 1980 SC that was really set up nice with JRZ’s and such, and my fathers Boxster. I hate to admit this but my dads Boxster is much tighter than mine. So I know I need to do the shocks and spring, it is just a matter of which ones. I would like to build the ultimate road machine, with limited use on the track. For Springs: A mechanic I trust told me to take the M030 over the Eibach and H&R’s; again I have no personal experience just his recommendation.

After rereading this I realize I am saying a whole lot of nothing here. I must be really bored and just wanted to pipe in! ha..ha….

But when you do figure out it out and make the change please let me know, because I will probably make my change next spring.

David

viperbob

I tend not to favor the H&Rs. They seem to be a little more problematic in some cases. An example, on the 993 they use a non linear spring. No big deal but the smaller coils tend to compress and touch each other causing some small annoying noises when going over small bumps / potholes / dips. This does not upset the car as many helper springs on coilovers do the same thing. It is just a small issue that I have not seen with the Eibachs.

The M030s are always a good choice. They work very well with the HDs....

Father of 3

Let me be more specific. My car (yes, I do have a car now) has eibach springs with stock shocks at 53k miles. I know, I know they are probably shot which is the genesis of my question. I know coils usually don't cost much so trying to figure out if it's worthwhile to switch to M030 or H&R from eibach when I change to HDs. Stepping up to PSS9s is another question altogether that I haven't decided upon yet. My general feeling is to switch completely to the M030/HD combo as it is more OEM. I like the Eibach height, incidently.

Viken

FWIW, you have the worst of all worlds. Completely (not probably) shot stock shocks and the worst lowering springs. To me, it's a no brainer to switch to ROW M030 springs at the same time. Not only you are improving quality and handling, but you are saving labor by doing it at the same time. It's only the additional cost of the springs which is really minimal. However, if you really would rather keep the Eibach's, by all means do go with the HD's. You will have a huge improvement in ride, handling and longevity no matter what springs you use.

Father of 3

Thanks Viken. That's exactly what I was trying to get at. I know coils tend to be the cheapest part of the whole supspension upgrade so don't want to be pennywise and pound foolish here. Will probably do the M030 or step up to PSS9s.