I agree with you on the usage factor - its like anytign in the aftermarket really, most who buy it don't need it, they want it.....that's why teh bulk of the aftermarket exists

As for the coilovers, I cannot explain it any other way. Systems like the Cusco, Tein Flex, JIC FLTA2 are 2 way height adjustable these are the only types of coilovers that can be cornerweighted. You not only get a threaded spring perch but the entire lower assembly of the coilover (wher it mounts to the suspension arms of the car) are threaded as well. Thus you can lower the rideheight of the car without affecting the preload of the spring at all - the 2 are independantly adjustable. You simply cannot properly cornerweight setups like the S Tune.

As for rideheight vs cornerweighting, to a certain level it will remain relatively even, but the idea is that once the car is cornerweighted you are not to be messing with rideheight. A 1/4 inch in either direction (up or down) won't throw it off much, but any more than that certainly will, and will require you get weighted again. With a dual height adjsutable setup this becomes very easy to do for the reasons I explained above.

Look at these pics: 1st is of a Tein Type Basic, which is just like a NISMO S Tune - fixed rate dampening, and just rideheight adjustment. It's basically the equal of a really well matched set of springs and struts without having to do trial an error as to what works with what, but with the added benefit of rideheight adjustment. these are single height adjustable as the only way to adjust rideheight is via the lower spring perch. Thus as you lower the car, you increase preload on the spring, which also reduces suspension travel - fine for stret use, not a good setup for serous track users though.

Picture 1 - Tein Basic



Picture 2 is the JIC FLTA2 - see how there is a lockring for not only the lower spring perch but the whole lower coilovers assembly - this is a dual height adjustable setup. you cna adjust rideheight independant of preload.

Picture 2- JIC FLTA2RS



Adam

 

Sad, but true.

For me, I wanted a suspension fully capable of heavy track duty that would deliver better performance than the OEM setup. Getting springs alone simply doesn't cut it for me, as I know that it'll blow the OEM shocks prematurely. Plus, I was happy to get rid of the tire feathering issue that ate up my front tires.

I chose the JIC FLT-A2 coilovers because of the relatively high linear spring rate (staggered F/R too), dampening adjustability, and adjustable ride height (yes, I had my car corner-weighted). While many may think they don't need the dampening adjustability, I will argue that it's a must for any track junkie. Eric, when we were at VIR, you'll notice how smooth the track is, so playing with the dampening won't do too much. On the contrary, I was at Summit Point the other weekend, which is a pretty rough track. I had my dampening set at half stiff front and rear, and my front wheels were skipping over the concrete patches, thus adversely affecting my steering input and giving me some understeer and some funky slip angles. So I dialed the dampening down in the front, and I had much better steering response.

Unfortunately, I, like 99.5% of the people who own coilovers, are not maximizing the potential of the suspension. Why? The street tires are definitely at their limitations, and I need R-compounds to further extract the benefits of the coilovers (and the brakes as well).

 

John, I know what you mean about the rough road surface. CMP is like that, very bumpy and rough. Theres one straight with a big hump in it. It kicks you out about 2ft. wouldnt be too bad, but scary when you hit it at 110mph!!!

And with most of the people. There is certainly a place for coilovers, or they wouldnt be selling them. for someone who tracks his car regularly it can be a great tool for tuning. but I also think you can do alot of tuning as well trying different spring rates and get a nice set of adjustable shocks/struts.

Now, if i were going to start SCCA racing every weekend I would certainly get a set of nice coilovers. but like John said, 99.5% of the people who buy them will never come close to using the full potential of them. Its more for the cool factor(which is ok too)

 

I have nothing against piecing together a spring / strut combo, but it's not the same IMO as coilover kit which has been developed as a single product. I had the piecemeal combo on my last car, and it simply wasn't the same. That being said, I have been a little disappointed with the JIC coilovers as they are pretty noisy. However, if the weather is decent this weekend, I'm going to try and sort out those rattles.

 

I think that buying coilovers are like buying computers. Most people will buy a computer and use it only for internet, gaming, and microsoft word. What they don't realize is that it can do ALOT more than that.

But they either don't know or care how to use the computer to it's full potential.

Same with the coilovers-it's something to have. Most will buy it and do initial adjustments, but beyond that very little trial and error is done unless you track it and learn what needs to be done.

Having said that, I rather 'overbuy' and have more features than I will ever use just to have the option, rather than buy something then after the fact realize that I could have used another feature.

Look at it this way: We bought the Z. How many of us are truly utilizing it to it's full potential? I would say very few unless you use it as a dedicated track car.

I use mine as a daily driver with occasional track events. I think I remember a European guy (not here) state that why do Americans buy sports cars if they can use it secondary to speed limits? Good question. It comes down to needs v. wants.

Same is true for lots of things we buy.

But there's even another benefit to coilovers that has not been address-rebuildability and revalving. Tein flex can do this. With spring and shock, you have to buy new ones.

If you look at my sig, I bought S-tune. Now I knew from past experience with Eibach's on my Acura Ingra GSR that that not being able to adjust height was bad because I went to Buffalo, NY unexpectedly for five years after I bought them. To make a long story short, I rusted the whole bottom being that I was doubling as a snow plower.

So why did I buy S-tune? For it's warranty and rave reviews. However, I got hosed at the end because mine is considered 'gray market' purchase and therefore not warranted.

The moral of the story is that adjustability is better when you encounter the unexpected.

So now I'm considering selling my set-up (which I love), so I can get Tein Flex. And before anyone asks, I cannot get another car as I cannot afford it.