Suspension for the Talon

[4STFED]

I would like some input from some of the DSMers on this site in regards to their suspension setup....

Here is my dilemma...I want my car (91 TSi AWD) to ride like its on rails BUT I don?t want to sacrifice too much ride height (or any at all if I can avoid it). I understand the benefit of lowering the center of gravity bla bla bla BUT lets be realistic here - The roads in Spokane suck ass, I don?t want to have to garage my car during the snow season and Taco Bell's drive way is just too damm steep to enter with a car that has been slammed...Gotta love fourth meal :-)

So here is what im considering doing:

1: Finding OEM springs from a heavier car/truck that will fit my Talon (goal of getting stiffer springs without lowering the car).

2: Buying new OEM springs for the Talon and having them heat treated then flash cooled in an attempt to stiffen them - I don?t know if this is even an option but seems like it would work in theory.

3: Making a compromise and buying the Eibach Pro Kit that will drop my ride 1 inch front and rear.

4: Coilovers and or Air Ride - This isn?t attainable with my current budget.

Regardless, of the spring setup im going to buy the KYB AGX (adjustable) or Konis for all four corners and the suspension techniques 15/16 inch front and rear sway bars along with associated poly bushings and front tower brace.

So if anyone can provide some input I would appreciate it. Also if anyone has or knows someone who has the Eibach Pro Kit and KYB combo setup, i am interested in talking with them about the install process and any other thoughts they could give.

Thanks-

[blampinen]

Lol, hate to break it to you, but you can't make a DSM ride like it's on rails. Bad chassis. Mine had Tokico adjustable shocks, which tightened up the ride immensely, on OE springs.

But everything I've heard says that the Eibach springs and KYB shocks are a good combination.

[4STFED]

I disagree...DSMs have an excellent chassis for an AWD platform of its day. Now, it doesnt have the weight distribution and wheelbase of the EVO mind you but can still be made ride 10x better than on OE suspension components.

I guess my question is more related to the springs. Does anyone have actual experience or have knowledge regarding custom made springs or should I just bite the bullet and get the Eibachs and drop it down an inch? Again, my goal is to obtain stiffer springs without sacrificing too much ride height?

Thanks in advance?

[talntid]

call rre (www.roadraceengineering.com)

[NIevo]

Well I hate to break it to you but you need coilovers. Ive had every possible combination of springs/struts/cheap coilovers on my cars and nothing came close to the full coilovers I had from Tein. You can find them for not much more then strut/spring combo's if you look. The ones I bought I got for $650 shipped online.

[98spydert]

lol Tein basics are garbage. Just because it's a full coilover, doesn't mean it's quality. KYBs and Eibach are better than 15yr old blow stock struts but still a really cheap combo. You really want Koni yellows, hypercoil springs on a coil over type seat, and a spherical top hat. And that's cheap compaired to what's out there. I should have gone this route buy cheaped out a couple years ago and went with tokiko 5 ways and Tein 1" drop springs. The ride is pretty nice and it handles better than stock but it's nothing I'd take near a road course.

The sway bars and poly bushing set up is a decent choice. I like the RSDSM bars a little better than the STs. Don't bother with the strut tower brace UNLESS you get the spherical top hats.

[NIevo]

Sorry but Ive had Tokico's and springs and I would take the Tein's any day over them.

If you want something that you can have at stock ride height or lower it to race and have full adjustability+camber adjustment then save your money for coilovers. You'll be glad you did in the end.

[98spydert]

I shouldn't have said garbage. But they are garbage in the road course world and he's expressed a lot of interest in auto x in the past. I'd say they're decent for a DD with no track use. The Tein SS WITH THE SPHERICAL TOP MOUNT are a good entry level coil over for some track time. You're looking at $1200+ though. The combo I suggested is a budget way to go for track use and much, much better than Tein Basics or APEXI WS or any of the cheap coil overs. The dampers they use in those sets just plain suck.

ETA and I wasn't saying Tokikos are any better than Basics or WS. I said I made the mistake and cheaped out myself. If only I could do that over. Buy once, cry once.

[talntid]

Lee, I am just wondering - do people take Spyders to road courses?

[4STFED]

You arent helping me! Now the decision is much harder to make. I was much happier with my ignorance of thinking Eibachs and KYBs would suit me well given my intentions for this car.

Im still steering away for coulovers due to the costs. Ive been told the Konis are the way to go but i dont like the idea of hacking my stock struts and re-using the spring support (or whatever you call it cuz its a mcpherson type).

After considering all my options, i think im just gunna go with eibachs and AGXs. I may be making a mistake but something is better than what ive got - worn out springs and shocks...drives more like a lincon than anything :-)

[NIevo]

Springs and struts work good on a budget, just make sure you get the kind of ride height you want before purchase. I just love the adjustability of coilovers but I know what you mean about being on a budget:D

[4STFED]

Thanks for all the input! I just want to get SOMETHING done sooner than later so i can move on to the exhaust and then the engine rebuild.

[98spydert]

Lee, I am just wondering - do people take Spyders to road courses?


I hope not, I'd never take mine lol. It's cool for windy roads and such but nothing I'd push to the limits. I hear they flex like crazy compaired to the hard tops. I'd take a GSX with the Koni set up though :D