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ej96hatch
novice poster
11 Posts |
 Posted - 03/02/2010 : 21:25:24
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Hello all! I have a 2010 honda fit! I currently have lowering springs on the stock shocks and the ride is "ok"! I am planning to buy some full coilovers in the ear future before I take the car out for an event! I wanted to know what brand you guys are using and what issues (if any) you've come across since the install! The brands I am limited to at this time are buddyclub,hks,b&g,function and form,megan racing,apex-i,and I think kw! I want to spend around $1100-1200 for the set! I also don't know if a monotube or a dual tube shock setup would be better since my car is mainly for everday to and from work use! Any info/advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance! |
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justjim
Instructor poster
276 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 09:55:21
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There are endless discussions about this on most of the various Honda forums such as ClubRSX among many others. Several points to keep in mind before you lay out a lot of money.
1. Is the car going to be a daily driver or a predominantly road track car.
2. Stiffer/Lower springs require a stiffer dampner (shock absorber) because of the increase in spring frequency. If paired with stock shocks the ride will be inadequately damped and the OEM shocks will wear out prematurely.
3. An improved dampner is probably more important than stiffer/lower springs. You could for instance get a set of Konis if they are available for the Fit and stick with the springs you have.
4. There are other more important suspension items to look at before coilovers.
5. Mindless slamming of cars will often make them handle worse. Learn a bit about suspension theory before you make wholesale changes in the car. Again proper suspension modifications are endlessly discussed on the forums. I could point you to a couple of good FAQs although not specific to the Fit they would give you some good points.
6. Don't forget the driver, it is the most important modification you will make.
Jim
Dark Blue Mazda RX-8 |
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imfrcd
just got my forum ID
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 11:08:07
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| see above #'s 4 & 5 put your $$ back in your pocket. Better yet into a CD to make some return. Drive till it needs new tires. That alone will change handling. If I sound like an old man, well, I watched two sons pour thousands into their rigs until they figured it out. Do some events, it will change your perspective. We all have been there, we all have stories. |
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ej96hatch
novice poster
11 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 14:22:29
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I am on honda-tech and fitfreak.net. This is my first time buying lowering springs and it will be my last! On my last 2 civic hatches i've had koni yellows' with ground control coilovers and was very happy each time!
I would be up for swapping the stock shocks out for stiffer ones but nobody makes individual shocks for the 2009+ fit's yet that is kinda why my only option is to jump to a coilover kit! Believe me I don't want to but what other choice do I have? The car handles well from the factory, I have added a progress rear swaybar to help with cornering! I don't really want to replace the tires as they only have 5k on them! I plan on upgrading the tires when I need tires! I am trying to research as best I can on the suspension options for the car but my choices are limited like I said. Most of the people on fitfreak have lowering springs with stock shocks since the aftermarket hasn't provided independent shock options, yet!
I don't plan on dumping thousands into this car, I just want it to satisfy me and my needs and I plan on taking the smartest route necessary to do so!
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imfrcd
just got my forum ID
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2010 : 06:21:30
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| The first event I did was in a stock 1979 Volvo242 GT. It was The best time I ever had with my underpants on. Relax, come to VIR. Do a days worth of laps, you won't have time to think about shocks & stuff. Get turn 10 down pat, THEN you can start upgrading. You said it was a daily driver. Drive it. |
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justjim
Instructor poster
276 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2010 : 09:39:10
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If you can get a set of camber bolts for the front I would get an out of spec alignment, best bang for the buck. Add some negative camber up front. Each car is different, check forums for best numbers, but something like -1.5 to -2 up front and -0.8 in the rear would probably be close for a front wheel drive. Make sure the front is not toed in, either 0 toe up front or a little toe out in front helps turn in, probably 0 toe in rear. Too much toe is what eats tires not camber. This is relatively inexpensive and will help on the street as well as the track. Again at this stage I would focus on yourself and not the car even though we all like playing with our cars.
Some helpful links http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=575660
I wrote this FAQ http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=610832 .
Jim
Dark Blue Mazda RX-8 |
Edited by - justjim on 03/04/2010 09:46:19 |
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The management
admin/chief tire changer
688 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2010 : 11:38:02
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For what it's worth, the advice we give to any entry-level driver that is new to the track hobby regarding upgrades/mods:
Don't.
That's a recommendation; you're not going to be restricted from participating if you do... but, you might be making a mistake...
We suggest to begin by driving your car in it's OEM configuration, and get some advanced driver training FIRST. Only after a driver has become skilled, can you make a valid assessment of what your car may need.
We've seen numerous drivers bring cars to events that were modded out with the latest gear that has been recommended by friends, the internet, magazines, etc... and, when they started doing actual laps, found that the car was borderline useless, because none of the mods had been track tested previously.
One thing for sure, unless you have a race car with fully adjustable suspension, lowering the car RARELY improves the handling, because that creates major changes to the manufacturer's carefully engineered suspension geometry.
Drive Well, The management |
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ej96hatch
novice poster
11 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2010 : 10:08:07
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Thanks for the replies/advice! I'm going to figure out what i'm going to do! I'm not going to be on these lowering springs too much longer! I may go back to the oem springs but I can't say for sure at this time! Thanks again!
Scott |
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Trouble selecting coilovers!
