is there any difference in ride quality between coilovers and springs? i'm looking for about a 1.5 inch drop

 

Progress Tech coilovers can drop ya 1 1/4" just on the install...and another 3 inches can be adjusted. That's a total of 4 1/4"!!

 

yes big difference. Type in tein into the search engine and read up on those posts. They should help you understand more on the coilovers

 

In my expierence with coilovers and springs the ride quality that you get with springs is 10x better than that of coilovers. Without a good set off shoks/struts coilovers tend to ride horrible. So in my opinion I would go with a set of springs before coilovers if you are worried about ride quality. If you want to go really low coilovers is the answer.

 

^^^ that depends on the coilovers. the Tein SS coilovers have 16 way damping adjustments...meaning you can set the ride quality in 16 different settings. Hard to imagine you couldn't find *something* in that range you like.

Of course, if you want something less expensive, then the basics will give you coilovers and adjustable drop, but not the adjustable damping.

 

Yeah the coilovers you felt were probably crappy ones, or just sleeves for stock or upgraded struts. If you ride on Teins, H&Rs or any other higher quality true-coilover, you will be happy with the ride quality and even happier with the performance and adjustability.

 

what exactly is the adjustable damping? what's it do? also, the tein ss have a set with pillow ball mounts and then without. is the pillowball mounts only so that u can use the electrical damping thing?

 

Adjustable damping is just what it says: You can adjust how much dampening (shock absorbing) the coilovers do. More dampening, = more absorbtion in the coils = softer ride. Less dampening = less absorbtion in coils = more stiff ride.

So basically, with the SS's you can adjust whether your tc rides like a lincoln town car, all nice and soft and smooth; or like a nascar stock car, all stiff and track ready. Obviously the analogies are grossly overstated there, but that is the easiest way to explain it.

Regading the pillow ball mounts, I think so, but I'm not sure. It's been a while since I looked at the Tein's, but that seems on par with what I remember.

 

The pillowball mount reduces install time because you don't have to remove the stock mount and use it for the coilovers. It pivots around maybe giving a smoother ride. Shorter suspension travel? Adjustable camber in the front. And it looks cool. I see very little reason to get the EDFC, the fronts are so easy to adjust. You can create cutouts for the rears much like the ones already in the hatch to access the bulbs so you can adjust the rear dampening.

Those are some of the benefits i can think of.

 

I just ordered the Tein SS-P's from Creative Compacts. Can't wait to have them installed.. will keep you all updated.