since shocks/struts (stock or aftermarket) needs to be replaced about 50k longer or less miles before it blows
and springs can last forever(can not will)

does coilovers need to be replaced eventually also since its a combination of shocks/struts and springs?

 

Yes, but many aftermarket companies have a decent warranty so they'll take care of a blown one.

I used to have a crap Checker auto strut laying around I'd use whenever I warrantied the Tokicos on my last car

 

I'm curious to know how long coilovers last as well.

 

As long or longer than normal shocks. Especially since they're typically matched to the drop and therefore are less prone to blow at that height.

(DISCLAIMER: reliability may vary by brand, using pliers on the pistons will likely reduce longevity, dont eat paint chips, store all luggage in the overhead compartment and return your tray to the upright position)

 

50k is a short life for a strut. And that first post was hell to make heads or tails of.

 

so in the end, if you arent a person to readjust the height of your car
your best choice is to go for the springs and shock/struts setup since its cheaper from the beginning and in the end since you are satisfied with the drop height and wil be keeping the same springs

 

IMO, unless you are going to properly corner balance the car for track driving, adjustable coilovers are a waste of money. I guess if you like changing the ride height a lot that would be another reason, but I just dont know of many people who are constantly adjusting thier ride height.

 

not me^

 

I totally agreee with this. Many people buy adjustable coliovers and have ZERO clue what they really are.
They use them to adjust ride height but have zero clue other than height for looks what is good for driveablity of their tC. Tests have been done and it has been proven that a corner balanced car with adjusted dampening on all corners and a ride height of just 1.38 lower than stock will out handle an EVO on a race track. but I think if you checked those with adjustable coilovers they are riding much lower than 1.38 lower than stock. Heck that is comparable to TRD springs.

For true handling, not many people have a clue of what its all about I autocross my car and have been through many scenarios, usually what looks good, isnt what best for your ride. LOW IS NOT GOOD!!!

 

The part that many dont realize is that once you lower past a certain point, the roll couple gets worse, not better, becuase of the way the rest of the geometry is affected. Rick (raamaudio) did a lot of work on the suspension of the tC (well.. the entire car, really), and I think found that about 1.5" of drop is about as far as you want to go before it stops being beneficial and starts becoming detrimental to handling.

And then there is the use of the car. What is good on the road course != what is good on the autox course != what is good on the street

 

so what lowering springs should you get then what would be more "Beneficial"?

also a out there question if you install a certain drop in spring you need new cambers?

 

so from the sounds of things the TRD shocks/struts and springs is a good set up for actual handling performance for a non tracked car...?

 

Progress did an indepth study of the tCs suspension and had it in a magazine (dont remember if it was super street or what), but they found that 1.38 inches, corner balanced with sways and fully adjusted is perfect. Any lower and you DESTROY the handling of the tC. I will see if I can find the article. I post it fairly often when I see people say they put S-techs on and now their car handles amazingly. Its all int he mind and is actually opposite.

And your last comments are very true. I would love to set my car up for just the track, but since mine is a daily driver as well, I could never get away with running that kinda camber and expect tires to last long on the street!!!

 

Here it is:

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr...t_1/index.html

I wish I could find the other article they did. They had numbers on a track against the EVO with the tC at different ride heights.

 

this is all very interesting. i like this thread.

 

Great thread, I have h-techs at the moment with stock shocks/struts. i was planning on getting tein basic coilovers way down the road when the oem struts and shocks blow, but seeing as i don't auto-x and the car is a daily driver (nor do i see myself adjusting them other than upon first installing them), perhaps i'm better off with just new aftermarket struts and shocks....? what do you guys think?

 

Unless you race the car or are into the show scene and need the points of adjustable coilovers, I dont think you would see much benefits out of it.

The stock setups are coilovers, just not adjustable. So find a ride height and shock that fit you, and you will have the same thing as the Tein Adjustables. Because if you never adjust adjustable coilovers, then what the point?