MiataNut

I know I can buy adjustable coilovers aftermarket, but if I just get lowering springs and new KYB shocks to be installed at the same time, those aren't coilovers, are they? (I am being asked by someone who wants to do the install for me if they are "coilovers")

MiataNut

Ooops got moved - to clarify I am asking about 04-08 TL

THX

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Obviously, if you get springs and struts separately, they're not coilovers.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

But, they'll work.

MiataNut

That's what I thought, but when he asked me if they were I figured better ask. I am no kind of suspension expert, just wanting to get my TL out of the clouds
Thanks!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

No problem! Separate springs and struts will work fine, but coilovers would give you the best performance, as they were made to work specifically with each other.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

IMHO the coilover term is nothing more than a shock or strut inside a spring, so any vehicle that has this setup can be said to have a coilover suspension. The coilover term has evolved into what is now believed to be a quit sophisticated system where the shocks are able to be rebuilt, multiple spring rates, as well as the spring perches being adjustable.

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Exactly, and yes, our cars have "coilovers" in stock form.

What most refer to here are adjustable coilovers, whereby ride height, rebound and/or damping can also be adjusted by manipulating the internal shock valving and/or spring compression.

07tl-s6spd

iTrader: (1)

i disagree....when i think of coilovers......it means that they are adjustable....and thats not the case in a oem suspension thats on the tl

al8er7

It the real automotive field (not aftermarket), the term "coilover" refers to "coil over strut" - basically what turbonut said. It's just referring to the type of suspension. IE: McPherson strut, Modified Mcpherson strut, so on and so on as commonly known.

MiataNut

Yes I was thinking the same thing, that he meant the general arrangement, not necessarily the adjustable units we term "coilovers".
But just so i'm clear, we don't have mcpherson struts, right?

al8er7

Don't quote me on this, but I believe our suspension is SLA (Short-Long Arm). However, some late model Hondas did/do come with Mc Pherson strut systems.

MiataNut

I recall Honda caught hell from enthusiasts when they switched to mcpherson struts on the 2001 Civic. I assume they "knew better" by the time the 2004 TL came out.....

I hate cars

As it was said, our factory suspensions are coilover by definition but they're not adjustable. Aftermarket "coilovers" offer height adjustability but contrary to the overwhelming belief on this board aftermarket "coilovers" do not offer a performance advantage over the standard non-adjustable spring and shock combo.

On other cars, going from a separate spring and shock with the shock sometimes mounted a foot from the spring, the coilover design was a big advantage. We have that advantage from the factory. If you care about raising and lowering the car often, get adjustable coilovers. If not, get the standard coilover spring/shock combos at a savings over the adjustable stuff.

MiataNut

Nope I want it a little lower, and will not want to either slam it or jack it up later on

So will my spring/shock swap require a spring compressor?

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Regarding ride height adjustability, I would agree. It's such PITA, typically one sets it and forgets it.
However, I find myself playing with shock damping settings even from season to season. In the colder weather I've softened it up a bit and will firm it up in the Spring. The adjusters are relatively easy to get to so I'm glad that I bought adjustable shocks.

If you are disassembling and reassembling the spring/shock assembly.....absolutely you will need a compressor. And I wouldn't use one of those cheap clamp type compressors either....those things look deadly.

I hate cars

I thought I was the only one that did this. The Konis definately get firmer as the weather gets colder just like any shock but it seems to be a bit more noticable. I actually have them on full soft right now and half a turn from full soft in the summer which feels about the same.

ImagePree

And to answer your question directly in regards to your installer -- just tell him they're springs/shocks, not coilovers -- because this will likely be much easier for him and probably cost you less.

MiataNut

Thanks for all the replies. Is $200 to swap all 4 springs & shocks a deal?