SidhuSaaB

I don't think you need a camber kit for the front, but rear maybe. To me Toe adjustment was more necessary than camber. I am running -1.9/-2.0 camber in front and -3.4/-3.6 in rear. My toe was off my -1 degrees on each side and I didn't notice till I changed by 3rd set of Hankook v12 in 7th week of putting my wheels on. I was blaming my camber for the quick wear all along but then I put it on alignment rack and knew it was the toe instead.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Agreed, my shop said that camber is almost never responsible for premature tire wear, it's almost always toe. -2.2° just seems like a lot when my race car has -2.0° lol

On a side note, for anyone looking for this information in the future:

Stock front coilover assy is 12.6 lbs
BC Racing coilover assy is 9.7 lbs

Stock rear coilover assy is 11.5 lbs
BC Racing coilover assy is 8.8 lbs

A pretty good weight savings if you ask me.

ExcelerateRep

It is true that toe is usually the culprit. That being said, having camber off by a couple degrees can wear out your tires prematurely as well. The tires might last longer than if the toe is off, but you still wouldn't be getting the full lifespan from them.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Agreed, but I'm so easy on tires that it's not going to make much difference really. This is my daily, and my commute is 2.6 miles .

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

I want to thank you again for this post, it really helped out while talking to the BC rep (who is exceptionally nice BTW, and willing to do just about anything to make me happy).

For anyone reading this thread for info, please note the following.

I did not get the Extreme Low kit, which is about 20mm lower than the standard kit.

The set of springs I got with my coilovers were the standard springs (12F/6R), but you can order just about anything from BC. These are made to be damped at 8-10 from hard, which basically means they expect you to drop the car significantly, or race the car (unlikely). There is no other reason for spring rates this high on a luxury car. I could not find the stock spring rates (national secret I suppose), but researching similar cars, and other Honda/Acura rates, I'm betting they're 6F/3R...if that, so we're talking about double what the stock units are.

What does that mean to you? It means that the nice smooth ride you love so much in your TL will be gone at 12F/6R, no matter the height or damping, so take care in choosing your spring rates.

In these spring heights, you can go as low as 6F/4R, but you need to tell them that up front because they won't just come that way. This is the closest to stock you're going to get, and will allow you to use the proper amount of damping.

Now, if you want that crashing feel, and fantastic turn-in, and to somehow dream that you're driving a sports car and not a luxury cruiser, then by all means, get the standard 12/6 or even 12/10 that some have chosen, and turn up those dampers.

If you have questions, please feel free to PM me.

6spd-GERCO

Ok good, just want to be helpful from what I have learned since I've gotten into AutoX (Integra & TL) and Ice RallyX (TL) .

Sounds like you figured out that 12k F/6k R is a little stiff for your application.

To add to your last post:
From Tein's website their spring rates for Acura TL's are:

S.tech 5.5k F/5.5k R
H.tech 5.3k F/3.3k R

Let us know what spring rates you get for your TL and how it works out!

Just because I am curious... Why do you run R compound tires on your Lotus if you don't race it?

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

I hope that didn't sound bad, I didn't mean it that way, no voice inflection on the Internet!

Yeah, haha, way stiff, and too stiff for most anyone's application IMO.

Thanks, I guess I should have done some more research. Not that I would have gotten a different product, just a different spring rate. There are even luxury car rates out now!

It'll be 6F/4R for sure. I'll update the thread when I get them on.

I run full slicks in the Summer, and R888's in the Winter (they never touch snow, but slicks aren't supposed to be in temps under 50°). I live very close to some super smooth, lightly driven back-roads, and that's where my fun is had. Racing is a rich man's sport, and it'll beat the crap out of your car, end of story. Back-road fun driving is MUCH more enjoyable to me than chasing numbers with money.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Winter shot.

Got Grip? by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr

Slpr04UA6

Keep us updated! All info is Good Info, IMO!


Always Love your Shots!

6spd-GERCO

No worries, I knew what you meant . Your TL's a daily not a race car, that's your Lotus. If you know anybody that has a set of scales it would be worth the few hours it takes to balance it out.

I settled on Aspec for my TL and after riding on 10k F/ 8k R in my Integra they feel like I am riding on a cloud.


That's sweet that they have luxury spring rates, it's all part of the testing process! Until you try them out you won't know.

I think those will work great for you a little stiffer than stock springs but much better than the 12k F/ 6k R, and the stock top hats will make a big difference.


Wheel to wheel racing can be a rich man's sport but AutoX is very low $$ and HPDE's cost more $$$, but net you way more seat time. Those two events are what you make of it, I like to learn how to handle my car at the limit and push my limits and the cars in a controlled environment plus you meet a ton of very cool people, some like taking pictures too . The Lotus has to be an animal with either one of those kind of tire on it. How do you like the R888's? I am looking for a set of dedicated track tires for my Integra and those would fit the bill since they are DOT approved.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately I can't use the stock top hats, as they are made for progressive spring rates, and the BC's are static. But I think 6/4 will make the difference I need anyway.

I have tried them all. I honestly don't care for auto-x, or the terrible surface they're on many times, but I do like HPDE's, and may do a few next year. Still, they get your blood pumping for that kind of thing, and you want more each time you do one. You know what I mean.

I also, back in the day, when to a Bob Bondurant high performance weekend, and still use the advice that was given to me. Simple stuff really, like braking in a straight line, and smoothness glue, and how to apply the brakes properly. The Lotus requires a few more bits of info, like never lifting mid-corner, or over a hill, mid-engined stuff.

The Lotus is on a different level from anything I've ever driven, and I've driven a LOT of very expensive "sports cars" (which were really GT cars). The difference isn't in how fast it is, because it's not, it's in how it moves. It really acts like it knows what you're thinking.

With regards to the R888's, I don't prefer them to the A048, but they're damn close, and honestly can't be beat for the money IMO!

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Perfect. by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr

6spd-GERCO

I love the stance, wheel and tire combo. Looks Great!

I didn't reliaze that, hopefully the new spring rates work for you.


Thank Goodness! I was worried you didn't use that Lotus on the track. I saw your tire choice and I was like no way would you by that level of tire and not use it on the track. I hear ya on the track surfaces for AutoX being less than ideal, but that's part of the fun . I can run all my autoX's for less $$ than a HPDE. It's cheap fun for me an you meant very nice people.

Excellent, I will look at a set when it's time to replace my RS-3's

Greenman604

Been following this thread because I'm considering BC's as well. Has your new set of springs come in yet? It sounds like the rep is being super helpful in getting what you need. Is there any info on how the extra low option effects ride quality?

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

I don't have the springs yet, he's still sourcing them. The rep is awesome.

I believe the factory springs to be 1/2 for the rear, and probably 3 for the front, so ANY springs + lowering will have a negative effect on ride quality...if you're looking to preserve the stock ride. Even the A-Spec kit that everyone buys rides more harshly than a base TL. However, if you choose the 4R/6F option from BC, I'm sure the harshness will be minimized. After having my 6R/12F on for a while, with all the way soft on the rear damping, and 15 on the front, it's not that bad of a ride with the drop I have, I'm just one of those weird guys wanting to make the car MORE luxurious, not less.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

Awesome pics Thankyou.
I have only installed TEIN SS & SA coilovers.
What do you think is better ?
These coilovers or TEIN SA ?
07 Type-S here.

Greenman604

I was referring to the extreme low option that BC offers. I assume those weren't something you were interested in but maybe someone else can shine some light on it.

turtlecivic

iTrader: (2)

It depends on the preference. My buddy has Flex and he said its way too soft for his liking and he should've got the BC.

turtlecivic

iTrader: (2)

BC extreme lows just comes with a smaller cartridge but other than that its the same. I had BC on mine and I love the ride feels like an Evo. 25 in the front and 20 in the rear.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

The Extreme Low comes 20mm shorter, that's the exact difference.

I don't know how anyone driving a luxury car would think any coil-over was too soft, especially when they are ALL harder than stock, but I guess there are those people who own the car that are more performance minded.

turtlecivic

iTrader: (2)

If you max out the Tein on the SS/SA/Flex its too soft and its not stiff enough it feels somewhat stock.

SidhuSaaB

+1, With Teins SA/SS the lower you go the softer they get since they dont offer preload adjustment. As you lower the locking ring on Teins they spring loses its preload and expands.

Also the BC Extreme Low option, like VisualEchos said is 20mm shorter but that is the case for the rears only. The fronts are identical for normal BCs and extreme-low.

Greenman604

About to pull the trigger on the BC's, just gotta decide on a spring rate...

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

After driving on these for a while, I'll say that I could live with the 12/6 I got for sure, but would have ordered softer springs had I known to do so. At a minimum I would have gotten 10/6, which might work fine for you. There are guys on here that have 12/10, which I don't recommend, as they will be nowhere near stock, and unless you're racing the car or slamming it to the ground it makes no sense. They probably got them from a vendor that ordered them that way for whatever reason. Standard is going to be 12/6.

Greenman604

I'm looking to do something like this https://acurazine.com/forums/car-par...dition-902927/ . Thus I would be leaning more towards 12/6 or even the possible 12/10.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

The spring doesn't have anything to do with the wheel size, it's all about the drop. The more you plan to slam it, the higher spring rate you will need. I run 18 x 9.5 myself.

SidhuSaaB

Stock BC spring rates are 12/6 for TL

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

But should be 6/4, if someone isn't looking to race or slam the car, as that's the closest to stock.

SidhuSaaB

Correct.
I was referring to GreenMan's comment regarding chosing 12/6 spring rate on his car and I was saying he doesnt have to chose as that is the default spring rate for BCs.

I have the stock BC rate (12/6) and I find it fine for most applications, while I could use a higher spring rate in the back as the subs in my trunk cause the wheel to rub on my fender on dips.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

I can see why you would need higher in the rear, you're slammed!!

SidhuSaaB

Greenman604

Gonna pull the trigger on the 12/6 today.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Nice!

Greenman604

@Visual Did you replace any suspension components when you did the install?

turtlecivic

iTrader: (2)

IMO I would get an aftermarket sway bar with moog endlinks.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Not at all, in fact, my stock struts are still very good. 80K easy miles. I also didn't have all the rust/dirt/grease everywhere that is found in most suspension threads, and all my bolts came out/off easily. Of course, I did PB Blast all the stuff the week before...

20TwozZZZzz

Quick question for you guys, do these BC coils come with an adjustable FRONT camber plate?? In order words, can you adjust camber on the FRONTS??

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

No, no camber adjustment.