1fatcrxnem1

Hello Acurazine, my name is Jorge I own a 2008 automatic TL-S.

Please read through the post.

I know there's a bunch of old postings with old information regarding coilovers for the 3rd gen TL. I want to know what people are currently running on their vehicles. New TL coilover companies have emerged since the car was new and I know many are similar to each other. I am currently running Function & Form Coilovers (type 1) and I absolutely hate them now. I would not recommend them to anyone that owns a 3rd gen TL. I have a few cars, 1988 CRX with (type 1) and 1994 Integra sedan with (type 2), those two car's suspensions are really stiff which is a good thing for me. I like the ride to be really stiff and not spongy like it currently is (this helps if you want to pack your car down with people and don't want the car to look even lower). When I purchased this set I was expecting them to perform the same as my other two vehicles at least in the stiffness department.

Below I am attaching a photo so you guys can see that I am not low at all. I am probably about 1/2" lower than stock.

I have about 3/4" between the tires and the body all around. Just so you guys know I can't really go any higher than that even if I wanted to. My springs are compressed as much as I can compress them and I only have about 1" to 3/4".

I am currently running Enkei rpf1 17x9 +22, 245/45/17 tires yes I know that's aggressive.

Currently my front tires are getting slightly chewed up. I know this is normal for this wheel tire combo if you're low.

My main problem is the suspension just compresses too much. I can literally make the car compress about 1-1/2" to 2" by simply pushing on the fender with my hands. FYI I only weight 165 lbs. I can't make the CRX or the Integra compress even 1/2" when I do the same thing. This really upsets me.

The spring rates on these coilovers come at 12k front and 8k for the rear I believe.

It just seems like Function & Form's R&D department didn't do enough research on this vehicle when they developed this kit, cause this kit should come standard with way stiffer springs.

I called the manufacturer and they said they haven't had enough complaints to do anything about it. I've made comments on their instagram posts but they only reply while the posting is recent (typical).

I want to know if there's anyone one out there with a similar wheel/tire set up as well as ride height, and what coilovers you are running to avoid this much spring compression. Or what spring rates you are running.

Also want to add that I bought this kit thinking it would out perform my stock suspension but it doesn't, it's way too soft. The only benefit is the option to lower my car.

I think it should be advertised as this; 2004-2008 Base model TL, *Intended for lowering purposes only not for aspired driving habits.

Thanks in advance.

1fatcrxnem1

mvp2765

iTrader: (1)

What'd you expect for mid $500 coilovers with built in Tophats? People tend to stick with proven quality such as Tein, BC, & KW. They've all been around for a longtime.

csmeance

I thought you couldn't have the FnF coilvers that high without them doing that! Weren't they designed for a slammed right thus providing the proper pre-load on the spring?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

<p><img alt="" src="https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif" title="rofl" /> at&nbsp; F&amp;F's especially version 1's which were known to blow.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>it's not cheap modding cars. spend more time reseaching and more time saving up.</p><p></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

You need to buy coilovers with damping adjustments, that way you can adjust the firmness of the ride to your liking. $500 coilovers won't give you that option.

1fatcrxnem1

All the comments that you guys have made would have been good advice to read a few months ago, but like I said all the coil over postings are old and none of them talk bad about function form. I purchased them being a returning customer but this will be my last function form set.

I had considered the tein but at the same time I still don't know how stiff they run. I'm pretty new to the TL community and don't know of any local TL hang outs where I can ask people with experience on these cars.

I think I'm going to eventually swap them out for BC's but I want to see what other coil overs people are running.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

<p>i'm running BC's with upgraded spring rates...12kg front 10kg rear(the cool thing about BC's is you can order custom spring rates)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>i cant push down the front or rear of my car even if i tried.</p>

ExcelerateRep

Save up and purchase a quality set of coilovers! If you want independent spring preload adjustment, be ready to spend about $1,000. If you just want ride height and damping, the TEIN Street Basis are only $621 not including shipping.

TEIN Dampers - Street Advance - Excelerate - HOA - Japanese Performance Specialist

Trav2390

Probably should have gone with a 235 tire. ^^^+1 on TEIN street basis. I have had them for about 6 months now on my 06 TL and love them. Stiff enough to give you the improved handling and sporty feel but still a bit forgiving so you don't break your back over bumps.

ExcelerateRep

Edit: Street Basis are only ride height adjustable. You'll want the Street Advance for damping adjustment!

1fatcrxnem1

That's a very good thing to hear. Mine compress way too much. I think I might go back to stock for a bit. Sale the function form coilovers and go with BC

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

<p>good luck selling them.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

1fatcrxnem1

Last time time I spoke to the rep at F&F he recommended that I should buy the upgraded springs that cost 160.00 plus tax. Had I known they were as soft as they are I would've just bought the BC or something else. I currently went back to my stock wheels to avoid more tire damage.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

<p>like mentioned earlier....the F&amp;Fv1 were known to blow.</p><p>Dont know if you have the earlier versions or if they rectified it or what, all i know is that i would never get the F&amp;F's</p>

1fatcrxnem1

the F&F rep mentioned that they had a bad batch but that was over a year ago and the small distributor that I bought them through picked them up, that same day I bought them. They're only 4 months old.

This is exactly why posts like this need to be updated/renewed so we can learn about potential problems with new or existing products.

I think social media is a good way to keep manufacturers on their toes, that way they keep up their quality on their parts.

Hopefully more people chime in.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Heeltoeauto.com has had more experience with Function/Form on the TL than any other vendor. We worked with them directly to develop out HTSpec V1 and V2 damper systems. While they were great out of the gate, the dampers were found to fail in about a year, which was really disappointing.

I don't agree that the springs need to be stiffer. 12/8 is fine for this car. But the dampers need to hold up! This is the biggest difference when you go with a coilover kit...damper quality.

In this price range, you cannot beat Tein. Based on this wheel and tire combo (KUDOS BTW, that is a manly setup! Running similar specs on my HTSpecTSX), you seem like you'd really appreciate the Tein Street Flex. Tein developed the Street Flex on one of our long-time customers and friends car. I was the tester for their TSX kit. Great kit. I love mine. Great body control, compliant over bumps, comfortable for all uses, and competent at the track!

Heeltoeauto.com is your one-stop shop for Honda and Acura performance, so definitely let us know if you need our free consultation services!

hisost

iTrader: (2)

+1 for the Tein Street Flex. I actually have it full stiff all around and was surprised to see how well it took bumps, train tracks, and roads destroyed by frequent truck use.

My friend has the Tein Street Advance and it also rides really nicely. At first we tried full stiff but didn't like it, so we dialed the rear dampening softer 4 clicks and it helped a lot. We're both lowered about 1.5~2 inches.

1fatcrxnem1

Thanks for all the great info. Unfortunately I didn't see any of this information when I was looking around for coil overs. So far seems like BC for the Flex are the way to go.

I really like that vendors like yourself and XLR8 are involved with this forum and what people have to say in general. Too bad not all companies worry about their potential customers in the same manor. Thanks again.

1fatcrxnem1

just an update. I called the guys over at swift springs and they suggested I go with the 20k in the front.

so i did. car handles and takes bumps a lot better. i'm still waiting for them to seat properly before I make more adjustments. but I can already notice a big difference. I will more than likely still order the BC coil overs and swap over the swift springs.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

20k... that's so high... glad you like it though!

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

PS: I should note that this experience is not shared with other F2 damper sets...even for the TL. The HTSpec project didn't go well with F2, unfortunately. We think it was just an isolated circumstance.

Jean-rae Anderson

im running ksport kontrol pro its 14.4 kg in the front and 7.2 in the back and its best of both worlds comfort and stiffness ..you have to remember the car is heavy so you want to get something with a higher spring rate