JackSprat01

Well, I finally got all my suspension, wheels, and tires together so here it is. I love the way it handles and I love the look of the Inpyres and I love the grip of the Falkens. The only thing I'm not in love with is the look of the gap in the front. The rear is at a perfect 2 fingers, the front is 3.5 fingers. I didn't anticipate it would be that much AFTER an a-spec drop. It wasn't as noticable with the stock 17s of course. I'm using stock a-spec specs for everything: A-spec suspension, 18" wheels, 235/40/18 wheels. I'm pretty sure the effect is amplified by the slightly rounded summer tires. I didn't want to throw off my speedo with 245s. What do you think? It seems less noticable on other A-spec cars like Jerky's. Any input would be welcome.

bklynpanman

should have went with comptech springs and sway bar. a lot cheaper. bigger drop and very good performance

JackSprat01

Huh....here is a quote from the comptech website: "Comptech Sport Springs for the 2004 Acura TL.
Set of 4 lowering springs, slightly firmer than stock.
1" drop front and rear."

Sounds the same as A-Spec to me.

AcuraTL2k4

Aspec suspension only drops it about .5 in and comptech drops it 1 in..

That half a inch is big. If you want to get rid of that gap get the comptech springs and sell your Aspec springs.

JackSprat01

Ok, thanks. You're right, but I don't think I'll redo everything for half and inch. Besides, with my dealer they'd probably blame everything including sunroof leaks on the fact that I put on aftermarket suspension. Not fighting that shit, maybe after the warranty.

cM3go

If you recently had it installed, give it time to settle.

JackSprat01

Installed two weeks ago, but haven't driven it much. How long does it take?

cM3go

2 Weeks should be fine... you could wait another week, it probably won't go down significantly. It probably is cold in VA right now so the springs will be more stiff and flex less due to lack of heat. Give it time

iambgood

JackSprat01 - what % tint you have on that? Up here in NOVA I could only get 50% ... legally.

Nice looking car by the way

~ B.Good

JackSprat01

Thanks. I guess legally would be the key point here. :dog:

20% in the back, 35% for all the rest. I just had to have it with the light camel interior.

SBTL

Great looking combo. After you bought A-SPEC, I wouldn't spend the money for Comptech either for that extra 1/2 inch. I went with the Falken ST 115's at 245/40/18 for more rim protection. And the speedometer will underreport the mph by only 1.2% (according to the Miata tire size calculator at (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) which is hardly noticeable.

JackSprat01

Yes, according the the tire size converter I use, you'll be actually doing 71.08 when your speedo says 70. That's not bad at all. I really should have got those. I was too bent on trying to stay stock perfect. Ron at Ronjon sugested the same thing, but of course, I didn't listen. Live and learn.

Anyone wanna buy some brand new ST-115s? LOL

DarkWraith33

Jack... Car looks great man...

My ... Let it ride for a while... And see in 6 months, a year, how you feel about it. You may come to love the way it is now and not want anymore...

That 1/2 would be noticeable, but I wouldn't do it...

PoochaKannInc

I say stick with the A-Spec. I'm a little biased of course, since I have the A-Spec also. I think Comptechs are high-quality, but they do not solve the TL's main problem, which are over-damped shocks. I feel that the A-Spec spring/shock combo is designed to work with each other.

Rims look nice also...I would pick 235s also, but mainly because I like the more "rim" and less "tire" look

aw1

nice ride. i am going with the same setup you have now but with 19' rims. dont know the size of tires i want yet but think about 245/40 19 so it will better protect the wheel. maybe getting 19's will help the gap problem.

JackSprat01

I wouldn't do that. 245/40 19s have a 5.49% error. You'd be doing 74 when the speedo said 70. That's up to you, but not my preference. Would 245/35 19s work for you? They only have 1.68% error and would still give you the rim protection you want I think.

mrchoopa2u

i'm gonna put 235/35/19on my car .... i am gonna be off my about 5mph

dcarlinf1

Bigger drop is not necessarily better. And, it's not actually cheaper since you aren't suggesting any new shocks. Not apples to apples, man. I'd rather have A-Spec springs AND shocks rather than Comptech springs and stock bouncy shocks any day. My A-Spec suspension and comptech sway bar provides excellent performance.

BTW - Looks nice Jack!!

aw1

actually 245/35 19s does work for me, its looks better. i was just worried about the crates here in NYC will eat/destroy the rims without big enough sidewall on the tires. thanks

JackSprat01

Well, I just went down to Sears and ordered up some 245/40 18s. I'm just not going to get used to the 'all wheel' look. I'm just not a teen anymore. They should be in next week, let me know if anyone wants the 235s, 20 miles on them.

Darkcyde024

iTrader: (1)

the only reason i would even consider to buy the aspec suspension would be for warranty issues but imo it's not worth it. car looks like a 4x4 with that gap!! you pay like $700 for an almost unnoticeable drop!! wtf? not worth it at all. I would rather save an extra few bucks and get some nice coilovers and lower it just the way i want it. but that's just me.

SBTL

The point for people who buy A-SPEC my friend is that how it drives is more important than how it looks...

PoochaKannInc

The only coilovers currently in production for the TL are Teins. I got my A-Spec suspension for 700. I've seen Teins for around 800-900, not cheaper than A-Spec.

Comptechs sell for around 200-300. But they are just springs, not shocks. Which coilover are you speaking of?

Additionally, I didn't want Teins because I wanted to retain some of my ride, since this is not a track car, just a daily driver that I will modify to increase its strengths, and disguise its weaknesses.

All that said, I guess I'm the only one that thinks JackSprat's car looks fine with the A-Spec drop & the 235s? Ah well...

JackSprat01

BINGO. Looks are only a secondary consideration for me. Don't get me wrong, I want my baby to look sweet, but that's nothing if I can't rip up the exits with fine-tuned precision. I have that now.

Pele 96

Give it time for the springs to settle. I just checked mine lastweek and I got 2 finger gap in front and back.