Coilovers Setup, where to go.

[slyfox2151]

Hi,

I have recently got a new set of Tein advance coilovers, I'm going to have a go installing them myself tomorrow hopefully without any problems.
My problem is I'm not sure where to take it to get it corner weighted and setup properly afterwards. Any recommendations around Brisbane, Prefer north side.

I was thinking fulcrum in stafford.

[Magpie]

How do you plan on doing the install? Will you be setting up the shock length first then ride height by preload or setting preload first and ride height by changing shock length?

Also what is the intended use of the car, whilst I am a fan of corner weighting be aware it is time consuming and will cost. Look for a place that does setup of race cars like Action Tyres on the Gold Coast or MR Tuning at at Beenleigh.

[ManiacLachy]

I had my alignment done at Fulcrum Stafford ... not 100% sure it was the best though. However, it was my first alignment on my MX-5 and it's certainly better than it was.

Another Northside option that I'll be looking at next time after reading a few recommendations is Leda Suspension in Brendale - not sure about the conrer weighting though.

Do you have specifications you want to align to? Or will you just ask them to set it up generally? I took specs from Flyin Miata and asked Fulrcum to get as close to those numbers as possible.

[Magpie]

I assumed that if asking about corner weighting the OP already knows what alignment he wants. I'm lucky as I have a set of corner weight equipment, just need to get alignment 'stuff'.

[MattR]

Unless you are a serious racer with a car that needs every ounce of performance wrung from it, don't bother with corner weighting. Whilst a good thing to do, a road car is already very compromised on where stuff is that affects the weight distribution, battery and driver on the same side, for one, and as stated is expensive and time consuming if done properly, where the weight adjustments and alignment is done at the same time to get the optimal set up.

95% of us would not be able to drive their car well enough to get the benefit from the extra cost, however a god alignment will make a difference and well worth the dollars spent for someone to do a good alignment.

If like most of us you do the odd track day, just get a good alignment done on the car. Northside Brisbane I would recommend Leda at Brendale, along with Robbie King, also at Brendale, Fulcrum at Stafford, Bridgestone at Ennoggera, next to Repco on Pickering St, and also a club sponsor. Another place, and who did my 5 and will set up the suspension on the S14, is Option one at Hamilton.

Any of those places doing the alignment should also be able to set the ride heights for you at the same time to ensure that the car sits properly. Paul at Option One has shown me a few interesting cars in terms of alignment and ride heights on individual corners to get the car sitting as it should when I have been out there annoying him for bits and pieces for the S14.

[slyfox2151]

How do you plan on doing the install? Will you be setting up the shock length first then ride height by preload or setting preload first and ride height by changing shock length?

I was thinking preload first and ride height by changing shock length.

Fulcrum quoted me
CARSCALE WEIGH VEHICLE $80.00
DO Suspension Labour $109.09
DAH Front & Rear Wheel Alignment $109.09
6580 Consumables Charged $10.00
Total $339

But I might skip corner weighting it if you guys don't think its worth it. 95% road car.

[pcmx5]

How do you plan on doing the install? Will you be setting up the shock length first then ride height by preload or setting preload first and ride height by changing shock length?

Also what is the intended use of the car, whilst I am a fan of corner weighting be aware it is time consuming and will cost. Look for a place that does setup of race cars like Action Tyres on the Gold Coast or MR Tuning at at Beenleigh.

Actually the Advances do not allow the shock to turn like Flex's so the height is only adjustable using the spring seat.Tein website is very confusing on this. Supplied instructions give a preload setting which as far as I can see is only to get some pressure on them to hold them in place because if you then want to set them lower you wind the seat up.Instructions also give ride height at 295 fr and 310 rear where my old Super Streets a were at 320 ml/Advance also use the original Mazda top mount again unlike SS or Flex which have supplied top mount's.

Peter.

[Magpie]

CARSCALE WEIGH VEHICLE $80.00

If this is TRUE corner weighting and not just corner weights then this is a BARGAIN. To corner weight generally takes a few hours whereas putting the car on scales and reading them takes a few minutes.

Sorry not aware of the Advances method of adjustment. My only concern would be is the length correct for your car. This is the benefit of being able to adjust the length and preload separately.

[pcmx5]

CARSCALE WEIGH VEHICLE $80.00

Sorry not aware of the Advances method of adjustment. My only concern would be is the length correct for your car. This is the benefit of being able to adjust the length and preload separately.

No issue but thought you may have read the confusing rubbish on their website.The SS's had a threaded shock body ,the Advances have a threaded tube that slips over and locates on the shock with a tab and you wind the shock up on it but both do not allow the shock to be turned and shortened,but the website(did) does show adjustment for a Flex when you search for Advance which uses the method you initially described.

Peter.

[MattR]

That price would be to throw the car on a set of scales and tell you what the weight at each corner is not to do a true cornerweighting and set up, which would take hours to do properly.

Just the wheel alignment done and maybe the height adjustment by them, they will be able to get it closer than you will a lot quicker.

[pezchops]

Unless you are a serious racer with a car that needs every ounce of performance wrung from it, don't bother with corner weighting. Whilst a good thing to do, a road car is already very compromised on where stuff is that affects the weight distribution, battery and driver on the same side, for one, and as stated is expensive and time consuming if done properly, where the weight adjustments and alignment is done at the same time to get the optimal set up.

95% of us would not be able to drive their car well enough to get the benefit from the extra cost, however a god alignment will make a difference and well worth the dollars spent for someone to do a good alignment.

If like most of us you do the odd track day, just get a good alignment done on the car. Northside Brisbane I would recommend Leda at Brendale, along with Robbie King, also at Brendale, Fulcrum at Stafford, Bridgestone at Ennoggera, next to Repco on Pickering St, and also a club sponsor. Another place, and who did my 5 and will set up the suspension on the S14, is Option one at Hamilton.

Any of those places doing the alignment should also be able to set the ride heights for you at the same time to ensure that the car sits properly. Paul at Option One has shown me a few interesting cars in terms of alignment and ride heights on individual corners to get the car sitting as it should when I have been out there annoying him for bits and pieces for the S14.

option one is where i had coil overs and alignment done and cannot fault the service or price.
as MattR said, Paul is very informative with what he does.
i guess just get quotes from all the suggested places and make your decision

[wade]

It cost me about $500 to get my clio corner weighted from East coast suspension (sydney) so for $80 I wouldn't expect much.....

I thought it was worth it for the Clio though, reduced a bit of understeer, not sure of effectiveness on mx5's