Anyone use TCK's "sport" suspensions?

[Vinci]

I am about to drop some coin on replacing all of my suspension wear components, and have to make a hard decision about springs/struts. I had pretty much resigned myself to the tried and true TCK S/A kit and their $1600+ price tag. However, I started looking at their "sport" kits and am wondering if either of those are viable options.

Does anyone run either of TCK's "sport" suspensions or have any insight on them? They both appear to use adjustable shocks/struts and offer fixed lowering via springs. I don't need a "race" suspension to drive on the street, but I also don't want to regret the purchase.

Link for convenience.

[William Turner]

I started out intending to get TCKline sports suspension, called to ask some questions, wound up talking to TC himself for about 15 min and he convinced me to go with the single adjustable-- and that he wasnt just trying to upsell me for the money.

I thank TC mentally everytime I drive the car, as I have said in numberous posts, best money spent of the car so far, by far.

[LAWLence]

The handling/ride improvement of the coilovers are worth the money. I will never buy spring/shock packages for any performance vehicle I own now and in the future. TCK isn't your only option. Ground control has a similar street coilover kit for ~$1400. Their track/school kit is a bit more if you want even better performance.

[z3papa]

My issue with the sport package over SA coilovers is two fold. With sport package, you are left with getting H&R springs or some variant which are somewhat compromised for rear spring rates. By getting the SA coils, you are not only getting height adjustability, but you open up options for using any number of custom spring rates and springs. You may find what works for others is not to your liking. Both units are single adjustable though in terms of rebound. All to often, people install lowering springs and are left with having to put in pads to get the right height which is a matter of turning a perch. The second issue is the perch/spring width itself does limit the size of wheel you can use up front.

[Car54]

Don't think of the springs as race springs, think of them as better.

Go with the S/A setup...picking your spring rate, changing them around when desired, changing ride height, more efficient up front design...all very desirable.

Ever lowered a car and found that you can go every where without scraping except for that apron at your favorite coffee shop? Being able to add 1/2" is money.

[Vinci]

Originally Posted by z3papa

The second issue is the perch/spring width itself does limit the size of wheel you can use up front.

This is another issue that I overlooked until my drive in this morning. My tire-to-strut clearance is VERY tight right now (245/35-R18 on an 18x8.3 ET43 wheel). Are the SA strut perches lower/larger/etc?

I was really hoping that someone would convince me that the sport kit would be great, so I could put that $800 into something else.

[Randy Forbes]

Derek, why didn't you ask me this the other night, you could've driven my black car back to Lido Beach (not that there's much opportunity for wringing it out, but there were a couple of tight curves)? My black car has d/a Konis (inserts into the stock front struts) and H&R springs, all supplied by TCK around the end of 2001.

While acceptable, they are no match for the d/a coilovers on the gray car. S/a coilovers are the next-best.

[Vinci]

I hadn't thought about that, Randy. I have been slowly amassing parts for an overhaul, but it was just last night I was reminded by my dad that he and I have some time off around Thanksgiving, and that that would be a perfect time to tear the car apart. With that in mind, now is the time to buy parts.

From your descriptions (and many others') in the past, it sounds like S/As are top-notch. I'll just have to bite the bullet and order some. For that money, though, I do want to be sure that I won't have any surprises as far as wheel/tire clearance goes.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Vinci

This is another issue that I overlooked until my drive in this morning. My tire-to-strut clearance is VERY tight right now (245/35-R18 on an 18x8.3 ET43 wheel). Are the SA strut perches lower/larger/etc?

I was really hoping that someone would convince me that the sport kit would be great, so I could put that $800 into something else.

In simple terms, a coilover using the Koni SA struts is nothing more than standard sport front strut with the lower perch removed and the lower strut housing threaded to accept a ride height adjuster which is much narrower than the traditional spring perch. With that comes the ability to use coilover springs which are substantially smaller diameter. TCK and GC both have their units then valve rated to accept higher spring rates. The net result is a narrower unit.

[Vinci]

Ah, ok. Well, I guess I'll put in a call and order some up. Thanks, guys.

[William Turner]

Originally Posted by Vinci

Ah, ok. Well, I guess I'll put in a call and order some up. Thanks, guys.

I know it seems like you have been ganged up on by TCKline zealots--- but that is a measure of how happy we are with the product. Let us know what you think after you install them --- I am willing to bet ( a friendly wager only) that you become one of us.

[Vinci]

I ordered the S/A kit over lunch today. I talked to Pete and was assured that I would not have any clearance issues. He suggested 400# front and 500# rear springs with rear adjusters. I already have a set of those, so I ordered without. I should have everything in-hand this Friday.

[Car54]

Nice, congrats...good spring choice as well!

Make sure he know you plan to use rear adjusters or they'll send you springs that aren't designed for adjusters (they're taller).

[LAWLence]

Originally Posted by Vinci

I ordered the S/A kit over lunch today. I talked to Pete and was assured that I would not have any clearance issues. He suggested 400# front and 500# rear springs with rear adjusters. I already have a set of those, so I ordered without. I should have everything in-hand this Friday.

Make sure your springs are 60mm rather than 2.5"

[Vinci]

Pete is aware that I already have the adjusters and we spoke about how they should be installed (on top instead of below the spring), so I can't imagine he's shipping barrel springs.

What are your feelings on swapping strut hats in the front for a street-only car? Pete suggested doing it, but I am not sure that I need the extra camber at the expense of my tires.

[Car54]

Do it if you plan to do even 1 autox a year. I'm moving down there next spring and we're going to do some ax in Brooksville...right!?

[Vinci]

I don't have any plans to pick up auto-x as yet another expensive hobby, but I will give some thought to swapping them. I don't put many miles on the car in a year, so maybe the tire wear wouldn't be that bad. We'll see about this spring. I think I should have a lot of my overhauling done by then.

[Car54]

Auto-x is fairly cheap...either way...if you ever plan to do an autox...the swapped hats will pay off (not just time wise, but helping save your tires) the first time you really push the car. Just go for the swap then.

[z3papa]

Swapping hats will give you some negative camber but not enough to worry about doing major harm to your tires. Toe is what eats tires more often than not. Just get an alignment afterwards and have toe set close to spec. You'll thank us on this as our cars suffer a great deal of understeer which can be helped immeasurably by negative.

[JBgotM]

Originally Posted by Vinci

I ordered the S/A kit over lunch today. I talked to Pete and was assured that I would not have any clearance issues. He suggested 400# front and 500# rear springs with rear adjusters. I already have a set of those, so I ordered without. I should have everything in-hand this Friday.

With 235's on my stock wheels, I had rubbing of the front tire on the spring. Swap the hats, zero out the toe, and add a set of 10mm spacers. The additional camber will start to hide the tires in the front fenders and the 10mm will give you clearance to the spring and help pull the tires back out.

For reference.... this is my car with 245 up front and 15mm spacers.

[KBH22102]

Originally Posted by Car54

Do it if you plan to do even 1 autox a year. I'm moving down there next spring and we're going to do some ax in Brooksville...right!?

Sorry for threadjack, but Craig, you're moving to Florida?

[Vinci]

Originally Posted by JBgotM

With 235's on my stock wheels, I had rubbing of the front tire on the spring.

That's a little troubling. My wheels/tires are wider even than that. Pete at TCK said that I shouldn't have any clearance issues, so I am hoping he's right. I don't mind buying spacers, but I don't want to get the car back together and find out that it's not drivable without them.

[Randy Forbes]

Originally Posted by Car54

Do it if you plan to do even 1 autox a year. I'm moving down there next spring and we're going to do some ax in Brooksville...right!?

My Mother and both brothers live in Spring Hill, immediately west of Brooksville. We left there yesterday morning and got home at 2:00 AM this morning.

[JBgotM]

Originally Posted by Vinci

That's a little troubling. My wheels/tires are wider even than that. Pete at TCK said that I shouldn't have any clearance issues, so I am hoping he's right. I don't mind buying spacers, but I don't want to get the car back together and find out that it's not drivable without them.

If I didn't have spacers on hand from my other wheels, I would have been in a bind.

Even still, here is a picture I took after installing the coilovers with a 5mm spacer and it had quite a bit of camber in this pic. This is why I am saying to add some spacer...

[z3papa]

You can also gain a little clearance by running crash bolts with the spacers. This will result in negative camber as well.