D2 Coilovers --> Progress/Illumina review.
09-16-2007, 07:10 PM
#1
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D2 Coilovers --> Progress/Illumina review.
Recently I changed out my D2 coilovers for a fresh set of Illuminas and Progress springs, here are my impressions thus far.
The D2 Coilovers had the standard 9/7 spring rate and I did not have them slammed (pretty similar to the progress drop), they always seemed fine to me as far as comfort and ride quality. This summer the Max became a daily driver for me again so I decided I wanted a suspension that required less maintenance and possibly a little more comfortable.
I decided to get Progress/Illuminas since progress seemed to offer one of the best drops (IMO) and a decent ride quality on Illuminas.
First impressions (Illuminas set to "3" all around), the car did not lose ANY handling performance from dropping the coilovers. If anything, it gained, since I find the car to be more predictable in every situation on the new set up. Ride quality is FAR better on the Pro/Ill set up, much less back breaking "thuds" and "cracks" and ZERO noise! Any coilover owner will tell you how nice that is for once...
Slow speed comfort is great compared to the coilovers, they were super stiff and rough compared to Pro/Ill. High speed strait line is about the same for both (highway) with the Pro/Ill being more comfortable when the road gets rough. Once you hit the turns is when I really feel better about the new suspension, the car reacts much more predictable for me and I just feel more confident. Plus, in the middle of turns with D2's, if you hit bumps you feel like the car is kinda hoping around losing contact... That’s not very confidence inspiring, the Pro/Ill feel very well planted and in control.
The main thing I miss about my coilovers is the ability to set the ride height to what ever I want... But the progress drop is very close to what I like and they still have some time to finish settling.
All in all, I think coilovers are great for show cars that want to be able to slam the car when they have to. Not really for a daily driver that is looking for reliability, some comfort and all around performance.
I know there are a lot of you that debate between coilovers and springs/struts, so that’s my feelings on it.
The D2 Coilovers had the standard 9/7 spring rate and I did not have them slammed (pretty similar to the progress drop), they always seemed fine to me as far as comfort and ride quality. This summer the Max became a daily driver for me again so I decided I wanted a suspension that required less maintenance and possibly a little more comfortable.
I decided to get Progress/Illuminas since progress seemed to offer one of the best drops (IMO) and a decent ride quality on Illuminas.
First impressions (Illuminas set to "3" all around), the car did not lose ANY handling performance from dropping the coilovers. If anything, it gained, since I find the car to be more predictable in every situation on the new set up. Ride quality is FAR better on the Pro/Ill set up, much less back breaking "thuds" and "cracks" and ZERO noise! Any coilover owner will tell you how nice that is for once...
Slow speed comfort is great compared to the coilovers, they were super stiff and rough compared to Pro/Ill. High speed strait line is about the same for both (highway) with the Pro/Ill being more comfortable when the road gets rough. Once you hit the turns is when I really feel better about the new suspension, the car reacts much more predictable for me and I just feel more confident. Plus, in the middle of turns with D2's, if you hit bumps you feel like the car is kinda hoping around losing contact... That’s not very confidence inspiring, the Pro/Ill feel very well planted and in control.
The main thing I miss about my coilovers is the ability to set the ride height to what ever I want... But the progress drop is very close to what I like and they still have some time to finish settling.
All in all, I think coilovers are great for show cars that want to be able to slam the car when they have to. Not really for a daily driver that is looking for reliability, some comfort and all around performance.
I know there are a lot of you that debate between coilovers and springs/struts, so that’s my feelings on it.
09-16-2007, 07:39 PM
#4
i like my d-2 coilovers i swaped my springs and put 7/6 springs and i get a great ride i do a 100 miles round trip to work everyday and i have 20000 miles on my d-2s with no problems yet
09-17-2007, 06:57 AM
#5
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I debated putting on the same spring rates and getting all new struts, my D2's had nearly 20k on them also... But that would still not get rid of the maintenance or the noise they tend to produce from the pillowballs and lower mounts.
You just get sick and tired of pulling them apart to lube and tighten them up.
09-17-2007, 01:25 PM
#7
question for you on the progress/illumina setup.... when you installed them, did you cut the bumpstops? if so, how did you go about keeping the dustboots in their proper position? i have mine rigged up with some zipties currently.
09-18-2007, 12:41 AM
#13
09-18-2007, 07:00 AM
#14
upstate. I got your D2 rears on my car. Appreciate it! Guy sent me blown ones so appreciate you getting rid of them lol. I had progress and illuminas in the past, I really liked them on 4th gen. On my 5.5th gen I just needed more of a drop but they did ride pretty nice. I set the coilovers softer so I actually have a nicer quality ride. IF you go coilovers I highly recommend Megan Racing above any other brand (except the more expensive JIC)
MR are made in the JIC factory and except for the paint quality everything else on them seems superior to the D2. They ride really smooth.
As with any coilovers however, you're right, I hate the feeling when you hit something around a corner and it feels a bit jittery. Less so on my current setup as i have fat rims with fat tires 245 front 265 rear and they dont jitter too much.
cheers
-Alex
MR are made in the JIC factory and except for the paint quality everything else on them seems superior to the D2. They ride really smooth.
As with any coilovers however, you're right, I hate the feeling when you hit something around a corner and it feels a bit jittery. Less so on my current setup as i have fat rims with fat tires 245 front 265 rear and they dont jitter too much.
cheers
-Alex
09-18-2007, 08:24 AM
#16
09-18-2007, 12:53 PM
#19
You stole my pix damn it!
LoL I luv the fronts I got it to match up with the rears instead of the 3 finger gap I used to have with the H&R setup.
You know I can't tell a difference in ride quality btwn the H&R and D2 setup. Except for the holes of course lol. Little squeeks here and there, but that's what you get with coilovers. Still have my H&Rs though for when I want to go back to non-show mode.
Thanks so much upstate for the awesome deal!
LoL I luv the fronts I got it to match up with the rears instead of the 3 finger gap I used to have with the H&R setup.
You know I can't tell a difference in ride quality btwn the H&R and D2 setup. Except for the holes of course lol. Little squeeks here and there, but that's what you get with coilovers. Still have my H&Rs though for when I want to go back to non-show mode.
Thanks so much upstate for the awesome deal!
09-18-2007, 01:22 PM
#20
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i am thinkin about going to shock and spring setup. i have ksport coilovers and my car has always been a daily driver. i come to the realization that for daily driving, i can not justify coilovers for once a month aggressive driving. i definetly feel you on hitting a bump while turning. experienced it many times. i hit a bump on a canyon as i was taking the twisty, altough my steering wheel was turned half way, when i hit the bump, the car went straight towards the center divider (i think it caught air), and went i recovered from the bounce, it immediatly swered back to the position the steering wheel was turned to.
i have realized that i am not a serious spirited driver to sport coilovers......
i have realized that i am not a serious spirited driver to sport coilovers......
09-18-2007, 01:40 PM
#23
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LoL I luv the fronts I got it to match up with the rears instead of the 3 finger gap I used to have with the H&R setup.
You know I can't tell a difference in ride quality btwn the H&R and D2 setup. Except for the holes of course lol. Little squeeks here and there, but that's what you get with coilovers. Still have my H&Rs though for when I want to go back to non-show mode.
Thanks so much upstate for the awesome deal!
You know I can't tell a difference in ride quality btwn the H&R and D2 setup. Except for the holes of course lol. Little squeeks here and there, but that's what you get with coilovers. Still have my H&Rs though for when I want to go back to non-show mode.
Thanks so much upstate for the awesome deal!
Hope you and Lex enjoy them for a long time.
09-18-2007, 03:40 PM
#25
i have to agree and say that prog/illum is the best set up to me also and comfy. people tell me they want to fall asleep in my car cuz it rides so soft. especially the girliez. i love the way the azz sags compared to the front. i wish it was lower up front but when you see from 7 ft away or further, it looks so perfectly even. handles like a champ too. i ride with the fronts on full stiff and rears 3 so the people in the rear would have a more comfy ride. but no one sits back there at all.
Last edited by Majestic Ken; 09-18-2007 at 03:42 PM.
09-18-2007, 04:06 PM
#27
yea in the 2nd picture i had one sub in a box which was no weight at all, and the 1st pic i have 2 subs in a box which showed no difference at all because its so stiff unlike factory springs. so it still sits even no matter how u look at the car. but with maximas the azz is gonna sag regardless. so to sum things up, its the most even (perfect) drop.
+1 for 5.5 gen lol
09-19-2007, 08:51 AM
#34
The D2s did have a nice drop... but like you said, maybe the new setup is still adjusting, and could even drop a little more over time.
another question, where did you buy them (the illumina/progress)? online links? And how much to install it?
Thanks dude!
09-19-2007, 12:50 PM
#36
this has me thinking about getting progress but im convinced they ride just like the stechs (maybe a BIT better) since both springs drop the car almost equally. Housecor even had them and said they were rough...
How would progress springs on illuminas set on "1" ride? Im so used to the comfort of H&R springs...How do the springs take potholes and bumps?
How would progress springs on illuminas set on "1" ride? Im so used to the comfort of H&R springs...How do the springs take potholes and bumps?
09-19-2007, 01:52 PM
#39
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this has me thinking about getting progress but im convinced they ride just like the stechs (maybe a BIT better) since both springs drop the car almost equally. Housecor even had them and said they were rough...
How would progress springs on illuminas set on "1" ride? Im so used to the comfort of H&R springs...How do the springs take potholes and bumps?
How would progress springs on illuminas set on "1" ride? Im so used to the comfort of H&R springs...How do the springs take potholes and bumps?
IIRC, S-Techs drop nearly .5" more than Progress springs also.
09-19-2007, 03:27 PM
#40
Eibach handeling > all springs.