3.3TT Coilovers vs Lowering Springs

[BodaciousD]

I need advice from real stinger owners, not a promoted website. Pros and cons for using coilovers or lowering springs, and which of those two would you choose and why?

I daily drive, spiritedly, and always in sport. I want to close the wheel gap while also increasing the sportiness/control, with plans to tune as well in the future.

I’m new to the car modding world but I’ve got the bug with my stinger and I can’t wait to learn. I keep doing “research” every day to try and learn more about this car and aftermarket accessories. However, depending on the site, and even the discussions here, I can talk myself out of just about every upgrade, and vice versa. So really I’m just looking for some opinions with people who have the experience. Thanks I’m advance!

 

[2021GT2]

coilovers
Cons: need megan racing adjustable rear toe and rear camber arms
need ecs cancellors if you have electronic suspension
can get pricey
Pros: dial in wheel fitment
with a decent set of coilovers you can really dial in the comfort with still maintaining that aggressive stance
best option to get as close to a canyon carver
springs
Cons: no adjustability you get what you get
research is needed to find the best wheel/tire fitment for that specific spring
Pros: able to keep factory electronic suspension
cheapest option for lowering
can possibly get away without the purchase of megan arms

I personally never had springs i went straight to coilovers so im sure others will chime in with their experiences

 

[RM7]

Springs for show. Coilovers for go.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

I personally have always chosen coilovers before springs.

Especially with how well-priced something like the BC Coilovers (click HERE to view) is, it just makes more sense to go coilovers.

Springs will give you the look you want but they are non-adjustable and do not offer the same response and drive feel as coilovers.

I think it really comes down to your budget but, I would still recommend saving up for a set of coilovers especially if you like spirited driving.​

 

[BodaciousD]

coilovers
Cons: need megan racing adjustable rear toe and rear camber arms
need ecs cancellors if you have electronic suspension
can get pricey
Pros: dial in wheel fitment
with a decent set of coilovers you can really dial in the comfort with still maintaining that aggressive stance
best option to get as close to a canyon carver
springs
Cons: no adjustability you get what you get
research is needed to find the best wheel/tire fitment for that specific spring
Pros: able to keep factory electronic suspension
cheapest option for lowering
can possibly get away without the purchase of megan arms

I personally never had springs i went straight to coilovers so im sure others will chime in with their experiences

So if I go with any set of coilovers I must get the camber arms? Why are these needed?

 

[2021GT2]

So if I go with any set of coilovers I must get the camber arms? Why are these needed?

The stock arms run out of adjustment.

 

[Michael Hespe]

Good to know thanks. Also is there a huge difference between the KW3s and say the BC BR series? The price difference is nuts. I only drag my car and roll race so.

The stock arms run out of adjustment.

 

[2021GT2]

Good to know thanks. Also is there a huge difference between the KW3s and say the BC BR series? The price difference is nuts. I only drag my car and roll race so.

I recommend riaction. Best bang for your buck

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Good to know thanks. Also is there a huge difference between the KW3s and say the BC BR series? The price difference is nuts. I only drag my car and roll race so.

KW is a german made coilover that has a lot more modern technology built in to it. It is well worth the price if you want the best of the best but it is by no means budget friendly. BC is a highly trusted brand that is offering a mid level coilover at entry level pricing.

 

[BodaciousD]

KW is a german made coilover that has a lot more modern technology built in to it. It is well worth the price if you want the best of the best but it is by no means budget friendly. BC is a highly trusted brand that is offering a mid level coilover at entry level pricing.

So couple of questions.

The KW Coilover kits advertise that they have compatible connectors to plug in that allow all of the electronic and dynamic assistance systems to remain active…. I have a GT2 so I’m assuming that’s what is happening while I’m switching to sport settings. The suspension tightens up, handling is more reactive, etc.

If you were to get a coilover that doesn’t have that, and only has code cancellors, would that effect the sport mode? Would It turn off only portions of the sport mode like suspension and keep the RPM change and acceleration benefits?

 

[SRV]

I need advice from real stinger owners, not a promoted website. Pros and cons for using coilovers or lowering springs, and which of those two would you choose and why?

I daily drive, spiritedly, and always in sport. I want to close the wheel gap while also increasing the sportiness/control, with plans to tune as well in the future.

I’m new to the car modding world but I’ve got the bug with my stinger and I can’t wait to learn. I keep doing “research” every day to try and learn more about this car and aftermarket accessories. However, depending on the site, and even the discussions here, I can talk myself out of just about every upgrade, and vice versa. So really I’m just looking for some opinions with people who have the experience. Thanks I’m advance!

I would take the time and do a search here on 'springs' and read thru the threads - and I read them all. Note that I did NOT investigate coilovers, but I would think they'd have the same issues noted below due to lowering the car.

My takeaway with lowering springs is that after installation, a lot of guys complained about not being able align the car to factory specs and experienced abnormal tire wear as a result.

There are reports of the car pulling to a side, as well as slight vibrations.

Another issue is that whatever alignment they did get, it wouldn't hold, and after another adjustment, it wouldn't hold again.

Finally, there is no way to adjust the front camber.

Here's the latest report with alignment issues after lowering:

Alignment off after lowering

So I just got my Ark GtF springs installed on Friday by a reputable shop.. $750 for installation including alignment.. first of all, I should've measured, but I swear these springs dropped more than the advertised Inch.. problem is after I picked it up, the car seemed to pull to the right.. I...

stingerforum.org

In the end I elected to keep the suspension stock and I'm very happy with my decision despite cringing whenever I see that 4x4 ride height. However, I do have 4 P-cars which fulfill my sport car duties and another reason why I'm content to keep the Stinger a stock GT for daily driver duties. And despite that ride height, it is still a beautiful car to look at.

Now with all that said, if I were to do lowering springs, I would buy EVERY available rear adjustment arm to maximize the chance of success to get the alignment correct in the rear.

My 4x4 Stinger:

 

[Ozstung]

I would take the time and do a search here on 'springs' and read thru the threads - and I read them all. Note that I did NOT investigate coilovers, but I would think they'd have the same issues noted below due to lowering the car.

My takeaway with lowering springs is that after installation, a lot of guys complained about not being able align the car to factory specs and experienced abnormal tire wear as a result.

There are reports of the car pulling to a side, as well as slight vibrations.

Another issue is that whatever alignment they did get, it wouldn't hold, and after another adjustment, it wouldn't hold again.

Finally, there is no way to adjust the front camber.

Here's the latest report with alignment issues after lowering:

Alignment off after lowering

So I just got my Ark GtF springs installed on Friday by a reputable shop.. $750 for installation including alignment.. first of all, I should've measured, but I swear these springs dropped more than the advertised Inch.. problem is after I picked it up, the car seemed to pull to the right.. I...

stingerforum.org

In the end I elected to keep the suspension stock and I'm very happy with my decision despite cringing whenever I see that 4x4 ride height. However, I do have 4 P-cars which fulfill my sport car duties and another reason why I'm content to keep the Stinger a stock GT for daily driver duties. And despite that ride height, it is still a beautiful car to look at.

Now with all that said, if I were to do lowering springs, I would buy EVERY available rear adjustment arm to maximize the chance of success to get the alignment correct in the rear.

My 4x4 Stinger:

View attachment 79498

What he said. Pulls to the left, uneven tyre wear and regular wheel alignments that don't hold. Been on Eibach springs for 4 years. Time over probably would go 20" rims and just suck up the leaning.

 

[Volfy]

I suspect some of the problems folks had might have to do with how the installation is done. One very important thing is that if you loosen any of the control arms, they must be tightened with the suspension at normal ride height. If you were to tighten them up with the car lifted and the suspension extended without load, the rubber bushings will be clocked wrong. After the car is subsequently lowered to ride height, those rubber bushings will be under stress and will eventually fail out of spec, which will lead to alignment changes over time.

I installed Eibach Pro Kit springs on both our G70 and Stinger. G70 had absolutely no problem. Stinger's rear camber was maxed out on the stock adjustment range, but alignment shop was able to get it just inside allowable spec at -2.0deg. This makes sense, as the Stinger rear end was lowered visibly more than the G70 on the same Eibach springs, since it is a heavier than the G70 and has a longer wheelbase. The more the car is lowered, the more likely camber is to go negative. I got the Megan rear camber arm, mostly because prefer rear camber to match the front at -1.0deg.

Other than that. Zero issues with tire wear or pulling to one side, NVH, etc.

 

[Rodtheviking]

ARK GT-F springs with Megan camber arms, alignment within spec (barely) no weird pulling and holding adjustment for several months. I did however have my alignment shop put 150 lbs in the driver's seat while adjusting. I wanted coilovers but after reading all the problems with alignment I noped out. I'm not dropping that kind of money on tires just to kill them in 10k miles.

 

[socalvn]

M&S Lowering Springs 20,000 mi on the springs. Drives hands free down the road all day long. -1° camber front and back little premature tire wear but planted to the ground. Super fun to drive
One person's bad experience. Does it mean that's for everybody if your car is pulling something's wrong?

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

So couple of questions.

The KW Coilover kits advertise that they have compatible connectors to plug in that allow all of the electronic and dynamic assistance systems to remain active…. I have a GT2 so I’m assuming that’s what is happening while I’m switching to sport settings. The suspension tightens up, handling is more reactive, etc.

If you were to get a coilover that doesn’t have that, and only has code cancellors, would that effect the sport mode? Would It turn off only portions of the sport mode like suspension and keep the RPM change and acceleration benefits?

If you chose a coilover that does not have the ECS Code Cancelers you will end up throwing a code if you have a GT2 with electronic dampening you are going to need the cancelers.

 

[Snowwhite]

I was on ARK GT-Fs for 2 years with no alignment or excessive tire wear issues, now I'm on eibachs because I didn't like the way the RWD GT2 sits on the ARKs. (front too high, back too low.) no issues on the eibachs 6 months so far.

of note, I also have the subframe collars installed to keep anything from moving around.

 

[SRV]

One person's bad experience. Does it mean that's for everybody if your car is pulling something's wrong?

One person's bad experience?

I guess you didn't read the threads where many people are having issues.