yes! that is a resounding yes! haha, my car has changed whole lanes on me without the steering wheel moving. Coilovers tend to lower the car even more than springs, making the bump steer issue worse.

Where did you find that out?

 

Some of us were talking about suspension options today and this topic came up. People had ideas of why it could be either way, but this helps a bunch to know now. Thanks.

 

well, if you were to raise it up to stock ride height, then no, rack spacers would not be a necessity. But, if you're like 99.999999% of cobalt owners, you'll slam it into impracticality...

 

I emailed Pedders.

Warren

 

i have a set of stance coilovers on lay away since i cant put them on till after winter anyways. dont want the salt to eat them up.

 

I had the Megan Racing coilovers on mine since November '08. Overall I like 'em, the ride is kinda harsh though even on softer settings.

 

think about it its really funny. Pedders are arquably the best of the cheapo coil overs, and you pass because the shock valving is linear? The next step is 5-7000 dollars and btw those coil overs are not digressive; coil overs like Ohlins etc I have run these. Great shocks the best of the best . Could I sell a used set for 2500 ? No. So u know where the market is.

Hmmm. I just cant see this whole deal....put on TC struts and shocks, pay 1.98 and have a great handling car for street and track.

I mean anyone here heading for NASA/SCCA/Grand Am with their car? I didnt think so....

 

Race again? Would love to, but my wife and I agreed that I'd stay out until we move closer to DC. I made that deal before the housing market tanked... Now I have to be content going out for school weekends. I think the Cobalt would be a great low cost option for racing though.

I've personally never owned coilovers that costed more than about 3000. My primary race car had linearly valved shocks, and I've driven on quite a few "cheap" (less than 3k) monotube Japanese/Korean/etc coilovers (Bilstein excluded here, as they're in a different category, IMO). They've been less forgiving, and harder to setup than something like revalved and (properly) shortened Konis or Bilsteins.

On the higher cost options, I'd find it hard to believe that both the compression and rebound are linear like you would find on something like a KSport. From what I've seen and read, at least one is typically digressive. Adjustment should be linear though (and predictable, which is more than you can say for many low cost options).

Convince me otherwise. I'm quite open to change through facts and evidence

I already have a TC, so no need to swap the struts or shocks til they get older. At that point, it's likely that I'll just get a set of Konis, unless someone has some serious track time on coilovers or shocks that have good bang for the buck.

 

Koni= gigantic leap backward from stock TC imho check with Maven...but buy new TC every 10k miles depending how you drive....I change mine periodically, 1-3 k miles...sell recoup, and move on simple shocks dont last long kinda like an oil change...

 

I thought this was actually common knowledge....I commented on it many months ago. As well as the fact that they merely appear to be redressed Megans, like so many other setups.

 

so of all the coilovers ksport, megan, bc, pedders, are they all pretty much the same thing ???
i dont know if i should spend the money to get something thats not ksport bc mine just broke on me or if i should just get some TC suspension w/ some lowering springs and call it a day

 

I'm set on coilovers for my car come early spring 2010, I'm not sure what ones are worth the dough.

Car is used for Daily Driving, all year round. I am willing to put up with a harsh ride for increased handling, and a low stance.

I was thinking either B&G, or Pedders. If Pedders are Megans, I'll get megans cause they are cheaper.

What do the suspension gurus recomend?

 

I missed the conversation! LOL! They test each unit to verify they are to spec. Having worked for a company that used lesser quality shocks than the Pedders units I got (they are actually pretty nice for the $$) and knowing how many were really out of spec I appreciate the quality control. The springs look the same as well as the dampers but unless we test them on a dyno (Shocks/springs) it's just speculation. We're working on becoming a Pedders dealer now and I love their products. The prices will be cheaper here in the next few weeks for a limited time!!!!

Yes, just to make sure the pressures are within spec and they aren't leaking. You'd be surprised how many shocks I've seen come from Asia that are total crap. I was talking with Mike (DMS) from Pedders and he gave me the full run down on their process. I'm very impressed with their products and I like working with them. When you say switched over what do you mean? Sorry!

I'd like to talk with you about our 09' SS/TC sometime. I've got pretty much all of the parts already and I'll be on the track either late February or late March depending on the weather. I'm very serious about running NASA Nationals this year and I want to be competitive. I know you've got the info I need! Talk to you soon!

Alright! I got the coil overs installed and here are some before and after pictures. I think the ride quality on the street is "tighter" at a setting of 10 all the way around compared to the factory units but that is what I wanted! I haven't fine tuned them yet or corner balanced but it's on rails!!!!! The install was very straight forward and everything fit perfectly.

Before



After




I didn't go that low because I'm going for ultimate performance but it looks 100% better than it did. IMHO they are way to high in the rear from the factory....

Kind regards,

 

looks right....

 

Stance is probably one of the best coilover makers for the Cobalt. To bad no one has enough money to real world test all of these coilovers.

 

so those KSport COs...is the camber adjustable? plate n all? and did u need 2 buy an alignment kit after installing them?

 

Our ARK DT-P Coilover System comes with camber adjustments, plate adjustment as well. In addition, the DT-P comes with adjustable dampers. We are offering an awesome Semi-Sponsorship deal on these coilovers. Try us out.

 

Just got my Pedders coilovers. I'll have to see how they do.

 

i bought stance coilovers and installed the rear ones. i don't want to install the fronts yet cause of a clung sound on the front which mean endlink fail and i will need rack spacers even more. and i want the front sway bar. so i have to buy all together and drop it in all.
but i have to save for closing cost.

 

Looks like I may be doing the swap to coilovers this weekend.

What are the correct torques for the bolts?

Anything I need to make a special point to avoid or make sure I do?

 

Update:

Pedders coilovers on!

 

bump

any special tips/tools required?

 

Sorry for taking so long to reply. I've been out of town for my job and haven't been on here for a while.

No special tools really. I'd recommend having two jack stands and a jack at a minimum though. Having another stand or jack in addition to that would be helpful in some of the stages. Doing the coilovers on mine was actually easier than doing my friend's Pedders springs, due to the fact you just take off and replace the whole units instead of needing to also disassemble and reassemble them too.

One tip I'd give is to cut the bumpstops on the back just a bit. The amount we cut mine ended up being just right IMO. Keep all the stock bumpstop materials and cut "the head off and leave the shaft". When you get to that point, you'll know what I mean.

 

thanks

 

none of these coilovers are worth what they cost imo, had ksports for a couple of years, over time they became unbearable, the front setup was decent. the rear setup is so underdampened, hit a bump, pothole, or even just and unsmooth road and your gonna feel the ass end bouncing like crazy. so if your gonna buy cheap, might as well buy the cheapest you can find cause there all garbage.