Top 6 Coilovers for the FL5

[EdgeAutosport]

I recently did a write-up on a list of 6 coilovers I thought were some of the best choices out there on the market. There are obviously many more than this. Plenty of them are worthy of purchasing that aren't on this list. I ranked them within certain categories like budget, value, all out track performance, and others.

I'm interested in what others think of the list, maybe what you think shouldn't make the list that did or what you think should be on there that isn't. Or, if you have experience with others that you think are a really good choice, it'd be cool to hear about why. We have the HKS Hipermax on our FK8 currently and really like them.

Here's where my list ended up. If you don't mind, check out the full post and if you like it or see value in our blog, we'd love for you to subscribe to get notified when more blogs come out. There is a form in the middle of the article to do that if you want! Many of the features of each kit are listed in there along with information about height adjustment range and error cancelers.

Check out the blog here for the full writeup.

Best Budget - BC Racing BR-Type
Best Performance - KW V3 or V3 Clubsport (V3 Clubsport for FK8, V4 Clubsport for FL5)
Best All Around - ST Suspensions XTA Plus 3
Best Value - Ohlins
Because Race Car - AST/Moton
Honorable Mention - HKS Hipermax

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[Tougefl5]

That's one hell of a write up. Very informative and should help people out when looking for a suspension set up.

 

[princers]

Great write-up! Maybe this is an ignorant question, but for the daily/weekend-driven R that sees maybe a few track events, how worth it is to go full coilovers instead of a good set of springs/rsb / etc. (i.e., a lesser suspension "package" for say half the price of HKS)?

 

[TchnoZ33]

Just curious, wish they wrote why RSR coilovers didn’t make the list. I would think that maintaining the cars active dampening system would be a huge plus.

 

[EJHonda]

Back in the days of printed and mailed newsletters, an avid autocrosser on the West Coast did an article on popular coilover kits of the day and their performance on a shock dynometer, and it was eye opening.

He found that some very popular brands were nothing more than snake oil, with one Japanese brand (think green logo and starts with a "T") had adjusters that as you increased their stiffness actually produced results that looked more like a stock market graph - turning up the stiffness one increment didn't always produce desired results, either in uniformity of adjustment or produced an actual decrease in stiffness.

Not surprisingly, the most expensive coilovers were some of the best performing (Penske, Mouton). There were some mid-range (Öhlins) and budget (KYB) winners, too, but most cheaper offerings were simply eye candy.

I'd love to see that done again and get an idea of where all the current manufacturers stand. A lot has changed in 20+ years...

 

[MooMoo]

Just curious, wish they wrote why RSR coilovers didn’t make the list. I would think that maintaining the cars active dampening system would be a huge plus.

probably because they don't sell em

 

[J1Avs]

I recently did a write-up on a list of 6 coilovers I thought were some of the best choices out there on the market. There are obviously many more than this. Plenty of them are worthy of purchasing that aren't on this list. I ranked them within certain categories like budget, value, all out track performance, and others.

I'm interested in what others think of the list, maybe what you think shouldn't make the list that did or what you think should be on there that isn't. Or, if you have experience with others that you think are a really good choice, it'd be cool to hear about why. We have the HKS Hipermax on our FK8 currently and really like them.

Here's where my list ended up. If you don't mind, check out the full post and if you like it or see value in our blog, we'd love for you to subscribe to get notified when more blogs come out. There is a form in the middle of the article to do that if you want! Many of the features of each kit are listed in there along with information about height adjustment range and error cancelers.

Check out the blog here for the full writeup.

Best Budget - BC Racing BR-Type
Best Performance - KW V3 or V3 Clubsport (V3 Clubsport for FK8, V4 Clubsport for FL5)
Best All Around - ST Suspensions XTA Plus 3
Best Value - Ohlins
Because Race Car - AST/Moton
Honorable Mention - HKS Hipermax

Have you tested all of these on the chassis? Compared in high performance conditions on track? Your post primarily just summarizes the product offering without any first hand input or data.

You also missed the majority of the top performing dampers on the market in favor of generic OTS options that basically every major retailer has access to.

 

[EdgeAutosport]

Great write-up! Maybe this is an ignorant question, but for the daily/weekend-driven R that sees maybe a few track events, how worth it is to go full coilovers instead of a good set of springs/rsb / etc. (i.e., a lesser suspension "package" for say half the price of HKS)?

You definitely don't need coilovers to go out and have some fun. I would say it's worth however serious you are about lap times. If you're not serious at all and you just want to have some fun, then you probably wouldn't find the value in them over the springs.

Just curious, wish they wrote why RSR coilovers didn’t make the list. I would think that maintaining the cars active dampening system would be a huge plus.

probably because they don't sell em

Ya, I just don't have any experience with them and if there is a single coilover I want to try that I'm not familiar with, it'd be those right now. And that is true, we don't sell them currently. I wouldn't have a problem seeking them out to try to sell them. It's hard to sell everything though and we just haven't pursued it. No reason in particular.

Have you tested all of these on the chassis? Compared in high performance conditions on track? Your post primarily just summarizes the product offering without any first hand input or data.

You also missed the majority of the top performing dampers on the market in favor of generic OTS options that basically every major retailer has access to.

The only experience I have on the Honda is with a couple different HKS sets (Si, Type R) and a set of BCs (Si only). But I have experience with KW V3's on a different car.

It was intended to be a summary more than anything, not a conclusive full test. I do actually want to do more full write ups on specific parts as time goes along. We'll get there.

 

[optronix]

Great write-up! Maybe this is an ignorant question, but for the daily/weekend-driven R that sees maybe a few track events, how worth it is to go full coilovers instead of a good set of springs/rsb / etc. (i.e., a lesser suspension "package" for say half the price of HKS)?

I just posted something along these lines in a thread about the Eibach springs... I went the springs route and have regrets.

Main reason I say that is that I'm going to need to do some extra tuning to make this car feel as good as/better than OEM after I added the springs. For me, the car looks better but feels worse. The added camber in the rear only needs to be taken into account, because it adds noticeable understeer. Folks probably won't realize the full effect of this unless they take it to a track or autocross...

I'm no suspension expert so in my mind the logic of dropping the car and adding negative camber to the rear mult-link and NOT the front struts would apply whether you use coils or just springs; I honestly don't know if that's the case and maybe someone can keep me honest here... but my thought process is if I've got to add adjustable lower ball joints and a roll center kit anyway, I might as well have just went all-in on the coilover approach.

My point in adding my .02 is that for folks who plan on driving the car at or near its limits, it's likely just a better move to get more serious with aftermarket upgrades rather than trying to half-ass it. The car is already very good from the factory, it's actually really easy to make it worse.

 

[Tougefl5]

I just posted something along these lines in a thread about the Eibach springs... I went the springs route and have regrets.

Main reason I say that is that I'm going to need to do some extra tuning to make this car feel as good as/better than OEM after I added the springs. For me, the car looks better but feels worse. The added camber in the rear only needs to be taken into account, because it adds noticeable understeer. Folks probably won't realize the full effect of this unless they take it to a track or autocross...

I'm no suspension expert so in my mind the logic of dropping the car and adding negative camber to the rear mult-link and NOT the front struts would apply whether you use coils or just springs; I honestly don't know if that's the case and maybe someone can keep me honest here... but my thought process is if I've got to add adjustable lower ball joints and a roll center kit anyway, I might as well have just went all-in on the coilover approach.

My point in adding my .02 is that for folks who plan on driving the car at or near its limits, it's likely just a better move to get more serious with aftermarket upgrades rather than trying to half-ass it. The car is already very good from the factory, it's actually really easy to make it worse.

Preach brother. If you are going to modify then might as well go all in and make something special. Otherwise enjoy it stock because it's a great car from the factory.

 

[princers]

I just posted something along these lines in a thread about the Eibach springs... I went the springs route and have regrets.

Main reason I say that is that I'm going to need to do some extra tuning to make this car feel as good as/better than OEM after I added the springs. For me, the car looks better but feels worse. The added camber in the rear only needs to be taken into account, because it adds noticeable understeer. Folks probably won't realize the full effect of this unless they take it to a track or autocross...

I'm no suspension expert so in my mind the logic of dropping the car and adding negative camber to the rear mult-link and NOT the front struts would apply whether you use coils or just springs; I honestly don't know if that's the case and maybe someone can keep me honest here... but my thought process is if I've got to add adjustable lower ball joints and a roll center kit anyway, I might as well have just went all-in on the coilover approach.

My point in adding my .02 is that for folks who plan on driving the car at or near its limits, it's likely just a better move to get more serious with aftermarket upgrades rather than trying to half-ass it. The car is already very good from the factory, it's actually really easy to make it worse.

this is exactly why i made my post above, thank you for the awesome reply! on my fk8 it was the same situation until i pulled everything off & switched to coils. night & day difference and i dont feel any regret (plus the stance is still perfect lmao)

 

[J1Avs]

I just posted something along these lines in a thread about the Eibach springs... I went the springs route and have regrets.

Main reason I say that is that I'm going to need to do some extra tuning to make this car feel as good as/better than OEM after I added the springs. For me, the car looks better but feels worse. The added camber in the rear only needs to be taken into account, because it adds noticeable understeer. Folks probably won't realize the full effect of this unless they take it to a track or autocross...

I'm no suspension expert so in my mind the logic of dropping the car and adding negative camber to the rear mult-link and NOT the front struts would apply whether you use coils or just springs; I honestly don't know if that's the case and maybe someone can keep me honest here... but my thought process is if I've got to add adjustable lower ball joints and a roll center kit anyway, I might as well have just went all-in on the coilover approach.

My point in adding my .02 is that for folks who plan on driving the car at or near its limits, it's likely just a better move to get more serious with aftermarket upgrades rather than trying to half-ass it. The car is already very good from the factory, it's actually really easy to make it worse.

Most coilovers have camber plates for the front struts which will help you dial in front camber without needing additional parts. Some kits do not come with them and require a secondary set of aftermarket plates.

 

[BigBird]

I recently did a write-up on a list of 6 coilovers I thought were some of the best choices out there on the market. There are obviously many more than this. Plenty of them are worthy of purchasing that aren't on this list. I ranked them within certain categories like budget, value, all out track performance, and others.

I'm interested in what others think of the list, maybe what you think shouldn't make the list that did or what you think should be on there that isn't. Or, if you have experience with others that you think are a really good choice, it'd be cool to hear about why. We have the HKS Hipermax on our FK8 currently and really like them.

Here's where my list ended up. If you don't mind, check out the full post and if you like it or see value in our blog, we'd love for you to subscribe to get notified when more blogs come out. There is a form in the middle of the article to do that if you want! Many of the features of each kit are listed in there along with information about height adjustment range and error cancelers.

Check out the blog here for the full writeup.

Best Budget - BC Racing BR-Type
Best Performance - KW V3 or V3 Clubsport (V3 Clubsport for FK8, V4 Clubsport for FL5)
Best All Around - ST Suspensions XTA Plus 3
Best Value - Ohlins
Because Race Car - AST/Moton
Honorable Mention - HKS Hipermax

HKS HiperMax setup comes with error cancelers. You note that it does not come with it.

As mentioned above coilovers from Redshift, Shaftworks are missing, and if you are talking track they need to be mentioned along with JRZ

 

[BigBird]

I just posted something along these lines in a thread about the Eibach springs... I went the springs route and have regrets.

Main reason I say that is that I'm going to need to do some extra tuning to make this car feel as good as/better than OEM after I added the springs. For me, the car looks better but feels worse. The added camber in the rear only needs to be taken into account, because it adds noticeable understeer. Folks probably won't realize the full effect of this unless they take it to a track or autocross...

I'm no suspension expert so in my mind the logic of dropping the car and adding negative camber to the rear mult-link and NOT the front struts would apply whether you use coils or just springs; I honestly don't know if that's the case and maybe someone can keep me honest here... but my thought process is if I've got to add adjustable lower ball joints and a roll center kit anyway, I might as well have just went all-in on the coilover approach.

My point in adding my .02 is that for folks who plan on driving the car at or near its limits, it's likely just a better move to get more serious with aftermarket upgrades rather than trying to half-ass it. The car is already very good from the factory, it's actually really easy to make it worse.

that's why you add camber to the front, ball joint or camber plates. And, even with Coilovers, you can't adjust the rear camber unless you buy arms, so there's that.

EDIT: saw your other thread and you mentioned the same. so same page.

i mean front camber and springs and i'm about $650 in. Not terrible. I am just eager to do a before/after springs combo vs coilover times and feelings. I usually would go coilovers always, but didn't think I would take this car to the track, but here we are.

 

[EdgeAutosport]

HKS HiperMax setup comes with error cancelers. You note that it does not come with it.

As mentioned above coilovers from Redshift, Shaftworks are missing, and if you are talking track they need to be mentioned along with JRZ

I appreciate the recommendation, I'll most likely revise this blog to include some other setups that many others have suggested, regardless of whether we sell them or not. Because I do want it to be a good resource for anyone looking for the right setup.

On the HKS, the FL5 kit does come with the error cancellers, but not the FK8 kits. I'm pretty certain I mentioned that in the write up but I'll double check.

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