Background:

I very recently installed the Megan Track coils on my car. Car is aligned with factory settings. I dropped the car about 2". The dial on the Megans is set to 10 out of 32 on the Hard side of the settings (with 0 being the stiffest setting). Just recently had new Potenza Re050's on the rear. When I was getting the car aligned, they said there was some belt showing, I told them to swap out the front with the cheapo brand (Primewells, never heard of them). The reason I did that was because I plan on getting some rims in the near distant future, and did not want to waste money on the Potenza's on the front. I was actually going to try and ride out the Potenzas I had up front, but didn't realize the belt was showing in places...don't know if they were just trying to sell me some tires or not. I have built up some trust in the shop I go to so I went with their word.

Issue:

I was heading back home on a 3 hour road trip this weekend, and was averaging about 70 - 80 mph on open highways...I noticed the car felt numb or seemed "soft" when changing lanes at high speeds. It also feels the same way now at lower speeds. As far as the ride goes, I don't have a print out of my alignment. I do remember the rear is at -2.1 and the front was -1.x. No idea on the toe or castor setting. I don't know if maybe it is the cheap front tires that are causing this numb feeling on turn in or not. It just seems like when I had the Potenzas up front the car was more responsive (at least at lower speeds).

Also, while on the subject... While at speed on the highway (around 80mph) and changing lanes, the car felt soft. For lack of better words I could feel it sway. I really want it to feel more stable at high speeds. I don't know the best way to correct this. I have read and searched that it is USUALLY caused by alignment settings. If you exclude alignment, what are some of the best ways to brace the car? Rear and Front Way bars? X-brace? Let me know your guys thoughts on this.

Also, let me add, I do not care about daily driving quality. The S is not my daily driver by any means. I rather have a full on track set up with zero ride comfort than be "comfortable." I'd rather feel connected to the road, than have ride comfort, if that makes sense. I actually prefer it that way.

So, lets hear it.

Thanks.

 

I would suspect they took out caster...
Tires I am sure dont help.

 

Rule number one of car tuning: change one thing at a time. You changed spring rates, damping rates, ride height, alignment (several discrete adjustments), and tires all at the same time, which will make diagnosing the problem a bear.

I don't see how alignment could cause more body movement -- I'd look first to the coilovers. Are you sure you've adjusted the dampers to the stiff end of the spectrum instead of the soft end? Do you know what the knobs adjust, or how their damping compares to that of your previous shocks?

To echo crash -- why are you spending thousands on shocks then spending tens on tires (Primewells?!?!?)?

Also, what's the intended use of the car?

 

I'm confuzzled - you'd rather have an all out track car but you bought Megan shocks? That doesn't make any sense.

A good track suspension should be comfortable - if its too stiff and bouncy then you need better shocks.

Your car is also way too low and the tires are what is causing your immediate problem. They are deflecting rather than the suspension moving. Get used to it - there isn't anything you can do aside from put softer springs on or change your tires

 

[QUOTE=PedalFaster,Mar 10 2009, 06:59 AM] Rule number one of car tuning: change one thing at a time.

 

You ever hear of Koni?

How much did you pay for your Megans?

You probably could have done a very nice set of Koni's with any springrate you want for under $1k.

 

Yes I have heard of Koni.

Megans were $900 shipped to my door.
The spring rates on them are 12k/14k. I know people bash on them, but after reading that they are basically knock-offs or rebadged "higher end" brand coils, and reading tons of positive reviews across several forums, I took the plunge.

I am thinking its not so much the coilover, but its either that I need a corner balance, an alignment set up issue, or maybe something some extra bracing could fix.

I really need to hit a track day where I can push it to the limit in a safe environment to really see what I am working with I guess.

 

you say the new tires are on the front and your issues is when your turning????? Right????
also if the caster is less than it was before it will cause the steering to be more "sloppy"..

my .02

also if you look at most race s2k's they are not that low...
If they are its a street thing which would put this in another section which would also possibly get you better feedback.
I am SURE nobody in here with a race car has Megan coil overs.

 

I am sure the internal valving is not the same...
also prob not valved for higher spring rates.

 

Also - there is nothing "higher end" about Tein or Buddy Crub...



Get better front tires