GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Arethere any coilovers out there for the Vibe? If so which ones and which would you recommend?

There are a couple of companies that make Coil overs. Tein makes a set and I was really taking a look at Ground Control coil overs. They use Eibach springs with their kits. They run around $400. Go here: http://www.ground-control.com/ If you are interested in other companies, look for a listing under the Toyota Matrix.

TRD Coilovers $1400.00I'm looking into these for next spring/summer

quote:There are a couple of companies that make Coil overs. Tein makes a set and I was really taking a look at Ground Control coil overs. They use Eibach springs with their kits. They run around $400. Go here: http://www.ground-control.com/ If you are interested in other companies, look for a listing under the Toyota Matrix.Hell Maybe I should look into these

Will I be able to use my existing Eibach with these you think?

It is a kit. I don't know if you could use your existing springs.For the coilovers you are talking about, that is everything including the shock. The Ground Control coilovers are just the spring and the adjuster.

Isn't it best to replace both springs and shock when you lower your car?I always heard that if you just replace your springs, usually your shocks will be dead in like 20,000 miles and the ride won't be as nice as a full spring/shock replacement.Am I delusional?

quote:Am I delusional?Not at all, Geo! It is best that you do this, but not a must. The coilovers that are $1400 include everything. The way I see it, I get lowering springs now and put them right with the stock shocks for now. When they wear out, I'll have them replaced with some nice sport shocks or something.When CaCathy13 did hers, I do not believe she swapped the shocks and hers handles and rides great. I'll try and find out though.

I didn't swap my shocks either and it rides better. I even hit a nasty pot hole too nothing yet.

*nod* W00t!I might have to go for that $150 Hotchkis deal then...Yank: Office Space freakin' rocks, love your Avatar

quote:*nod* W00t!I might have to go for that $150 Hotchkis deal then...Thats what I did today. quote:Yank: Office Space freakin' rocks, love your Avatar :DYank, that is the best one yet. I can hear Scareface...Die m/f die!

quote:Isn't it best to replace both springs and shock when you lower your car?I always heard that if you just replace your springs, usually your shocks will be dead in like 20,000 miles and the ride won't be as nice as a full spring/shock replacement.Am I delusional?People say you should replace your shocks at the same time to avoid having to take the suspension apart twice. Those people also aren't modding new cars so their shocks already have 40k or 50k miles on them. It's a good idea if your stock shocks are worn and will need replacing soon, but it shouldn't be a problem on your newer Vibe.

Ok dumb question... what is the difference between coilovers and just getting the lowering springs? What do coilovers do?

oh so you can set the height you think looks best? instead of being stuck with just one drop with the springs? Cool!

How does the height adjust? Is there a screw? Does that mean I could go out in winter, raise it up to stock heigh, then come summer, drop it 2"?

quote:I believee there is a valve you adjust the height with.. Well, you can have then any way you want... Stiffer ride, softer ride and such. I would assume people like them for that reason, so they can raise the car in the winter to avoid bottoming out. And when they want to cruise Gratiot or Van (removed), they will lower the Vibe, throw the rmp's into 6000 or so if they have a GT and smoke some civics. LOL!Do you know if you have to jack up each wheel to raise the car, or if it pushes the car upward?

In most cases, the spring seat is a threaded nut that can be moved up or down to raise or lower the car. http://us.st7.yimg.com/store2.yimg.com/ ... 56515970As for adjustment, jack it up and remove the wheels. I don't think you could even reach the adjustments otherwise.

Ohhhhhhh I get it now...I thought it was something I could just go out and boom boom boom boom raise or lower the car. Heck, not worth the $$$ then IMHO if that's what it takes to adjust it....

Well, it's much easier than changing springs constantly to adjust height, but it does still take some work. If you want something quickly adjustable, I guess airbags or hydraulics would be best. (please don't take that seriously)

Hey, there are air systems for compacts! (But I haven't seen them listed for Vibe/Matrix so far.) BTW, an often overlooked issue with coilovers is the need to get the corner weights as close as possible when adjusting them. Ideally, you would put the car on a set of four race scales, with the driver and a 1/2 tank of fuel, and adjust until the RF and LF % difference was the same as the LR and RR. Then whenever you change the height, you would always move the LF and RF the same number of turns and ditto with the rears. (Most stock vehicles are not all that close to start with.)

Oh, I know there are air systems, but with the resulting ride quality(unless you go REALLY expensive)... I'll pass.

Hey, I was wondering if anyone was going to post something about this. I found this link online about an airlift system, http://www.airliftcompany.com/easystreet/Matrix.htm. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it. Can you raise and lower the suspension with a button or control? I'd like to have something I can lower in the summer and raise in the winter. I've seen the new Lexus and Audi has a similar system on their SUV's.

quote:Can you raise and lower the suspension with a button or control? I'd like to have something I can lower in the summer and raise in the winter.The higher end ones, yes. The kits similar to the one you posted actually use on switch for each wheel or pair of wheels. That's how you get that "cool" broken axle look. There are high end air suspension kits available that will work like the luxury vehicle systems, but don't expect them to be cheap!

quote:I've seen the new Lexus and Audi has a similar system on their SUV's.Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't those systems lower the car as it reaches higher speeds, and return it to normal as speed decreases?This system raises and lowers when you want it to, not automatically?

Yes, most raise and lower automatically. I think some of them have a manual control ability as well. The system linked above is manual only. A lot of the cheaper systems are based more around looks than actual function.

that air system is still $2K! I think I'll manage taking the wheels off. Besides, I have to put my studded tires on anyways, so i'll be removing the tires then.