Cx-5 Pro Parts Coil Over kit

[Chris_Top_Her]

http://store.propartsusa.com/propar..._package/ppusa_cx5_coiloverkit/i-1733675.aspx

Adjustable of course, too bad it's a $3000 kit. I think I'll stick with my $259 H&R for now.

 

[apexanimal]

Those koni yellows are nice though... But too pricey...

 

[paris1]

So am I correct in assuming that you spend 3 grand for this and still have no way to adjust camber?

 

[brainbasher]

Way overpriced. I guess somebody will pay though.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Pricey for a set of relatively basic coilovers, with limited adjustment? Yes. Unexpected? No.

The shocks and springs are obviously not made by ProParts. Those are custom sized and custom revalved Koni Sport Yellow shocks, which only allow rebound adjustment (unless further modified?). Limited adjustment, but a VERY high quality shocks with far superior dynamics compared to practically any shocks that come with sub $1,500 coilover kits (Megan, Stance, K-Sport, etc). The H&R springs seem to be custom wound with specific rates for this application as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it would be unfortunate if they adapted the typical CX-5 H&R lowering springs with the same rates for this application with an entirely different height geometry and shocks. The cost of manufacturing limited amounts of the adjustable sleeves for the strut and spring mounts also add to the price.

All these factors will obviously equate to a high price. The fact that ProParts is trying to pinch some profitability from the product further adds to the premium. So, I would say $2,900 is justified. Unfortunately, I haven't won the lotto yet .


That white CX-5 is actually CJ Wilson's CX-5. What a beauty.

 

[CX-SV]

Wow ^, yep I'm guilty of drooling a bit....

 

[TampaMS3]

I don't like the look ..lowers a bit too much for me.

 

[paris1]

or too black!

 

[TampaMS3]

or too black!

right

this is the perfect height..for me!

 

[SayNoToPistons]

It is an adjustable height coilover kit...

 

[TampaMS3]

It is an adjustable height coilover kit...

 

[MikeM.]

It is an adjustable height coilover kit...

True - this kit allows the ride height to be adjusted. But not in the sense that it can be adjusted to aesthetic height preference and still perform properly at various ride heights.

The adjustment is a simple spring pre-load adjustment. For a given vehicle weight there is a very limited range that will return decent driving dynamics. If the pre-load is adjusted to a higher value than this optimum setting for reasons of aesthetic preference then the suspension will "top out" and the ride quality will be unforgiving and grip will suffer (a lot). If the ride height is adjusted too low the suspension will bottom too easily - it all depends on what spring rate is supplied and the rates of damping of the supplied dampers.

 

[paris1]

True - this kit allows the ride height to be adjusted. But not in the sense that it can be adjusted to aesthetic height preference and still perform properly at various ride heights.

The adjustment is a simple spring pre-load adjustment. For a given vehicle weight there is a very limited range that will return decent driving dynamics. If the pre-load is adjusted to a higher value than this optimum setting for reasons of aesthetic preference then the suspension will "top out" and the ride quality will be unforgiving and grip will suffer (a lot). If the ride height is adjusted too low the suspension will bottom too easily - it all depends on what spring rate is supplied and the rates of damping of the supplied dampers.

And what happens with camber setting during all this? Can factory-specified setting be maintained, or do they go by the wayside as they do using just a set of H&R springs?

 

[MikeM.]

And what happens with camber setting during all this? Can factory-specified setting be maintained, or do they go by the wayside as they do using just a set of H&R springs?

True - this "adjustable" kit has the same disadvantages as the H&R springs.

 

[apexanimal]

camber can be adjusted using two different methods: cam bolts, or slotting one knuckle-to-strut opening...

the factory camber is VERY mild and more would be good for all but a car that only sees straight highways...

 

[MikeM.]

camber can be adjusted using two different methods: cam bolts, or slotting one knuckle-to-strut opening...

the factory camber is VERY mild and more would be good for all but a car that only sees straight highways...

It's pretty rare for a car to see only highway miles but I suppose there are few long-distance commuters or traveling salesmen that would qualify.

For the rest of us, can you recommend a camber spec that would be optimum for a more typical blend of driving?

 

[paris1]

camber can be adjusted using two different methods: cam bolts, or slotting one knuckle-to-strut opening...

the factory camber is VERY mild and more would be good for all but a car that only sees straight highways...

No one currently makes cam bolts for CX-5.

 

[apexanimal]

^ it shouldn't take long i'm sure... i'm not a huge fan of them personally because they can go out of spec from a big pothole quickly... but they are very easy to install and cheap-ish...

front camber spec on a fwd car for a dd can be anywhere from -.8 to -1.3 without seeing camber tire wear... toe, for most people, is best to keep at 0 unless you really like to have solid "on-center" feel, in which case i would do +.05 toe in for stability...
rear camber spec on a fwd car for a dd can be a bit higher: from -1 to -1.8 which helps to increase stability during cornering and a more planted feel after beginning to turn (not to mention helping keep the transition weight in the rear in check)... toe in the rear should be 0 in a dd in the rear

with only a beefier rear sway bar, light wheels, good tires, adjusting tire pressures, and a good alignment, it will really liven it up even more... mazda does a good job with chassis tuning, but with a few minor details (without getting into c/o's, caster, etc) it can be even more fun...

 

[mark ivdx]

Has anyone looked into the RSR coilovers? I was wandering around a Japanese forum of sorts and saw a few of them had RSR coils and there is also RSR and espiler lowering springs. They also had one of those camber bolts that would work for the CX-5, ill try to hunt down a pic later.

 

[mark ivdx]

RS★R Best☆i coilvers

Coilovers installed

Here are a couple underbody shots of the RS★R coils installed, but on a different vehicle. I believe he has aftermarket wheels.

And here are the camber bolts I found if anyone is interested

This CX-5 has the Espiler lowering springs installed.

Last but not least this is the RS★R lowering springs.