My Sonic Tuning S3 Coilover experiance....

[drknyte]

So I just bought a set from @sonic tuning; Ray was very responsive and answered all my questions and was very helpful. Very quick delivery with no hassles. Thanks also to @Nliiitend1; for his help in answering a few questions and giving me his opinion.


The quality looks excellent. I am no expert on coilovers by anymeans but judging by the construction of the units I have to say I`m impressed. The endlink mount looks to be of a heavier gauge steel and supported by good welds. Brake line mount also. I`ve included a few close up picks since I had a hard time finding any for our vehicles when I was shopping.

I`m not sure when I`ll be installing them. But I will try to get them dynoed and post results before I do.


I`ll keep you guys posted as I make progress.

One neat surprise is these coilovers came with adjustable endlinks which I thought was pretty cool...... I didn't know they come with them.

[Hanzodurrr]

Very nice these coils have had my eye for some time now. Can't wait to see what you think of them on the car.

[Design]

Interested in seeing the dyno plots. The fact they come with lower attachment points and custom front endlinks has me interested.

[Menace1]

Originally Posted by drknyte So I just bought a set from @SonicTuning Ray was very responsive and answered all my questions and was very helpful. Very quick delivery with no hassles. Thanks also to @Nliiitend1 for his help in answering a few questions and giving me his opinion. The quality looks excellent. I am no expert on coilovers by anymeans but judging by the construction of the units I have to say I`m impressed. The endlink mount looks to be of a heavier gauge steel and supported by good welds. Brake line mount also. I`ve included a few close up picks since I had a hard time finding any for our vehicles when I was shopping. I`m not sure when I`ll be installing them. But I will try to get them dynoed and post results before I do. I`ll keep you guys posted as I make progress. One neat surprise is these coilovers came with adjustable endlinks which I thought was pretty cool...... I didn't know they come with them.

Nice stuff bro. I would fix your mentions, just ad a semi-colon after name plus keep the @ sign first.

[helmetface]

Great pictures

[superskaterxes]

thanks for the mention!!!


you wont be disappointed in these. We have a ton of picts we took of all the mazdaspeed specific kits we have and will post them in the next few days. We will also start a new GB thread for people because the old one got cluttered.


please let us know if you have any questions. We have a really nice write up for install that we are going to release as well.

[shadow255]

Great write up and looking forward to the GB!

[drknyte]

Originally Posted by superskaterxes thanks for the mention!!! you wont be disappointed in these. We have a ton of picts we took of all the mazdaspeed specific kits we have and will post them in the next few days. We will also start a new GB thread for people because the old one got cluttered. please let us know if you have any questions. We have a really nice write up for install that we are going to release as well.

I actually do have a question or two.....

What stiffness setting are these set at from the factory?

i.e. Full clock wise (stiffest) or Full counter clockwise (softest)?

Do the adjusting knobs have a positive stop or can they keep spinning forever till something breaks?

I haven't messed with the knobs yet.

Originally Posted by helmetface Great pictures

Thanks... now reply to my PM on your BPV

[dpolseno41]

I've had these on my car for awhile now, near half a year. I haven't had any issues, the adjustable endlinks are beginning to rust quite a bit but that's living in New England for you.

[superskaterxes]

Originally Posted by drknyte I actually do have a question or two..... What stiffness setting are these set at from the factory? i.e. Full clock wise (stiffest) or Full counter clockwise (softest)? Do the adjusting knobs have a positive stop or can they keep spinning forever till something breaks? I haven't messed with the knobs yet. Thanks... now reply to my PM on your BPV

im not sure what they are set at. they should have 12 clicks total and they do have a positive stop in both directions. just dont force it after you do hit that stop.

[Design]

Originally Posted by dpolseno41 I've had these on my car for awhile now, near half a year. I haven't had any issues, the adjustable endlinks are beginning to rust quite a bit but that's living in New England for you.

I am disappointed to hear the endlinks are rusting to the extent described. I know OEM is just as guilty, but I don't think plated applications like Powergrid have this major of an issue. Any noise?

[dpolseno41]

Originally Posted by Design I am disappointed to hear the endlinks are rusting to the extent described. I know OEM is just as guilty, but I don't think plated applications like Powergrid have this major of an issue. Any noise?

None at all, it drives great. I'll always recommend them.

[drknyte]

I`ll plast-a-dip them. That should help a little...... get a few extra months out of them maybe.

[sonic tuning]

Originally Posted by drknyte So I just bought a set from @sonic tuning; Ray was very responsive and answered all my questions and was very helpful. Very quick delivery with no hassles. Thanks also to @Nliiitend1; for his help in answering a few questions and giving me his opinion. The quality looks excellent. I am no expert on coilovers by anymeans but judging by the construction of the units I have to say I`m impressed. The endlink mount looks to be of a heavier gauge steel and supported by good welds. Brake line mount also. I`ve included a few close up picks since I had a hard time finding any for our vehicles when I was shopping. I`m not sure when I`ll be installing them. But I will try to get them dynoed and post results before I do. I`ll keep you guys posted as I make progress. One neat surprise is these coilovers came with adjustable endlinks which I thought was pretty cool...... I didn't know they come with them.

Thanks for posting the pictures!

Keep us updated.

Any questions, feel free to give us a call.

[drknyte]

Ok so the weather here in IL. is getting nicer and will be installing my coilovers within the next couple of weeks.

I have a question on ride height and adjustments on these particular coilover.

Do I have the entire thread portion of the front struts at my disposal for lowering and raising the car....... cause there is about 4-5" maybe even 6" of threaded body on that strut. I really want to be as close to stock ride height as possible. (I carry a lot of weight in my trunk when I do electrical side jobs).

Also when Is that walkthrough going to be available on installing these on a Speed 3?

@sonic tuning;

[superskaterxes]

you need to have at least 20 threads of the bottom perch engaged for it to be safe. This should allow you to retain most of the stock ride height so i wouldent worry about the extra weight.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

This is obviously a noob question, but I am interested in these and I want to ask about the adjustability:

Where would I go to adjust the rebound and height of these coilovers? Most importantly, can I make adjustments without taking the car apart? (removing the wheels, or even as far as removing the coilovers?)

Thanks!

*EDIT*
Just did a little self-help and I figured it out, please ignore and continue to update on these Sonic Tuning S3 Coilovers!

[trixms3]

I've had these on mine for about 3 months and have no conpliants at all. I love em. Hope you enjoy them!

[drknyte]

@sonic tuning;
@superskaterxes;

Ok so I have the height on the front struts, rear shocks, and rear spring perch adjusted to maximize height. I am 20 threads in on both the struts and shocks, and have the spring perch maxed out. Since I am going for a stock ride height I figured this would be a good bench mark and work from there once I have installed them.

I haven't installed them yet because I wanted to make sure with you guys that I am doing this right and it's safe.

I`ve attached some pics to better illustrate the adjustments I have made.

Am I good to go?!?!?

[superskaterxes]

Originally Posted by drknyte @sonic tuning; @superskaterxes; Ok so I have the height on the front struts, rear shocks, and rear spring perch adjusted to maximize height. I am 20 threads in on both the struts and shocks, and have the spring perch maxed out. Since I am going for a stock ride height I figured this would be a good bench mark and work from there once I have installed them. I haven't installed them yet because I wanted to make sure with you guys that I am doing this right and it's safe. I`ve attached some pics to better illustrate the adjustments I have made. Am I good to go?!?!?

looks good to me! please take picts of your height when you install these so we can gauge how they fit with these settings!

[drknyte]

U got it!

[JTMS3]

@drknyte; let me know if you need any assistance, its the least I can do since you helped with my Koni install.

[drknyte]

Originally Posted by JTMS3 @drknyte; let me know if you need any assistance, its the least I can do since you helped with my Koni install.

Will do, thank you....... then you can have your top hat back

I`m thinking of tackling it on Friday and fine tuning on Saturday. I`ll give you a shout if I run into problems.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Originally Posted by drknyte Will do, thank you....... then you can have your top hat back I`m thinking of tackling it on Friday and fine tuning on Saturday. I`ll give you a shout if I run into problems.

Can you comment on the ride quality and what setting are you on? Thanks!

[drknyte]

@superskaterxes;

so I installed my coilovers and am in the process of fine tuning them. Is it normal to hear spring noise when turning the wheel? And if it is would compressing the spring more help reduce the noise.

Right now they are set with almost no compression, other then the weight of the car on them.... if that makes any sense.

Thanks

[Pseudonym]

I take it u didn't preload first

[drknyte]

Originally Posted by Pseudonym I take it u didn't preload first

What u talk about!?!?

[Pseudonym]

BC Coilovers rear adjustment

Post 13 gets into it.

[drknyte]

Problem solved. So far these are pretty sweet.

[Pseudonym]

woops, i mean, noob faggot shouldve hit the search button rarrr rarrr rarrrrrrr

[drknyte]

Ya, unfortunately the installation instructions sonic tuning sent me were kinda half ass. They mentioned nothing about preloading, didn't include instructions on the rear, or how to make adjustments. I actually used the instructions on corksports website for they're coilovers, they have a very detailed instruction manual.

[Pseudonym]

at least u got instructions.

[Drumea88]

Any updates on the ride quality/handling?

[09speedaddict]

Is there some kind of spacer or to take up the void or slack that is left over while installing the rear shock into the spindle? Stock shock was quite a bit wider. Approx. 1/2" on either side wider. If we need clarification, I can snap a pic of what I'm referring to.

[sonic tuning]

Originally Posted by 09speedaddict Is there some kind of spacer or to take up the void or slack that is left over while installing the rear shock into the spindle? Stock shock was quite a bit wider. Approx. 1/2" on either side wider. If we need clarification, I can snap a pic of what I'm referring to.

Check your PM.

[MSP611]

How do these stack up against say kw v3's? Or how about stack up against the AMR custom valved and sprung. Money is not an issue on this subject so just honest opinions would be nice

[sonic tuning]

Originally Posted by MSP611 How do these stack up against say kw v3's? Or how about stack up against the AMR custom valved and sprung. Money is not an issue on this subject so just honest opinions would be nice

If you are looking for adjustable 3 way kit, we have the S7 kits that will provide the same functions with built in adjustable camber plate & pillow ball mount.

Contact us for details.

[MSP611]

I have a ms6... No camber plates for me.

[radbrad]

I've had these installed for at least a year. I love them. Now I live in Texas, but I do not have any rust on my end links.. So good for me

OP let me know if you need any pics or anything