Thread: Ek coilovers - Buddyclub N+

Hey guys, I have decided its time to upgrade my suspension to a set of coilovers in my Ek Civic.

I have been doing some research over the last couple of weeks as well as got some great info from people like REZRCT and MAC.
I am looking for a well balanced set up, that will spend most its life on the streets, although has the ability to perform at casual track days (2-4 times a year).
I'm not all about "slammage", I would obviously like the car to be lower than my aftermarket springs, but handling, safety and durability is very important.

Although I am familiar with the concept that "you get what you pay for", I am on a budget (+-$1500 excluding cert)
And at this stage I am looking at purchasing a set of Buddyclub N+ (Including Top Hats).

I have been offered what I think is a reasonable price for a set of Buddyclub N+, although they are slightly out of my budget I am able to arrange something with the seller.
The N+ coilovers is mainly for street use, but is a well put together setup and will able to handle casual track days, which suits me well. And I think Buddyclub is a reputable and trusted brand.

Another Coilover I was looking at was Skunk2's Pro C, although they are a bit out of my budget. And AFAIA they lean more towards a track based coilover which possibly would be more than I need.

I have read some good reviews on HT regarding the N+ as well as on NZH, although they are from a couple of years a go. I would just like to know of any recent experiences with the N+ coilovers, or if anyone's opinions have changed from when they have previously used them.

Comments and advise appreciated, I always have a lot more to learn from other.
Cheers
Dieter

I ran my buddyclubs in Honda cup and had no issues. Obviously I was working to a budget as well and streeted them every day to work. They were great on the hardest setting although I usually ran them close to soft. Could get the car (EG hatch) to about 70mm off the ground with them and never tried going lower. Loved them

it also depends on what spring rates you want to run

street wise 10kf and 8kr is good and it will preform well on the track too.

i run 12kf 10kr and it a little rough but nothing you dont get used to

Cheers snapfrozen, sounds like the exact personal review I was after

I'm not to sure I can request the spring rate with the BC N+, or well I havnt noticed anything on the N+ article on Buddclubs website. From what I gathered the spring rate is already "ek specific". In saying that I'll definitely enquire in to it though. Cheers Jase.

I run the S2 Pro Cs, they are fukn awesome on the track/drag however as yourv stated they are a track based suspension & street driving is quite bumpy etc

Might pay to find out what they are rated at then, would hate for them to be 6k 5k or something like that

Not sure... Once turn the damper right down its alright but still bit of getting use to

S2PC are 10k 8k i believe

Im doing the Fortune Auto coilovers from USA

Def worth a look at. No one in NZ really knows about them its its brand new here. Has been around in the USA for around 5 years now. These guys custom valve their shocks in house. They have come up with great digressive valving which is what Bilstein also uses on their coilovers. So your guaranteed to get a very quality ride on the street. People in the states say they ride similar to KW V3s!

http://nzhondas.com/manon-racing-pro...igressive.html

These are also larger than BuddyClub & S2. At 57mm diameter shock housing. The shock piston is 50mm which is basically the same size as the housings on the above.

Also if you know how to read shock dynos there is one posted in the link.
We have done quite a few custom valved sets for race cars. Also sold a few to Street users and they absolutely loved the quality of the ride.

We have a set of EK ones in stock .

@ H_D: Found out the N+ spring rates will be Ek specific, and I cant simply pick my own rates, without extra cost.
So with the N+ for Ek's they are Front: 12kg and Rear: 8kg.

@ Bazda: Cheers for the offer, will look in to them as well.

Ive got the Skunk2 Pro C in my car,

can't compare them to the Buddy Clubs, but they are pretty good in the handling department... with my car sitting that low, the ride is not overly hard or bumpy,

it takes all the bumps in the road nice, compared to the old D2 in it, which in bumps, used to jolt the shit out you,


if you want something that can lower your car a lot, the skunk2 are better than buddy club, that I know for a fact!

And yet starlet/Tony is running D2's in his EF9 race car and it performs amazingly, heck even neuspeed/koni combination would be perfect for your uses.

Shocks like buddyclub N+ and Pro C's perform very well for the race track and you will feel the bonuses from driving the shit out of the car, where-as you... you're wanting it mostly for street.

If I were you, id get a set of shocks well within your budget with street springs, then if you feel as though you want a stiffer ride for track THEN invest in another set of springs to swap over twice a year if you ever go to the track (You might not, you might like having a softer rate as some people do)

Originally Posted by Horny_Devil

Might pay to find out what they are rated at then, would hate for them to be 6k 5k or something like that

Its not all about the spring weight - it all comes down to shock valving and not all shocks are created equally.

You could easily put 10k 8k springs on your factory shocks with a coil over sleeve - does that make them good and race ready? Fuck no!

Just the same you could have some well made shocks that are valved for lighter '6k 5k' springs as you put it and they'll preform bloody well!

Springs are only a VERY VERY minor part of the equation.

I can attest to having run springs much lighter then 6 and 5k in an extremely good set of custom 1 off made shocks that will KILL alot of the cheaper brand coil overs on the circuit or road.

With that out of the way you wont go wrong with the Buddy Club or Skunk2 shocks for your type of driving - they're both great entry level shocks. I'd also chuck a set of BC Golds in the mix as a great set of shocks that are awesome value for money.

I've also heard great things overseas about the Fortune Auto shocks so they could be worth a look in - never driven any but I look forward to the oppourtunity to .

Ah yes BC Golds are by far the best value for money Iv used, they'll also be mint on the track

Will be running on the Fortune Autos very soon once I get my set. Will see how they perform on the road and of course the track.
Hytech Engines Skyline is running on the 500 series and he couldn't believe how smooth they are on the road.
Interesting we had a guy off clubsub replace his Ohlins with these as he didnt like the stuff ride. He now says it rides 10x better and will be taking them to the track later on.

Agreed with the above, shocks are valved to the springs they come with. They should only be changed +/-2K MAX. Or else the shocks wont perform to their optimum. Shock valving plays the biggest part in how the car handles and the way it takes our bumpy NZ roads.

Here is some shock tech from fortune auto:
Shock Tech - Fortune Auto North America

As for BCs, they feel smooth at low speeds on the road as they use more linear valving.
I've seen dyno charts for the BC from guys in USA. Not a very nice dyno plot, the rebound has alot of progressivness, the bump is alot more linear. Although they will still ride fine and perform fine.
Of course if you rode on a shock which has digressive valving the difference is very noticible.