ISC Coilover Settings

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Old 07-28-2013, 11:28 PM
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Lightbulb ISC Coilover Settings

I thought that since many members have these coils that we should have a thread on settings for them. I just got mine and am looking for input and I thought other people would find the information useful as well.

Here some some thoughts on what info we can provide. Example:

Preload Setting = 175mm (recommended from ISC)
Dampening Front = 20
Dampening Rear = 18
Collar to Collarar Distance Front = 4"
Collar to Collare Distance Rear = 5"
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = 24.5"
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = 24.75"

Any feedback would be awesome!
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FCVadi (11-20-2013)
Old 07-31-2013, 02:01 PM
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Well, this thread is a giant FAIL!
Old 07-31-2013, 02:28 PM
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^Haha I'll contribute

Spring Rate = 12/8
Preload Setting = 178mm
Dampening Front = 12
Dampening Rear = 10
Collar to Collar Distance Front = N/A"
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = N/A"
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = 25"
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = 25.25"

Had the dampers set on 18/16 when I first put them on but the bumps in the road were killing my back.
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silvrbreez (11-20-2013)
Old 08-14-2013, 11:05 PM
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Preload Setting = 180 ish front 175 rear
Dampening Front = full stiff
Dampening Rear = full stiff
Collar to Collarar Distance Front = 1.5"
Collar to Collare Distance Rear = A lot"
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = 23.5"
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = 23.75"

I have the street/comfy and should have went street sport. The spring rates are not high enough for my liking and how low I am. The dampening could be a little higher as well.

My fronts are maxed out low and still not as low as other people I know that have ISC coils.

I would probably not use these again if being low was a top priority.

Otherwise I have had no problems out of them and the few times I have contacted ISC they have been fairly helpful.
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Old 09-21-2013, 05:15 PM
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Preload Setting = 175mm on all 4 corners
Dampening Front = 26
Dampening Rear = 22
Collar to Collar Distance Front = LF-40.5mm, RF-39.5mm
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = 111.35 on both sides
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = LF-24 3/8" , RF-24 3/4"
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = LR-24 1/4" , RR-24"

I am on Street/Sport springs and have but about 750 miles on the coils. The coils ride smooth and handle pretty good in high speed corners. here is my frustration.
  • FRONTS - If you set the preload at 175mm and max out the bottom collar, the lowest you can achieve collar to collar is 39.5mm. In my case this results in the front being over 24" ground to fender. The RF is lower than the right rear and I will assume that this is because of the extra weight of the drivers side. I still need to adjust more to get each side even.
  • REARS - Th preload is also at the recommended 175mm. The rears can adjust a solid 2" lower than the fronts. This makes no sense to me at all. I still need to do some more adjusting to even out each side of the rears.

These coils are great as far as build quality and ride quality but they need more height adjust-ability in the front. I don't want to mess with the preload but I might have to in order to achieve what I am looking for.

Here is a picture for you to see. THE FRONTS ARE MAXED OUT. The rears can still go lower... Yet the rear is already lower than the front. I am so frustrated!

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Old 09-22-2013, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by twigglius
Preload Setting = 175mm on all 4 corners
Dampening Front = 26
Dampening Rear = 22
Collar to Collar Distance Front = LF-40.5mm, RF-39.5mm
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = 111.35 on both sides
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = LF-24 3/8" , RF-24 3/4"
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = LR-24 1/4" , RR-24"

I am on Street/Sport springs and have but about 750 miles on the coils. The coils ride smooth and handle pretty good in high speed corners. here is my frustration.
  • FRONTS - If you set the preload at 175mm and max out the bottom collar, the lowest you can achieve collar to collar is 39.5mm. In my case this results in the front being over 24" ground to fender. The RF is lower than the right rear and I will assume that this is because of the extra weight of the drivers side. I still need to adjust more to get each side even.
  • REARS - Th preload is also at the recommended 175mm. The rears can adjust a solid 2" lower than the fronts. This makes no sense to me at all. I still need to do some more adjusting to even out each side of the rears.
These coils are great as far as build quality and ride quality but they need more height adjust-ability in the front. I don't want to mess with the preload but I might have to in order to achieve what I am looking for.

Here is a picture for you to see. THE FRONTS ARE MAXED OUT. The rears can still go lower... Yet the rear is already lower than the front. I am so frustrated!

I think this looks really sweet at this height. Are you rubbing much at this level? How is your alignment? What size rims, offsets and tires are you running?

Best of luck with it.
Old 09-22-2013, 07:33 PM
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Thanks man.

Right rear has slight rub but I need to raise it 1/4".
Left front has slight rub on certain bumps when making left turn. Also need to raise 1/4" or roll fender.
Alignment will be redone later this week.
Rims ate 19x9 and +36f, +30r. 235x35 tires.
Old 11-20-2013, 10:59 AM
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Thanks for this thread. Good reference for me as I plan to install these after the first of the year.
Old 01-02-2014, 09:51 PM
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Put mine on Monday and setup everything to get these measured results just now (3 days later):

Spring Rate = 12/8
Preload Setting = 175mm on all 4 corners
Dampening Front = 12 (started at 16 and softened it up)
Dampening Rear = 12 (started at 16 and softened it up)
Collar to Collar Distance Front = not sure...will check and repost if/when I adjust again
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = not sure...will check and repost if/when I adjust again
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = LF 25.125" RF 25.125"
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = LR 24.875" RR 24.875"

Want to raise the rear ever so slightly to be at 25.125" all around, but after the install Monday and all the tweaking I did that evening to get it where it is I'm going to give it a week or so and see if anything settles before raising the car and getting after it again. What's a 1/4" amongst friends anyway right?
Old 01-07-2014, 01:57 PM
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I adjusted everything a bit on Friday before my alignment on Saturday.

Spring Rate = 12/8
Preload Setting = 175mm on all 4 corners
Dampening Front = 12 (started at 16 and softened it up)
Dampening Rear = 12 (started at 16 and softened it up)
Collar to Collar Distance Front = not sure what we're calling the collar
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = not sure what we're calling the collar
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = LF 25" RF 24.875" (tried to keep the same 1/8" on the driver's side as the factory Type S measured out to have)
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = LR 25.125" RR 25.125"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmb-photography/11823237585/http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmb-photography/11823237585/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/bmb-photography/, on Flickr
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Old 01-08-2014, 03:58 PM
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Nice work. I've had trouble getting the left and right sides even as well.
Old 04-04-2014, 08:51 PM
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We this was some helpful info so when I install mine.
Old 04-07-2014, 08:58 PM
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I wish the rears were as easy to adjust as the fronts!
Old 04-07-2014, 09:06 PM
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^^rof
Old 04-10-2014, 12:35 PM
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OK - I've got a seemingly stupid question. I just installed these yesterday. I've got them preloaded at street/sport and set at what I think is 30/30 dampening. When it says 32 step dampening, are there literally 32 clicks per coilover, from full damp (0) to no damp (32)? Going to take it out today on a bumpy road to adjust the suspension, before the rear seats go back in. Thanks!
Old 04-10-2014, 01:01 PM
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When I did installed my coilovers, I when from soft to hard in adjusting the dampering valve. You said you got them preload at street/sport, that's not preload. You have turn the collar until the springs measures 175 mm or so.
Old 04-10-2014, 02:33 PM
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Take in consideration weight of the back seat and gas. Or youll be pissed like i am lol
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Old 04-10-2014, 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Nick216
Take in consideration weight of the back seat and gas. Or youll be pissed like i am lol
Oh, snap! Good point. Maybe I'll get it to where I like it and dial it back one or two. Will also fill up before I but the seats and strut bar back on. So I assume its as easy as grabbing the dampening knob and twisting it with my fingers? Man, I should stop being such a chicken shit and play with them!

Last edited by VicTL06; 04-10-2014 at 07:05 PM.
Old 04-10-2014, 08:33 PM
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I converted 175mm to inches 6-7/8 using a converter online.

Old 04-10-2014, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by VicTL06
Oh, snap! Good point. Maybe I'll get it to where I like it and dial it back one or two. Will also fill up before I but the seats and strut bar back on. So I assume its as easy as grabbing the dampening knob and twisting it with my fingers? Man, I should stop being such a chicken shit and play with them!
When I was looking for my rear setting I just asked my kid and wife to get in the back, drove few blocks and played with the settings.
Old 04-10-2014, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by pinina
I converted 175mm to inches 6-7/8 using a converter online.

Looks good, yeah that's the same thing I did. This weekend I have to install the new shaft I just received.
Old 04-21-2014, 06:40 AM
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got another stupid question (and lazy question)... which way is firm? + or - ?
Old 04-21-2014, 07:48 AM
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+ FIRM
- SOFT
I have 28 clicks firm in front, 18 in rear.
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Old 04-24-2014, 10:55 AM
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what do you guys think would be the better coilovers or should i get bags ?
Old 04-24-2014, 11:07 AM
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Bags !
Old 04-24-2014, 07:48 PM
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I feel like the car has a slight bounce to it in the rear.
Not sure if this is just how Coilovers ride or something is not right with the preload.
Do you I need to make the preload tighter?
I did it per what they listed at the 175mm
Old 04-28-2014, 09:47 AM
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anyone? anyone?
Old 04-30-2014, 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by pinina
anyone? anyone?
This is the way i have my preload without any issues...i would raise up the rear and make sure there is no wiggle room between the collars. So the spring should not be tight but it shouldn't be loose.
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Old 05-01-2014, 05:50 AM
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It was tight.
I went to 24 clicks in the rear and now its where I need to be.
So I'm at 30 in the front and 24 in the rear.
Big improvement.
Old 05-01-2014, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by pinina
It was tight.
I went to 24 clicks in the rear and now its where I need to be.
So I'm at 30 in the front and 24 in the rear.
Big improvement.
good to know
Old 05-01-2014, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by pinina
It was tight.
I went to 24 clicks in the rear and now its where I need to be.
So I'm at 30 in the front and 24 in the rear.
Big improvement.

When you say it was tight, do you mean more compressed than 175mm?
Old 05-02-2014, 06:14 AM
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Originally Posted by twigglius
When you say it was tight, do you mean more compressed than 175mm?
at the 175mm.
it was not moving around at all.
its almost more like a rattle.
Old 05-03-2014, 08:05 PM
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I tighten the top bolt and it seemed to have fixed it.
Old 05-06-2014, 06:01 PM
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Hey guys sorry to thread jack but i have one quick question which might be dumb so i apologize in advance. I installed these coilovers about a week ago and i adjusted the ride height to what i thought i wanted it at, plus i knew the springs need time to settle. Now i would like to readjust the height. I know how to do the fronts no problem, but adjusting the height in the back, how PITA is it? do i just undo the bottom bolt that holds the shock to the knuckle and then thread that body into the shock? or do i have to take out other nuts and bolts kinda like when i had to do when i first installed them? Im just trying to figure out the easiest way to properly adjust the height without taking off toe many things. Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob question.
Old 05-06-2014, 08:14 PM
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All you do is loosen the bottom most collar and spin the entire shock either way for up and down.
Old 05-07-2014, 11:08 AM
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^^^ thanks for the reply. Is that how to adjust the REAR height?
Old 05-07-2014, 12:33 PM
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I haven't adjusted my fronts yet, but this is exactly what I did for the rear. I did it at a CVS lol. took 15 minutes.
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Old 05-07-2014, 02:33 PM
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Haha i just figured it out. I didn't know you could adjust the rears just like you do the fronts. I thought you had to take off the bottom bolt and then spin the bottom body into the coilover. Anyway, i just adjusted all 4 corners for the past hour to get it nice and even and this is my current setup:

Preload Setting = 175mm (recommended from ISC)
Dampening Front = 20
Dampening Rear = 16
Collar to Collar Distance Front = forgot to measure
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = forgot to measure
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = 24 3/4
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = 25 1/8

Im running XXR 530s 18x8.75 on 225 tires. I want to go lower but the 19th century roads in my area do not really allow me to do that. Too many potholes and unnecessary bumps in the roads. I have the Skunk2 Pro Camber kit in the front and Ingalls camber kit in the back but i only installed the camber arm because the toe arm bolts are seized (just ordered new ones from Acura) Im planning on keeping the stock toe arm because i haven't heard many good things about the bushings in the Ingalls toe arm. - 2.5 camber in the rear and -1.3 in the front. Toe is 0 in all four corners....for now...

Wish i could go lower tho...
Old 05-10-2014, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by klutch908
Haha i just figured it out. I didn't know you could adjust the rears just like you do the fronts. I thought you had to take off the bottom bolt and then spin the bottom body into the coilover. Anyway, i just adjusted all 4 corners for the past hour to get it nice and even and this is my current setup:

Preload Setting = 175mm (recommended from ISC)
Dampening Front = 20
Dampening Rear = 16
Collar to Collar Distance Front = forgot to measure
Collar to Collar Distance Rear = forgot to measure
Distance Ground to Fender Achieved Front = 24 3/4
Distance ground to Fender Achieved Rear = 25 1/8

Im running XXR 530s 18x8.75 on 225 tires. I want to go lower but the 19th century roads in my area do not really allow me to do that. Too many potholes and unnecessary bumps in the roads. I have the Skunk2 Pro Camber kit in the front and Ingalls camber kit in the back but i only installed the camber arm because the toe arm bolts are seized (just ordered new ones from Acura) Im planning on keeping the stock toe arm because i haven't heard many good things about the bushings in the Ingalls toe arm. - 2.5 camber in the rear and -1.3 in the front. Toe is 0 in all four corners....for now...

Wish i could go lower tho...
If you are truly seized you will need to cut the arms out. It's not he nut that seizes, it's the bushing on the arm. Go to my thread and check my pics. I have examples of what needs to be done.
Old 06-02-2014, 07:38 AM
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I just installed these yesterday. Have plenty of adjusting to do but I'm currently sitting at 24.25 every corner except the passenger front that sits at 25. I'll post the chart once I'm adjusted.


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