Spax Adjustables or Apex?

25th October 2009, 20:21

Anyone got Spax Adjustable dampers?

Would like opinions of if you think they are any good?

25th October 2009, 20:24

awesome for the price i have them

25th October 2009, 20:31

Really good for the price, havnt tried any others to compare though.

25th October 2009, 20:48

thanks both of you, what gains/benefits did you see?

25th October 2009, 20:50

What springs you planning to use with them?

25th October 2009, 20:55

Speak to jimbo06. He has the same springs as yourself with these dampers.
We fitted them a couple of weeks ago and he loves it.

25th October 2009, 20:56

Eibach what I currently have

25th October 2009, 21:04

I think Eibach are designed to be used with standard dampers, but jimbo has said really good things about his setup. I guess you can always adjust the dampers to what feels 'right' with the springs.

25th October 2009, 22:30

I have them. Although they're still in the box waiting for my insurance to renew next month *can't wait*

25th October 2009, 22:54

i have heard really good things about them.
there very cheap and can get the hole of springs shocks and dampers really cheap on kamracing

25th October 2009, 23:01

What LB rating and height springs do people recommend for these shocks?

I'm assuming its the PSX ones.

25th October 2009, 23:09

Think im going too, just wanted peoples views on how much improvement is, for like £250

25th October 2009, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mieran

What LB rating and height springs do people recommend for these shocks?

I'm assuming its the PSX ones.

The Spax ones (40/ 60mm drop) that come with the kit will probably be best suited to those dampers tbh. They seem like fairly stiff springs imo... I found they didn't handle big bumps very well at all.

Ride should be good with those Eibach springs though. The dampers are decent quality - just keep the adjustment screws well greased to stop them seizing. Once you've got them on a setting you're happy with, you'll probably not touch the adjustment anyway.

25th October 2009, 23:16

What about Apex fixed dampers? comes in at £110ish

25th October 2009, 23:21

I don't really get how these adjustable dampers work.

So what can you control, stiffness? and how is it done, with a spanner from the engine bay?

What happens if you turn it to maximum stiffness? better handling and less comfort?

25th October 2009, 23:40

What about Apex fixed dampers? comes in at £110ish

26th October 2009, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mieran

I don't really get how these adjustable dampers work.

So what can you control, stiffness? and how is it done, with a spanner from the engine bay?

What happens if you turn it to maximum stiffness? better handling and less comfort?

You essentially adjust the bump/ rebound rate of the shock. You adjust the fronts with a spanner or plastic 'spax key' on each top mount. Rears are adjusted by a screw on each damper unit.

The ride does get pretty firm at 'fully hard' but can feel like it's overdamp a little, so you essentially feel like you're bouncing around in the seat. At 'fully soft', the ride is like standard really - not too bouncy or jarring. You ideally want to get the car handling how you want with the softest setting possible imo. I found 8 clicks from fully soft was ideal for the driving i did.

Never used Apex myself but Aly has just had some fitted with the same Eibach springs. Have a chat with him.

26th October 2009, 00:22

Thanks mate much appreciated

26th October 2009, 00:24

personally on a road car i see no point in adjustable dampers as most just end up leaving them alone after a few days

few people i know found the rears a tad soft i had spax fixed rate and they seemed ok tbh (but were on a failry light car tbh)

atm im running an apex kit and the dampers seem well matched to the springs it is a firm ride but thats a good thing imo and they seem to handle quite well (my car is bushed throughout though and on soft fairly grippy rubber)

personally i would go for the apex dampers

26th October 2009, 09:42

Thanks Alex, that would give me Eibach springs, with Apex fixed dampers - which to be honest as long as it keeps the rear stiff (taking into account 17" wheels) should do the job

However Im in two minds, as I spoke to Jimbo06 and he gave the spax adjustables a very good review lol.

26th October 2009, 16:02

My spax psx are pretty bumpy, the fronts are set very stiff and the back are abit softer. It gives great handling but at a comprimise, you do bounce around abit in your seat on very rough lanes/roads. But the lack of body roll makes up for it imo, suppose it depends if your willing to loose abit of comfort?

26th October 2009, 18:23

I havent got a bad word to say about the spax shocks tbh i reckon they are awesome for the money and would defo recommend 'em

26th October 2009, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAM

Thanks Alex, that would give me Eibach springs, with Apex fixed dampers - which to be honest as long as it keeps the rear stiff (taking into account 17" wheels) should do the job

However Im in two minds, as I spoke to Jimbo06 and he gave the spax adjustables a very good review lol.

well eibachs are soft springs tbh
i hated mine

26th October 2009, 23:44

only thing that worries me is that if they are too soft, my rear wheels will rub etc.

26th October 2009, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAM

only thing that worries me is that if they are too soft, my rear wheels will rub etc.

The rear dampers in either of those kits are going to be a fair bit stiffer than the standard items, so no worry in that department I think.

26th October 2009, 23:58

adjustable spax > apex but non adjustable version is pretty much the same as apex.

27th October 2009, 00:01

well i was referring to the fronts
what shocks are on the car atm?

if standard anything is better tbh