Coils VS Air Bags still devating

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mannieg

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So my air compressor gave out again, which I kind of expected it to since I got it from the wrecking yard for 15 bucks. The good news is I did replace the leaking air struts and they are working fine. Now I'm still debating on if I should just convert to coils and be done with it. I can get the coil conversion from a friend of mine for $250 that has a 2" drop or I can replace my air compressor for $150 or so. I am afraid that the ride wont be as nice with coils though. Any thoughts. How does the ride compare from Air ride to Coils? I have my car sensor lowered about 2" now and its a just a little bouncy when I hit bumps on the freeway over 60 other than that it rides great. Any one with 2" lowered coils? Also What would be a good shock upgrade for when I'm ready to do so when I decide to switch over? Thanks for any input
 
Well ive only ever been in 3 coil overed marks. 2 lowered, one stock height (for now) I cant complain with the coil overs granted air ride iz the shiz. Hell when i bought my last mark me and my buddy drove to pick it up in his (air ride) than i hopped in my latest edition with coil over drove like a dream BUT a lil boaty feelin around 75 on the highway. But my susp gonna be beefed up anyway so itll take care of the floatyness

its been a bit since ive been in my other buddys lowered one but i know it was very tight but compfy
 
Straight up answer..... I would get the compressor from Eddie since you have already done the rest and then "be done with it"

I know what you mean about the bouncy part going down the HWY. I go across those small bridges and it bounces me up and down like crazy and it's all from sensor lowering. Luckily, I don't have to get on the HWY often.

As for a coil over kit, I really wouldn't go with a 2" drop but that's just me and things I have read about the 1 1/2" drop. A lot of front end parts start being needed after a swap like that and if you don't have just the right shocks and other things, the ride just isn't going to compare. to air. Being sensor lowered 2" is a little too much too because you have a lot less air that actually gives you the air ride. 1" or less sensor lower really is enough and you'll have more air. I can imagine the bounce you have on the HWY but if you don't have to get on it like I don't, then I wouldn't worry with it.

Either way, being 2 inches lower is asking for front end parts to give out quicker and one of them being the rack. Next time you have the car jacked up in the front, grab your tire on both sides and see if you can wobble it back and forth. It's rack time if you can and it ain't cheap and it ain't easy swapping it either.

I really would bring it up about an inch and just buy the compressor from Eddie and send yours in to him within 30 days and save yourself a lot of work and money.
 
oh yeah i was thinkin 1.5 drop 2 it just didnt click lol so actuall ive never driven in a 2 inch dropped coil over mark ;)
 
I did ride in a 95 LSC 1.5" dropped coil over once and it sucked. I can't say what they had for shocks because I didn't ask or look. I just know after I test drove it, I wanted back in my air ride again.
 
That's what I was thinking as well. Quick question, How do you test to make sure the relay is OK? When I pulled it from the yard It came with it all complete or should I also get a relay as well? Also I know he doesn't sell the spider valves any longer where can I get one.
 
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mannieg said:
That's what I was thinking as well. Quick question, How do you test to make sure the relay is OK? When I pulled it from the yard It came with it all complete or should I also get a relay as well? Also I know he doesn't sell the spider valves any longer where can I get one.
Click to expand...


Take another relay out from a different location and swap them out. If it's ok, which it should be, I wouldn't buy one.

Just put a WTB for a spider valve in the parts section. Never know who might have one to get rid of.
 
I have 2 93's. One on air and one on Arnott normal height coils. I like the overall highway/cruising/city ride of the air, but agressive cornering road racing type driving I like the coils, not as mushy/bouncy. Just depends on the type of driving you do most I guess.
 
If you are only spending $150 go ahead and replace the compressor if all else is working fine.

The ride of a standard height is very similar to the air ride but a bit stiffer in the corners.

The lowered kit will change your ride greatly. But you are not getting a lowered kit for the ride. Stiffens up greatly the suspension in the curves but you have a rougher ride. Depends on what you want. I love my lowered Mark VIII.

You will have issues if you go to different size wheels on a lowered kit.

As for the debate on what to do there are plenty of threads on this issue we many stating their opinions on what they like better. It's up to you.

Some feel that it's not a Mark VIII without the Air Ride. Others could care less about the air ride and are tired of repairing the air ride.

Personally I took the air ride off all of my Mark VIIIs once my supply of air ride parts ran out. Well I shouldn't say that I still have two bags left .. One front and one rear.
 
fix for the bounce on a coil converted Mark:

new sway bar links, and poly bushings for the front sway bar............


i dont know why the coils bounce like that and not the air ride, but if it bounces its the bushings/links that are shot...........
 
as soon i as i get some front air struts im repairing my lines installing new pump i have and going back to air ride, coil sucks i hate it...if i wanted a tbird i would have kept my 97 Tbird LX sport
 
My mom has bags and I have coils' and from a performance standpoint I would prefer the coils and they are easier to maintain. COILS FTMFW!!!!!!!!!:cool: :D
 
I like my air ride the only time it has problems performance wise is if you are not smooth through the corners and change directions to fast like a slalom.
Every coil car I have been in is worse than air in the corners to me that says the wear out a lot faster than air
 
imho i prefer coils. i would've loved to keep air but they cost way to much to maintain. But what i can tell my lowered kit with 235/45/19 is that it rides decent but handles well.

the rear air is waaaaaaaay to bouncey over certain bumps.
 
Coils all the way! I have a 2 inch drop coil/shock combo and I like it.. then again almost every vehicle I have owned has been lowered. The ride is firm but balanced.. which is exactly what I wanted.

My brother in law has a 1996 LSC with the factory air ride and he can't wait for it to fail so he can convert to coils....... He changed his mind after driving my car.

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I have coils all around. At first I just replaced the 2 front air bags as the rears was still good. I still don't know the difference in the ride of air bags vs coils. But I only had my mark since spring of 08.
 
mannieg said:
That's what I was thinking as well. Quick question, How do you test to make sure the relay is OK? When I pulled it from the yard It came with it all complete or should I also get a relay as well? Also I know he doesn't sell the spider valves any longer where can I get one.
Click to expand...

swap it with the abs relay similar location on the driver side and see if it works.

and by the way, AIR FTMFW!!!!!!
 
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