Thread: RM vs. Hypercoils.... Daily Driver

Because the hypercos are progressive, shouldn't they be a little better on the street (comfort-wise) than the RM, as eggman points out? I've heard that the progressive nature of the hypercos makes them harder to get used to on the track than the RM's linear nature. Both seem to be excellent options. I have never been in a RM car, but my hyperco with CSK set-up is just heavenly.

Bingo, bingo, and bingo.

That is exactly how I understand the "difference" between the two (2) conventional spring choices (Hyperco Gen II, and RM).

I *know* Benito likes the RM's better than the Hyperco Gen II as the linear spring is more predictable, and has better turn-in, at the track under extreme conditions.

However, the Hyperco's, due to their linear design, should provide a bit more comfort during a daily drive.

VQman, you will be A-OK with either set-up. You will not be bottoming out with either spring choice when paired with CSK's. Unless you get air-born or hit something, like an asteroid-sized crater, seriously crazy.


We can "split hairs" on the two conventional spring choices all day long. However, for a primarily daily-driven automobile that occasionally sees a track, you would be in excellent shape with either choice.

Personally, I will take the slight comfort advantage of the Hyperco's during my daily-drive, over the "better turn-in" of the RM's. Hell, my driving skills suck so bad, that I am positive my suspension set-up (currently, and when I upgrade from AGX to CSK) is waaaaay better than I am as a driver anyways. I'll hit my max driving ability before I run out of suspension.

Also VQ, keep in mind that the stiffer your chassis, the better the performance of your suspension, and the more comfortable it will be in the drivers seat, with any given spring/strut combination. So utilize every bolt-on, weld-on, or "pour in" chassis stiffener you can afford.

Shawn B

P.S. - I am so very happy to be discussing RM's vs Hyperco when paired up with CSK's or AGX's. As opposed to "hey, are Drop-Zones with Tokico blues any good?".

I think that people were just so stoked to finally have a spring that worked right that perception of the Hyperco is elevated. The lazy turn in is not the only flaw. You also give up precious suspension travel to a coil that is too soft. Even with csk that would be too much compromise for me.

I bought the first run of Hyperco IIs knowing I wouldn't install them for two years. I thought they would never build them again and they would be impossible to find. Basically I was right. In grad school I ate dozens of Tuna and pbj sandwiches for dinner while that $330 sat in a box 8000 miles away.

I finally installed them and loved it. When I got another SE-R after moving cross country there was nothing I wanted more than Hypercos to replace my clunky GCs.

Then there was Road magnet and the collapse of the last Hyperco gb. I think RM got a bad rap because just like Hyperco the initial run had the car sitting too low. This was done over my vocal protests. I posted and sent many strongly worded pms to Robchaos19 in summer 2006.

The second run sits a half inch higher iirc and when I bought my NX I was thoroughly impressed. My wife (read; sissy tester) liked the ride of my SE-R with Hyperco best but she liked the hardtop NX with RM g2 a lot as well. I almost wish I had just swapped it up before I sold my NX.

Now I rock a stiff 380/350lb/in $1400 GC/CSK setup. For my money I'd rather have more grip and run less sway and more spring. Its not a DD though but the NX was and it was my favorite for handling/comfort compromise.

Actually the current owner of my NX has 2 NX'en. Hyperco AGX and RM AGX. Maybe I'll shoot him an email and see what he says.

I was a idiot and got rid of my RM/AGX combo both brand new with koni bumps, before i even put them on...i wish i had them back now. Where are u planning on getting the RM are just going to search for a used set?

Magoo, I was planning on finding some used in the classifieds, but I think I'm just gonna stick with what I got... The hypercoils... They were fine last time... Great actually, I really don't need to go another 1/4 inch lower... It would just make my car even worse to drive in the snow... I may yet get another car to complement my B13... I'll have to give my job another 3 months to feel a little more secure in it...

Shawn, believe me, I'm doing as much as I can to stiffen the chassis, I plan to foam fill and spot weld, ikea brace, and I have both of octotat's 3 point strut braces front and rear... The AT rstb and progress rsb I had on my last b13 made me a believer in stiffening this chassis...

I've been on a few b13's with the AGX/Hyperco combo & loved how they rode, now I need to ride in a b13 with RM's on them.



Matt, if you decide to sell the hypercos, lmk.

Heh... Cesar I was wondering how long it would take to get someone to try and buy them off of me!! lol you are first on the list if I go that route, but I'm leaning more towards keeping them..

This is the other point I had before my second rant. Once you stiffen up the car a bit (especially the rear) or go all out like in Shawn's case it begs for a higher spring rate (and Konis).

Also the Road Magnet are $100 cheaper new than used Hyperco. I sold my last set of Hyperco for $330 in about 2 hours.

I don't want to knock them too much because I think the Hyperco is a great spring.

I wish another gb on the RM would come up. I dont drive my sentra in the bad missouri winters. You still in Mo.? I dont mind the low ride or even a bit rough i just dont want the bottoming out. I need to decide what im going to do with mine before i do any stiffening of the chasis

I am not taking your "critique" as negative against the Hyperco's.

It is wonderful that you have so much direct experience and are sharing your viewpoints.

We have two (2) serious choices in "performance springs" (even if you have to find them in the Classifieds). Each offers a bit different experience and characteristics.

However, with appropriate struts (AGX/CSK) either spring can be utilized as a component in a (relatively serious) well-engineered performance suspension that retains daily-driver friendliness.