[element360]

I decided to do this review because at the time I was looking for a new coil over system, there was only 1 TSX member on these coil overs, and there was no REAL review on these


I have put about 3000 miles on these coils, including a drive from San Diego to Las Vegas and back and they still feel great. I've been through many other suspension set ups (Tein SS, Buddy Club N+, Air ride, and HT Spec v2 type-2's) these look and feel very well designed.

These coil overs are big with Subaru's and Evo's, based on the reviews everyone loves them, and I have to agree, these are one of my favorite suspension set ups I've had so far. I did a lot of research on these via subie and evo forums before purchasing and most of the reviews were positive. Some users were reporting claims of a knocking sound in the struts, but the ISC warranty quickly took care of that, sending them brand new struts at no extra cost. (Warranties) Since then, I have not seen or heard of any additional complaints.

Excelerate Performance is proud to announce the release of a new coilover line for the Acura lineup. We have worked closely with ISC suspension to design coilovers for the Acura TL (2nd, 3rd and 4th gen), TSX (1st and 2nd gen), RSX, and NSX. We have become the exclusive distributor in North America for the Acura models, thus making them XLR8 coilovers manufactured by ISC. So what are ISC coilovers and what are the benefits?

The ISC N1 Coilover is an affordable high performance damper system which offers excellent performance and high quality at a reasonable price. ISC offers suspension solutions for various auto manufacturers including BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, & more! But we are going to focus only on the Acura lineup.

The N1 coilover can be lowered approximately 3 inches lower then standard ride height. The spring rates are set up specifically to suit your car and therefore will improve handling and stability dramatically. We can make packages for track/rally/drag and of course street. Our lineup will specifically be designed towards the street/sport customer. However, to offer more flexibility we will offer the option for custom spring rates at no extra charge. This will require extra time though depending on what is in stock.

Features:

32 Steps of Damper Adjustment

Precise control of valving/damping (rebound only)
Operates smoothly on all road surfaces
Expansion/Suppression of shock adjustment

Pillowball Uppermount (RSX) or Aluminum Upper Mounts

Adjustable camber allows more/less on road track for all conditions (RSX only)

Piston Rod Design

Strengthened steel piston rods
Meets race/sport standards

Sports Spring

Made from high quality SAE9254 steel
Tested over 500,000 times on compression inspection with less than 5% deformation
Choose from Street Comfort, Street/Sport or Track/Race (spring rates vary depending on application, for specs check the application guide or ask us when you order, custom spring rates are free). Spring rates are typically as follows for the Acura models: Street Comfort 10/6 Street/Sport 12/8 Track/Race is 14/10.

Ride Height Adjustable

Full length height adjustable
Pre-load adjustable with separate spring locks
High quality T6061 aluminum alloy used for all adjustment locks to provide a lightweight design that holds spring and vehicle down force

Aluminum Bracket

Made from T6061 aluminum alloy by organic shaping to lighten weight and increase handling performance
Specially anodized surface to prevent internal corrosion and surface rust
On various models camber can also be adjusted via the bracket as well as the camber tops (RSX only)

Single Cylinder Design

Monotube construction
Larger cylinder and piston design to advance driving stability and dexterity

Thrust Bearing

Improves steering and creates a smoother ride
$55 upgrade included for free on all our coilover kits with Macpherson style struts

What is the warranty on ISC Coilovers?

ISC offers a full 2 year warranty from any leaking or manufacturing defects. If leaking or a defect is decided ISC will replace the needed part of the coilover that is damaged for you at no cost. Email ISC for a warranty claim and they would be happy to assist you. If your coilover needs replacing after the warranty has expired we offer our customers replacement units at a discounted rate, and we do rebuilds for 65.00 each. We strive to have one of the most supportive warranties in the industry for coilovers and suspension parts.All rebuilds are done in house here in our USA facility.

Product I have: XLR8 ISC N1 with Street/Sport spring rates+valving.

Spring Rates: 12f/8r

Price: $955.00 +shipping MSRP: $1250.00

Pros: Free thrust bearing included, I don't know if any other coil over systems offer this, but my ride is comparable to Tein superstreets.

These coil overs also have the ability to slam, if thats what you're looking for.

The warranty and customer service offered by both XLR8 and ISC are definitely top notch. I had an issue where I thought I blew a front strut after a rolling a bump during a mid hard turn at an autoX event.

Josh from XLR8 immediately gave me tips and advice to thoroughly inspect the coils and right away set me up with an ISC representative for a warranty claim.

Josh advised me to double check the top locking nut, and fortunately, it was only the nut that came a bit loose. Tightened it up and all is good again

Cons: Only downside I found was, in order to slam the TSX on these coils, you'll have to remove the front thrust bearings or preload the coils.

Overall thoughts: Definitely enjoy this suspension; for daily, I have the preload more on the softer side. Prior to an autocross event, I'll adjust the preload to recommended preload adjustment (still good for daily). I'm still trying to fine tune this set up for my car, so I may update this review after my April 27th event.

Definitely a great coil over set up for under $1000, you can't put a price on great customer service/warranty/replacement cost.

Any replacement parts needed can be ordered directly through XLR8 or ISC.

XLR8 ISC Coilovers - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!
ISC Online Store | ISC Suspension NA

here is a picture from my last autocross event

I will have updated pics after my April 27th event and my "show" set up in May after my car makes it "show" debut at Eibach 2013. Have a lot of parts I need to install and don't want to go and spoil the surprise now. :leghump:

 

[DeSEBticoN]

DUDE YOU ARE DA MAN !!!!!!!! ive been waiting for a write up for the TSX version of this suspension forever, i went to XLR8 about 2 weeks ago to check out their shop and saw these in person but since i didnt know jack squat about them i was very hesitant to make the purchase and was saving to go with BC N+ its great that you did this write up BIG @$$ THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!

~DE5

 

[BluLabelCL9]

:+1: Thanks for the review Bryant, was also looking forward to a review on these. BC N+ rear springs are too soft to carry passengers and I been thinking about my next coils. You said they ride like Tein SS but how do they compare to the N+?

 

[Mayuga]

Great Review :tu2:

 

[element360]

:+1: Thanks for the review Bryant, was also looking forward to a review on these. BC N+ rear springs are too soft to carry passengers and I been thinking about my next coils. You said they ride like Tein SS but how do they compare to the N+?

I havent really messed around that much with my buddy club's N+ and it's hard to say because when I was running buddy clubs I was more stance oriented then function.

With the buddy clubs, I did have the issue of bottoming out and my camber arm hitting my fender bracing.

I have yet to slam my car on these coil overs. I may just do it in a few weeks and report back

 

[ranser21]

Great! Now do I order these or BC Racing BR Type? These look very convincing therefore creating a confusion. Got to the end of May to make final decision. Just purchased an ingalls camber kit...

 

[element360]

Great! Now do I order these or BC Racing BR Type? These look very convincing therefore creating a confusion. Got to the end of May to make final decision. Just purchased an ingalls camber kit...

When I was making my decision, I focused in on these questions.

Can they be rebuilt?
Are replacement parts easy to obtain?
User reviews/thoughts/complaints?

The thrust bearing that XLR8 and ISC include are great, definitely provides a really smooth ride for my stiffer spring rates.

google for ISC N1 and check out the 40-50ish pages of user feedback on subie forums.

 

[di2lude]

nice review man! I like that the rates are higher than others and it seems the customer service is there for replacements parts :thumbsup:

 

[ranser21]

When I was making my decision, I focused in on these questions.

Can they be rebuilt?
Are replacement parts easy to obtain?
User reviews/thoughts/complaints?

The thrust bearing that XLR8 and ISC include are great, definitely provides a really smooth ride for my stiffer spring rates.

google for ISC N1 and check out the 40-50ish pages of user feedback on subie forums.

Thanks man. Will do. Ill check out all them feedback s thanks.

 

[Zulu-]

Good to see these are working out, ISC is a joke over in the Subaru realm.

 

[element360]

Good to see these are working out, ISC is a joke over in the Subaru realm.

Why do you say that? The review pages I've been looking at is about 50+ pages of positive reviews

 

[Zulu-]

Why do you say that? The review pages I've been looking at is about 50+ pages of positive reviews

From holding them in my hands and riding in equipped cars. .read countless reviews myself. The issue is, most people who buy ISC (since they're cheap) don't know enough about suspension, driving or the car to give a true review.

When they initially came out you could buy the 'thrust bearing' option -- pretty sure they include that now. Coils were horrid without them and I wouldn't be surprised if they've been improved overall beyond that since they were released for GR Subarus. Still, they're entry-level and if people are happy, great. I ride BCs, so not like I'm spending big money either.

 

[element360]

From holding them in my hands and riding in equipped cars. .read countless reviews myself. The issue is, most people who buy ISC (since they're cheap) don't know enough about suspension, driving or the car to give a true review.

When they initially came out you could buy the 'thrust bearing' option -- pretty sure they include that now. Coils were horrid without them and I wouldn't be surprised if they've been improved overall beyond that since they were released for GR Subarus. Still, they're entry-level and if people are happy, great. I ride BCs, so not like I'm spending big money either.

Just got done with my 4th autocross event 2 weeks ago on these. I'm at the point where I adjusted them perfectly and I really feel like they are pretty good coils for the price.. I do admit there are a lot better coils you can get for spending a few extra hundred. I myself was trying to wait it out for the street flexes to release, but got to impatient. For my setup I ran with a softer preload up front and stiffer in the rear. Dampening was set even all around, it gave me just enough oversteer through turns for me to accelerate through without breaking the car lose.

Maybe the coilover's are just developed better for our cars than the subaru's but based on the coil's I've ran in the past, I can say I'm happy with them.

 

[element360]

Hey guys,

Figured I'd give everyone an update since its been about a year since I've had these on the car. To be honest, they still feel like the first day I got them, comfortable, yet still has a tight/sturdy/stiff feeling if you wanna say that. It also all depends on how you adjust the coils.

I have driven from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL and back on these (approx 5500 miles) and had no issues at all. I have no problem hugging corners and feel as though I have complete control of my car. Keep in mind I do have a Comptech RSB.

When I first did this review, I had just hit 100k on my car. My car is now sitting at 114k and the coils are still perfect, there's honestly not much more to say, I would recommend it 100% to anyone looking for comfort/tune ability and not looking to slam the car like crazy (BC Racing/BuddyClubs/etc).

 

[KuniEF]

I'm glad you updated your already great write up on these coilovers. I just purchased these and I am excited. Also, I am glad you drove across country with no issues, I will have to make that trip within the next few months!