AST 5200 Dampers Updated 25th Feb DYNO CHARTS ADDED

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Mmmm... I can't quote you Black Tire

I had the rear sub-frame bushes replaced a while back (full bushes,not the inserts). I have thought about the front subframe brace but I hadn't read of any benefit so I hadn't pursued it. I had alloy steering rack mounts installed but I couldn't tell any difference.

I have considered these as well but once again have not read of any reviews.
http://www.gtspec.com/product/gtspec...r-s-gt86-ft-86

I might have to put that front brace on the shopping list but the law of diminishing returns and diminishing wallet have prevented me so far.

Since you already have done the rear subframe bushings, I think you should pursue your original analysis in the previous post.

The GTSpec braces look nice, but like you I have no experience with them. I'm sure my car was closer to stock than yours is when I added the Carbing front brace, but it made a bigger difference in the front end feel and grip than anything else I have ever done to this car.

Perhaps a rear trailing arm would help with the control at the rear as well. This would probably work if the "waggle" that you get is during hard acceleration. Here are two of the many available products of this type:

GTSPEC Rear Trailing Arms

Racer X Trailing Arms

I don't know if it's good or bad to be "unquotable."

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Black Tire

Racer X Trailing Arms



I don't know if it's good or bad to be "unquotable."

Originally Posted by Black Tire

when I added the Carbing front brace, but it made a bigger difference in the front end feel and grip than anything else I have ever
done to this car.

*adds brace to shopping list*
RacerX trailing arms already done along with upper control arm bushes
Ha! You're now quotable for better or worse!

[Ultramaroon]

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Did you have these shock dyno'ed @Captain Snooze? and/or can find one? I've looked for one but I cant seem to find it.
I feel like we need atleast one rep from each of the big names on here that would help so much

.

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I have just emailed the distributor asking for dyno sheets and will post his reply.

"Hi B***,
I am well – thanks.
I can’t guarantee that I can get dyno graphs, but I will ask nicely and hopefully they will do them for you.
Regards,"


This is weird.
Graphs were not on my radar, they weren't part of the equation. Not a consideration but now that they have been brought to my attention I am hoping that I will get to see them too.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Black Tire

Since you already have done the rear subframe bushings, I think you should pursue your original analysis in the previous post.

Do you know how big of a pain the stock subframe bushings are to get out? I'd like to run entirely new bushings over just inserts, but don't want to have to totally drop the subframe to press the old ones out and new ones in.

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Do you know how big of a pain the stock subframe bushings are to get out? I'd like to run entirely new bushings over just inserts, but don't want to have to totally drop the subframe to press the old ones out and new ones in.

Good point! You're right. I paid to have my inserts installed, but I guess I didn't think about removing the old bushings. I'm sure it would have cost a lot more.

[DesertFrs]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

I'm highly interested in the tuned ASTs that Mann engineering sells here in the states.

I have them on my FRS, I'm 45 min away. I love them! @DeliciousTuning is also a dealer for AST and those revalved by Mann Engineering.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

.

"Hi B***,
I am well – thanks.
I can’t guarantee that I can get dyno graphs, but I will ask nicely and hopefully they will do them for you.
Regards,"


This is weird.
Graphs were not on my radar, they weren't part of the equation. Not a consideration but now that they have been brought to my attention I am hoping that I will get to see them too.

The graphs are only as good as the driver being able to interpret them and apply them to a specific spring.

Even different brand springs need different damper valvings

It's why we have no issue publishing graphs; they're only a part of the equation that doesn't reveal a whole lot about the damper itself. It's akin to having a torque figure for an engine; you have no idea how much horsepower the engine makes.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The graphs are only as good as the driver being able to interpret them and apply them to a specific spring.

Even different brand springs need different damper valvings

It's why we have no issue publishing graphs; they're only a part of the equation that doesn't reveal a whole lot about the damper itself. It's akin to having a torque figure for an engine; you have no idea how much horsepower the engine makes.

Yeah, I appreciate that. That is, I understand that intellectually but my irrational side would like to see the graphs. I also understand why some damper manufactures are reluctant to post their graphs for the very reasons you have given. It might also be that the graphs show shit! lol

I think (I think) that it is a case of misplaced entitlement: "Well, I paid for them therefore I should see the graphs!"
Ultimately I will either like the dampers or I will not regardless of what the pictures say.

[SubieNate]

Originally Posted by DesertFrs

I have them on my FRS, I'm 45 min away. I love them! @DeliciousTuning is also a dealer for AST and those revalved by Mann Engineering.

Hmmmmmm *taps fingers together in sequence*

I'm in redlands pretty frequently. Where in Riverside are you?

[DesertFrs]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

Hmmmmmm *taps fingers together in sequence*

I'm in redlands pretty frequently. Where in Riverside are you?

I live in Palm Springs area, but moving to base area at the end of the month for a few months off 215xvan buren

[DeliciousTuning]

Originally Posted by DesertFrs

I have them on my FRS, I'm 45 min away. I love them! @DeliciousTuning is also a dealer for AST and those revalved by Mann Engineering.

You can also contact Infamous Performance, being I do not have much time they can take care of answering questions about the suspension, setup, shock dyno charts, etc...

Cheers,
William Knose
Delicious Tuning

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Graphs were not on my radar, they weren't part of the equation.

Its AST I dont expect anything short of greatness.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Shock dyno graphs are very useful. They don't tell the whole story for sure, but they can say quite a bit. You do have to know a little to interpret them correctly, but do your reading (maybe from more than just rando dudes on the internet) or talk to someone that can help you. At the very least you can give yourself an idea of what range of spring rates they can support.

I'll give another good example later about why shock dynos can be extremely helpful when it comes to comparing shocks. (in another thread)

I've had pretty good experiences with AST in the past and we used to sell quite a few of them. I'm sure the dynos are good for your 5200s, but I'd still like to see them.

Would I buy shocks without a shock dyno? Yes, depending on application. I never did dyno the Konis on my Mini but it's a street car and I have enough experience with Koni to know what to expect. I'm still curious, but whatever. For a coilover on a car that will see track time and I know I'll be considering swapping spring rates at some time, yeah I want to see a shock dyno. I trust Ohlins, I trust KW, and I trust JRZ, and I know they'll be great off the shelf and work well. But sometimes I need some data to work with if I want to get the most out of them.

- Andy