Ohlins Road & Track for FRS/BRZ suspension install/review thread

[Muskoka800]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

god, they look so fragile

how would they hold up in the winter time?

are they even designed for prolonged exposure to the elements without cleaning? Maybe put on a ruber-condom type thing on the fronts for harsh winters?




yes i winter drive my car, cuz i'm a badass.

Ohlins at Scandinavian and supply great dampers for Yamaha snowmobiles.
Winter survival is the least of your worries.

[Muskoka800]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

god, they look so fragile

how would they hold up in the winter time?

are they even designed for prolonged exposure to the elements without cleaning? Maybe put on a ruber-condom type thing on the fronts for harsh winters?




yes i winter drive my car, cuz i'm a badass.

Ohlins are Scandinavian and supply great dampers for Yamaha snowmobiles.
Winter survival is the least of your worries.

[churchx]

It's less winter/temperatures, that are aggressive to shocks. It's roadsalt that is commonly used on roads, that may ask for more more resistant shock finish. Thus not sure, if snowmobiles are right thing for argument, as they simply drive on clean snow, not on salted tarmac. At least cars last much longer without rust/corrosion in areas where they don't use road salt in winter.

[Lucky21]

Originally Posted by NJ-JDM

I installed my Ohlins this past weekend. I ended up not leaving well enough alone and ordered 5k Swift springs for the rear and used the 4k that came with the Ohlins up front. I got some new Pedders tophats off the forum.

I set the pre-load on all four per the instructions while watching the final four on Sat. And got them all installed on Sunday.

Ride height wise I ended up at exactly what the 4k instructions said in the front. 349mm (23") from fender lip to wheel centerline. The instructions from Ohlins are written differently for the 5k, they don't give the overall target. Just what the drop should be. I was already lowered and don't know what stock ride height was. I ended up at 597mm (23.5").

My car has whiteline end-links and TRD bars. I used the 10mm spacers up front. I did hear a knocking or something, not sure yet, need to inspect. Everything should be tight and the end-links were in good shape and not worn out or loose when I had it apart. It may not even be sway bar related, but I heard it when the suspension cycled in compression more so than rebound.

First drive, the car is so much better now. My alignment is obviously off, but not enough that I can't drive it around town to let it settle. I noticed one of the front springs popping when I was parking. Should I have slathered some anti-seize on the spring seats? Or do people live with it? Or will it stop?

TIA for any additional info.

Hi, I have trd lowering springs and stock shocks as well and I just picked up a set of mp20s. Is there really a huge difference in ride comfort compared to the trd springs?

[NJ-JDM]

Originally Posted by Lucky21

Hi, I have trd lowering springs and stock shocks as well and I just picked up a set of mp20s. Is there really a huge difference in ride comfort compared to the trd springs?

I just bought my car back in Dec. For the most part the comfort side of the TRDs was fine, around town, smoother roads. But if my stock dampers were original at 84k miles, then they were having a tough time "controlling" the spring. The car never bottomed out or scraped, but it you hit a bridge transition on the interstate the rear in some cases would crash and bottom out on the bump stops. And then pogo back up. You could tell something wasn't right.

I've had Koni yellows on an FD RX7 and NA Miata with stock springs. And stock dampers with progressive Eibachs on a Fox body and a BRZ. Without a doubt the high end Ohlins with a decent set of springs matched to their valving range are better for sure.

I hit an even bigger bridge transition at 78mph the first longer drive out with the Ohlins, it went over it with no drama at all.

[Lucky21]

Got the MP20 kit installed and my ride seems pretty bouncy in the street. I followed the recommended pre load in the user manual and have tried various damping settings. Is there anything I can do about this?

[grumpysnapper]

Originally Posted by Lucky21

Got the MP20 kit installed and my ride seems pretty bouncy in the street. I followed the recommended pre load in the user manual and have tried various damping settings. Is there anything I can do about this?

Definately shouldnt feel "bouncy", good dampers should ideally make your car feel more "settled" on the road.

If you are able to find a local trusted suspension guy, a little bit of money/time with them tuning your suspension will be worth every cent.

Good luck (and they are a great choice in damper, I loved mine)

[marco_mc22]

Originally Posted by Lucky21

Got the MP20 kit installed and my ride seems pretty bouncy in the street. I followed the recommended pre load in the user manual and have tried various damping settings. Is there anything I can do about this?

Define bouncing…anyway using 6kg springs might “fix” the rear lack of travel but still delivers you too high frequencies for a road car, 5kg is the maximum in my opinion.
How many clicks? Ride height?

[Lucky21]

Originally Posted by grumpysnapper

Definately shouldnt feel "bouncy", good dampers should ideally make your car feel more "settled" on the road.

If you are able to find a local trusted suspension guy, a little bit of money/time with them tuning your suspension will be worth every cent.

Good luck (and they are a great choice in damper, I loved mine)

The person who installed the coilover insisted that we should follow the recommended pre load in the manual resulting in the poor ride quality.He claimed adjusting it incorrectly would result in a blown damper.

[Lucky21]

Originally Posted by marco_mc22

Define bouncing…anyway using 6kg springs might “fix” the rear lack of travel but still delivers you too high frequencies for a road car, 5kg is the maximum in my opinion.
How many clicks? Ride height?

i currently have 12 clicks on mine as it is the most acceptable ride so far but still bouncy. Ride height is about an inch drop.

[Lucky21]

Originally Posted by Lucky21

i currently have 12 clicks on mine as it is the most acceptable ride so far but still bouncy. Ride height is about an inch drop.

Just to update this car rides fine now, the coilovers was rebuilt improperly and the recommended preload was too bouncy for our roads.

[RacingredGR86]

@Lucky21 - what spring rates are you running on your R&Ts? I'm considering going with Ohlins and wanted to get some info from current users. Thnx

[ffh2303]

Originally Posted by Lucky21

Just to update this car rides fine now, the coilovers was rebuilt improperly and the recommended preload was too bouncy for our roads.

Hi, can you share the preload settings you used?