2 Way Coilover Choices
 

Currently I am trying to decide on coilovers for my track build
Looking for somewhat of a budget 2 way coilovers

I have been looking at some unknown brands and some more known ones and am trying to decide on which ones to try out

Eibach R2
Fortune 510 (Would upgrade to 2 way system at a later date)
Feal 442
Pedders XA w/ External Reservoirs (Can't find any information on this but I know Michelle Abate runs these on her race car)

Hopefully, someone here can illuminate their experiences with these coils.

Have only experienced the FA510, so probably not a very useful review. But I would say that the ability to choose your own rates and paired with swift springs is what rendered them attractive to me. On a 6k/8k configuration that I have, they ride harder than stock, but not by much, but you can really feel the lack of travel compared to stock on big holes or bumps.

The important stuff, track impressions (since I assume this is what you are interested in). They are really really good. Only rebound adjustable but can you really feel the changes. They go from feeling a bit hard on the streets, to make the track feel smooth. Body roll is way lower than before. I do not feel any changes in how they perform on longer sessions, so I doubt they are overheating the oil. In terms of laptime, on the same tire (Nitto NT01 in 235/40), Im around 3 seconds faster per lap on a 2 minute course with similar weather. I would say around half of this time is actually trusting the car more and a bit of driver developpement over the course of the winter.

I had originally planned to get the R2, but the really soft spring rates turned me off a bit. I know nothing of other coilovers so I can only compare it to stock suspension. For track usage, I would say they are a big improvement over stock.

Why "budget" 2-way? What do you want that a normal 1-way adjustable coilover can't accomplish? What is "budget" to you?

Budget is around 3-3.5k
A 1 way coilover doesn't have the adjustability I would like

The best "budget" 2-way system out there will probably be KW V3.

Or you can even consider Cusco:
http://www.frsport.com/Cusco-965-63X...-_p_37554.html

How about Racecomp T2 ?

I absolutely adore my Tein SRC.

http://counterspacegarage.com/produc...c-brz-frs.html

In depth review: www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25867



*edit* - Just noticed they are a hair out of your budget. Hopefully that's alright.

In budget, T2. Remember that you're also buying a bit of support and a good starting setup.

This.

For this reason, I would buy from a vendor that offers support up front, like @Vten and @cjd mentioned

http://www.racecompengineering.com/i...-brz-fr-s.html

IIRC these are essentially KW V3's like @mav1178 mentioned built to Racecomp's specs with their support.

+1 zero experience here but if I had to pick a double adjustable to learn on it'd be the Tarmac 2's, but I think 400# springs may be too stiff depending on the tire you run, unless you like to keep it lively.

I don't feel like my T2s with 450f/500r overpower Re71rs. I'm thinking about trying stiffer.

What size 71R's? What you say makes sense once you get down to 200TW super aggressive tires, especially if you go wider than stock.

I've got slightly softer rates than yours but went and pounded around on my MPSS street tires (OE sized) this weekend and it was slippery to say the least. I think the same would hold for the less sticky 200TW track tires (Dunlops, Hankooks, Bridgestone RE11, BFG, etc.) if kept around OE sizing 215-225. 400# would likely work out well for those tires for someone who could drive it, but it would seem to me to be an edgier setup than using some softer spring rates.

Since OP provided no context we won't know if the 400# starting point will be too much, not enough, or just right. Which could be a selling point for the FA/Feal's given how they're sold as customizable.

I run 245/40/17 toyo r888 on 17x8

Kinda off-topic from the OP's query, but I'm curious - does that hold in all conditions? I found 10k/12k on 255/40/17 to be a significant challenge in the wet (Tein SRC) for AutoX, though amazing when traction was up. I'm now on 400/500, but seriously considering a bump to 450/500 (need to be a bit more consistent with the setup I have to be sure it would be a useful change). I believe I'm still slower than I was last year, though that's not entirely the fault of the setup (codrivers that are waaaaay faster than you are good).

C

I have a set of FA 510's on my car right now. I went from FA 500's on w/e spring they use normally to the 510's on Swift springs and its a world of difference. I have 8k/7k and the car feels great for both autox and trackdays. Being that I have dealt with them I would recommend FA 510's tho they are only single adjustable.

RCE T2's are also a good option. Buddy of mine runs them and they are 2 way adjustable.

For a $3k budget, RCE T2 is far and away the best two way shock. They also provide outstanding customer service and stand behind their product 100%.

I can vouch for that. I bought my Tarmac 2's about 18 months ago and have never regretted it. IMO they are the best bang for the buck 2 way coilovers for this platform. Racecomp has also been extremely helpful every time I've called them with questions.

This could be true. I have some 225 Re71rs to test, so I guess I'll find out.

I'm not sure I ever drove them in the rain, that's always going to be a challenge. I'm generally a fan of the softest springs that can get the job done, that said I don't feel like I'm over sprung.

Yeah that comment was based on rolling around on OE sized MPSS with 425# spring rates for the past few months and then finally autox-ing on them, the margin for error seems a lot smaller than when I'm on my RE71R's (there could be other factors at play of course), which like you postulate may even want a stiffer rate than what I've got. If the MPSS was going to be my track tire of choice I would think a softer rate would be more forgiving and enjoyable.

Given that OP is on 245 R888 a 400# or stiffer spring is likely appropriate from this armchair quarterback.

armchair quarterback?

Yeah, ever had a buddy criticize a team or athlete when the dude couldn't even throw the ball across the yard or land 2/10 free throws?

It's someone who offers an opinion without any way to back it up. Car forums are chock full of them, I try to be upfront when I'm talking out of my ass.