Fortune Auto - SpeedFactory Review - Video / Pics - Tracked / Autoxed / Drifted
 

This review has been a long time coming. We have had The Fortune Auto V4 500 series installed in our silver FRS for 45 days or so now. We have done almost every form of racing with them as well. So, sit tight while I ramble on. ;)

About Fortune:
JB Autosports / FT-86 SpeedFactory has worked with Fortune Auto for awhile now and I have nothing but good things to say about the staff. Everyone is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful at anytime.

Fortune Auto builds these coilovers to order for YOU. This means you get to pick the spring rates, the valving, and add extras like Swift springs, roller bearings, rear extenders and if you don't mind waiting, custom colors. Everything is assembled here in the USA with support you can ask questions to and get answers in plain English.

Just look at their latest video:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNWfaPhfPqA"]Fortune Auto - Behind The Build - YouTube[/ame]

About the Coils:
500 series coilovers incorporate a DIGRESSIVE piston, 24-step damping, custom rates & a one year warranty.

Dyno tested
Mono-Tube damper with high pressure nitrogen
24-step rebound adjustable dampers
Spherical Bearings
IP synthetic 5w or 10w shock oil (prevents cavitation and promotes superior heat dissipation)
6061 Forged & Anodized aluminum mounts and front camber plates
Height adjustment independent of pre-load
5 year Manufacturer's Warranty (1 year on piston)
Swift springs upgrade available
Rebuild-able in the USA
Re-valveable in the USA

Photo Time! :)
http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500-1.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500-2.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500-3.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500-4.jpg


About the coils we installed:
We worked with Fortune and got a custom spring rate for our car. We use the vehicle for track days and some autocross duty so we needed something to assist with getting some quicker lap times.

Track
First test we did was hitting MAM outside of Omaha, NE. We were running an SCCA Time Trial event that weekend. The car had the Fortune Auto Coilovers, Dunlop Star Specs (225/45/17), DBA T3 Rotors, Hawk HP+ up front, stainless lines, and an aFe panel filter.

http://www.trackpedia.com/mediawiki/...d0/MAM_New.jpg

We ran the car fairly hard during qualifying and landed the car in the 6th position behind a LS1 Miata, Z06 Corvette, two Evos, and a 2011 STI. By the end of the sessions we finished 6th out of 14 all behind cars that there was no chance of catching. We were only .3 off 5th place which was that 2011 STI with KW's, and a ton more power so that was nice. When the Time Trial organizers applied the PAX they were using we landed 2nd overall behind that pesky Z06.

The coils preformed great. The car still had some weight transfer which I like. Overall a massive improvement.

Installed and then set ride height.
http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500-5.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/fa500-7.jpg

Video on Track:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j93Xn7y8ZfA"]FT-86 SpeedFactory at MAM - Scion FRS Time Trial - YouTube[/ame]



AutoX
Then it was off to an Autocross where we ended up paxing in STX at the top. I took the car to a 6th over all PAX and Brooke our ladies driver finished 9th in PAX out of 48 drivers.

The car was way more solid than before without coils. Made autocrossing even more fun and way more competitive. Cannot wait to apply more suspension mods to this for next years STX campaign.

Some Photos from that event:

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/alandautox1.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/alandautox2.jpg



Drift
After that we went and held a Drift event for the local drifters and gave the car a shot around that course. We're not huge drifters ourselves but the car did what it needed to to get the job done and was a fun time.

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/drift1.jpg


Daily Drive
We have about 3000 miles on these coils with DD use in mind and it rides great. I've had people even say it still feels like a stock FRS for the daily commute, which is important. Not harsh at all for a coilover with the higher spring rates we choose. Have taken long road trips 300+ miles and not even a clue it's on coilovers which is the way it should be!

Installed Video covering a couple key features:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN_Pg5vqOf8"]Fortune Auto - Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ - YouTube[/ame]

Wrap Up
If you are on a budget, actually want a car that handles well, and want the adjust-ability of a coilover; then Fortune Auto's are for you. In our honest opinion for under $1200 these are the best coilover out there.

Any more questions comments, post them up. Here to answer. :)

how much did you lower the car from factory point

1.125 all around. :)

I'd be curious how these stack up with the FEAL 441's in a low budget coil battle. They are the only two options that I think are even worth mentioning for an adjustable unit under $1700 or so. For non adjustable the ST's/KW Variant 1's are the best choice if you NEED height adjustment.

Nathan

Any chance you've got quantitative measurements (time or skidpad numbers) before and after? The more I hear about these, the more they seem like a really solid option, especially if you opt for the swift springs.

Unfortunately not. I can guarantee you that there is serious improvements. Only because I have been behind the seat stock vs the coilovers.

I have them on my brz with Swift springs upgrade.. They are amazing. In my s13, i prefer them to apex'i, cusco and tein. Feels stock on the street and predictable on the track

Besides oiling what are the differences between these and the 510 series?

Cool, thanks! Are yours the "stock" springs, or swift springs?

What is the highest ride height (in terms of drop in inches over stock) that you can select with the Fortune's? I'm in a state where the roads are crappy and I'd like to maintain as close to stock ride height as possible.

The Fortune's caught my eye early on but this review is starting to get my interest going. Stock-like ride is a huge plus.

Hopefully going to order these next week along with the swift spring upgrade.

We are running the FA springs right now.

The highest is 1" lower than stock we are told. We're at a 1.125 drop right now and think that is pretty good. We'll get back out testing this spring again as well. Right now it's pretty cold and could snow at any moment here in Iowa, plus all the tracks are closed up now. :(

1" isn't so bad but that probably rules out about 1/3 of all driveways and approaches in Nor Cal. The sacrifices we have to make...

I grew up back east. I don't miss the snow-- CA is great for driving year round unless you're in Tahoe in winter!

looks pretty sweet. def looking for mostly a DD with spirited driving! these might be it.

anyone compare these to KW v3s?

I bet if you get the helper spring option you'll be no more than 1/2" lower than stock.

Helper springs are not needed in this application due to how little room there is in the rear. :happy0180:

these are what i had my eye on. what spring rates were you running?

We can help you pick those out depending on your use. Everyone will be different.

i was thinking a 8k 8k setup just to keep that near factory oversteer.i went from a 9k 5k on my civic to a 9.5k 9.5k and the grip way more stable and predictable on the track even for a nose heavy car.

I know they're not needed, but if someone want to get as little drop as possible then the helper springs would raise up it up a bit with the perches all the way up.

You have double wishbone in the rear now. Do the math.. your setup will suck.

7/9 would be decent

i also didnt have a strut front. hmm didnt think of that. the 240 had a 8/6. it gripped but mehh could have used higher rate in the rear

8/6 = street rates. decent enough I guess (on an S13)

yea came on stance gr+ those rode like crap btw

I had those on my S14 for a very short time, they beat the crap out of me.

I was thinking 6/7 on this car

Because of the balance of the car .. and because of the double-wishbone rear .. if you consider both factors then you're better off having a little more variance than that.

figure out what you'll use it for and go from there. there's a lot of very knowledgeable vendors on here that could help you choose.

I'm still learning this car myself :)

yea ill definitely confirm it with speedfactory before i order it. i do mostly grip racing, some drift and a little auto x. Even tho they require 3 different setups mehh. 6/7 probably isn't a bad choice

Yep setting them up out of the box for your most used form of motorsports is going to be key.

It's really hard to have a set-up that works well in all three areas. Almost need three separate FRS's.... ;)

Just wanted to stop back in and post an update.

We have had these on our FRS for quite some time now. Lots of DD use, and a couple more autocross events. I still enjoy the ride around town, and we went with stiffer spring rates than what the un-customized versions come with.

Roller bearings are doing their job and keeping spring pop from bothering my old ears.

We're about to get snow for the first time this winter in Iowa so the car won't see the road much once that happens, but it's been an absolute blast to this point with the car. 9300 miles on the odometer and still a blast to drive every time I get in the seat.

We had a second set of FA 510's come intoday and wanted to post how darn good these look!

How the car looks now on the Fortune Auto 500 Series Coilovers

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/rexpeedinside-17.jpg


Ours will be upgraded very soon as well. :)

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/frsbrzfa510-1.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/frsbrzfa510-2.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/frsbrzfa510-3.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/frsbrzfa510-4.jpg

Sorry I had to comment on this. And I must preface it by saying I've always considered buying Fortune Auto. But this sounds like "oh I promise they're great! I promise!"

-Acree

The statement before hand asked if there was before and after numbers of testing. Skid pad, lap times and etc.

While we don't have before and after numbers on exact set-ups, the silver car that had these coils, tires, and brakes, vs our stock red car. The Silver car was running laps of low 1:51 to 1:52's, while the stock red car was in the 1:56 to 1:57.

I'm not sure many manufactures have this data at all? Does KW have skid pad numbers on stock vs their suspension? AST? Stance? Eibach? Lap times showing improvements? Maybe one of them does. This type of testing requires a serious time investment from the manufacturer, and in the grand scheme of things, tires, brakes, and other items will play a large roll in the reduction in lap times in combination with any coilover.

While it seems simple on paper to gather this data, the actual collection of it takes tons of man hours. Are the Fortune 500's the ultimate coilover? NO. Do they work well all around for someone on a budget? Yes.

They offer other options like the 510's, Dreadnoughts, and more for serious track day enthusiasts. We will be putting their 2-way system through the ringer in May though. :party0030:

What the car looks like now on the Fortune Auto V4 500 Series. :)

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-1.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-2.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-3.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-4.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-5.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-6.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-7.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-8.jpg

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/021713-15.jpg

Up on Fortune Auto's Facebook page today. We're winners of SSGT2 - Small Bore in One Lap of America for 2013.

https://www.facebook.com/FortuneAuto?fref=ts

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/onelapwin.jpg

What's the lowest the 500's will drop the car? I plan on dropping the car no more than around 1.25-1.5 inches but just wondering but the range is.

Been almost a year since I've been lowered, so I forget the exact specs. I have a 1 finger gap front and rear on 225/45/17... The rear sleeves are almost maxed out. I want to say I'm a little more than 1.5"

Sorry I don't have any exact numbers, but hopefully this helps some

FA 500's are the best coilovers under $1500. I believe the lowest they go is approx 2.5" lower than stock.

We are on the Dreadnought system now with external reservoirs, but still use the same strut housing and Swift Springs that the FA 500 series uses. We are 1.5" lowered.

Fortune Auto is awesome :)

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/RS05RRonCar-2.JPG

Bump ...differences?