Best coilovers for track/DE use only $2000-3000
 

Hello all. I'm new to the FRS, but I'm eager to learn. Already bought carbotech and rs3s and ss lines.
Next phase are coilovers for track use only (and driving to/from track). Budget is $2-3k including top mounts. Other than ohlin MI20, any other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

I use the RCE T2s with their street camber plates and 245 RE71R tires for DE and they're fantastic. Great, useful adjust-ability for switching from bumpy tracks like my local one to silky smooth like the new Watkins Glen pavement. That's right in your price point.

^^^ In that price range, this will be the almost universal recommendation. The MCA reds are in a similar price point and have heard excellent things about them, but they are an Australian company and there is not a lot of people here running them yet to give feedback on how they compare.

How about Fortune Autos 510 with Swift Springs? Not many people give those credit, but there are a few winning cars out there running them (FT86Factory one comes to mind).

RCE Tarmac II. I wouldn't think of Ohlins R&T if one considers mostly track performance.
And you should mention what model and size tires you are going to use.

I will run 245/40/17 (starting tire rs3) on 17x9 et 35 wheels.
As for the the Ohlins, I do realize the v2 R&T's (MP20) are not very track suitable, but the older v1 (MI20) were much better/stiffer.

Any opinions on the Cusco Street Zero A (Red?)

Archfarseer: not much sense to know how some discontinued parts that you cannot buy anymore can perform (i'm betting that shops that may list old kit as available probably just haven't updated yet stock nfo or haven't yet found out that they will not be able to forward order to Ohlins on old kit and upon try to order one may see his hopes of trying to get old kit crushed).
Anyway, as you listed rather grippy and wide tires, most probably you'll benefit more from stiffer spring rate coilovers to not ride bottomed out on bumpstops in most of curves. Within mentioned budget i'll keep advise on RCE Tarmac II, but if you want to go a bit above that budget, you may consider getting Tein SRC. Check CSG reviews on those.

I agree with the part about the Ohlin v1 being discontinued, so that's why I'm trying to find equal or superior alternatives.

RCE T2 is one of them, as you've mentioned. Do you have any views on
1) Fortune Auto 510,
2) MCA Red or X-R?

Much thanks!

I don't know that much about fortune and mca, but it appears they are using a lot of generic parts ala bc/megan whatever but then putting them together themselves with better quality control and possibly better internal valving parts. I know fortune auto has mentioned having their own valves and using ohlins or bilstein shims and stuff. MCA golds are a whole different deal from the red/blue/x series.

And I suppose, hey, if you put good parts in a housing you sourced somewhere else that should be decent, right?


RCE is starting with a good product and then making changes to valving and spring rate to make the KW V3 more suitable to track driving and better tires (the v3 is mostly meant for street use and has pretty soft rear springs).

RCE in the US, they're on these forums, they can service and rebuild the stuff in house and give you all the advice you could ever ask for.

No brainer to me.

Was thinking about this, MeisterR sells with a 6k rate and in my experience seems to be the ballpark for comfort/sportiness. Seem to be in the same market as Fortune Auto (re: jamal's post above).

As an alternate, you could get the V2 Ohlins kit @ ~$2k and have them revalved to 6k+ rates and buy your own springs and camber plates.

https://www.ohlinsusa.com/ohlins-usa-service

imo, 6k is on the soft side for a track dedicated car unless you're sticking with 215-225 street tires. Tires will play a big part in how stiff a spring you need, if you're thinking of running 245+ slicks, or even just super sticky street tires you'll probably want to run be stiffer than 6k, like the 9k+ in the Tein SRC.


I'd own Racecomp's Bilstein setup (400# F/R) if they were available a year ago, there is the option to revalve those for stiffer springs via Bilstein themselves (or a third party if they're local to you and reputable) at ~$600/set iirc if you want to up the rates or change them after some experience. Bilstein stuff is stout and quality and you'll have some budget leftover for the odds and ends like good camber plates, lca's, alignment, etc.

My views: ask those two for sample shock dyno plots. You can judge a shock largely by the response you get...

Say I go with the tarmac 2's?

Is there any reason to go with the 500/500 or 600/600 spring rates available with the RCE Tarmac 2s? I drive primary track miles and am using 255/40/17 Maxxis RC1s with NA power.

With those tires the 500/500 or 500/550 would be recommended. Alternatively, you could add firmer swaybars but I would recommend the firmer springs (as you may still want the stiffer sways in addition to that).

- Andrew