Need Coilover Advice Please
 

Heyo,

Was hoping someone could help out a noob and provide some guidance on some coilover options:

I was looking at the KW V3's but am wondering what kind of difference in ride quality I would feel by pushing my budget further? For instance, what would the difference be between the KW V3's and something like TIEN's Super Racing or the Ohlin's Road & Track.

Also, I've heard some opinions that the KW's are overpriced for what they actually offer for our platform and was looking for more opinions on the V3's in general as well.

Thanks a ton :)

PS: Turbo + Exhaust on its way later this month as well.

What are you planning on doing with your car? Dd, track etc

Daily Driver + 1-2 HPDE per month

That being said, I'm not looking to win any races so marginal track performance gains (between the V3 and its competitors) are not as important to me as increase damping performance for the street.

I've heard that going from the ~2k coilovers to the more professional $3-4k series you can get BOTH a stiffer and better handling suspension as well as a smoother ride over stock for DD (whereas the KW's only provide the former instead of the latter).

I believe we are one of the few or possibly the only ones on the board that has actual experience with all the setups you have listed. We have been hired to dial the dampers for clients for all of these suspension kits. Based on the specified kits (we can toss in other kits in here if you want just for comparison sake), here's how we would assess the setups when dialed in properly to driver preference:

Comfort level (smooth to less smooth):
TEIN SRC > Ohlins R&T > KW CS >> OEM

Performance potential and modular use (application based):
TEIN SRC >> Ohlins R&T ~ KW CS >> OEM

Cost (lowest cost to highest):
OEM >>>>>>> KW V3 >>> KW CS ~ Ohlins R&T > TEIN SRC

By the way, 2 HPDEs per month is relatively impressive compared to 99% of the guys on the board. I'd go for the best you can get. JRZ RS-Pro if you can do it. :thumbsup:

Thanks David! Do you think you could be a little more specific in the difference I would feel between something like the SRCs and the V3's

More firm (due to spring rates; most people go with higher spring rates on SRCs than V3/CS), but less harsh.

Mind you, the damper settings do need to be dialed into the proper settings for your given spring rates chosen.

SRCs and JRZs are offered with your choice of spring rate, within their specified ranges.

Fixed :)

What kind and what size tires do you run? Do you have any other suspension mods?

- Andy

17x8 235 Toyo T1S

(Tires: http://www.toyotires.ca/tire/pattern/proxes-t1-sport)

Anyone have any pics of the SRC's on the FRS? From what I've seen the Ohlins R&T pretty much look stock (very small drop) even on the their lowest setting - I'm wondering if the SRC's suffer the same fate.

Also, I saw someone mention a "CSG spec TIEN SRC" -- anyone want to fill me in on this?

@D1cker has SRCs on his FRS.

The off the shelf SRCs are really good out of the box. CSG Spec TEIN SRCs are still being developed as we speak. :thumbsup:

Just to give you an idea of what the TEIN SRCs look on our BRZ and how well it soaks up bumps in video format. Oh and you get to see @CSG Mike beautiful face.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TChNrfRKVc"]Maxxis Victra RC-1 - Racer Testimonial Video - YouTube[/ame]

I'm about to install V3's on my FR-S. (Currently have on Tarmac 0's)

What I am hoping for is a bit more comfort in a lowered setting, not slammed, but I'm clueless when it comes to changing the damping on them. I supposed I'll start very soft and work my way up.

Goal is comfort, with an occasional spirited drive here and there with some of the TX groups. I don't foresee myself tracking anytime soon, but I definitely do not want to throw that idea off the table.

As far as the V3's being overpriced, they can be had for under $2000. The extra adjust-ability is what puts them ahead of those height only adjustable coils, at least this is what I am anticipating and hoping for.

I don't get why people always tend to say soft <-> hard for stuff like rebound adjustments, that makes absolutely no sense to me. I think it's should be fast <-> slow.