A little help picking a set up....
 

My FRS is a weekend car that will likely become my everyday driver at some point. I am hoping to get it out for a track-day two or three times per year max. I'm looking for something fun to conquer the back roads or take on a drive down the coast. I have a radiator, oil cooler, header, mid pipe, power blocks, intake, OFT, 4.7 diff, etc. for bolt on's. Suspention wise I have diff, cross member, control arm, trailing arm, and most other bushings. Also have RacerX rear adjustable control arms. Stainless lines, upgraded fluid, and pads are on the way. Going to be running 225 Michelin PSS. At this point I am trying to finish the suspention with coils or spring/Struts.

I have narrowed it down to a few options:

1. Bilstiens with Ground Control springs (sleeve kit) and front camber plates.
OR
2. ST XTA coilovers
OR
3. RSR iSport coilovers

These are all in the same price range with the RSR's being slightly more expensive. I don't want to deal with any more adjustability than camber, height and one way dampening. I am aware of the other systems on the market, but these make the most sense for me. Any opinions would be appreciated. I am hoping some of you will think of things I have not in making this decision.

From your description, I don't know that you would really need damper adjustability. I'm basing that on the only 2-3 track days comment.

I'd suggest the RCE Tarmac 0's.

I am not married to the idea of having that adjustment, and I have considered the T0's. After looking around, however, the T0's seem like less of a value than the options I mentioned above. The ST's, for example, are made by KW, rebound adjustable, and come with top hats that adjust camber and caster. They are likely valved similarly and have similar spring rates, so I would prefer the camber plates and adjustability of the STX vs the stainless construction of the T0's. I consider them a very similar product.

More adjustment isn't better unless you plan to (and know how to) optimize them.

Coming with top hats/camber plates is certainly a plus for the STs.

The T0 spring rates while similar, are different, and the T0s have a firmer option. I suspect the valving may also be different. The RCE guys can probably comment on that.

I have been researching this topic as well, although I plan on more track time that you and I DD my car in a winter/salt environment so rust is an issue.

Indeed. thats why I want the fewest knobs possible... But dialing in a one-way adjustable shock isn't rocket science. Camber and caster will likely be set and never touched again. Same with the drop.

That makes sense for you then.

I am not saying the valveing is the same, but I bet it is similar and they are made by the same company. The issue with the upgraded springs on the T0's is that they put you near the price of V3's and T2's. They are another $350... Doesn't make sense to me.

One thing to keep in mind is that the T0's are more corrosion resistant than the ST's are. Not a concern in California, but for anyone winter driving cars in snowy regions it's a concern.

Ya... But I don't live in a place like that so it doesn't matter in my case... The ST's give up some corrosion resistance for more adjustability. That's how I see it anyway.

Ya... That's a good point. I'm just always worried the springs won't match well with the shocks, which is why a little adjustment would be nice. For longevity sake I certainly understand. The bilstien ground/control combo will likely outlast any of the systems mentioned in this thread.

Thanks for the advice. More to think about....


Anyone else?

thats a lot of money already spent just to fall short on the actual coilover. get something better?

And what would you suggest?

i would suggest you call the professionals and ask them what they think. or see what kinds of lap times people are running on what suspensions. if/when i get coilovers, they are going to be tein src but i dont need them now as the stock suspension still works and the car can go faster than i can.