Middle range (0.8-1.2k) Coilovers and RLCA for DD + Drift events
 

Hey guys!
Really need help with choosing coilovers and RLCA.
It will be my first coilovers installation. I have experience only with Koni bilstein and eibach installations on my BMW e36, and I was very happy with bilstein b6 + eibach springs kit as a DD + parking lot snow drifting on my e36.

Maybe I've read too much info about this, now I'm feeling mess in my head.

1. I want to use my FRS as a DD + I hope once / twice per month Drift event.
2. My budget for coils + rlca = 1.500 or less

My considerations about coilovers (in order of attractiveness based only on the internet feedbacks)

1) Stance (ST-GRP-T003 from Japan or ST-ZN6-SS in USA)
2) Tein (Street Flex or Flex Z?)
3) ST
4) BC coilovers
5) XYZ RS
6) HKS HIPERMAX MAX IV GT (from Japan + cheap RLCA)
7) CUSCO Street ZERO A
8) ISC

My list of RLCA (in order of attractiveness based only on the internet feedbacks)

1) STANCE
2) Cusco
3) ISIS
4) SPL

In my research i'm looking for DD + Drift owner expectations + reliability + price.

Will be thankful for any information.


P.s: Elimination method may apply too :)

I can't go all way with advice here, but i may shed some light into your mind.
some brands are unknown for me, so i'll rather go with what i do know.

keeping drifting in mind(also fan and event attender), I ordered BC racing cheapest ones. My policy was, any height/spring preload adjustable strut is better than stock. and they were cheapest and best quality price option available for me.
But i'd consider following points.
In Drift, heat in wheel chamber is not usually a problem, tire does get hot, but air is very good isolator and heat rearly travels to rim and to suspension this way. Front is completely other thing, because Catalyst will heat up everything on right front corner.
Keeping this in mind, i picked 200-400 bucks saving and didn't go with upside down monotube, and even more with leaving external oil housing.

ideas on your picks

2) Tein (Street Flex or Flex Z?) - i left those aside because of price
3) ST - also price difference with BC was about 2 times. It's sub company for KW, camber plates may not be in set.
4) BC coilovers - ordered those, all in package deal, camber plates, uniball mount, everything with a cheap price and reasonable quality, also, springs are really cheap and all parts available as spare for rebuild, been told that KW parts are somewhat harder to get, may be local problem in my country. Also wide range of spring stiffnesses, i picked 6/4 because HKS has same set, so it must mean something.
6) HKS HIPERMAX MAX IV GT (from Japan + cheap RLCA) - expensive all around, HKS does make super products, but as Cusco, brand does play a role in price.
7) CUSCO Street ZERO A - expensive considering shipping, if you get them shipped or locally, go for it.

for most brands, they first give you struts and afterwards you can go with additional accessories, do keep that in mind, not all coils come in install ready set and some may leave you hanging with stock parts. including top mounts not in set, camber plates not in set, bushing here or there not in set.
I loved BC racing deal, because the cheapest option included everything you'd need for start up and is monotube. next price option was reversed or upside down strut and third added some diameter and external oil housing.

Overall to sum up, reliability and price are pretty much key here, I went with cheapest option with some quality in it( most motosport teams use BC racing here in eastern europe/baltics). Drifting is hard for suspension, so quality and some adjustment possibilities are a must, but things do wear in time and use, so i considered also rebuild options. Even if you decide to change them in future, rebuild option gives them good aftermarket value if this rebuild is reasonably accessible(part available and not overpriced). And i can't stress enough, check what comes with a package, and consider what it would cost extra to order separately(eg camber plates for proper -3 or -4 camber in front, pillowball mounts, top plates, bump stop bushings).

Imho Tein Flex Z for low-budget coilovers is very hard to beat in what you get at what price.

What about Fortune Auto coilovers? I think FT86speedfactory was running those in their 1-lap track car and seemed to love them.

I wouldn't even be looking at anything other than Tein or ST on that list... Though I consider the budget low end for coilovers (else don't bother)

RS-R might be worth s look.

Hypermax is a bit over your proposed budget, no?

Almost yes. Coilovers from yahoo.co.jp + Japan shipping agent + delivery = 1320

Wow... MSRP is $1800 USD on these IIRC.

Yes, but you will have only Japan warranty...

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Totally anecdotal: I know a guy that upgraded to the Hypermax SP (8K squared) from stock dampers with swift R springs (5K ish). While the ride is good, much better he reports, he was not able to improve laptimes with his new setup for the life of him. We're talking about an intermediate level HPDE driver doing 1:30 laps on Streets of Willow.

That price point you indicate would be entry level dampers.

You won't be able to beat the Flex Z in that price point. It MSRPs for 870, but performs at a higher price point. It's the first truly innovative damper to come out in a while, and is able to combat the cheap stuff at their own price point, and outperform them.

i got bc coils.. they make a lot of clunking sound especially running low speed to complete stop.. dont know where its coming from.. was supposed to go with fortune but bc was available at that time

Here is a totally different perspective...

Bilstein B14 + SPC LCAs

We run this setup on our Project BRZ which is a street and track car. The SPC LCAs can't be beat for the money. They, contrary to internet belief do not come apart or loosen up. The Bilsteins will give you a non-jarring ride yet will firm up nicely when pushed on track.

We also sell them so feel free to reach out to us if interested and we can put together a package for you.

-mike
sales@azpinstalls.com

And when you guys talking about track, all you mean drift event on the track, right? I agree with you guys about flex Z, but they just come out and I still wait for review. And one more strange point, I can't find them on Japan market (usually all tein products always available on Japan market).

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