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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This picture isn't a myth.

SPL left, SPC right.

Granted, most people don't NEED the SPL, but some people prefer the peace of mind of having a part that is built to a higher standard.

https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fb&oe=563A6A98

Not sure what that picture on the right is. But it is not an SPC LCA.

Amazingly we've installed 60+ sets of SPC rear LCAs and they are tracked. Raced and driven on NYC potholes and NJ roads. Not one of them has broken yet.

Like I said those parts are not LCAs. At least not the SPC LCAs we have installed and race with.

Mike

I was talking about road course.

You're correct; it's not a LCA for a FRS/BRZ, but neither are most of the failure pictures of shattered Rotas.

I'm sorry, but I cannot, in good faith, recommend SPC parts, with my name attached to that recommendation. We'll unfortunately have to agree to disagree, as we see eye to eye on many things.

I suppose you can say, as with investments, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results".

I had a question about the new Tein Flex Z's, what do you think about their twin tube structure, rather than going with a mono design, such as Fortune Auto.

Maybe it's just me but I've always heard Mono is better performing whereas the twin tube is used in factory sedans

There's some truth to that statement, but to a limited degree. As a general rule, twins tend to be more comfortable on the street, while monos take heat better for hard driving. That doesn't mean there's exceptions, such as the Ohlins TTX, which is technically a twin, but perform exceptionally well.

The Flex Z is not meant for anything beyond very casual tracking; I would not recommend it for someone who plans on doing more than a few track days over the course of their ownership of the car.

I'm worrying about Flex Z suitability for drift event. Even in your "Tein Flex Z opinion" you wrote: "the dampers are paired with fairly soft springs". I think, I'll be very happy with Flex Z with 6k springs rates on the street, but I'm not sure that I'll be happy at the drift event even only once a month.

Honestly, would you recommend for purchase Flex Z for your good old friend with same like mine purpose? :thanks:

From what I understand, your original intent (mid-range) is probably right for your intended use - but your budget, and your list, are not mid-range.

It's always a compromise somewhere, or so the theory goes.

I'm embarrassed to ask, but can you tell me what range my budget and list are?

I'm not an expert by any means, but it's scraping the bottom of the price-point - perhaps Koni's or Bilstein and a spring upgrade will do you as well.

My experience is mostly through reading, but as I noted before, I'd only even be considering Tein or ST from your list - and I never did on ST beyond understanding what they offered, and where it fell. Same for the lower end Tein stuff, though since I have Tein I can't say I didn't look :) (SRC) I landed at T2's being at the bottom of the range I am willing to consider, and then explored from there - Ohlin, KW, T2 (and, since it showed up right before I finally made a purchase, even the T3) all in the running. Who knows what next year will bring (probably no change... )

As someone else put it (no names, no names... hah.)

This isn't to say that your budget won't suit your needs well, but understand what's most important, then shop for it. You can find some nice deals in the FS area, but that takes patience and a little luck. But it may be the best way to come closer to performance and budget goals.

C

I'm an engineer and I always make big research before exciting purchase :)
Also I know how to find good deal especially if manufacturer outside your country. I have experience as an importer goods.

Related to the coilovers and RLCA choice, why nobody tell about Stance product?

If you want a LCA that can take some abuse.

http://www.partsshopmax.com/e107_fil...6_dsc05901.jpg

These things are super beefy, but they're also several times the weight of the stock piece they replace. They will also lower the rear at least 25mm without any other changes. I'm assuming this is what you're into.

on Coils, some thoughts more. My coils arrived, and another great thing that almost blew me off my feet, height adjustable sway bar links included, another something to consider as they are 100+ extra if you need to get them separately.

For what this adjustable sway links need?

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I'm not much of a drifter, but can get angle if I really wanted to and hold it at full lock and tie corners just simply because the car can...lol.

My choice is TEIN Flex Z or Cusco Street-A with SPL LCA. Flex Z probably has the best value and quickest turnaround if you were to ever blow a shock. It also comes with a camber plate, square spring rates, and great valving...it's also ridiculously affordable for what it is. PM us if you have questions! :)

Thanks for your opinion!
What do you think about cusco lca?

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Yeah, i left the idea at first as this may have been extra cost, but now when i have them, they are great thing to have.
now to the point.
If you think of lowering the ride, no matter for looks(if you get coils but don't rise or lower, somethings wrong, this is what they are built/made for) or more downforce on track, you come to an issue where front sway bar(well if you still have it attached) will become under an angle and will be softer due to that. you may want to set it into correct position after altering ride height.

now on another angle, leaving everything else behing, stock ones are soft or mine are just broken with dealership not finding this an issue, i fiddleled with those aftermarket ones that came with coils, and thought they are broken or something as i couldn't move the uniball by hand, something that my 2 weeks old infant can do with stocks.

this and solid upper mount on coil should be not only night and day difference but more like heaven and hell :D

But i'll go installing them today, so i can give some feedback overall, after about 12 hours. Install takes faster but i ain't gonna park the car after that :D

Cusco looks nice and do what they need to do. It's just that SPL is insanely beefy and consistent compared to any other LCA on the market.

Anybody have any thoughts on the Voodoo 13 LCAs? I have their toe rods and trailing arms, just waiting for the front and rear LCAs before I can get it all on (with BC Racing coils).

They're a bit more expensive but it really seems like the Max set would work fine, for half the price.