Buddy Club Racing Spec coilovers, anyone install them yet?

[Mark Slide Squad]

I'm very curious about these coilovers. I've had Buddy Club's on my prior cars and I liked them. I noticed that the spring rates are kind of high though for the FR-S/BRZ at 9kg front and 7kg rear. I haven't heard of anyone installing them yet or any impressions on them. I'm looking for suspension for a street and track-friendly set up. I have a hunch that those spring rates will be a little too stiff for daily out in LA though. If they were 7/5kg or around there, it would be much better for daily commutes. If anyone has a set on their car, chime in!

[Pete156]

I ordered them from pro import tuners, am waiting......................................:iono :

[Mark Slide Squad]

Originally Posted by Pete156

I ordered them from pro import tuners, am waiting......................................:iono :

Nice! Keep us posted with your thoughts on them

[TouchMyHonda]

In for update.

[Flat Black VW]

Originally Posted by TouchMyHonda

In for update.

x2

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

We have a few set's and installing on our FR-S right away.

[ebphoto]

had a set on my 8th gen civic and they were awesome.... may have to switch to these a little down the road.

[ASSALBERT]

these are pretty much the same as any entry level damper out there.

[Mark Slide Squad]

Originally Posted by ASSALBERT

these are pretty much the same as any entry level damper out there.

As far as appearance and cost goes, yes, but how they perform? We don't know that yet. Each company typically has their own compression/rebound valving specs, adjustment range, and spring rates. These factors can determine whether the car rides like crap, like a Cadillac, or in between, as well as how it performs on the track/spirited driving.

[xwd]

The spring rates do not seem right for this car. I'm always leery of front spring rates which are noticeably higher than the rears since typical Impreza spring rates work that way due to the nose heavy weight distribution of the Impreza. I think most coilover brands which started out that way have revised them so they are even front/rear.

[Mark Slide Squad]

Originally Posted by dwx

The spring rates do not seem right for this car. I'm always leery of front spring rates which are noticeably higher than the rears since typical Impreza spring rates work that way due to the nose heavy weight distribution of the Impreza. I think most coilover brands which started out that way have revised them so they are even front/rear.

On this chassis, you might be right. The 240sx does well with spring rates that are higher in front (my S14 has 8kg front and 6kg rear). But those chassis' are totally different than the FR-S/BRZ. I fear that the 9/7kg on these Buddy Clubs will be too tail happy. They also sell a "D1 drift spec" coilover kit which is actually the exact same kit as the Racing Spec kit, except that the D1 kit doesn't come with camber plates and is cheaper. Same spring rates and damping though. Hmm. I guess we'll see when some members chime in with their reviews on here! Hopefully they give some feedback on the track as well as street...

[Racecomp Engineering]

It would be more likely to understeer than be too tailhappy.

You unfortunately do see rates like 9k/7k and 8k/6k for Impreza, and when it's for 2008+ Impreza.....it's really bad. That's fine for GD chassis though as it uses a rear strut suspension.

For FR-S/BRZ a little front biased will have some advantages and disadvantages. 9k is too firm for this car though for a daily driver in LA. For the track it will depend on tire choice and a few other factors.

Here's a little write-up I did on spring rates for this car:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9936

We are using 7k/7k on our RCE Tarmac 2 prototypes (custom KW V3) with 245 width Michelin pilot sport super cups for reference.

- Andrew

[Mark Slide Squad]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

It would be more likely to understeer than be too tailhappy.

You unfortunately do see rates like 9k/7k and 8k/6k for Impreza, and when it's for 2008+ Impreza.....it's really bad. That's fine for GD chassis though as it uses a rear strut suspension.

For FR-S/BRZ a little front biased will have some advantages and disadvantages. 9k is too firm for this car though for a daily driver in LA. For the track it will depend on tire choice and a few other factors.

Here's a little write-up I did on spring rates for this car:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9936

We are using 7k/7k on our RCE Tarmac 2 prototypes (custom KW V3) with 245 width Michelin pilot sport super cups for reference.

- Andrew

Andrew, did you guys alter the valving as well as the springs on the KW V3? I'd like to see the Buddy Club's with some softer springs and see how it reacts. Typically you can go ±2kg in spring rate with the stock valving. So you could technically put a 7kg spring on the front of the Buddy Club and still be ok on the valving. I guess we need to see how they are in factory form first...

[Racecomp Engineering]

Yes, however we have not finalized that just yet.

We usually stick with european brands because we prefer their valving style and the travel they offer, but I haven't tried Buddy Club before.

- Andrew