CSG Mike's observations on dampers/coilovers

[FastLane1000]

I'd love a critique on my setup. It feels great as a DD although I do occasionally drive my Tahoe. I also take it to the Dragon and enjoy the backroads. I'm running Koni inserts & H&R sport springs (.8" drop). I didn't want to lose too much suspension travel. I run the Konis 360* from stock which is half way through their adj. range. Hotckis sway bar kit set firm on the front and one from full firm in the rear. -2.8* camber in the front (2 sets of camber bolts) and -2* in the rear. 18x8 Motegi SP10 wheels with 225/40/18 Michelin PSS tires.

[mike the snake]

In looking at many of the coilovers available, I see spring rates all over the place. From 2K to 10K, softer in front, others softer in the rear. It seems companies are simply choosing rates without testing.

I had Ohlins on my old car, and never really utilized them, never messed with the adjustments, and the ride was too stiff with the spring rates I chose. The ride sucked, but the car did handle great.

I chose ST coilovers for my BRZ because they are the same as the KW V1's, and the spring rates were pretty soft compared to most of the other coilover kits available, and they were priced right at $850.

I haven't driven the car very hard yet, but I can say with a 1.5" drop and wider, sticky tires, that the ride compared to stock is very similar, not too harsh, and the handling is improved.

I'd love to hear other's thoughts on the ST coilovers, as they are just about the cheapest available but seem to be a great value for someone like me who won't ever mess with adjustments but wants better handling and ability to lower the car.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

and they were priced right at $850......

.......I'd love to hear other's thoughts on the ST coilovers,

One gets what one pays for.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

It's okay baby, I'll take care of you.

[ZionsWrath]

Have you had chance to drive on Ohlins? That is what I'm looking at...

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by FastLane1000

I'd love a critique on my setup. It feels great as a DD although I do occasionally drive my Tahoe. I also take it to the Dragon and enjoy the backroads. I'm running Koni inserts & H&R sport springs (.8" drop). I didn't want to lose too much suspension travel. I run the Konis 360* from stock which is half way through their adj. range. Hotckis sway bar kit set firm on the front and one from full firm in the rear. -2.8* camber in the front (2 sets of camber bolts) and -2* in the rear. 18x8 Motegi SP10 wheels with 225/40/18 Michelin PSS tires.

Are you happy with the set-up?

One area of improvement would be bushings. Often overlooked but they can make a significant difference.

- Andy

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

One gets what one pays for.

So Ohlins for a DD? Sounds like a sin.

I don't contribute much to these forums since my knowledge is limited to ball bearings and how they mean everything.

But in a more serious sense, you guys put to much emphasis on coilovers, those struts and alignment set ups are the key here...

Or is this a detomaso pantera forum and you guys are shoving coilovers and calling it a day?

Don't forget, 50% of the forum members here just want a drop and stock feel, that's key here baby.

[kster1]

Originally Posted by dem00n

So Ohlins for a DD? Sounds like a sin.

I have a set of Ohlins on my BRZ which I bought because they are a good dual purpose solution for street and track driving. I don't daily drive my BRZ but I don't see an issue if someone did (on Ohlins). You'd just have to get them rebuilt more often; but they are fairly comfortable on the street.

[FastLane1000]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Are you happy with the set-up?

One area of improvement would be bushings. Often overlooked but they can make a significant difference.

- Andy

Yes I am very happy with the setup. When the car is settled into a turn it feels very planted and the handling feels neutral to me with neither end wanting to push. I may have a little slop during weight transition. Would this be from the loose bushings? Which bushings do you recommend replacing first?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by dem00n

So Ohlins for a DD? Sounds like a sin.

I don't contribute much to these forums since my knowledge is limited to ball bearings and how they mean everything.

But in a more serious sense, you guys put to much emphasis on coilovers, those struts and alignment set ups are the key here...

Or is this a detomaso pantera forum and you guys are shoving coilovers and calling it a day?

Don't forget, 50% of the forum members here just want a drop and stock feel, that's key here baby.

We freely give alignment recommendations, as well as our alignment specs public knowledge

Hell, we tell people to adjust car balance with the springs first, and only buy sways if they need to a semi-course tuning resolution. Use springs for coarse adjustments, and alignment/tire pressure for fine adjustments. Sways are in between those.

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Have you had chance to drive on Ohlins? That is what I'm looking at...

I love the TTX36/42...

Originally Posted by FastLane1000

I'd love a critique on my setup. It feels great as a DD although I do occasionally drive my Tahoe. I also take it to the Dragon and enjoy the backroads. I'm running Koni inserts & H&R sport springs (.8" drop). I didn't want to lose too much suspension travel. I run the Konis 360* from stock which is half way through their adj. range. Hotckis sway bar kit set firm on the front and one from full firm in the rear. -2.8* camber in the front (2 sets of camber bolts) and -2* in the rear. 18x8 Motegi SP10 wheels with 225/40/18 Michelin PSS tires.

I'd need to sit in your car in person; every setup is a bit different. Koni dampers tend to be consistent, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they're well mated to your spring choice. Then again, a properly set up Koni and spring combo can be just as good as a $5000 setup (but typically takes more trial and error with spring/valving combinations than $5k to get to that proper pairing).

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by FastLane1000

Yes I am very happy with the setup. When the car is settled into a turn it feels very planted and the handling feels neutral to me with neither end wanting to push. I may have a little slop during weight transition. Would this be from the loose bushings? Which bushings do you recommend replacing first?

Whiteline rear crossmember bushings
Whiteline front control arm bushings (caster adding)
TIC or Whiteline steering rack bushings

The whiteline rear camber bushing is recommended, but no fun to install.

These make the car more responsive and consistent...removing slop is a good way to put it but it goes beyond that. The front bushings especially help reduce geometry changes as you load up the chassis. The deflection in the stock bushings can make a significant difference and not just in feel.

If you're happy with the car that's important. The bushings will sharpen things up and make things a little more immediate and consistent...if that's something you want to improve. Things can be sharpened so much that it can catch people by surprise if you let them drive your car and they're not used to it.

- Andy

[mrk1]

great thread! I'll admit I have over stiffened my car in the past. At least now I know consequences.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by dem00n

So Ohlins for a DD? Sounds like a sin.

Nothing wrong with running a good damper for a DD, but yeah, you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not take it to the track.

Ohlins Road & Track coilovers are a very good "do everything pretty well" set-up. The BRZ/FRS R&T coilovers are on the softer side and a little expensive, but can be revalved into a track dominating monster set-up.

- Andy

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by FastLane1000

Yes I am very happy with the setup. When the car is settled into a turn it feels very planted and the handling feels neutral to me with neither end wanting to push. I may have a little slop during weight transition. Would this be from the loose bushings? Which bushings do you recommend replacing first?

What spring rates are you running?

That slow settling on initial turn-in can be a few things:

-soft springs
-lowered roll center
-being underdamped
-really soft tire sidewalls