CSG and RCE tag-team suspension Q&A thread! Ask us anything!

[7thgear]

jezuz i'm getting boners from this pre-war stuff

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W_J6UhQP6s"]Chevrolet suspension system in 1938 - YouTube[/ame]

[FastWhite]

I bought the coilovers for the track, but now that I've tried them, I'd get them just for street driving

Now that I have gone and decided to buy a set of MCS or Ohlins Or JRZ's you post this.
Gonna drive myself nuts. Well with the above quote MAY have to rethink my decision.
I know what the winter roads are like in Ontario, grew up there.
That is definitely high praise for the T2's.
Thinking time!!!!!!!!!


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[FastWhite]

Oops, the beginning is a quote from normancw. Don't know what I did.
Damn old man, lol, need to take 20 years off.


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[leicaboss]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I had on a set of swift BRZ spec spring @ about 25mm lower and 3.8k front and 4.5k rear springs. I also cut off the first notch of the bumpstop (the softest lower portion) when I did the install. I was experiencing some pushing at corner entries, but it was not at all abrupt, so I attributed that to the upped spring rates at the time. I though I could have dialed it out with minor alignment adjust, but now I'm not so sure.

I've since reverted back to stock springs and superglued the soft notch of the bumpstops back on upon reinstall. Lmao! I hope the glue holds decently. Lol

I have the Swift BRZ's too but haven't installed them yet. From your experience, would you/could you leave the bumpstops as is? Also, how did overall handling and comfort change from your stock suspension? I think I can tolerate some extra stiffness, but not if the springs aren't going to give at all haha!

Any other tips would be so appreciated.

[Turkish]

First off, I know very little when it comes to differences between manufacturers and between models of suspension parts. That said, I'm looking at sub $1k suspension setups for autocross, which I have recently begun participating in. The suspensions I have been looking at very closely are the ST coilovers by KW (the only coilover system I have been looking at) or using RCE Tarmac springs with koni yellows, bilstein b6, or bilstein b8 shocks. However I do not know enough about the individual products/manufacturers to really make an educated purchase. I just know that they are all products that other forum users seem to stand behind. I just want to be able to decide which will be the best for me. I definitely *think* that the spring rates in the Tarmacs are what I am looking for. Thanks in advance!

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by leicaboss

I have the Swift BRZ's too but haven't installed them yet. From your experience, would you/could you leave the bumpstops as is? Also, how did overall handling and comfort change from your stock suspension? I think I can tolerate some extra stiffness, but not if the springs aren't going to give at all haha!

Any other tips would be so appreciated.

I'd definitely cut them, otherwise you will be riding on the bumpstops at static ride height. Unless you want the extra rate from riding on both bumpstop and springs. Not sure how that would come out. I was very satisfied with the Swifts. Only removed them 'because stock class'.

Here's my review thread I posted a while back:http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44935

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Turkish

First off, I know very little when it comes to differences between manufacturers and between models of suspension parts. That said, I'm looking at sub $1k suspension setups for autocross, which I have recently begun participating in. The suspensions I have been looking at very closely are the ST coilovers by KW (the only coilover system I have been looking at) or using RCE Tarmac springs with koni yellows, bilstein b6, or bilstein b8 shocks. However I do not know enough about the individual products/manufacturers to really make an educated purchase. I just know that they are all products that other forum users seem to stand behind. I just want to be able to decide which will be the best for me. I definitely *think* that the spring rates in the Tarmacs are what I am looking for. Thanks in advance!

What are you looking for in your suspension? Any auto-x or track time? What kind and what size tires do you run?

- Andy

[Turkish]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

What are you looking for in your suspension? Any auto-x or track time? What kind and what size tires do you run?

- Andy

I have begun autocrossing the car. Currently I'm on oem wheels/tires, but I plan to use 17x8" wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sports either 225/45 or 235/45 (speedo adjusted for increased overall diameter). The car is also my DD and I cannot currently afford two sets of wheels/tires. Further along my mod path will possibly be stiffer sway bars and/or strut tower bars. I want to tighten up the suspension, particularly body roll while cornering, but I would like to simultaneously keep a close to balance of under/oversteer but have the flexibility to experiment.

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[Racecomp Engineering]

Under $1k, I think you've narrowed it down to the best options so you're off to a good start.

I think the Tarmac springs with Konis or Bilstein Sport would perform better than the ST's...you get higher spring rates, firmer valving, and with the Konis you get adjustability. The Bilstein HD I'd probably skip for your uses.

The ST's have the advantage of height adjustability so you can go a little lower if that's your thing. Corner balancing is nice but not a thing you NEED to do.

I'm more of a Bilstein than Koni guy myself but I haven't had a chance to try the Bilstein Sports. In general both are excellent...it's kind of a do you prefer blondes or brunettes deal. Both German, firm where they need to be and supple elsewhere, I wouldn't turn either one down...yes I'm talking about the shocks. One is adjustable but twintube (Koni), one is monotube with good gas pressure but non-adjustable (Bilstein). Even though I prefer brunettes, I mean Bilsteins, I have Konis on my car and I'm happy with them.

ST has a similar feel to Koni in terms of valving...it's a twin-tube from a German company that traces it's history back to Koni. But they're a little softer and non-adjustable. (I don't necessarily demand adjustability, it's just nice sometimes).

Koni has their big March sale going on now, so it could be a good time to go for it.

There are a bunch of people, mostly autocrossers, very happy with the Koni + RCE Tarmac spring set-up. Successful regionally, but for a national level car you'd want something a lot stiffer (and a bit more money). But if you're just getting into modding and autocrossing I think it's a great combo to learn on. Still good ride quality, fast, fun, nothing to really screw up. It's a good step into the suspension modification world.

Also, don't bother with strut bars for now. One, I'm not sure they're legal for STX, and two, on a limited budget there are better ways to spend the money.

- Andy

[Turkish]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Under $1k, I think you've narrowed it down to the best options so you're off to a good start.

I think the Tarmac springs with Konis or Bilstein Sport would perform better than the ST's...you get higher spring rates, firmer valving, and with the Konis you get adjustability. The Bilstein HD I'd probably skip for your uses.

The ST's have the advantage of height adjustability so you can go a little lower if that's your thing. Corner balancing is nice but not a thing you NEED to do.

I'm more of a Bilstein than Koni guy myself but I haven't had a chance to try the Bilstein Sports. In general both are excellent...it's kind of a do you prefer blondes or brunettes deal. Both German, firm where they need to be and supple elsewhere, I wouldn't turn either one down...yes I'm talking about the shocks. One is adjustable but twintube (Koni), one is monotube with good gas pressure but non-adjustable (Bilstein). Even though I prefer brunettes, I mean Bilsteins, I have Konis on my car and I'm happy with them.

ST has a similar feel to Koni in terms of valving...it's a twin-tube from a German company that traces it's history back to Koni. But they're a little softer and non-adjustable. (I don't necessarily demand adjustability, it's just nice sometimes).

Koni has their big March sale going on now, so it could be a good time to go for it.

There are a bunch of people, mostly autocrossers, very happy with the Koni + RCE Tarmac spring set-up. Successful regionally, but for a national level car you'd want something a lot stiffer (and a bit more money). But if you're just getting into modding and autocrossing I think it's a great combo to learn on. Still good ride quality, fast, fun, nothing to really screw up. It's a good step into the suspension modification world.

Also, don't bother with strut bars for now. One, I'm not sure they're legal for STX, and two, on a limited budget there are better ways to spend the money.

- Andy

That is exactly the information I was looking for! Strut bars are definitely lower on my totem pole at the moment. It is good to know that at least a front strut bar that only connects at the struts without a MCB is STX legal. MCBs are illegal for STX as well as modifying or replacing the factory power braces. I am not really sure about rear strut tower braces, like I said those are low on my totem pole right now.

[7thgear]

been watching a bunch of those old videos

how come it seeeeeems that the old cars were much much much more comfortable than the crap we've got now.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by normancw

@Racecomp Engineering
In the instructions that came with the RCE Tarmac 2s, the min and max range of "Measurement A" in the adjustment table is empty.

Do you know what the range should be for the FR-S front and rear?

Here's an excerpt from a KW V3 installation manual for a WRX showing 130-160mm range for the front and 115-145mm range for the rear for "Measurement A":



Is this the same for the FR-S / BRZ?

Thanks!

Hmmm...off the top of my head I'm not sure. I'm home sick at the moment, but Myles can probably steer you right.

- Andy

[7thgear]

neat little article

http://www.racing-car-technology.com.au/wgttransex.htm

[Kostamojen]

First time driving on the freeway after installing Racecomp Yellows and my new wheels/tires (similar sizing to the Racecomp BRZ with the BBS's) and my steering feels very loose when cruising at speed...

Any idea what caused this?