DSG FA LTD Edition Edition Coilovers - Initial Review

[F1fletch]

Hi Guys and Gals


Just wanted to post up my review of the DSG Limited Edition Fortune Auto Coilovers. The specs can be found here:
http://www.dsgperformance.com/DSG-Ed...overs-BRZ-FR-S


First off I wanted to say that Jason was a pleasure to deal with and the product came as scheduled with double box packaging. I apologize for the lack of packaging pics but suffices to say it was VERY SAFELY packed and shipped. You get a build slip and shock dyno chart signed by the FA Tech who assembled them which was nice to see. The quality of the coilovers was simply top notch. The pictures don't do justice, they truly look like class all the way.


Packaging - Grade A


Near bulletproof!


Initial Quality - Grade A


So far I am nothing but impressed with looks and build quality appears top notch.


Install- Grade A


The installation (thanks again Mike at McCoy Tire Modesto) went quite smoothly with easy height adjustments made and a 30 minute drive around/initial settle in before alignment. Make sure and snug the collars just to be sure...the pre-tension was already set but make sure you get all the collars tight to avoid unwanted noise. After the drive around and sushi lunch I headed back to the shop so Aaron could get my alignment done up. The ride height was pretty much spot on where I wanted with only .25 lowered from previous at the most (previous setup swift springs and stock struts -1"). It is currently within 1/8" side to side and front to back at approx. 25" from ground to top center fender. Any lower would certainly be asking for more general scrapes and risks, it sits nice without being slammed. Although the rear camber was pretty far off side to side (rear arms needed at some point (2.1 to 2.9 ish) the front came in nicely at 1.4/1.5 Neg. The rear adjusters are convenient but make it a bit harder to "feel" the clicks.


Driving Impressions (First 100 Miles)


Grade - A-


So far I am happy, the noise is a bit more as expected on rough roads (road noise) with the solid tops. The suspension noise is very minimal. In fact several times I have been driving and the suspension simply becomes transparent and disappears beneath the car. That is the highest compliment I can pay...... at times it simply feels sublime, planted and doesn't get out of sorts when hitting bumps around corners. The stock suspension would get unsettled at times...this is a noticeable improvement. 6k and 7k spring rates don't exactly scream take me to the track but for me it hits the sweet spot for a daily driver (has anyone here actually driven the Altamont Pass lately.....nuff said).


Overall I am highly impressed, from vendor to sale to shipping and install it has impressed me and for $1700 price point I would really be hard pressed to find a reason to spend over 3k for the next step up to Ohlins and the like. The upgrades you get with these are genuine and well worth it. One of the best upgrades I have done...Thanks DSG!!!


....now for the next set of brake pads to try.....lol

[Jason@DSG]

Thank you for doing such a through review!! It's rare someone takes the time to write something as in depth.

You were a pleasure to deal with and I couldn't be happier you have these on your car keep us updated on here, and the car looks fantastic

Cheers bud,
Jason

[redlined600]

Are these really compression damping adjustable? According to the dyno in the following thread.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75537

Can you speak to why you choose compression damping adjustable rather than rebound damping adjustable?

[Bergen23]

Opted for different spring rates? I'm quite happy with the 9k/9k on mine. I can't say enough good things about my set, except I wish they went a bit lower in the rear.

[wparsons]

^^ Stock sways? How's the balance of the car with square rates, I imagine it would be pretty understeery?

[Jason@DSG]

Originally Posted by wparsons

^^ Stock sways? How's the balance of the car with square rates, I imagine it would be pretty understeery?

There's different ways of going about it. Typically you adjust the springs first, then using sways to dial in driving preference but you can also go square and use the sways to dial in over/under. Other than extreme high performance, finicky cars both setups work more or less the same for occasional track people.

Personally, I prefer running what the OP ran with a 1k difference between the 2 springs and add even sway setting. To each their own, setup is really based on driving style. If it's DD for street, a spring rate of 7/8 or 6/7 seems to be just fine.

With the DSG Editions, DD was what we had in mind for the most part anyway, but still aggressive enough for the track. If you do plan on tracking relatively often during the season but still DD, 9k square is a good choice

[wparsons]

I was just wondering if he's running a stiffer rear sway bar to bring it back more neutral or not. I find mine is a bit understeery with stiffer rear (swift sport springs, FRS rates) and couldn't image square rates on it.

[F1fletch]

Last night on the drive to Livermore (Altamont Pass Rd) I added a couple clicks to the front just to balance the handling. Honestly 2-3 clicks more in the front compared to the rear and I am dead neutral...the front is PLANTED. I am back to almost full soft now (because Altamont), but I can adjust the damping to give me what I need. Along with a slight pressure adjust in the tires I cannot see every wanting to put bigger sway bars on. This will never be a dedicated track car so neutral and a long term livability is my way to go. I would rather forget I have coilovers most of the time as I am driving the daily grind, then be reminded again and again why I didn't stick with a good strut spring combo...

[Bergen23]

Originally Posted by wparsons

^^ Stock sways? How's the balance of the car with square rates, I imagine it would be pretty understeery?

Stock sways, don't find any more understeer than either the stock spring rate or the 8k/10k on my previous coils. But then again, haven't driven them too hard since I use my car for mostly "DD" (AKA, my car is for fun when I'm home for 3 days of the month) purposes. What I have noticed is that it's a very, very nice ride.

[Jason@DSG]

Originally Posted by Bergen23

Stock sways, don't find any more understeer than either the stock spring rate or the 8k/10k on my previous coils. But then again, haven't driven them too hard since I use my car for mostly "DD" (AKA, my car is for fun when I'm home for 3 days of the month) purposes. What I have noticed is that it's a very, very nice ride.

It all boils down to drive preference anyway. Unless you're tracking, the spring rates we do for the standard FA (slightly softer than the DSG Edition) or the stiffer DSG Edition ones suit pretty much all DD/occasional track use setups

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by wparsons

I was just wondering if he's running a stiffer rear sway bar to bring it back more neutral or not. I find mine is a bit understeery with stiffer rear (swift sport springs, FRS rates) and couldn't image square rates on it.

There's more going on than just spring rates. Travel and bumpstops for one...

- Andy