Cusco or KW coilovers?

[Sam Strano]

I also sell (and I'm using) the Whiteline upper mounts.... you could call Strano Performance Parts too....

I really can't dish on what I'm doing with rates (and why) publicly. Everytime I do I end up doing the work for other shops. Now I'm not one to hide what I do and why from folks who are already customers, but I understand I can't expect you to be a customer if I'm if not talking at all. There is a happy medium. But I can't just tell the world at large. Hate to be that guy, but years of seeing my ideas swiped and copied has led me to that point.

I will say that I think the rates in the box aren't too bad as a start. But there are a lot of factors in what we do with them and why. Not all cars will run the same rates either depending on setup differences as well as use differences.

[Jedi1]

Good to see you in here Sam. REALLY good to see you with an FRS. Switched from the HS Mini to an FRS two weeks ago and I'm pretty much set on an ST build, although RTR might be fun with this car. Knowing you are playing with an FRS just made the decision regarding where to buy the parts to make it competitive very easy!

[VersionUp]

Never had a problem with TEIN Adjustable Pillow mounts in the past, and florida roads aren't perfect either. I'm still waiting on some feedbacks on the KW V3. And mr.Strano I second that request for spring rates.

On the side note, this Tanabe application seems to be street use friendly.


But I'll still wait a bit and use the FR-S community as lab rats, <3.

[ultra]

Originally Posted by Sam Strano

I also sell (and I'm using) the Whiteline upper mounts.... you could call Strano Performance Parts too....

I really can't dish on what I'm doing with rates (and why) publicly. Everytime I do I end up doing the work for other shops. Now I'm not one to hide what I do and why from folks who are already customers, but I understand I can't expect you to be a customer if I'm if not talking at all. There is a happy medium. But I can't just tell the world at large. Hate to be that guy, but years of seeing my ideas swiped and copied has led me to that point.

I will say that I think the rates in the box aren't too bad as a start. But there are a lot of factors in what we do with them and why. Not all cars will run the same rates either depending on setup differences as well as use differences.

Let us know when you're done with the R&D and ready to sell some packages

[Matt Andrews]

I can't speak to Cusco, because I have never used them. But I have driven/set up/ installed KW on many cars. They are well respected in the industry by impartial folks who know what they are talking about. The spring rates are likely softer than the JDM options, but that does not mean they aren't as "aggressive" or "fast". They have some of the best valving in the industry. My time attack miata ran KWs for a while with softer spring rates than spec miatas and was significantly faster. To me, they are one of the best options for street/track applications. Go search for them on www.motoiq.com for more technical info.

The other option to consider is AST. I confirmed with them earlier this week that my set is currently being built in Holland and will be here in a couple weeks. Their new 4150 series incorporates brand new updates to valving and technology. The FR-S/BR-S system will be the first platform with these updates. looking forward to getting them.

[Racecomp Engineering]

We are working with KW on our custom valved and custom sprung RCE Tarmac 2 coilovers for this chassis. They're based on KW V3s but a little more track oriented (though still very streetable). The 2008 SCCA STU National championship car was running our RCE T2s for Impreza, so it's a capable system we're eager to build for the BRZ/FRS. It's not a quick process that we're rushing through, but the extra time to get valving and spring rates down is something we are happy to do.

Standard KWs are very, very good, which is why we chose them as a starting point for our customized sets. Working with KW to turn things up a notch for our more hardcore customers just gets us something a little more capable on the track with our T2s. We also generally offer a softer version that's a little more street friendly.

By no means do we insist that they are the "best" for all users and that is why we continue to offer other great options like AST, Ohlins, Bilstein, JRZ, etc. We like to try things out before we sell them so we can best match people with a system that's right for them. That means that we aren't really offering coilovers just yet, but fairly soon we'll have a wide variety that we have hands on experience with.

Cusco make fine quality coilovers that we used to offer early on in our history, but we've moved in a different direction for a variety of reasons.

- Andrew

[VersionUp]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

By no means do we insist that they are the "best" for all users and that is why we continue to offer other great options like AST, Ohlins, Bilstein, JRZ, etc. We like to try things out before we sell them so we can best match people with a system that's right for them. That means that we aren't really offering coilovers just yet, but fairly soon we'll have a wide variety that we have hands on experience with.

Cusco make fine quality coilovers that we used to offer early on in our history, but we've moved in a different direction for a variety of reasons.

- Andrew

I had the best experience with the inverted struts on my Evo V so I'm wondering if you know that if there will be an offering of an inverted struts for the FR-S?

[xwd]

Originally Posted by VersionUp

Never had a problem with TEIN Adjustable Pillow mounts in the past, and florida roads aren't perfect either. I'm still waiting on some feedbacks on the KW V3. And mr.Strano I second that request for spring rates.

On the side note, this Tanabe application seems to be street use friendly.

But I'll still wait a bit and use the FR-S community as lab rats, <3.

I had a bad experience with Tanabe in the past, I still have a set of WRX Sustec Pro RRs sitting on my shelf with one of them blown. That was 5 years ago, at the time there was basically no recourse for me to get it rebuilt, Tanabe USA didn't want anything to do with it and contacting someone in Japan was impossible.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by VersionUp

I had the best experience with the inverted struts on my Evo V so I'm wondering if you know that if there will be an offering of an inverted struts for the FR-S?

Bilstein and Ohlins will have inverted front struts for their coilovers. It's a good feature, but IMO not a "must have" since many top coilovers do not run inverted struts.

- Andrew

[uspspro]

This is killing me....

Coilovers or RCE springs (and upgrade the dampers later)?

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Bilstein and Ohlins will have inverted front struts for their coilovers. It's a good feature, but IMO not a "must have" since many top coilovers do not run inverted struts.

- Andrew

Is there any word on if/when Bilstein is coming out with some products? That's what i'm waiting for.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Hanakuso

Is there any word on if/when Bilstein is coming out with some products? That's what i'm waiting for.

Yes, no ETA though. There usually not the quickest to come out with stuff, but we've been talking with them.

- Andrew

[BR33Z3]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Yes, no ETA though. There usually not the quickest to come out with stuff, but we've been talking with them.

- Andrew

In your experience how do the Bilsteins compare to KW v3's? Just for street/daily use mainly.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Both very good with proper spring rates.

The Bilsteins are "easier" in that they have only 1 knob to play with, which some prefer for easier set-up and adjustment. KW V3 more "flexible" with separate compression and rebound adjustment knobs, which others prefer because you can dial them in a little more to your liking (if you're up to it). Big bumps are handled reeeally well with Bilsteins, whereas smaller imperfections are handled a little nicer with KW's. These are big generalizations and it depends on application. In the end both are very good for street and DD use.

- Andrew