Best Coilovers?

[Supermassive]

Originally Posted by gmookher

it costs more to go KW3 over GC, and for my needs, I felt the GC kit added the camber plates and strut bar for just a little over what the KW3 cost

I have yet to do a A vs B comparison but that needs two of us at the track same day. I wish I had my car...taking the other ones to track today

The GC setup is ok, those camber plates are a little on the ridiculous side but if that's your cup of tea then it's fine. I am going with Password JDM for my strutbars/chassis bracing so GC top plates were out of the question. As for the actual coilovers the KW's are in my humble opinion a better product with better adjustment potential. Plus I got a damn good deal so it was not even a real choice. I would let you drive my car but until i can get to a track and push it my suspension is set up pretty generically, but I will say this, with just the stock sway bars there is absolutely no body roll, almost no squat on acceleration, and just a smidge of dive when you slam the brakes. Once I get my rear camber in line this thing will be on rails, right now the rear still feels a little vague but I'm attributing that to the camber.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by jamal

I like koni and gc but would take a double adjustable kw over them any day. JRZs are more even for the new single-adjustable RS1. Usually the low-end JRZ is the double adjustable RS, then there's the RS pro (also DA), and then the race stuff available in 2- 3- or 4-way which starts at about $8k.

Eibach, HR, and Bilstein all have great stuff too, but no one that I know of is really working with them with the platform and developing the dampers and coming out with their own stuff. With KW you have RCE and Robi both doing their own versions, taking the stuff out to the track and driving it around. Same goes with AST and JRZ. The others seem to just be making stuff that fits, picking a damping curve, and calling it good enough. I could be mistaken but until I see some evidence to the contrary I will stick with the KW recommendation especially for this thread. As far as koni goes, KW actually used to use their parts and some of the top damper mfgs got their start there. But to be honest their applications tend to be pretty generic these days.

200 bucks to make the Koni dbl adj.

I like kw but honestly feel the v1-3 are more of a street setup ots. The Clubsports are much better.

They are the best street one in this list which was my point to whoever I replied to initially.

[Supermassive]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

200 bucks to make the Koni dbl adj.

I like kw but honestly feel the v1-3 are more of a street setup ots. The Clubsports are much better.

They are the best street one in this list which was my point to whoever I replied to initially.

See this is kind of a moot point, if you can only afford KW's and going beyond that price point is not an option, then looking for a track oriented setup is silly. There really isnt much available for this car that is remotely close to track level stuff. The Ohlins offering is close but I believe Penske will be the first true track oriented coilover. As for the V3s being too lightly sprung and valved too softly...have you driven an FRS with the V3s mounted and setup. Im currently running a moderate street setup and the car pretty much feels perfect for street use. I still have a ton of both compression and rebound adjustment and when dialed to max settings feels like the suspension is a fixed unit.

I guess if a rigid suspension is too soft for you then I dont know what solution would be available. Springs are easy to replace so finding a perfect balance with KWs should be pretty simple. I guess that from my perspective I am biased since I own KW, but when I bought mine there wasnt much of a choice if you wanted a decent setup. My other thing is when you say track are you talking actual race tracks or AutoX, because in my experience AutoX requires a stiffer suspension than actual race tracks due to lower speeds, tighter turns and typically more even surface. When you say track I think of Infineon or Laguna Seca and when tuning suspension for tracks like those you dont want your suspension too stiff because the car can be upset easier in turns at speed...so maybe there needs to be a little clarification on that

[EarlQHan]

Originally Posted by Supermassive

See this is kind of a moot point, if you can only afford KW's and going beyond that price point is not an option, then looking for a track oriented setup is silly. There really isnt much available for this car that is remotely close to track level stuff. The Ohlins offering is close but I believe Penske will be the first true track oriented coilover. As for the V3s being too lightly sprung and valved too softly...have you driven an FRS with the V3s mounted and setup. Im currently running a moderate street setup and the car pretty much feels perfect for street use. I still have a ton of both compression and rebound adjustment and when dialed to max settings feels like the suspension is a fixed unit.

I spoke with a Penske rep at IMIS the other day and they're building a double adjustable damper using the 7500 series, but can make them four way adjustable. I don't think it's a "true" track oriented damper because they told me they're not doing the research for spring rates, that is up to the end consumer. So you have to know what spring rates you want, and they'll match the valving to that. AFAIK there's no OTS rate.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Supermassive

See this is kind of a moot point, if you can only afford KW's and going beyond that price point is not an option, then looking for a track oriented setup is silly. There really isnt much available for this car that is remotely close to track level stuff. The Ohlins offering is close but I believe Penske will be the first true track oriented coilover. As for the V3s being too lightly sprung and valved too softly...have you driven an FRS with the V3s mounted and setup. Im currently running a moderate street setup and the car pretty much feels perfect for street use. I still have a ton of both compression and rebound adjustment and when dialed to max settings feels like the suspension is a fixed unit.

This is moot for the OP, who only cares about street use. We've gone OT.

I agree that there aren't any high end track setups yet, although you can make anything work if you want to run high end setups. Custom control arms to fit them aren't that difficult if you are willing to go that far.

I have not driven V3s on a FRS/BRZ, I have driven them on many other vehicles so I don't suspect their normal MO has changed for this chassis specifically. They are one of my favorite setups for a car that sees street use, which was my point in the reply that started this OT tangent.

I try to get my dampers valved for the rates I'm running, then get them adjusted/setup for those rates and then fine tune them based on vehicle behavior. I'm not a believer in the "turn to full stiff" method as it prevents the suspension from working as designed (unless of course your rates are high enough to require that, but then you should revalve anyways) - you are preventing the springs from doing their job. That probably works fine on a smooth track, on Sebring it results in a loss of traction in multiple turns and slower lap times. :shrug: I used to run stiffer rates and damper settings on Sebring club course compared to full because you avoided turns 1 and 17 with Club course, the same setup on full was unpredictable and slower than softer settings.

Penske.. :love:

Oh and I was talking about track use, not autocross. IMO the setups are very different, you can use the same setup for both but it's not optimal if you are chasing tenths IMO.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Supermassive

See this is kind of a moot point, if you can only afford KW's and going beyond that price point is not an option, then looking for a track oriented setup is silly. There really isnt much available for this car that is remotely close to track level stuff. The Ohlins offering is close but I believe Penske will be the first true track oriented coilover. As for the V3s being too lightly sprung and valved too softly...have you driven an FRS with the V3s mounted and setup. Im currently running a moderate street setup and the car pretty much feels perfect for street use. I still have a ton of both compression and rebound adjustment and when dialed to max settings feels like the suspension is a fixed unit.

I guess if a rigid suspension is too soft for you then I dont know what solution would be available. Springs are easy to replace so finding a perfect balance with KWs should be pretty simple. I guess that from my perspective I am biased since I own KW, but when I bought mine there wasnt much of a choice if you wanted a decent setup. My other thing is when you say track are you talking actual race tracks or AutoX, because in my experience AutoX requires a stiffer suspension than actual race tracks due to lower speeds, tighter turns and typically more even surface. When you say track I think of Infineon or Laguna Seca and when tuning suspension for tracks like those you dont want your suspension too stiff because the car can be upset easier in turns at speed...so maybe there needs to be a little clarification on that

We are working with Tein for a track product that'll be affordable to those that are serious about maximizing value for the amount they're spending. We were at a test and tune day at Buttonwillow all day yesterday, trying different combinations of springs and damper settings to be able to provide the serious performance guys with both a setup that works, and a recommended setting so that they can just jump straight onto the track instead of having to try to figure everything out on their own.

Stiffer springs doesn't mean the car is easier to upset. The car is easier to upset because the damping is likely not matched to those stiffer springs. Suspension is all about finding the proper balance to maximize tire contact with the ground, no matter what the surface. Unbalancing the system by changing the spring or shock, or even shock settings on adjustable ones, will result in less grip. While ride is subjective, grip is not. You can have a car that rides well with no grip (think Lexus LS), and a car that grips well with terrible ride (go kart). Our goal here, is to maximize grip, but still maintain an acceptable ride.

We also set the track record for any FRS/BRZ that isn't turbocharged/supercharged in the process, with 225 street tires on the car.

For those that don't know, Buttonwillow is a/the track that is used for virtually all major time attack events (Super Lap Battle, Global Time Attack, Redline Time Attack, NASA TT, etc.)

We'll keep you guys posted as product development continues.

[VADER]

Back to topic please, I need opinions on what coilover set up would be best for street use. Not using it on the track at all. Never going to track it, so I'm only interested in a set of coilovers that won't harshen the ride much. I want a "flush" look with no tire rub. Something of quality, not cheap shiz.. haha Might keep it on a set of 17's or might move it up to 18's not sure. Nothing hitting the $3k price range. I can do many more things with that type of money.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by VADER

Back to topic please, I need opinions on what coilover set up would be best for street use. Not using it on the track at all. Never going to track it, so I'm only interested in a set of coilovers that won't harshen the ride much. I want a "flush" look with no tire rub. Something of quality, not cheap shiz.. haha Might keep it on a set of 17's or might move it up to 18's not sure. Nothing hitting the $3k price range. I can do many more things with that type of money.

For the flush look with a good ride I'd get KW V3s. Tons of travel and good valving. Its important to set them up well and it takes a little more thought since they're double adjustable for damping. So it's important to get them from a vendor who knows what they're doing. Just saying.

- andrew

[robispec]

Dd adds to kw's advantage. I have a 5 year old set that I did a clean, new oil and new seals. Dynoed within 3% added new springs and they now not only performe as when new, the look like new too.
Think of V3's as a street suspension that doesn't embaress you at the track. And club sports as a track day suspension that doesn't beat you to death on the street.
Robi

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by robispec

Dd adds to kw's advantage. I have a 5 year old set that I did a clean, new oil and new seals. Dynoed within 3% added new springs and they now not only performe as when new, the look like new too.
Think of V3's as a street suspension that doesn't embaress you at the track. And club sports as a track day suspension that doesn't beat you to death on the street.
Robi

^^ this I agree with 100%

[track_warrior]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

^^ this I agree with 100%

X2!!

[Miniata]

Based on my experience with several different coilover brnads over the years on various cars (KW, AST, Koni/GC, cheap ebay crap) I'd echo the recommendations of the KWs for an ideal high quality street coilover that won't break the bank. The V2's I had a few years back were great on the street.

[CSG Mike]

You're going to be at the maximum drop a KW V3 can offer. They're hard to beat for the price though. Keep the damping settings lower for a smoother ride, but handling will be a bit sloppy. You can always change the settings when you're going for a spirited drive

[Snoopyalien24]

Going WAAY off here, but, anyone prefer lowering spings over coilovers, especially since some might never track it?

Opinions? Advice?