Coilovers

[HillCountryGuru]

Hey everyone, I have done some poking around on the forums and got some ideas on what I should think about in the way of coilovers. I would like to get a second opinion from you guys.. What would you recommend for a DD that will be occasionally tracked, AC'ed.. Budget is 2000..

[Beyer Subaru]

2000 is gonna buy you pretty much any coilovers out there. I'd reccomend a chat with @Racecomp Engineering. Personally I'd go with KW's or Fortune Auto's for the money.

[HillCountryGuru]

Yeah I have been looking and right now I am really leaning toward the KW V3s.. Anyone know a good dealer?

[Huehuecoyotl]

for a DD? You sure they wont be too stiff? I considered them against the GC Race stuff. IMHO they may be more than what a DD 'needs'. Most folks like them tho.

[deedz]

I'd recommend the KW's as well, cant go wrong with them on or off the track!

[HillCountryGuru]

kw v3's has been bought.. thanks for the input!

[Beyer Subaru]

Originally Posted by HillCountryGuru

kw v3's has been bought.. thanks for the input!

Whoah! That was easy. I also forgot to mention that you should import a smokin hot russian bride. And have her be one of the new official ft86club cover models.

[HillCountryGuru]

Well your input made me further my research. I was already leaning between the v3 and tanabe, buddy club ones.. Week of waiting =(

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[deedz]

You'll like em Forsure

[armythug]

I'm leaning towards AST with Swift springs. I have heard nothing but good things about the 4150s. But for what you want to do OP, you can't go wrong with the KWs.

[Beyer Subaru]

Originally Posted by HillCountryGuru

Well your input made me further my research. I was already leaning between the v3 and tanabe, buddy club ones.. Week of waiting =(

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Yep, I'd take the KW's over the Tanabe and Buddy Club versions any day of the week. I think you've made a good decision. Were you able to talk with Myles or any of the guys over @Racecomp Engineering?

They are really good people and very helpful. They are my go-to guys for any suspension faq's or in-faq's.

[HillCountryGuru]

I will be sending them a message soon with a few suspension questions. Thanks for all of the help finding dem coilovers.

[Racecomp Engineering]

I will say this:

On my 2004 STI over a period of 4 years we ran:
STI coilovers(yep they made them)(made by KYB)
Ohlins fixed perch struts( we convinced Ohlins USA there wasa market here)
Ohlins coilovers
AST 3 ways
AST singles
WHITELINE Group-4( made by AST)
Bilstein PSS9
Moton CLubsports(we helped develop first application)
ZEAL(lets not talk about that)
Cusco Zero 2R(made by SHowa and probably the best JDM coilover)
RCE Tarmac II(based on KW Clubsport)

On my 2009 WRX I ran the following:

AST 4100's
RCE T2's(based on v3)
GTWORX/BILSTEINS 330lb RCE springs
JRZ RS(2 ways)

On my 2011 WRX we currently have:
GTWORX BILSTEINS
JRZ RS-1 coilovers


So far on my BRZ I have had:

stock shocks with yellows/protos and "other springs"
Prototype Tarmac II's
Prototype German made shocks that start with "B"(yep)
JRZ RS-1 coilovers
Testing soon: Ohlins and NITRON.


I say ALLLL of that to say this:

Shocks are like women. Each one does certain things VERY well. Some look good and perform well, some look like nothing special and yet outperform the best looking time after time. Some will do all things very good and dont complain and let you hang out with the guys.

You have to find the shock that works for you.

On a serios note,..each of these has a purpose and strength. Some are great for the track and some do better on the street. Some offer good warranty and above average performance and awesome resale.

In most cases its hard to compare apples to apples. So I'll be the first to admit the selection process isnt easy.

Then MOST pockets influence our decision and thats a SUPER slippery slope.

We have worked with most of these manufactures and each has a different approach to DAMPING and CONTROLLING the chassis. THATS the part most have the difficulty with because most people dont know what actually feels good and works in the chosen situation.

I am older now and I know for a FACT that I like something more forgiving NOW than I did 10 years ago. I can put on the racer hat and take a car through its paces and set it up. But that wont be my street choice, never. Even a car like a GT3 has its short comings in the damper department either a hair too hard on the street or a hair too soft on the track compared to a dedicated damper (or setting) for either extreme.

With that said....you have to know what you realistically want/need and most.....dont know that. Most seemingly from what I have read over the last 14 years on the forums......just want improved feel,lower stance and able to daily drive and track once a month.

Some are better for Autocross( out of the box) than for Road Race/track days.

The mid level dampers do most of this well with smart spring rate selection.

So you commit to a good shock( AST, BILSTEIN, JRZ, KW, KONI, OHLINS ) that you can afford to replace if you hit a curb or that cost the SAME as your power budget(yeah I went there) and learn how to set up your car.

Thats my .02 cents worth.

PS: there was no "data" in this post !

Myles

[HillCountryGuru]

Appreciate the input. Went with kw..

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