AST 5300 Any good??

[Nigelr32]

Hi all,


Considering AST 5300 coilovers for my widebody project GT86, which is very track biased..


Simple question.. are they any good??

[cookiesowns]

Curious as well. Pricing on them don't see too bad. Very interested in seeing how they compare with the DDV setup vs a set of JRZ's RS Pros, or the KW Clubsport 3 ways.

[Nigelr32]

I've just sold my brand new DFV's to get something more track biased. I'll be running aero and around 500hp. FYI, the MI20 kit is no longer available from Ohlins, they reoplaced it with the MP20 kit which has no top mounts and softer springs.

[solidONE]

I'm not sure how many people would have experience with these particular model shocks for this car, but I've only read good things about the lower end 4150's. I wouldn't mind hearing some feedback about these "affordable" 3-way dampers. Subbed.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

Hi all,


Considering AST 5300 coilovers for my widebody project GT86, which is very track biased..


Simple question.. are they any good??

Simple answer...yeah probably.

I don't actually have first hand experience with the 3 ways, but plenty of experience with their singles and doubles. They're pretty good especially when custom valved or with their the double digressive piston.

I would still consider the KW 3 ways or our own custom version, the RCE Tarmac 3 Clubsports. All of the above are very good and I'd recommend choosing something that fits your budget (the KW/RCEs are a good bit less expensive) and something that you can get good support with after purchase. 3 ways aren't quite as straightforward to set up but have a ton of potential if you've got some patience and knowledge. Also helpful if the shocks are actually good...I've seen some crappy 3 ways honestly.

- Andrew

[DocWalt]

AST makes great stuff. I don't personally have any experience with them, but I know a few people that have and they're quite happy.

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

I've just sold my brand new DFV's to get something more track biased. I'll be running aero and around 500hp. FYI, the MI20 kit is no longer available from Ohlins, they reoplaced it with the MP20 kit which has no top mounts and softer springs.

Very much not true, at least in the US.

[Nigelr32]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

AST makes great stuff. I don't personally have any experience with them, but I know a few people that have and they're quite happy.



Very much not true, at least in the US.

I don't see why USA would be any different than the rest of the world?? Ohlins no longer list the MI20, and considering it's made in Japan and shipped to Sweden??


I just checked Ohlins USA, nothing came up for FRS or BRZ??

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

I don't see why USA would be any different than the rest of the world?? Ohlins no longer list the MI20, and considering it's made in Japan and shipped to Sweden??


I just checked Ohlins USA, nothing came up for FRS or BRZ??

No idea, mate. I just received an MI20 kit from Ohlins USA. Not listed on their site for some reason. The US spec MI20 kit is built here, AFAIK.

I'd personally never use the MP20 kit, it's much more of a street setup, and very biased towards understeer.

[ajc209]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

No idea, mate. I just received an MI20 kit from Ohlins USA. Not listed on their site for some reason. The US spec MI20 kit is built here, AFAIK.

I'd personally never use the MP20 kit, it's much more of a street setup, and very biased towards understeer.

The MI20 is understeer biased too! but that another kettle of fish.

I dont think there is a US spec MI20 kit DocWalt. If there is, the one we had in europe was developed at Ohlins nurburgring base in germany and was rigorously testing on the nurburgring as well as their shaker rig.

I ended up buying Nigels Kit as I have confirmation fro 3 different UK distributors the MI20 kit is discontinued. They wouldn't stop offering it in Europe if they were still making them for the US would they? Seems very coincidental that it has dissappeard from the US Ohlin website now

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by ajc209

The MI20 is understeer biased too! but that another kettle of fish.

I dont think there is a US spec MI20 kit DocWalt. If there is, the one we had in europe was developed at Ohlins nurburgring base in germany and was rigorously testing on the nurburgring as well as their shaker rig.

I ended up buying Nigels Kit as I have confirmation fro 3 different UK distributors the MI20 kit is discontinued. They wouldn't stop offering it in Europe if they were still making them for the US would they? Seems very coincidental that it has dissappeard from the US Ohlin website now

I understand that it's slightly biased towards understeer and I'll likely bump up the rear spring rate or add swaybars to tweak the balance.

I wouldn't call it a "US Spec" kit, just assembled in the US to the Ohlins European specs (not the Japanese specs).


I find it really weird that the MI20 kit would be discontinued, but who knows. Oh well

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by Nigelr32

Hi all,


Considering AST 5300 coilovers for my widebody project GT86, which is very track biased..


Simple question.. are they any good??

Any news out there ?

Did you choose AST?

I just found that AST is European based, so that give me an alternative to JRZ RS Pro.

Do someone know if the 5300 is better than the 5200, or is that just a marketing upgrade ?

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by MaximeT

Do someone know if the 5300 is better than the 5200, or is that just a marketing upgrade ?

Proviso: just my 2 cents.

I am suggesting that the 5300 are better than the 5200 if you can make proper use of them. If you can't then it's a marketing win.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Proviso: just my 2 cents.

I am suggesting that the 5300 are better than the 5200 if you can make proper use of them. If you can't then it's a marketing win.

Yes it's a good possibility, but maybe not.

If anything you'll have an extra set of knobs to play with in the high speed compression adjustments.

[MaximeT]

Some mid prices shocks are supposed to be useless as 3 way, because the oil flow might be too low.

I'm not worried about using one more knob