http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html Says alot of JDM coilovers are crap, such as JIC and Tien. I can believe it, was never happy with my JIC's. Also says Koni's are by far the best budget shock you can buy. Just fyi..
Konis are great. Selling my Konis before installing them has been my biggest mistake with this car. Only problem is that they're not good for guys on a budget, as a good Koni setup with aftermarket springs and camber plates costs as much as most entry level coilovers. Which will perform better on a racetrack, I dont know, the Koni suspension will be more streetable but wont have near the adjustment of a true coilover.
Just an fyi, been doing the subaru thing for quite some time now...i have driven numerous set-ups on the tracks and auto-x's. My current car is set-up with the koni/gc/pillow top-hat combo, and it is by far a superior set-up to any other spring/shock combo or coilover that I have ever driven on as far as all round performer is concerned. Never driven on the real big dog coilovers though, just more entry/mid level. Granted i could stand for my set up to be a bit stiffer for track duties, but im only running 300lb springs in the front and 350lb springs in the rear, that translates into around a 5k spring rate. The JIC's i had had relatively mild springs with 8k and 6k springs, but they would beat you to death with their track spec valving. Was great when you were actually on the track, but my STI was my DD as well...so the ride did get annoying. After my personal experiences, if i were choosing a suspension for my DD subaru, i would not even remotely consider buying any of the entry/mid level coilover's over the Koni/gc set-up unless your less technically inclined and value purchasing a set-up that is ready to bolt-in. What adjustments are you refering to? If you talking valving, well it seems based on this guys finding that "18 way" adjustable valving on a slick set of new coilovers can vary easily mean absolutely nothing. If you are looking to slam your car, which anyone who is looking for true performance out of a set of coilovers wouldnt do, then yes a double height adjustable coilover might be a better option.
Well a lot of people like to lower the center of gravity and use balljoint kits to put you back into the correct geometry. I've talk to a lot of very knowledgeable ppl and that's the concensus on how to do it. I really wish I could do a koni setup and lower my car the way it is now without losing the strut travel. That's the only reason why i have the coilovers
LOL DG's list again.....there is some good info but I wouldn't take as the end all be all list. Kornhaus's Teins felt way better than alot of things I've driven on and DG also left Motons off the list. Compairing a friends s2000 with konis to mine with custom valved penskes there is no comparison.... but for the money konis are definately decent.
Yeah i didnt know his list was so controversial(sp?). He left off the list what he was not able test. Anyways, everyone needs to remember he calls them crap based on his criteria. One needs to define what makes a good shock for themselves based on their own criteria. If the criteria's match up, his list might be worth taking seriously. There are some comments by DG in my thread on nasioc. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1451083
I have a set of AST 4100's on the way. 450 front/350 rear. Hopefully I can put them on this weekend. :sx:Then on the 20th of February I will be able to give a track review/opinion. Also have to drive there so I can give a review/opinion for highway driving (for 5 and a half hours:squint Granted I will also be putting on a front swaybar from Whiteline and also strut tower bars F/R from Whiteline this weekend so it's really a combination of the set. Edit: hmm Should have read the material first. I think I posted this in the wrong spot. :dunno:
i think bobb-o is reffering more to independent ride adjustment and the ability to corner balance. i could be wrong. What adjustments are you refering to? If you talking valving, well it seems based on this guys finding that "18 way" adjustable valving on a slick set of new coilovers can vary easily mean absolutely nothing. If you are looking to slam your car, which anyone who is looking for true performance out of a set of coilovers wouldnt do, then yes a double height adjustable coilover might be a better option.[/QUOTE]
Good luck with the ASTs, Vorshlag has been really trying to get them out there in the Subaru world. Apparently AST is staffed by Moton refugees ; we were going to pick up a set for the 328 but we found a set of used Motons we couldn't pass up.
I just meant height adjustability, compression, rebound, etc. You cant corner weight a Koni car unless you have GC sleeves. When are we installing those BCs?