What to look for and WHY: Coilovers

Alstann · 12-02-2013, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

Great thread guys. We've been road racing and in the car enthusiasts scene since the late 90s. It pains us to see kid buying all the BC/Fortune/Etc cheap knockoffs. The shock dynos on any of the $1000 coilovers is so inconsistent and awful it is actually worse than driving on your OEM setup. Lower your car too much and you actually make handling worse because you lose upward travel.

Our breakdown over the years has come down to this:
Street/Show- Springs and Struts or BC/Fortune/Knockoff-o-rama
Entry level HPDE- KWs or Bilsteins
Top Level HPDE/Entry Level Race- AST
Club Racing- Moton
Beyond that- Penske

-Mike Paisan

Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Now we have an Online Catalog where you can purchase Parts! AZPParts.com
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I agree with this - to a point. I think for most normal drivers who desire to modify their car to a certain degree, lower-end coilovers are sufficient. Would you argue that the driver has more effect on the car than the coilover?

AZP Installs · 12-03-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alstann

I agree with this - to a point. I think for most normal drivers who desire to modify their car to a certain degree, lower-end coilovers are sufficient. Would you argue that the driver has more effect on the car than the coilover?

Agree for the most part as well, that's why we have "Street/Show- Springs and Struts or BC/Fortune/Knockoff-o-rama"

If you are going for "stance" then the knockoffs work fine because you aren't going for performance. The problem with them is their dampening is actually worse than the OEM ones in terms of consistency from coil to coil even in the same set. A good friend Angelo from ANZE suspensions gave a great talk at one of our track events to our racers and DE folks about how on these low end and even some of the entry level stuff 2 front dampers will be completely different on the shock dyno from each other. This leads to instability etc. etc.

As for driver skill, we always feel that the first mod on any car should be fixing the nut behind the wheel through education and practice at the track even if it is a stock car doing DE sessions. This "mod" is easily moved from one vehicle to the next as well.

As for driver skills overcoming poor coils, yes it's possible but given how inconsistent some of these coils are, why put yourself at a disadvantage if performance driving is your goal?

-mike

1Stunna · 12-13-2013, 11:36 AM

What are your thoughts or 2 cents about Tein Mono flex. Seems like no one talking about these on here. Want to hear.

Slartibartfas · 06-15-2016, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

Agree for the most part as well, that's why we have "Street/Show- Springs and Struts or BC/Fortune/Knockoff-o-rama"

If you are going for "stance" then the knockoffs work fine because you aren't going for performance. The problem with them is their dampening is actually worse than the OEM ones in terms of consistency from coil to coil even in the same set. A good friend Angelo from ANZE suspensions gave a great talk at one of our track events to our racers and DE folks about how on these low end and even some of the entry level stuff 2 front dampers will be completely different on the shock dyno from each other. This leads to instability etc. etc.

As for driver skill, we always feel that the first mod on any car should be fixing the nut behind the wheel through education and practice at the track even if it is a stock car doing DE sessions. This "mod" is easily moved from one vehicle to the next as well.

As for driver skills overcoming poor coils, yes it's possible but given how inconsistent some of these coils are, why put yourself at a disadvantage if performance driving is your goal?

-mike

Bump for a couple of reasons. Read the far north racing site's Autocross to Win series. It will help you decide what you want from your damper and supports Mike's opinion.
Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - ATW Home Page

Also, Broadway Static now customizes Fortune Auto coil-overs. Digressive damping curve matched to your requested spring rates.
http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets.html

Finally, MyG37.com board hosts the RWD Sedan Coil-over list in the suspension forum. All the companies listed have a Z34 option. I'm stunned at how long the list is!

12-13-2013, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
1Stunna Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hercules, C.A. Posts: 34 Drives: 2012 370z Gunmetal Rep Power: 13	2 cents please What are your thoughts or 2 cents about Tein Mono flex. Seems like no one talking about these on here. Want to hear.

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