Ohlins FP or Coilovers

STI-LOS · 03-30-2008, 01:04 PM

Hey whats up, So i recently finished up my suspension, I did the RCE Blacks, Whiteline Sways 24mm F&R, ALK, Rack Bushing, Group N Hats F&R, KartBoy Links.. Car feel great, I have alot of canyon type roads where I live in it handles so much better really tight.. With that said I want to do struts, I want to finish this suspension up.. I am trying to make a killer DD and I think I am getting there but I want to do Struts.. So here is the dilemma Ohlins @ 1900 or getting a coilover..

As for my driving I do alot of it thats why I went with the blacks with the thought of doing struts later.. I am there but I just dont want to limit my car in any way I may want to decide to get into AutoX in the future... But right now its all Highway DD and the weekend fun stuff.. I have also added the X-Brace to stiffen things up a .. So Ohlins with RCE Blacks or RCE Tarmac or TIC Coilovers or other.. What would be the best for DD and some local drag time here and there with some possible Autox in the future.

Please help need to spend my tax $$ somehow before my Wife takes it for WINDOW Treatments or Something....

Risk3233 · 03-30-2008, 01:43 PM

The Ohlins FSPs are completely competitive on a local level for Solo (aka autocross). If you plan to go to Nationals, then it's probably custom setups which cost a lot of $$$.

I raced for 16 months at our local Solo series and won SM w/Ohlins FSP setup.

Plus for DD, they are much quieter and smoother than high spring rate coilovers.

turboranger · 03-30-2008, 01:48 PM

im being alil biased here considering im going with yellows OR blacks w/ Ohlin's.

so i guess ill say it, go with the spring and strut combo.

coilovers are nice, but alil over the top to maintain, plus the added sounds like pops and clunks, ect. ( search on here about spring/strut combo VS. coilovers )

at one point i was gonna go with coil overs until i read some posts/threads as well as asking around, i came to the conclusion that coil/strut combo would best suit daily driving AND some track days as well as a couple of auto x's.

again im biased.

good luck on your journey to suspension bliss!!

Donnie

wrrrx · 03-30-2008, 01:56 PM

I would agree with Risk- for your needs, the fixed perch Ohlins would be a nice fit.
Very popular in A-Stock cars for AutoX (although it appears that you have too many mods for AS).

stretch · 03-30-2008, 02:18 PM

I think the TiC coilovers represent a better overall system than Ohlins + springs. I think any strut+spring combo is going to have some limitations inherent in the stock packaging (which replacement struts conform to). The TiC coilovers are outstanding, and roughly the same cost (after you sell your springs).

Here's my write-up:
Comparison between Prodrive RB320, Ohlins FP / RCE springs, and TiC Coilovers

Honestly for a daily driver all of these upgrades might be a little overkill (heck, I'd normally just recommend the stock springs for a daily driver), but there's a ton of potential (and flexibility) in those TiC coilovers. You can even get a ton of camber on the stock TiC mounts should you want it (and if you get into autocross, you will).

STI-LOS · 03-30-2008, 02:20 PM

Well I dont want to make my decision just based on AUTOX cause its not my main concern I would like to get into.. Basically this is just a DD with fun on the weekends and I would like to drag the car aswell.. I think Ohlins may be the way to go..

Risk3233 · 03-30-2008, 02:40 PM

I've retired my car from Solo duty and it's just a DD with the occasional test-n-tune or BMWCCA driver's school. I don't regret the decision to get the Ohlins over 16 months ago.

niemkij · 03-30-2008, 02:41 PM

Its really a matter of personal preference. I installed the Ohlin's with the RCE black springs on my 06 STi and I am very happy with the result. The car performs significantly better than stock. However, I am a fairly conservative daily driver only. I don't plan to even autocross and certainly I have no plans to run the car on a track. The best part of this set-up is that the Ohlin's are adjustable.

Risk3233 · 03-30-2008, 02:42 PM

As for the camber issue, I'm on RCE lowering camber plates and get the camber I desire.

polyol · 03-30-2008, 07:09 PM

Autox/track = coilovers

Street = F/P

**Turninconcepts.com** · 03-30-2008, 08:33 PM

if you're not going to take the time and money to play with all the adjustments that coilovers get you in order to be competitive then fixed perch is the way to go. It'll be set it, forget it, and still smile every time you drive the car.

PBR600RR · 03-30-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turninconcepts.com

if you're not going to take the time and money to play with all the adjustments that coilovers get you in order to be competitive then fixed perch is the way to go. It'll be set it, forget it, and still smile every time you drive the car.

This is the reason I'm going with the ohlins fixed perch (matched with yellows) myself. There are a buttload of settings on most coilovers. I track my car maybe six times a year, and I don't want to spend alot of my time tweaking my setup. I just want to get in the car and concentrate on my driving. A good driver on a fixed perch (or stock) setup will be faster than the average shmoe on the best coilovers out there.

stretch · 03-31-2008, 04:36 AM

I don't agree with that- coilovers are easy to set up. Would you really want an inferior product just to avoid having to set something as simple as ride height? Ride height and damping are both very simple things to set thanks to helpful people on the Internet (and Racecomp actually sells their coilovers completely pre-adjusted).

There might be more stuff to tweak with coilovers, but if you never put your car on scales or worry about maxing your camber potential, then you're no worse off than struts.

I think the real question is how LOW the user wants to go since coilovers will always facilitate more lowering than fixed perch struts. They're built for it by using shortened bodies and relocated spring perches. Ohlins struts are designed for a full ride height vehicle which becomes pretty obvious when you jack the car up- most of their travel is in the droop direction.

STI-LOS · 03-31-2008, 09:34 AM

Well I am pretty happy with the drop the RCE Blacks gave me.. But I wanted to get the struts taken car of and improve the ride and performance.. So thats why I am wondering should I go Coils or FP's. I dont want to get a product just because its ease of setup like I dont mind playing around with adjustments, I just dont want to get something that I am not going to use to its full potential like the coilovers..

jermdeez · 04-02-2008, 12:44 AM

Well I definitely wouldn't call ohlins an inferior product. get the FP struts, coilovers suck ass unless you are on the nice smooth track. FP are very adjustable anyways.......my coilovers only have 5 settings for dampening.......

dampening on coilovers=turd

03-30-2008, 01:04 PM	#1
STI-LOS Silver Member Car: 06 STI / STG 4 Fav Mod: DOM 3.0R + METH!!!! Location: Vernon, NJ Posts: 1,194 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (4)	Ohlins FP or Coilovers Hey whats up, So i recently finished up my suspension, I did the RCE Blacks, Whiteline Sways 24mm F&R, ALK, Rack Bushing, Group N Hats F&R, KartBoy Links.. Car feel great, I have alot of canyon type roads where I live in it handles so much better really tight.. With that said I want to do struts, I want to finish this suspension up.. I am trying to make a killer DD and I think I am getting there but I want to do Struts.. So here is the dilemma Ohlins @ 1900 or getting a coilover.. As for my driving I do alot of it thats why I went with the blacks with the thought of doing struts later.. I am there but I just dont want to limit my car in any way I may want to decide to get into AutoX in the future... But right now its all Highway DD and the weekend fun stuff.. I have also added the X-Brace to stiffen things up a .. So Ohlins with RCE Blacks or RCE Tarmac or TIC Coilovers or other.. What would be the best for DD and some local drag time here and there with some possible Autox in the future. Please help need to spend my tax $$ somehow before my Wife takes it for WINDOW Treatments or Something.... This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-30-2008, 01:43 PM	#2
Risk3233 Junior STI Driver Car: Silver 04 STi Location: In da mountains. Posts: 92 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers The Ohlins FSPs are completely competitive on a local level for Solo (aka autocross). If you plan to go to Nationals, then it's probably custom setups which cost a lot of $$$. I raced for 16 months at our local Solo series and won SM w/Ohlins FSP setup. Plus for DD, they are much quieter and smoother than high spring rate coilovers. Last edited by Risk3233 : 03-30-2008 at 02:07 PM.

03-30-2008, 01:48 PM	#3
turboranger Professional STI Racer Car: silver 05 rex STi Fav Mod: T3/T4 turbo for my ranger Location: Detroit, MI. or Royal Oak Posts: 813 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers im being alil biased here considering im going with yellows OR blacks w/ Ohlin's. so i guess ill say it, go with the spring and strut combo. coilovers are nice, but alil over the top to maintain, plus the added sounds like pops and clunks, ect. ( search on here about spring/strut combo VS. coilovers ) at one point i was gonna go with coil overs until i read some posts/threads as well as asking around, i came to the conclusion that coil/strut combo would best suit daily driving AND some track days as well as a couple of auto x's. again im biased. good luck on your journey to suspension bliss!! Donnie

03-30-2008, 01:56 PM	#4
wrrrx Junior STI Driver Car: '04 WRX STi Fav Mod: PDXTuning! Location: Portland, OR Posts: 122 Join Date: May 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers I would agree with Risk- for your needs, the fixed perch Ohlins would be a nice fit. Very popular in A-Stock cars for AutoX (although it appears that you have too many mods for AS).

03-30-2008, 02:18 PM	#5
stretch Silver Member Car: Aspen 2005 STi Fav Mod: TurnInConcepts.com Coilovers Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,808 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers I think the TiC coilovers represent a better overall system than Ohlins + springs. I think any strut+spring combo is going to have some limitations inherent in the stock packaging (which replacement struts conform to). The TiC coilovers are outstanding, and roughly the same cost (after you sell your springs). Here's my write-up: Comparison between Prodrive RB320, Ohlins FP / RCE springs, and TiC Coilovers Honestly for a daily driver all of these upgrades might be a little overkill (heck, I'd normally just recommend the stock springs for a daily driver), but there's a ton of potential (and flexibility) in those TiC coilovers. You can even get a ton of camber on the stock TiC mounts should you want it (and if you get into autocross, you will).

03-30-2008, 02:20 PM	#6
STI-LOS Silver Member Car: 06 STI / STG 4 Fav Mod: DOM 3.0R + METH!!!! Location: Vernon, NJ Posts: 1,194 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers Well I dont want to make my decision just based on AUTOX cause its not my main concern I would like to get into.. Basically this is just a DD with fun on the weekends and I would like to drag the car aswell.. I think Ohlins may be the way to go..

03-30-2008, 02:40 PM	#7
Risk3233 Junior STI Driver Car: Silver 04 STi Location: In da mountains. Posts: 92 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers I've retired my car from Solo duty and it's just a DD with the occasional test-n-tune or BMWCCA driver's school. I don't regret the decision to get the Ohlins over 16 months ago.

03-30-2008, 02:41 PM	#8
niemkij Silver Member Car: Blue 06 STi Fav Mod: The next one planned Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers Its really a matter of personal preference. I installed the Ohlin's with the RCE black springs on my 06 STi and I am very happy with the result. The car performs significantly better than stock. However, I am a fairly conservative daily driver only. I don't plan to even autocross and certainly I have no plans to run the car on a track. The best part of this set-up is that the Ohlin's are adjustable.

03-30-2008, 02:42 PM	#9
Risk3233 Junior STI Driver Car: Silver 04 STi Location: In da mountains. Posts: 92 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers As for the camber issue, I'm on RCE lowering camber plates and get the camber I desire.

03-30-2008, 07:09 PM	#10
polyol Spec C Club Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Motor Mounts Location: Eugene Posts: 2,263 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers Autox/track = coilovers Street = F/P

03-30-2008, 08:33 PM	#11
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,024 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (53)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers if you're not going to take the time and money to play with all the adjustments that coilovers get you in order to be competitive then fixed perch is the way to go. It'll be set it, forget it, and still smile every time you drive the car.

03-31-2008, 04:36 AM	#13
stretch Silver Member Car: Aspen 2005 STi Fav Mod: TurnInConcepts.com Coilovers Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,808 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers I don't agree with that- coilovers are easy to set up. Would you really want an inferior product just to avoid having to set something as simple as ride height? Ride height and damping are both very simple things to set thanks to helpful people on the Internet (and Racecomp actually sells their coilovers completely pre-adjusted). There might be more stuff to tweak with coilovers, but if you never put your car on scales or worry about maxing your camber potential, then you're no worse off than struts. I think the real question is how LOW the user wants to go since coilovers will always facilitate more lowering than fixed perch struts. They're built for it by using shortened bodies and relocated spring perches. Ohlins struts are designed for a full ride height vehicle which becomes pretty obvious when you jack the car up- most of their travel is in the droop direction. Last edited by stretch : 03-31-2008 at 04:40 AM.

03-31-2008, 09:34 AM	#14
STI-LOS Silver Member Car: 06 STI / STG 4 Fav Mod: DOM 3.0R + METH!!!! Location: Vernon, NJ Posts: 1,194 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers Well I am pretty happy with the drop the RCE Blacks gave me.. But I wanted to get the struts taken car of and improve the ride and performance.. So thats why I am wondering should I go Coils or FP's. I dont want to get a product just because its ease of setup like I dont mind playing around with adjustments, I just dont want to get something that I am not going to use to its full potential like the coilovers..

04-02-2008, 12:44 AM	#15
jermdeez Spec C Club Posts: 1,753 Join Date: Feb 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Ohlins FP or Coilovers Well I definitely wouldn't call ohlins an inferior product. get the FP struts, coilovers suck ass unless you are on the nice smooth track. FP are very adjustable anyways.......my coilovers only have 5 settings for dampening....... dampening on coilovers=turd This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.