What's Up CLUB!?

I just ordered a set of A`PEX-i S1 Dampers from Eric at Work Concepts, and am thrilled about the deal! Now, the reason I purchased these in particular, is because they're designed to be the gap between race coils and street coils. Kind of like a A`PEX-i version of TEIN Monoflex coilover. I thought the features were great for my price range:

-Monotube
-45mm piston
-12k/12k springs rates (would prefer better rates, but these should do for now)
-20-way dampening
-Rear helper spring (which other coils offer that at this price range?)
-Are overhaulable in the states
-100% built in japan

I was wondering if anyone else here has purchased these coils, and what was their impression? What did you have before? As for myself, I've had only koni yellows with H&R springs, so this should be night and day. I hope they ride really well. I've been pleased with my buddy's Aragostas with delrin suspension, so I'm guess these would be a lot more comfortable.

-Jeff

 

Jeff the only thing I can comment on these is the use of rear helper springs, the FD3S already has a limited stroke/adjustment in the rear, depending on your ride height, you will either A keep it as is, B remove the helper spring setup, or C remove the extra locking nuts and keep the helper springs lock nut to lock the lower perch.

I just don't know where all these companies are coming from thinking they need to add helper springs everywhere.... Especially on the these types of coilovers, meaning where you have a separate adjust for the ride height and preload...

What I do like about the S1 for the street, is the isolation rubbers.

Please report back with some info and pictures!!

 

I will do so my friend. Yeah, I don't know of many FD coils with rear helper springs, but hopefully it's a good thing? HAHA! I will be keeping the car close to stock height. My old setup with koni yellows and H&R springs were way too low, and I scraped on everything. I even hit the fuel line cover and bent one of the fins at a gas station in San Rafael, CA. I like how you can go over almost anything with the stock suspension. I feel these coils will be a great compromise for street and track. Can't wait until they arrive. I'll post as many photos as needed. You have any particular request of what to shoot?

 

Initial response after install is AWESOME! street driving is superb. I even think it handled a lot better than stock! Then again my stock suspension is HELLA old. These are 20 way adjustable and i currently have it at 10 in the front, and 12 in the rear in with the higher number being softer. Front floor to fender height is 24 1/4 inches, and the rear is 24 7/8 inches. I need to raise it though. Before I put wheels on I will raise heights to 25 inches.

 

Thanks for the input. I have a set on order and can't wait to put them on.

 

Cool man, let me know what you think. I think these are a great alternative to the TEIN FLEX coilovers.

 

Will do.

 

wow. those are nice c/o's. i thought you wanted to stay stock height or close to? thats pretty friggin low. looks killer though and performs super

 

Yeah, I clear most speedbumps going straight, but I have scrapped about 3 times on high speed bumps where my fuel line cover (louver?) is on the driver side. I'm about 200 lbs so maybe I'm heavy lol. I do however scrape on a lot of driveway, but my carbon bumper protectors from shineauto take all the damage and none done to the paint or the bumper itself. I will be raising my car soon though. Shouldn't hurt performance at all. The car turns really well right now. Handles better than my old FD that had Koni yellows with H&R springs and Racing Beat swaybars.

Jeff

 

Some photos of the rear helper.

 

What is the point of the helper spring?

 

i like your bumper sticker

 

post more on the carbon protectors please

 

Congrats! They look great...in fact, the whole car's looking pretty damn smooth.

You mind me asking how much you paid for 'em?

 

Wicked, I believe helper springs are to keep tension on the springs incase they get loose from a hop or something, but another member mentioned the fd has a short stroke anyway, so it's not needed, but it looks nice haha!

Drftwerks, cool huh!? That's my wife's truck!

SilverTRD I have some in the feed bumper thread in the shineauto section, but I'll take some non iPhone photos of the protectors for you tomorrow.

Natey Thanks! I got them for a deal that is no longer offered by Works Concepts here on our club forum. I got them for $1,558 shipped to my door.

 

Nice. I was just wondering how they compare, pricewise, to the ZEAL B6s on my car.

Listening to some Bob and working on the FD?? Sounds familiar. You gotta keep the chalice close to keep the frustration factor down, huh?

EDIT: Are you Hawaiian?

 

Jeff, those coilovers look to be very high quality

Front bumper looks great as well, your FD is *screaming* for some nice flush aftermarket wheels though

 

Natey, nah I'm Laotian and Thai, but have been deeply influenced by the Polynesians lol (most my buddies when I was in the Navy). Weren't you suppose to let me borrow some reggae Natey? LOL

Yes Rich! They're on the way from Rishie. I ordered Silver ENKEI RPF1s in 18x9.5+45 & 18x10+38. Trying to decide if I want to run a 275/35-18 (Bridgestone RE760) or a 295/30-18 (Hancook Ventus V12 EVO K110) tire though the fronts will be 255/35-18 regardless of the rear. BTW Rich, this is my second FD. The last one that got sideswiped, I got rid of it, and sold it to the shop.

 

I'm definitely down to hook you up with some roots. If you ever come over to Santa Cruz, bring a flash drive and give me a shout.

I'll fill it with Jamaican Oldies...Hugh Mundell, The Gladiators, Mighty Diamonds, etc.

 

Some shots of the fronts

 

Added the RPF1s w/ SUMITOMO HTRZIII 255/35-18 & 295/30-18! I had Rishie roll the rear fenders, and adjust the front height to 25" and the rear to 25 and a half inches.