FD Stance Coilover feedback
 

Looking for FD owners with Stance coilovers, particularly the top of the line GR+Pro 3-Way, who've used them seriously on track and street.

Would like to hear your impressions/feedback, with details of the rest of your setup and what you were using before. Thanks!

P

I would start by asking Stance for shock dynos if you care about track performance.

Honestly, a shock dyno won't mean much to me other than to confirm that the adjustments do what they are supposed to (but I will get them). Looking for serious/experienced anecdotal feedback as well.

i've got the Al+ on mine, damping range seems pretty good, but maybe a little oversprung for my purposes on the street so far. i'd like to get them on the track this spring as my car is nearing completion. you can come up to baltimore and take it for a spin once the snow melts if it'll help your decision.

It will be tough finding someone, i've been waiting to have a FD owner contact me to test them out so we can obtain the exact kind of info you're looking for.

Maybe we can work out a special pricing arrangement to compensate you for your feedback.

When you're ready please PM me and I will obtain those shock dynos for you. Stance is expressing a lot of interest in Time Attack for the 2010 year so it would be great to have these on a grip oriented FD.

I can also have the springs removed from the package to save you some more dollars if you want to run hypercoils, ERS, or Swift springs.

Rishie

Thanks, Rishie

Rishie,
I may be in touch. I talked to Stance directly about building me the GR+Pro 3-ways with the AL+ body. They can do it reasonably, problem was, it'll take 8-10 weeks, as will any "rebuild" I ever need (Stance apparently doesn't rebuild in the US, they just replace from Japan). What's the regular turnaround time on Stance "rebuilds" if you blow one?

They've also got two valving options, the regular street/track, and then a track/race.

I'm down to these, Tein SuperRacing, breaking the bank on JRZ RS Pro's, or just keeping my old kidney-punishing GABs!

I feel your pain Peter, not very much real world information out there. Doesn't Gordon with the yellow FD that's at VIR some have the external resevoir Stance coilovers(I'm assuming they are the GR+ Pro)? I think you were the one that said Mitch Piper installed them maybe? Could be way out in right field on that one.

If you are looking at breaking the bank, I'd also consider the Koni coilovers(top model being the 2812). The top RX-7 AutoX guys in the nation have been running these for quite a while. They are 3 way adjustable, you can have them set up for whatever your track needs are, rebuilt in the good ol' US of A with good tech support. At this years Nationals, Koni rebuilt a friend of mines 2812's on the spot and only charged him the cost of parts... labor was free.

I don't feel like my level of driving is where it needs to be yet, but once I progress more, I'm going to be looking into the Koni's I think.

Brent,
Yes, I've never met that guy w/ the yellow one, but it's often at Piper's and he did the install. I remember talking to Mitch about them, and his initial (street) impressions of them was that they were very well made, rode well, and the adjustments actually did something. I've not heard yet if he's actually done any set up for that customer yet.

Thing is, the GAB/GC combo I have is fairly solid on track, and cost me nothing. What I DON'T want to do is pay $1500-$3000 for what is essentially a set of green or gold anodized GABs if you know what I mean.

I'd rather spend $0 and live with the GABs or blow the full $4k on JRZs, which I've heard nothing but raves about and have excellent U.S. customer service. True racing 2800-series Konis will be just as much if not more. Anecdotally at least, I've heard the RS series JRZs are relatively durable for street use.

I know exactly what you mean. I look forward to seeing what you go with(if you decide to ditch the GAB's) and how you like them. Real world, first hand data is always good :D

Have you considered the Ohlins? I understand it is very impressive.

I've discussed the Koni race shock setup with Tripoint / Pro Parts. They say that those shocks provide better road manners than the Koni Sport twin tubes with better track manners. apparently, there is an FD owner in Indy that runs the Koni race shocks on a dual duty car. I couldn't get a name out of Tri Point though.

Any shock that sees a lot of track duty will need to be serviced at higher intervals. Track duty heats up the oil a lot and wears it out more frequently than on street cars requiring more frequent maintenance for best performance.

^^^

Well, there are the Japanese Ohlins, which are still $4-5k and nearly impossible to get serviced here, and then there are the real Swedish Ohlins that are double or triple that and then ridiculously expensive to service.

From what I understand, the service interval on the JRZs for me would be about every 3 seasons, and it's only about $5-600.

I spoke with these guys recently:
http://performanceshock.com/ohlins/o...ir-and-rebuild

IIRC, they said that there is a new coilover for the FD coming to market soon. No idea on cost though.

The cost on servicing the JRZs are about the same as what I paid to have the Konis I got from you rebuilt and revalved at TriPoint / Pro Parts. Seems to be the industry standard rate. :)

Ground Control also makes an Advance Design system for the FD. IIRC, it's ~$3k. If you ever go the Koni route, I have a set of yellows I can sell for cheap if you want to have them rebuilt/revalved/made double adjustable, etc.

Penske was supposed to release an entry-level suspension for the FD... not sure if that ever came through.

I wish KW would make coilovers for the FD...

I don't think GC makes the Advanced Design shocks for the FD anymore.

Peter already had the Konis w/ GC setup. He sold them to me and went with the GAB setup. :)

^^^

Yup, round trip on the Konis to GABs was about $0 thanks to Fritz, and you can't beat that! Ability to run higher spring rates w/ GABs (650/500) helps big time under braking/high speed cornering, but car is definately trickier at the limit, and harsh on street.

The double adjustable JRZ RS Pro is exactly the same shock (with less fine adjustment "clicks") as their double, triple and quad race shocks. I've heard enough great things about the race shocks from Wael, Fritz (who had Waels), Victor Masch, and others with RX7's, as well as other Marques with the Race and RS Pros in terms of both behavior, durability, and customer service to convince me to go with JRZs once I get to the "real" shock pricepoint. The remote resovoir also allows you to add/subtract effective spring rate by changing the nitrogen pressure. Great for street/track. Alluminum construction. $4,000 or so (a deal compared to $7,000+ for race shocks).

Fritz very kindly sported me a few laps in his track car last summer, and the Tein SuperRacing units, at least with everything else about his set up, felt pretty good. I wouldn't be surprised if I ran quicker in his car than mine (wing probably helped too)! Fritz likes them, and first-hand drive is nice. They are quite stiff tho... streetability questionable. Steel construction. US rebuild/service relatively easy. $2,500.

Stance, I'd be going on the strength of Mitch Piper's first impressions, and lot's of good internet buzz. I saw the units off the car, and they seemed well made. Triple adjustability and remote resovoir would seem to ensure i'd be able to get to reasonable street and track settings, but would require some experimentation. Steel, or optional Alluminum construction with significant wait time for build/rebuild. $2,500-$2,700.

Great thread Pete but you gotta keep me in the loop!
I'm in the cusp of being a guineapig for the GR+3way's.
Regards,
Crispy

Looking forward to your input. :)

Most good shops can service those coilovers. I know ohlins USA might be able to do it...although they might not like to work on grey market coilovers.

Endless makes coilovers, and custom types as well. Anthing from 2000 dollar street stuff to 5700 dollar race grade stuff orderable to your spec, choice of springs etc. Those are definitely servicable here.

Hey Chris,
Not really any new info since last we talked, I'm just reopening the thought process after being out of commission for a while. Give me a ring if you want to discuss further!

P

^ Will do.
Crispy

Anybody who wants to test these out please let me know.

If you have Shock dynos or recommendations as to how you want it valved I will make the request when it's developed. I will also make a request for a "resulting" shock dyno of your unit to service as a preliminary "blueprint". I know the valving can be done and I will make every effort to see what they require to give me the hard data the avid road racer might desire.

I can also subtract the cost of the Stance Springs and have them replaced with the brand of your choice as long as they are produced in the same I.D.

For the first couple guys who want to test it I will provide you with the optional tool so you can adjust the gas pressure of the unit, Free Of CHarge.

Rishie

Pete, did i send you a price?

Rishie,
No, you didn't... please do! I only got a direct-from-Stance quote on doing the custom aluminum 3-ways.

Thanks!

P

Rishie,
Please send me a price.
Regards,
Crispy

What the hell, send me a price as well.

So are we all going to meet up at VIR this year or what guys? :D