hey guys, i am looking into coilovers for my FD, ill mostly be using them for canyon roads, and the occasional drag. Also this wont be my daily driver, so if they are violently stiff, great ! So far ive narrowed it down to Knightsports, Cusco, and JICs. ive ridden in JIC's in a FC and was impressed, but theres always that doubt...anyways give me some feedback on the coilovers thing, thanks!

 

Hmm...you've limited it down to just those?

I don't know the full range of choices/brands that you were considering. Here are some that I know about:

Ohlins ($$$$$, but ride is comfortable, while handling is excellent.
HKS
Buddy Club
Aragosta
Endless (I recommend these, but also depends on which specific model you get)
Mazdaspeed

I've "heard" that the Cusco can be harsh.

 

JIC FLT-A2 garage sale one set a customer cancelled on me.

I got info and specs on these if you email me.

ardwholesale@hotmail.com

 

Oh, I don't recommend buying used coilovers. They typically don't last very long and especially ones from Japan. hmm, not so sure. Would wear out in a year most likely. Then you're back to square one. Best to get something warrantied and repairable here in US with reasonable turnaround time.

thanks, Rishie

 

i'm running the jic flt-a2 i love them. when i installed them i set them up close to the stock struts i took out. i used them like that for i month. they felt great car handled so good. then i dropped the car as low as i could go no rubbing, and the car feels loose now. i have an alignment set up for next sat. i hope that gets me back on track, the car just felt better before i dropped it. could that alter my handling that much or maybe i'm getting comfortable with them??

 

im looking at buddy club, apexi, jics, cuscos now, needs lots of feedback, thanks

 

If you can afford the Knightsports, go with them. They're actually Aragosta shocks and for some additional quid ($$$) you can order them double-adjustable. I believe the double adj. version came in at 355,000Yen. If that's too much, go with one of the more affordable units commonly available here in the US. Also, Aragosta has opened up shop in N. America. They're some of the most highly regarded shocks by FD owners who track their cars in Japan. Better than Ohlins.
Michel

 

Please don't disregard ZEAL. That's a phenomenal setup as well. Offerring different materials for shock casing. They have an aluminum casing if you're looking for lightweight.

I'm getting a few sets for my race cars in a couple weeks.

Thanks, Rishie

 

Michel,

Aragosta opened a shop in N. America recently? Really?

(Nevermind, I just found their location).
http://www.aragosta-suspension.com/contact.html

Aragosta - North America
901 Gaudette
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
QC J3B 7S7
1-888-689-6821
Tel (450)359-7858 - Fax (450)359-9257
e-mail: diperfor@stjeannet.ca

(They are looking for distributors).

Here is the actual North American company. D&L Performance.
http://www.dlperform.com/english.htm

Apparently, they specialize in recreational vehicles (motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.).

 

Zeal/Endless (aluminum) coilovers

 

I have a set of JIC FLT-A2 for $1575.00 Brand new in box!

 

Id go with JIC flta2s all the way, Im very impressed with mine.

 

can those aluminum struts be used on the street, or are they more of a race only thing. although the springs that come with them are stiff as can be

 

Id go with the JICs.

They're rebuildable here in the US unlike the Cuscos. Also, the FLTA2s offer quality/features found in the Zeal B6. Only the B6 costs approx $600 more.

 

what about tein??

 

Teins not so bad but they have developed a reputation for blowing/leaking prematurely. Also, they seem to have downplayed their target audience in the US going with softer spring rates and lower models such as the Super Street replaicng the HAs.

Again, for the price, the FLTA2s offer quality/features which typically would cost a bit more to find in a competitors setup. Others which are pretty nice are the Aragosta, Hipermax and Apex N1's, which seem quite common in Japan.

 

ive heard the opposite about the teins vs the JIC's from a guy in japan, he said the JIC's break very easy and the teins arent to bad of a coilover, i know some of the top drifters in japan(signal auto) use tein HE's, and ive also heard JIC are a PAIN to get ahold of, and their management has been going down hill

 

I just speak based on what I see around me. Most of my friends with the Tein (Flex to RA) setup have sent them in for rebuilds due to leaking. Those using JIC (FLTA2) have had no problems at all (M5150 being one of them).

Signals drivers use Tanabe Pro DD as they helped design that setup.

As far as talk of them going under, IMO this is a result of some bad dealings they've had with their distributors and a chip left on some peoples shoulders. JICs are rebuildable in the US and they have a good range of remaining dealers. As far as the HE's being the most popular among drifters, im a bit skeptical on that one but I can find out.

I dont know about Tein being ranked higher then JIC by the Japanese.

In Option 9 of this year, pg.149, the FLTA2s are ranked as one of the best coilover applications specifically for the FC.
Revspeed April 2002- JIC is given a 5 star ranking in an analaysis between GAB, Bilstein, Aragosta, Zeal and Apex. The next closest was GAB with 4 stars.

 

FYI, I've had my Teins for well over a year and have put probably 15K miles on them and they're problem free.

Hey Dom, I've been missing lately....didn't ignore your PM...read it and then became very busy!

Rishie, acquire an Aragosta distributorship :-)

 

i've got the HKS Hiper Dumper and they are pretty comfortable not as stiff as some others but if you limit within those 3 i would go with Cusco

 

gabs coilovers

 

Who rebuilds JICs in the US? I have HAs on my Supra, and I've had to rebuild 3 in 3 years . I was contemplating A2s for my FC, but was concerned about all the bad press about rebuilds. Carl

 

Carl,

JIC's office is in downey California, and they can do the rebuild for you. (Zeil Motorsports) I just bought a set of A2's from them. I don't know about how often they need to be rebuilt. I talked to Rishie about this concern, and he mentioned that he had a set on an FC for 25K and they were still smooth. JIC explained to me that it was really a matter of what the car was being used for. Race = rebuild more often.

 

teins office is in downey too its on firestone. i work right next to the place i go by there everyday if you need any info just tell me and ill stop right in