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mainboyd

i cant wait for the results from Howard!!
i am looking into getting my hands on the Trak Pro Competition Series Coilovers but want to make sure its worth it or if the stage III is just as good or better on track and street.

BlinD26

iTrader: (27)

For those that arent on the mailing list, I just got this email:

All products on the site are 10% off even if there already on sale! Free shipping also available on many new and popular items. Discount will be applied during processing and will not be reflected in the shopping cart. Limited quantity offer. Valid through 11/26/2010 12:00 am to 11/28/2010 12:00 pm.


Seems like it's time to pull the trigger on suspension bits... I think I'm going for a Stage III setup (Comps are too far out of my pricerange atm and doubt I will need them at my current level)

I'm looking to retain streetability/auto-x and maybe some local track days, so from what I gathered in this thread, Stage III and stick with the 12/10 spring combo?

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

I had trakpro stage 2 on order but deal went bad with the importer company here and now I am planning to buy directly from Pettit. I would like to take advantage of black friday discount so I have to know if there is any price difference ordering 10/8 springs vs. 8/6 springs.

If the difference in handling and harsness is minimal for street I'll just go with standard 10/8 otherwise I might go for 8/6.

I will be running 255/35/18 F, 265/35/18 R btw.

t-von

iTrader: (8)

^ Damn this sucks because I wouldm't be able to move some money around in time to take avantage of it. That's a 130.00 off the stage 2's.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

anyone?

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

If harshness is a concern, go 8/6. I dropped from 10/8 to 8/6 on my Ground Control setup for better street comfort on rough roads.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Gracer. I called Pettit twice today, it went to answering machine both times, I'll try again soon. I'm not even trying email cause by the time I get a reply I'll miss out on the discount. I'm just wondering if there is price difference between spring choices and also if there is any noticeable difference between 10/8 and 8/6 cause Pettit says at softest settings 10/8 is softer then stock.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Ok, I spoke with Cam finally. He told me people who have tried 6kg springs all went back to 8kg springs, he also explained the technical side of things so I'm going with Stage 2 (10/8) like I first intended.

RXeckless

iTrader: (11)

This weekend I'll pull the trigger on the Trak Pro's Stage III and the Base Performance Package with the 10% Black Friday discount to help with the shipping to Canada-land. That it for this winter, tap out till next summer. Phoned Cam very helpful with the decision, I was gonna go with the Stage II before talking with him. I'll post later this winter with my first impressions and in the spring after a track day.

wickedrx7

iTrader: (14)

Can you explain more why the change to Stage III's from stage II's? This will help people make a decision without having to try to get a hold of Cam.

Even Howard admits that they have some differing opinions of springs rates, can you elaborate (or anyone) on what those differences are (in there opinions) and give reasoning for each?

It would be cool if Cam and Howard came on here and had a debate... LOL

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

^^ My guess is he was recommended Stage 3 cause he does reasonable amount of trackdays and since the only difference between stage 2 and 3 is the spring rates it's not really a big deal. I told Cam my car is street driven and asked him if Stage 2s are ok and he confirmed so that's what I got.

On a side note, when we first started talking I asked him if there is a price difference between 10/8 and 8/6kg springs if I wanted to buy stage 2s with 8/6 but once we started talking and he started explaining technical side of things I got sidetracked and didn't get an answer to my question so while I am saying the only difference between stage 2 and 3 are springs and it's not a big deal cause you can always change them to harder/softer springs in the future, I am not sure if and how much Cam would sell spare set of springs for.

BlinD26

iTrader: (27)

Picked up a Stage III kit Friday and will be installing tommorow. I'll make sure to post some pics.

I wont have any handling feedback till sometime next year as the car is still under the knife.

RXeckless

iTrader: (11)

Exactly, I do a fair amount of track days a year, also the valving on the Stage III's is a little different to offset the higher spring rates of 12/10. Cam also said the the III's would be fine for street using on one of lower setting he suggested three clink's from the bottom, also I could change the springs later to 10/8 if I really hate this set-up. The early spring will tell the tale when the car come out of winter hibernation, burr it's already cold here in Canada-Land. I hate winter but it does give me more time to work on the car when it isn't to F%#king COLD.

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know stage 3 had different valving, neither could anyone by looking at their website. They should have been clearer in product tech specs so customers can make an informed decision. Eitherway I'm happy with my decision.

to_slow

iTrader: (3)

If you actually pay what Pettit is charging for these you getting riped off.. Not that the coilovers are bad or not build right, They just over priced from Pettit.

His/so called coilovers are made in Taiwan by http://www.iasati.com/ The same company makes coilovers for MAX and many others.
Stage 2
Stage 3
Track Pro comp set
They are all the same N1 Type, the company does not offer different valving, How i know.. I talked to them directly for custom applications regarding different model cars and rx7/rx8...

All they are is same coilover with different springs.

They cost the same one way or the other...

You guys can actually order directly from the factory with your choice of spring options.

For 680.00 a Set + shipping by air 280.00
Or 680.00 A set by sea 100.00
Yes stage II Stage III Track Pro comp set 680 a set + shipping

Pop Corn anyone....

t-von

iTrader: (8)

In defense for Cam, it's not a rip off when your business is about marking up a product for resale. We all know he's not making these in house. That's the economics of middle man company's. 100% markup on purchases is the norm. If Cam is actually getting his coilovers from this location, he would never make any money if he didn't mark up the product. Now a 50% savings IS very enticing provided they are the same thing.


Edit:

If they are selling these for the Fd, why aren't they showing a pic on their web site?

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

That company doesn't even list an FD application.

to_slow

iTrader: (3)

There is a contact form on there site, they will send you a application list.

People can mark up all they want, when you list and try to sell/ Japan made custom valving when they actually made in Taiwan... Etc..

All you getting the same coil over just with more aggressive springs on them for crazy amount of mark up. That is not called mark up in my book,, It scamming people out there money...

The problem with what his doing,is misrepresentation of his so called product.

MattGold

iTrader: (108)

I highly doubt you know what you are talking about. I'm sure there are a dozen places to get coilovers in Taiwan/China and I bet they would all make them for an FD. But that doesn't mean these are the same as Pettit's.

What I want to know is how do you *know* these are the same coilovers? Because the colors are similar? Have you got a set of both in hand? Have you compared the valving? Are the materials of both identical?


What you are saying is akin to saying you found an intercooler on eBay for $300 that looks just like the GReddy and GReddy is scamming because there's a cheaper option out there. Get real.


Edit: I'm also sure An Chia Lih Co., Ltd. is a fantastic asset to the FD community and their customer service / after sale support is top notch. L-O-L.

t-von

iTrader: (8)

I know what your saying but it would be nice if there was a way to prove that these are one in the same.

R_1

iTrader: (19)

" Looks like these might be made by RG (racing gear) in Japan: "

I think ptrhahn nailed it in post #118 .
JTC N1
Decent coilover taylored for the FD

ALPSTA

iTrader: (3)

You may be right about the original manufacturer but someone mentioned in another thread that Apexi EXV coilovers were made in Taiwan and hence the cheaper price and even they are $1000 per set. Apexi sells a lot more then Pettit which means they have bigger buying power, whereas Cam offers these only to RX7 community which means he won't buy them for the best price to start with. The crazy mark-up you mentioned is not really much once you take into account his tax, wages, marketing costs etc.

So this is how I look at it; according to your calculations $680 + 280 = 960 for a set with wrong set of springs but you say you can choose the springs so ok let's say they come with correct springs. Pettit Stage 2s are $1170 and Stage 3s are 1215 with black friday discount. Cam sells tried and tested coilovers for our RX7s so even if they were the same coilovers with different springs and rubber mounts for silent dampening it's worth the extra you pay, especially considering back and forth emails with a Taiwanese manufacturer to get what you want in the specs you want (take into account possiblity of immediate or future warranty issues).

GodSquadMandrake

Just read the entire thread. Lots of interesting stuff here...

But let me ask you guys this. I am looking to spend up to $2,000 on the best performing set of coilovers I can get for the track only, actually Tsukuba circuit only. After reading it sounds like the Trak Pro competition series might be the ticket. But many people are saying these are for street/track and I won't ever be driving the car on the street. Would it be better to go with a different spring rate? It's already been said that the car will only have maybe 2 inches of travel with these so they sound like they are pretty much at the max already. But sometimes you see RX7's with crazy spring rates like 18 or even 22.

And as far as that Taiwanese site goes... I tried the contact form and got an error message. I'm not convinced these are the same and even if they are the manufacturer of the shock would they be able to adjust the valving, gas pressure, etc to be the same thing as Pettit Racing's product? Because you can buy the shock and spring but you need more than that to make it work.

to_slow

iTrader: (3)

I have a box of test coilovers from the manufacture, and a set of pettit spacial build Trakpro III.
Short of actually hitting the shock dyno trust me they are the same.

So when i opened my mouth, its meant to open your eye, not a political debate.



There is, it will take money and time, I like to help people, But i figured from my first post would have been sufficient info.


We are talking about Pettit misrepresented coilover, If it was a Apexi coilover discussion, i wold have been doing better things with my time.
I like how you just take what make dollar sense in your head. 680.00+ 280.00 shipping
But left the fact 680.00+100.00 sea freight .


They are the same coilovers, take it how you want... If it makes you guys feel good inside that Cam stands behind them, with an 60% to 100% mark up.. Fine with me.