http://www.overboost.com/obs/hin/product.asp?pid=24752

Anyone heard of these? They list two FD applications at overboost.com, but I can't find much info. I'm in the market for coilovers, leaning toward the tein ra/re vs. jic flt a2s. I came across these and thought they looked interesting.

BTW- who is the best source for the JICs?

thanks,
Stew

 

strange Toda Is a big name in honda tuning japan side.

 

appears to be pretty high-quality, but looks can be deceiving. As in "she LOOKED like she was 18, I swear".

I wonder what the spring rates are?!

 

errr...ok, so the spring rates are listed on the site. I've been awake for 40 hrs. and I'm not overly observant at the moment.

 

Those spring rates are just ludicrous. What will happen if one of the dampers blows out? Can you speak Japanese, so you can send your blown coilovers over to Japan to get them rebuilt? Can you afford your car being down for weeks while this happens?

You guys need to stop looking at the brand names you see in RX-7 magazines and start thinking about what you really need from a product.

*Why do you think you need coilovers?
*What are you using the car for (street only, track only, both, street+drag, etc.)?

JICs suck ***, period. Do some research on the net, you'll be shocked by the number of horror stories.

There are really only three "coilover" companies with a strong presence in the US that make streetable products for RX-7s:

1) a "coilover" built using Koni shocks, these can be rebuilt and revalved by several companies
2) Tein -- can rebuild and revalve here
3) Endless/Zeal -- can rebuild and revalve here

JIC has a US presence and claim they can revalve -- but they don't have a shock dyno! Skip Apexi, HKS, JIC, and most Teins -- they don't have proper spring rates (even for just track use) and aren't truly serviceable in the US.

 

JIC has a shock dyno as well as full rebuild capabilities in their Downey, CA location. They can be revalved there as well. The parts are available to you as well if you'd like to give your hand at rebuilding. They're fully serviceable in the US, counter to what was said previously.

I've used my JICs FLTA2s for almost a year and a half now on my FC. The car has an overall weight of 2552lbs(w/o driver), with an exactly 50/50F/R balance, exact 50/50 cross weight and 50.5/49.5L/R balance with driver. The car ran extremely well at the SCC/Mazda Track Attack 2004 event. I have no complaints of their on track performance. However on the street, a more compliant, softer ride would be nice and probably faster.

 

Have you actually been there and seen it? If not, don't believe it. Congratulations for having good luck with your set. MANY people haven't, and were told first hand BY JIC USA that they didn't have a shock dyno. Their customer service is just terrible also.

Like I said, I'm glad you have had good luck with your set, but that doesn't mean they have a good US presence, because as many have discovered -- they don't.

 

I've heard and read of some of these issues.

To be fair, and to present information in a truthful manner, they previously did not service their shocks in the US nor did they have a shock dyno. When did this transition occur? Im not sure, but as it stands now, to my understanding from an employee there i trust, they do have a shock dyno and they service their shocks in the US. Otherwise, I dont think he would have asked me to drop by so they can check out the FC.

So there are a few cases in which JICs customer service and quality have been put to question but theres also a substantially larger number such as myself happy with their products.

I think it has a lot more to do with Japanese manufacturers trying to gain foothold into the US market facing a backlash by Koni, Penske, Monroe, Advanced Design and their grassroot supporters.

You'll hear whats being said about JIC being said about Tein, Cusco, Apex, HKS, Zeal. I think the aforementioned has a lot to do with why.

 

Rynberg, settle down. I came across these coilovers doing the "research on the net" that you suggest, and just wondered if anyone had heard of them. As far as "what I need from a product", I think I'm capable of deciding that for myself. Thats why I didn't post the question; " I am planning on doing X with my car, what suspension setup would you suggest?". As far as that goes, within a few years I'll pretty much be using the car strictly for track days. Yes, I plan on corner balancing the car, etc. My current setup is a little tired, so I'm going to go ahead and get a coilover setup now. Yes, I can afford the downtime if dampeners need rebuilding.

Thanks for your advice on the JICs. Although I've done plenty of searching, most of the JIC feedback I've found has been positive. I'll dig a little deeper.

Stew

 

Perhaps they have one set up now, but they didn't previously and purposely misled some buyers...I'll have to post some of the links I found while researching this. Their FLT-A2 coilovers seem well designed to me (spring rates are fairly high but maintain good front/rear stiffness ratio), it's just problems with quality control and customer service that I've read about. Although the fact that several people damaged their hoods on the adjusters (FDs) doesn't lend a great deal of confidence.

Ha, I guess my writing style seems to make people think I'm mad or flipping out or what not. I was just pointing out a lot of problems most people don't think through when purchasing -- if you saw most of the posts in this forum by people wanting coilovers, you would understand my response.

I suppose those spring rates would be good for experienced auto-xer on race tires, but would be too high and too rear-biased for track use (in general). I would also be very leary about spending that kind of money for an untested product with zero US support.

 

Rynberg,
Sorry...I guess i got a bit defensive.
I appreciate your input on the JICs. I did find a few posts w/ quality control issues after a quick search. At this point, I may go with the tein re's. Fritz Flynn has a set on one of his track beasts, and he is pretty impressed. I'd love to go w/ JRZs, which I have experienced first hand in a car of Fritz's, but those are too much for me (both in terms of money and complexity). I've used the GAB/GC units on a previous rx7, and found them to be a bit harsh. Not too stiff, just not smooth.

Any additional input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Stew

 

The RE's are nice dampers, but the stock spring rates are typical JDM ridiculous -- 900/900 (or 16/16 in metric). That is just too stiff for an FD, and the equal spring rates front/rear = oversteer. You want to maintain somewhat close to the stock front/rear spring rate ratio of 1.4 to maintain the stock balance. Obviously, other modifications might change the balance...

You also don't need super stiff spring rates, anything over 600 or so isn't necessary and will probably make the car handle worse on any surface but glass smooth pavement (never seen that yet, even on the track). Better spring rates are more like 550/400, 500/400, 500/375, etc. These are proven rates by track-experienced FD owners and not "dorifto" rates from the JDM marketing machine.

As far as JDM coilovers go, the most reasonable units are the Tein Flex, the Zeal B6, some Buddy Club and Cusco units, and Silk Road. I'm sure there are others like Kei Office that might have suitable spring/damping rates. With companies like Tein and Zeal (and JIC now?), you can get custom spring-rates and revalved dampers. So, you could get the RE's with reasonable spring-rates for example. Again, I think US serviceability is a key factor here in happy ownership!

I'll leave others to talk about US solutions, as I'm not the most knowledgable about those -- I do know that Tri-point and True Choice can build you some nice true racing units based off of Konis.

 

I test drove a fd with a set of the jic coilovers and it hadles great on smooth roads, just like my fc with the jics. But over bumps the car is too harsh, just like my fc. The car actually hops when you are making a turn over a bump road. I had one of my jics recharged and the turn around time was a bout a week.

 

There are also the KSport coilovers for the 3rd gen RX7's as well.

RX-7 93-97 13kg Front/9kg Rear

They have just regular top mounts which can be upgraded to pillowball top mounts as well.

Key Features:

36-way adjustable dampening
Made from high quality 6061 Aluminum with T6 for increased hardness
Compression/Rebound adjustable
Adjustable spring perch for height adjustment
Adjustable body allowing maximum suspension travel
Monotube High Pressure Design reduces oil leakage
Electroplated body for protection from corrosion and rust
1"- 3" Height adjustment

These can easily go for under $1,000 as well. They are also rebuildable and you can revalve them as well.

Mike

Here is an example pic of the kits (pic isn't of the actual rx7 kit)

 

How so cheap?

BTW, I would NEVER run aluminum monotube dampers on the street. Too fragile. One ding in the damper and you'll need a whole new damper.

 

Honestly I am not sure how they do it so cheap as they are not cheap products. They MSRP for them $1,300 but depending on the dealer they can go lower. I am a dealer of these products just can't do any sales or group buy type posts.

This company has multiple sponsored drift cars from 240's to even sets for the new mustangs. So far all kits that have sold not really a bad word about the kit yet.

Mike

 

Well, taking Rynberg's advice into account has accomplished two things.
1) I have spent way too much time researching coilovers, and not enough time working.
2) I'm leaning more towards the Zeal Function B6s vs. the Buddy Clubs.

Does anyone have any input on the Buddy Clubs...they are significantly cheaper than the Zeal units, which means more money towards track events.

Stew

 

I don't have any input on the Buddy Clubs, however, I can personally vouche for Endless/Zeal's customer support. Even before I purchased the coilovers (FUnction X), Kent Chen was on the phone with me for over an hour and a half or so, discussing different spring rates, what I was going to use the car for, etc. Very helpful before, and after the sale. Sorta what I hoped for with a purchase of that amount.

Other retailers (JIC) weren't exactly helpful on the phone, gave me quick answers as if my inquiry would not lead to a sale, so they sort of rushed me, which I don't really appreciate when pulling any monteary amount of of my account.

Performance of a coilover is 60% of the sale, the remaining 50% is customer appreciation/service/re-service, as I believe every aftermarket company should strive for 110%.

 

Hehe, plus i'm the director of motorsports for Endless North America. Being a Rotary enthusiast and fellow owner I am fully willing to give you some one on one to make sure the coils meet your functions. Please contact us at sales@autornd.com. I haven't read thru the whole thread but am now.

Thanks, Rishie