Wassup y'all. I'm in the market for new coilovers (I have BC's but are pretty subpar to say the least...) and finding the Ohlins route to be the go to and proven part for this car. Was hoping I could get some advice from the S2KI experts here, hopefully this isn't a repeat of many threads- I've been piecing together information here and there, but wanted a gut check from the pros

My planned setup:
- Stock suspension outside of coilovers (sway bars etc are all stock), stock 2004 AP2
- 255/40/17 square set up with either 200 rated or 400 rated tires (either Falken RT660 or Indy 500's, haven't decided)
- No big aero, will either have a oem lip spoiler or oem spoiler (non CR)
- 99% street car, 1% track car (as in 1-2 track days a year at most)
- Comfort does not matter to me, being planted around corners does, I tend to like it stiffer (no homo). This is a weekend car and I'm used to discomfort in general so not an issue for me
- Live up in norcal, roads are ok...more concerned about spinning out over a dip or bump if I go too stiff

My questions are:
1. Are swift springs that much better than stock Ohlins, or is the main benefit that you can customize the spring rates?
2. What are optimal spring rates given the above background info? I've been told it's better to go equal front and rear spring rates given a non-staggered/square set up, so I was thinking 13k/13k.
3. I did read another thread that Ohlins has a max of ~12k/10k without needing to revalve. If that is the case (I don't want to revalve) then it'd be 10k/10k vs 12k/10k, wondering what thoughts are on that between those two

 

I would strongly suggest looking at FA510 since you want something customizable. I love my FA's.

If you're bent on Ohlins (I also love my Ohlins), then get the SBG version with custom valving.

1.) Swifts are lighter, provide more travel til they block out, are known to be very consistent in terms of rate, and also have some slight self damping properties. There's nothing wrong with the Eibachs that come on the Ohlins - they're world class springs. FA also offers swift upgrades.

2.) You live in CA. Your roads are better than most of the country. IDK...12K/10K is a spring rate that works fairly universally. Get a shock that's valved to take a range of rates. Springs are cheap and easy to swap out.

This is another reason I'm suggesting FA510's. They can take a (+/-) 8KG/mm spring rate range on whatever base valving you choose. Meaning you could specify 14KG/mm valving and use anywhere from 6KG/mm to 22KG/mm springs on the SAME valving.

3.) You shouldn't run more than 12/10 on base Ohlins valving. Your comfort aside...the shock has to properly control the spring to be effective.

A comfortable setup is usually a fast setup. Not only does it promote confidence...but it also means the suspension is being controlled properly over bumps. A setup that rattles your teeth out is probably also going to send you flying off the road from hitting a pebble.

Remember...race cars are made to be as soft and comfortable as they possibly can be.

 

Thanks for the reply. Slightly off topic, but I was reading about FA's as well and actually deciding if FA 500's would fit my needs since I didn't want to dish out more for the Ohlins/510 price point. But I believe the consensus is that the FA 510's vs FA 500's are totally different and the 500's are a no go vs the 510's.

I was a bit drawn away from FA after hearing that...but to put things on a level playing field and looking at the FA510 vs Ohlins, given that they are the same price point, I'm leaning towards Ohlins because FA's are still Taiwanese manufactured (although assembled here in US). They do seem to have a better warranty terms (5 yr vs 2 yr) and since they are US based I'm sure there's good customer support if needed. But it seems like Ohlins is the true and tried and their resale value holds up if I ever want to part things out. But I am curious to hear from your perspective how the FA vs Ohlins feel from a performance perspective, all things aside. I realized I was reading another thread where you owned a set. If the FA's are noticeably better, I could be swayed

 

Ohlins are just a way more basic setup in terms of features. They're excellent shocks paired to a very basic system.

You can, ofcourse customize them. But then you're shelling out a ton of money.

I have the FA500 because I wanted to see how far I could push a cost effective setup. I use that car primarily for track use. I have them with 14K/12K springs (14K square valving). I would NOT recommend my particular setup for a daily driver. But for a weekend banger? Yeah ok.

You can buy more sane rates/valving on the 500 and be just fine, though.

The 510 is more refined and way more flexible. You can effectively use stiff springs and still maintain comfort. The valving range is huge.

FA's are customizable as you buy them. They come with a ton of features like pass thru cups and extremely long travel. They are VERY much a "DIY" setup. But they do offer tech support. If you don't know what you're doing...you may be left a little puzzled.

Ohlins kinda spells it all out for you. But...again, its because they are a strictly controlled setup. Ohlins designs it and spells out all the limits.. You basically just install it.

Again, a 3rd party can customize them. But there goes your warranty. Once you're done spending all your cash, I have no doubt that the car will ride well *as long as* you and the 3rd party did your homework.

As far as resale....Idk why you're worried ab how much something is worth to someone else. But that's a concept I grapple with for a lot of things.

I would go with whichever setup I will enjoy more. Because I'm the one buying them in the first place. Whomever is buying them from me is getting them at a discounted price. Why tf would I want to be so considerate of their needs?

That's just my thought process though. The more I buy things with only me in mind...the more likely I am NOT to part anything out. That's a smarter use of money, IMO. I'm not buying shit for some other fool with bad taste.

Anyway, good luck on your choice.

Ohlins: plug and play and fuggedaboudit. And they're available right away.

FA510: Infinite customization. But get a good grip on what you're asking for. I recommend these because you were talking about customizing spring rates. This is an easier/more cost effective setup to do that with. 6 week lead time sucks though.

 

Also as far as country of origin goes....

The Ohlins are built in either north America or Sweden.
The components are from (????)

FA are built in VA.
The components are from (????)

 

The Öhlins road and track model for our car is actually made in Japan.

 

I thought the machining was done in Japan but assy done in North America or Sweden?

no?

 

Norcal here. Our roads have a lot of big yumps and rear stroke travel is beneficial. Your use case is same as mine. 90% street 10% track.

12k/10k would be on the stiffer side. Stock spring rate and valving on Ohlins works well. Personally I run 11k/11k SBG FPSport on a 255 square setup and when it was on stock '04 sways it was very "neutral" and over-steer prone. It was fun but not the fastest setup. Definitely not a setup for novice or intermediate level driver. Comfort level is good but you have to watch for the big yumps, they will upset the car. If you are a novice or intermediate level driver, or like a car that is more buttoned down, I would suggest a bigger front sway bar if you have square spring rate & tire setup. Even with the 32mm SBG front bar the car is still reasonably tail happy. The simpler solution is just going to staggered spring rate and leaving the sway bars alone.

Optimal setup for street may be the SBG long travel shocks for more rear stroke travel, with stock Ohlins spring rates and stagger, with square tire setup, and stock sways. If you can't afford long travel then stock Ohlins would be fine.

Some example vids:
Stock Ohlins:

11k/11k SBG Ohlins with 255 square, 32mm SBG front sway bar stock rear sway bar

11k/11k SBG Ohlins with 255 square, stock sway bars

 

I asked a Öhlins rep here in Sweden a couple of years ago.
He just said that they are made in Japan and that they had a few different suppliers for the springs.
Guess it could mean they are assembled elsewhere but didn't sound like that.

 

Right on, that's good to know. Sounds like 10/8 may be a bit more street friendly than the 12/10, but what I'm getting is that I shouldn't run equal front and rear spring rates unless I go with a sway bar mod to combat oversteer.

When you refer to the SBG long travel shock, is it just the 'extended lower cups'?

I remember reading back that FA components were from Taiwan, maybe someone can help confirm.