Ohlins DFV Coilover Kit
Joined: Jun 2010
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A friend sent me that link. I was curious about whose car it was, since there were some glaring errors in the article. The thing that is most bothersome about it is that ALL of the references they make about the damper adjustments are completely wrong. The dampers should be adjusted some number of clicks from full stiff, not from full soft. Therefore, all of their references to damper settings are completely backwards from what they should be. I've had my front dampers set at 8 clicks (from full stiff) in the front, and 10 clicks in the rear. This has provided excellent handling AND ride quality.
BTW, I just had an awesome day at my first autocross with these coilovers! I will post more about it tomorrow, but the short story is that I got FTD (fastest time of the day) by 1.49 seconds! The last time I got FTD at an autocross was 2003!
BTW, I just had an awesome day at my first autocross with these coilovers! I will post more about it tomorrow, but the short story is that I got FTD (fastest time of the day) by 1.49 seconds! The last time I got FTD at an autocross was 2003!
Thread Starter
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 15,526
Likes: 19
I probably should have mentioned it again, but I described my previous setup in the 1st sentence of the 1st post. It was Koni Yellows with Koni upper and lower spring perches and Eibach racing coilover springs (500# front / 450# rear). Basically, the ride height was identical, and the spring rates were very similar to what I have now. I now have slightly stiffer springs in the front and much better shocks.
Thread Starter
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 15,526
Likes: 19
No need to tear the care apart! You can adjust everything without uninstalling them. Here is what I would do to get them set correctly:
1) Loosen the spring perches, and remove all the preload from the springs (making them totally loose)
2) Tighten the spring perches again
3) Loosen the lock nut at the shock base, so you can adjust the damper height
4) Screw the damper in or out of the base using the tightened spring perches until they are at the right length
5) Tighten the lock nut
6) Loosen the spring perches
7) Adjust the lower perch upward until you achieve the right preload
8) Tighten the spring perches.
1) Loosen the spring perches, and remove all the preload from the springs (making them totally loose)
2) Tighten the spring perches again
3) Loosen the lock nut at the shock base, so you can adjust the damper height
4) Screw the damper in or out of the base using the tightened spring perches until they are at the right length
5) Tighten the lock nut
6) Loosen the spring perches
7) Adjust the lower perch upward until you achieve the right preload
8) Tighten the spring perches.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 68
From: TX
Gernby, thank you for your business and this thread.
I went from Moton ClubSports ($5K) to Ohlins DFVs and had a similar experience to gernby. Softer on the street, more car control at high speed. It really boils down to 2 things. The temperature sensitive slow speed damping valve that provides consistent damping when cold and hot. Second, the Dual Flow Valve that is a 3rd path, super high speed valve that keeps the car settled over high speed bumps. You really have to take a ride to feel it. Please visit our site for details on both. Ohlins DFVs
If you scroll to the bottom, you can see numerous reviews about the DFVs. You cant find a negative review about them and no one can believe how good they were at both street and track. Ohlins did a great job tuning the DFVs valves and springs for each application. Please take a few minutes to read all reviews.
I went from Moton ClubSports ($5K) to Ohlins DFVs and had a similar experience to gernby. Softer on the street, more car control at high speed. It really boils down to 2 things. The temperature sensitive slow speed damping valve that provides consistent damping when cold and hot. Second, the Dual Flow Valve that is a 3rd path, super high speed valve that keeps the car settled over high speed bumps. You really have to take a ride to feel it. Please visit our site for details on both. Ohlins DFVs
If you scroll to the bottom, you can see numerous reviews about the DFVs. You cant find a negative review about them and no one can believe how good they were at both street and track. Ohlins did a great job tuning the DFVs valves and springs for each application. Please take a few minutes to read all reviews.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 344
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From: JCMO
No need to tear the care apart! You can adjust everything without uninstalling them. Here is what I would do to get them set correctly:
1) Loosen the spring perches, and remove all the preload from the springs (making them totally loose)
2) Tighten the spring perches again
3) Loosen the lock nut at the shock base, so you can adjust the damper height
4) Screw the damper in or out of the base using the tightened spring perches until they are at the right length
5) Tighten the lock nut
6) Loosen the spring perches
7) Adjust the lower perch upward until you achieve the right preload
8) Tighten the spring perches.
1) Loosen the spring perches, and remove all the preload from the springs (making them totally loose)
2) Tighten the spring perches again
3) Loosen the lock nut at the shock base, so you can adjust the damper height
4) Screw the damper in or out of the base using the tightened spring perches until they are at the right length
5) Tighten the lock nut
6) Loosen the spring perches
7) Adjust the lower perch upward until you achieve the right preload
8) Tighten the spring perches.
Since I have the oldschool DFV's and not the R&T ones my measurements were slightly different (within 1/2") as I was restricted by the design. I'm happy with the ride now and it feels much more planted, sadly for the preloads to be spot on I have the car about 3/4" higher than I would like.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Gernby, thank you for your business and this thread.
I went from Moton ClubSports ($5K) to Ohlins DFVs and had a similar experience to gernby. Softer on the street, more car control at high speed. It really boils down to 2 things. The temperature sensitive slow speed damping valve that provides consistent damping when cold and hot. Second, the Dual Flow Valve that is a 3rd path, super high speed valve that keeps the car settled over high speed bumps. You really have to take a ride to feel it. Please visit our site for details on both. Ohlins DFVs
If you scroll to the bottom, you can see numerous reviews about the DFVs. You cant find a negative review about them and no one can believe how good they were at both street and track. Ohlins did a great job tuning the DFVs valves and springs for each application. Please take a few minutes to read all reviews.
I went from Moton ClubSports ($5K) to Ohlins DFVs and had a similar experience to gernby. Softer on the street, more car control at high speed. It really boils down to 2 things. The temperature sensitive slow speed damping valve that provides consistent damping when cold and hot. Second, the Dual Flow Valve that is a 3rd path, super high speed valve that keeps the car settled over high speed bumps. You really have to take a ride to feel it. Please visit our site for details on both. Ohlins DFVs
If you scroll to the bottom, you can see numerous reviews about the DFVs. You cant find a negative review about them and no one can believe how good they were at both street and track. Ohlins did a great job tuning the DFVs valves and springs for each application. Please take a few minutes to read all reviews.
