Coilovers on the track? If so what are your thoughts in terms of quality and performance?

TIA

Ray

The Road and Tracks are no longer available in WRX/STi applications if I'm not mistaken. If you are referring to the Sportlines, I have them on my STi and I have tracked on them. They are outstanding, I honestly can't imagine a better setup. I like the simplicity of the single adjustability and yet I am able to easily dial in settings that feel perfect. They are head and shoulders above my old Whiteline G4's.

Those coilovers are so clean and sexy

I have the Flag series coilovers frmo Ohlins, and they offer double adjustability in both damping and height.

I also can't imagine a better setup for my requirements.

Ohlins makes fixed perch struts that people rave about as well.

Net-out, if you dont mind the price, Ohlins products for these cars seem to be extremely well designed and put together.

Ohlins has a very good reputation. I ran the Subaru coilovers on my 2004 STi and am now setting up a 2006 STI for the track. If money were no object - I would just get these, but it hurts the budget esp with all the other bits I need to buy...

Ray

Those coilovers are so clean and sexy
They all look like that until they're installed :)

The Ohlins Sportlines are definitely top-notch. A more trackworthy setup would be the RCE coilovers because they offer two-way independent adjustability of compression and rebound, they have stiffer spring rates (500f/400r), and most importantly they have a linear rear spring unlike the KW V3's. Not to mention they are a good amount cheaper than the Ohlins. Also they are very streetable as well because they use the same type of European valving that everyone loves.

As I understand it, the RCE coilovers are a rebranded KW V3 setup with a linear rear spring... Unfortunately I don't have any experience with the KW brand either.

I did not relize that the Ohlins had a progressive rear spring...

In terms of price, and this is my biggest problem :-) - is that you get what you pay for, and I can't afford what I would like...

Thanks

Ray

Are folks sure that the rear is a progressive spring on the Ohlins Sportlines??? I had understood they were linear.

Chris

As I understood it, the Flag series had a 8k,6k spring set and the Road/Track had a 7k,5k spring set...

Ray

I don't think anyone said the Sportlines have a progressive rear spring?


- andrew

As I understand it, the RCE coilovers are a rebranded KW V3 setup with a linear rear spring... Unfortunately I don't have any experience with the KW brand either.

I did not relize that the Ohlins had a progressive rear spring...

In terms of price, and this is my biggest problem :-) - is that you get what you pay for, and I can't afford what I would like...

Thanks

Ray
The RCEs have many improvements over the standard V3's, which extend beyond just the linear rear springs. Different valving, external reservoirs up front, double locking perches, etc. The Ohlins have linear springs with helpers front and rear. You are correct, you get what you pay for. I think it's better to save for what you really want rather than settling for something inferior and then wanting to replace it later.

Thanks for the feedback but back to the original question - has anyone tracked these for more than just a couple of laps?

Thanks

Ray

This may only be somewhat relevant, but John Tak and Andy Leiber have won back to back solo national championships in their BSP and ESP Evo's running the Ohlins Flag coilovers. I know they also recommended / sold a set to another local who took 9th in SM at nationals (also in an Evo).

That said...if I had the money I'd buy the Ohlins Flags in an instant. Since I don't have the money, I'm going to buy the RCE Tarmac 2's. They may be cheaper, but the "you get what you pay for" statement is only lightly applied in this case. Myles / RCE has proven time and again that they know subarus and suspensions. I have no doubt that their coilovers are the best you can buy in the price range, and are probably better than most coilovers up into the $3000 range.

I run ohlins non-threaded dampers (with ground control/eibach springs) on the 240rs and they are awesome. I won't begin adjusting them until next season but at middle range dampening they are great. We have installed a few sets on Evo's though and have nothing but impressive results.

Its my impression that a good amount of Ohlins are made by Soqi in Japan, especially the ones we have seen. They are all still rebuildable by ohlins (rbahr, there is a place in NH called AMF motorsports which is a large Ohlins dealer and rebuilder) and have the exact same quality but are extremely popular in Japan for most domestic sports cars.

Thanks Bill,

The Ohlins for our cars are indeed made by Soqi who are owned by Yamaha which I think owns Ohlins or has a strong business relationship with them. I will call AMF...

Thanks

Ray

Thanks for the feedback but back to the original question - has anyone tracked these for more than just a couple of laps?

Thanks

Ray

YES , I had a set of the original Road and Tracks back in mid 2004 on my Sti. To answer the question. YES, but the spring rates were TOOO soft , mainly because they were intended for the WRX and Ohlins of Sweden revalved them to be USA worthy, thinking we here in the states wanted something soft. WRONG they were and thats why the originals DID NOT sell at all.

Then a year later I convinced Ohlins USA to import the FIXED PERCH and then the Sportlines, and then the Flag series and now the PCV Ohlins for Legacy.

Comment on the RCE coilovers: I think there are many ways to skin a cat. Many times it is about preference. One person prefers to skin it this way and another that way.

The Ohlins Sportlines are a great DD and track coilover. I have setting for the RCE/Kw coilovers that perfectly emulate the Ohlins. With that said, it becomes obvious why the 2 way is an advantage. You can make it like you want it.

Rebranded V3's is very inaccurate. We spent alot of time working with KW to make changes based on feedback from customers here in the USA, South Africa, South America, Dubai, France, etc. We have sold many, many sets and wanted to offer our version of that design but with vital upgrades and changes.

So calling it "rebranded" is not true, or at least not like say some of the popular UK based rally teams do for "sport" OEM applications.

Myles Williams

Its my impression that a good amount of Ohlins are made by Soqi in Japan, especially the ones we have seen. .

Actually the fact is that Ohlins Sweden MAKES the parts and Ohlins Japan(Soqi) assembles them. I was apart of a meeting in March with all 3 parties.

RCE employee.

Has there been an updated set of the Road and Track since your first drive - if so, have you tracked these?

Thanks

Ray

Has there been an updated set of the Road and Track since your first drive - if so, have you tracked these?

Thanks

Ray

Yes the Sportline in marketing terms replaced the Road and Track ,.kinda. The Sportlines are valved more aggressively and have firmer spring rates to match the valving. Dan ( Boost Junkie) has this set up on his CGM STI with those suck-arse Prodrive wheels...LOL. JK, ( I have those same wheels).

THe sportlines can take alot more spring rate than what they come with.

Myles