phatning
02-17-2007, 12:12 AM
After much anticipation and waiting, I finally received my RCE Tarmac II coilover w/ comfort spring rate (350/300) along with RCE lowering camber plates for the front and RCE modified Group N tophat for the rear. My buddy LTrain and I installed them on my wagon the following day despite of a pending snow storm that evening (I just couldn't wait any longer).
The Install - LTrain and I had already changed my wagon's suspension more than a few times by then (stock setup to KYB AGX w/ USDM Pink for wagon setup to an entry level coilover setup) so the install wasn't hard at all; everything was pretty much standard routine of what you would expect when changing your springs. The fitment was perfect, no surprise at all; I guess that shows the amount of time and effort that RCE and KW put in during the R&D phase. Prior to the install I had set the height to what RCE recommended as the maximum setting. I also adjusted compression and rebound setting as according to what RCE recommended for daily driving.
The Look - The car had even drop between the front and the back. The car initially sat lower than I had expected. This was because I measured the distance from the wrong spring perch; I should have measured from the 1st spring perch (adjacent to the spring) instead of the 2nd one as I did initially. I have since re-adjusted the setting and now the car sits about 13-1/2" (between wheel arch and wheel center) and 25" (from wheel arch to ground) in the front, and 13-1/4" (between wheel arch and wheel center) and 25-1/16" (from wheel arch to ground) in the rear.
Sorry, no picture... I didn't take any because I didn't want to showcase a dirty car; my PSM wagon is almost white from the road salt thanks to the recent snow storm in NYC. I will take some after I get a car wash this weekend.
The Ride - I am still amazed at how much Tarmac II with comfort spring rate has improved the ride of my car. My previous coilover setup, which coincidentally blew the valving a couple days before Tarmac II's arrival, was considered a step 'softer' than what you would normally expect in Japanese coilover. Nevertheless, the ride was still very jarring and harsh when traveling down the bumpy road (which are plenty in NYC). Tarmac II, on the other hand, just soaks up all those bumps and the ride is so much smoother. I would say Tarmac II is just a bit firmer than the KYB AGX w/ USDM Pink for wagon setup that I had. The low pitch, soft sounding, thumping noise Tarmac II makes whenever going over bumps almost reminds me of my good old E36 M3/4 (w/ stock suspension). I guess the German connection there is largely due to who RCE teamed up with - KW.
The Handling - Well, I got the car aligned today. The car is dialed in at about -1.6 camber in the front with +4.8 castor and -1.0 in the rear w/ 0 toe in all four. Unfortunately due to icy roadway here in NYC, I haven't been able to really push the car around the corner yet. On highway, at high speed, the car feels solid and well connected to the road. This is a much welcome improvement over my previous coilover setup as it would always get kind of 'floaty' whenever the car went over bumps.
A couple of observations. The valving adjustment - as per RCE's instruction - is done through 'turn', i.e. 360-degree is a 'full turn'. I noticed, however, that there's 'clicking' feel as I was adjusting the setting. RCE still recommends to follow 'turn' rather than 'click'.
My Tarmac II did not come with piggy back reservoirs as originally shown. Apparently, as according to RCE, KW made a mid-production change due to internal updates. I guess, if anything, it saves some weight for me.
The bottom line is that if you are in the market for a set of coilover, I highly recommend RCE Tarmac II. True, it is a bit on the pricey side considering you can get coilover in the sub $1,000 range nowadays. But remember, you get what you paid for (learn from my lesson and save some money). For the ride comfort, compression and rebound adjustment capability, and RCE's outstanding customer service, I don't think there's anything on the market currently that offers better value than Tarmac II.
Here are some pictures...
RCE Tarmac II (Side) (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX08s.jpg)
RCE Tarmac II (Rear 1/4) (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX09s.jpg)
Previous Coilover Setup (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX06s.jpg)
KYB AGX w/ USDM Wagon Pink Setup (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX05s.jpg) Please ignore the black rooftop...
The Install - LTrain and I had already changed my wagon's suspension more than a few times by then (stock setup to KYB AGX w/ USDM Pink for wagon setup to an entry level coilover setup) so the install wasn't hard at all; everything was pretty much standard routine of what you would expect when changing your springs. The fitment was perfect, no surprise at all; I guess that shows the amount of time and effort that RCE and KW put in during the R&D phase. Prior to the install I had set the height to what RCE recommended as the maximum setting. I also adjusted compression and rebound setting as according to what RCE recommended for daily driving.
The Look - The car had even drop between the front and the back. The car initially sat lower than I had expected. This was because I measured the distance from the wrong spring perch; I should have measured from the 1st spring perch (adjacent to the spring) instead of the 2nd one as I did initially. I have since re-adjusted the setting and now the car sits about 13-1/2" (between wheel arch and wheel center) and 25" (from wheel arch to ground) in the front, and 13-1/4" (between wheel arch and wheel center) and 25-1/16" (from wheel arch to ground) in the rear.
Sorry, no picture... I didn't take any because I didn't want to showcase a dirty car; my PSM wagon is almost white from the road salt thanks to the recent snow storm in NYC. I will take some after I get a car wash this weekend.
The Ride - I am still amazed at how much Tarmac II with comfort spring rate has improved the ride of my car. My previous coilover setup, which coincidentally blew the valving a couple days before Tarmac II's arrival, was considered a step 'softer' than what you would normally expect in Japanese coilover. Nevertheless, the ride was still very jarring and harsh when traveling down the bumpy road (which are plenty in NYC). Tarmac II, on the other hand, just soaks up all those bumps and the ride is so much smoother. I would say Tarmac II is just a bit firmer than the KYB AGX w/ USDM Pink for wagon setup that I had. The low pitch, soft sounding, thumping noise Tarmac II makes whenever going over bumps almost reminds me of my good old E36 M3/4 (w/ stock suspension). I guess the German connection there is largely due to who RCE teamed up with - KW.
The Handling - Well, I got the car aligned today. The car is dialed in at about -1.6 camber in the front with +4.8 castor and -1.0 in the rear w/ 0 toe in all four. Unfortunately due to icy roadway here in NYC, I haven't been able to really push the car around the corner yet. On highway, at high speed, the car feels solid and well connected to the road. This is a much welcome improvement over my previous coilover setup as it would always get kind of 'floaty' whenever the car went over bumps.
A couple of observations. The valving adjustment - as per RCE's instruction - is done through 'turn', i.e. 360-degree is a 'full turn'. I noticed, however, that there's 'clicking' feel as I was adjusting the setting. RCE still recommends to follow 'turn' rather than 'click'.
My Tarmac II did not come with piggy back reservoirs as originally shown. Apparently, as according to RCE, KW made a mid-production change due to internal updates. I guess, if anything, it saves some weight for me.
The bottom line is that if you are in the market for a set of coilover, I highly recommend RCE Tarmac II. True, it is a bit on the pricey side considering you can get coilover in the sub $1,000 range nowadays. But remember, you get what you paid for (learn from my lesson and save some money). For the ride comfort, compression and rebound adjustment capability, and RCE's outstanding customer service, I don't think there's anything on the market currently that offers better value than Tarmac II.
Here are some pictures...
RCE Tarmac II (Side) (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX08s.jpg)
RCE Tarmac II (Rear 1/4) (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX09s.jpg)
Previous Coilover Setup (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX06s.jpg)
KYB AGX w/ USDM Wagon Pink Setup (http://www.hydradesignbuild.com/HDB/properties/TNing/TWRX05s.jpg) Please ignore the black rooftop...