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01-14-2012, 03:07 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 17664
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: "Down-State" Illinois
Vehicle:2017 Impreza Spt MT Crystal White |
Feal 441 Coilovers, what's the skinny?
Went to FEAL suspensions site this morning and stumbled across a new product:
http://odib.web.officelive.com/Feal441.aspx (Official NASIOC vendor, link is legal ) Scanned the usual Suby-centric sites and google for some reviews or other information but came up empty-handed. Anyone known anything about these? Price is awfully inviting. They look like BC/KSport/Megan hardware but I trust Odi has worked his magic on the innards. The springs are certainly better quality than come with the usual Chinese/Taiwanese cheap coilovers. Has the Valhalla of inexpensive coilovers finally arrived?
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Last edited by gary p; 01-14-2012 at 03:26 PM. |
01-14-2012, 03:29 PM | #2 |
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i'd give them a shot over the other coilovers in that price range.
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01-14-2012, 05:55 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
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BAIC
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Now that's a conundrum.
At first glance they're definitely ksport/whatever hardware. I have some Ksport stuff at home that's junk. It's been rotting in my garage. They were, to be fair, serviceable while I used them, but I wouldn't have trusted them if I didn't watch them like a hawk. Also, nice springs wrapped around garbage isn't enough to sway me - the spring is the most minimally important piece of the equation. That said, feal's other offerings are very good. Furthermore, using swift springs may open up enough travel that the dampers could be (as in, not impossible) reasonably good. My personal opinion is that, if they ditched the top-mounts and used the money elsewhere it would open up a lot of possibilities for quality at a good price. That would probably significantly reduce the number of units sold though, because ricers expect spherical tops dammit. I think I would need to actually play with these a bit to pass a judgement. |
01-15-2012, 07:04 AM | #4 |
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while some of the hardware looks to be ksport ish I have a feeling that the insert itself is not.
I'm thinking it's a hotbits insert. I'm just guessing because of the other options offered by feal. Also, ksport inserts all seem to be 36 click adjustment while the hotbits are 30 for single adjustable models. Definitely not a sure fire method of telling what they are but its an observation. And if my suspicions are correct, this would make these a very decent package. I own a set of the 'gravel spec' double adjustable hotbits and they are a fantastic coilover. The feal versions are a fair chunk less than the hotbits as well. I would just give Odi a call though. I'm sure he would have no issues telling you the whole story of what you would be buying. |
01-15-2012, 02:42 PM | #5 |
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Feal inserts are hotbits iirc.... It stands to reason these are similar and based on that core....
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01-15-2012, 11:03 PM | #6 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: "Down-State" Illinois
Vehicle:2017 Impreza Spt MT Crystal White |
Quote:
I'd also disagree that the springs are the least important part. The tolerance range for actual spring rate relative to the claimed rate on cheap springs can be 10% or more. If you get one spring that's around 10% over the claimed rate and another that's around 10% under on the same axle you've got problems. I trust the Swifts to be built to a higher standard. |
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01-16-2012, 01:31 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
Any old spring on a nice damper is going to be much, much better than a really nice spring on a crappy damper. Thus the spring is the least important part. If you're going to build nice coilovers, nice springs are a good idea, but nice springs won't save a crappy coilover. |
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01-16-2012, 06:58 PM | #8 |
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TXIC
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Vehicle:2006 WRX CGM |
subscribed...looks like a great entry-level coilover.
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01-17-2012, 02:31 PM | #9 | |
Scooby Newbie
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Location: "Down-State" Illinois
Vehicle:2017 Impreza Spt MT Crystal White |
Quote:
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01-17-2012, 05:09 PM | #10 |
Former Vendor
Member#: 227414
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Hey! I was wondering how long until someone finds this on our website.
We are not trying to fool anyone with these lower cost coilovers. We found a reputable source for shock shafts, bodies...., and put together a package for those that want to spend less on suspension components. Yes, the majority of the parts are from Taiwan. We stock parts such as seals and bushings and perform rebuilds and revalves in house. We also warranty these for a year on a street car. Rebuilds for these are only $70 a corner for the original owner. The default valving for these is minimally digressive and super comfortable on the street. We feel like the best default spring rate for a daily driven GD with the Feal 441' is a 7K/5K. We used Swift springs because they are the rate they advertise, have tons of travel, and somehow ride nicer than anything else we test. Different spring rates and valving are available at no extra charge while placing the order. We have tested these on two different GD chassis imprezas. I really believe that the valving and springs will impress anyone that test drives a car with the Feal 441 coilovers. |
01-17-2012, 05:18 PM | #11 |
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Good job odi, Once again you have delivered a great product at lower cost and at $70 a corner to rebuild and revalve this is a great product for someone who can not afford $2000+ coilovers. To bad I already have your revalve struts or I would be all over this.
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01-18-2012, 12:08 AM | #12 |
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Vehicle:2005 STI....SOLD! 93 RX7...Not Broken |
Wow, this is awesome!
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01-18-2012, 02:20 AM | #13 |
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Odi, is it possible for you to put together an FXT coilover at the same price point? Something that has at least another inch in height over the impreza unit?
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01-18-2012, 05:54 AM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
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Vehicle:08 FSXT Tiger's Blood |
My long search for a decent entry coilover for Auto-x/DD may finally be over!
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01-18-2012, 07:49 AM | #15 |
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Subscribed for more info. If you would like these to be tested for an auto-x season, let me know!
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01-18-2012, 12:32 PM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 17664
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: "Down-State" Illinois
Vehicle:2017 Impreza Spt MT Crystal White |
Odi,
Other than Swift springs and Odi-spec shim stacks, are there any other upgrades from BC/K-Sport/Megan? Are you using their piston and adjuster jet/needle set or yours? Is the shock oil different? Do they have an external valve for nitrogen pressure adjustment? These have certainly captured my interest. |
01-18-2012, 08:13 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
I've had a set of ksports gt pros sitting in the garage for about a year now. I am curious to know just how much you can improve them. Would they be made similiar to these 441 coils you offer? |
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01-18-2012, 09:39 PM | #18 | ||
Former Vendor
Member#: 227414
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Quote:
Quote:
As for how these are charged with nitrogen. We charge them with a needle through a rubber valve like Ohlins, Hot Bits, ... Some of the other brands mentioned above use different methods of filling and sealing nitrogen. Thanks for the questions |
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01-18-2012, 10:26 PM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
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MWSOC
Location: Milwaukee (West Allis), WI
Vehicle:2006 Impreza 2.5i CGM |
want.
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01-18-2012, 11:25 PM | #20 |
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Shame, I'd pay a premium for a one-off too. My only alternative is a $2500 AST kit. If I could get something under $1900, I'd be game.
Though, I could remove my Koni's in favor of your Hotbits inserts?.. Hmmm.. |
01-19-2012, 12:09 AM | #21 |
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sometimes, and i mean sometimes, i wish some parts on my car would wear down a lot faster so i can get more stuff
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02-02-2012, 02:20 PM | #22 |
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bump
Anybody got these yet? I'm curious to hear some reviews. |
02-02-2012, 03:09 PM | #23 |
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02-02-2012, 04:11 PM | #24 |
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There is a build time right now for these. Hopefully youll see my review in 2-3weeks.
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02-02-2012, 06:36 PM | #25 |
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subscribed
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