nigs
25-11-2011, 12:44 PM
Hello y'all. Thought I'd do a write up on these lovely coilovers.
I've had them for nearly 2 months now. Done a fair bit of street/hill driving and 1 track session @ Lakeside with them. I think I have a pretty good impression of what they are like now.
First off, I have the DC2R model in my car.
Spring Rate F:14kg/mm R: 6kg/mm
30 or 32 step damper adjustable (20 too many clicks IMO)
Tired of cheap/poor designed shocks, mismatched springs, over the top compression/extension. I really wanted something I could live with while still being some what competitive at the track. So after having a set of Ohlins shocks in my GTR, I decided to get a coilover set for the Civic.
I was initially put off by the big difference in spring rate and this does show BUT they were designed with a 24mm Rear Sway Bar in mind. I at the moment run none for my own reasons. So please take into consideration my lack of RSB when I describe the Ohlins.
DFV stands for Dual Flow Valve and can be read about here http://www.roadandtrackbyohlins.com/en/the-technology/
http://autobacs-asm.jp/blog/asm/image/719%20ohlins%201%20DSC_9247.jpg
Street: Dampers are set to 50%-70% for road use.
The first thing I notice was how COMFORTABLE they are! OMG shit was amazing, it was like driving on firm OEM setup. Like that of a GTi. And yes they are on the soft side when it comes to compression. But it's so controlled that I don't think it hinders the driving experience or speed. Mountain roads can be rather rough, will plenty of bad patches, holes and loose debris. The Ohlins had no trouble tackling any of this. It was well poised.
Road noise is minimal too, even with the car half stripped and sound deading removed. Running RSR tyres, it's quiet civil.
Track: Once again, I must say. This unit is rather SOFT! I've confirmed that with other users. So I was a little worried hitting the track with them. But to my surprise, once you turn them up past 85% damper. They run great! My last session I had them on 3 clicks from the stiffest setting and they ran very well! Considering I have no rear sway.
I found they settle into a corner quiet quick and smooth. Allowing for very early throttle. This also makes it very easy and comfortable to drive at pace. The car is never on edge, it's a very timid feeling. Nothing like what I'm use to in drift/track cars.
Some may prefer this, some may hate it. It took me a while to get use to. It's not as lively as I had hoped, like you could fly off the corner if you made a small mistake.
Lost of traction is fairly predictable and over-steer is simply dialed out with a bit of throttle and hope your LSD works.
The rear really does "squat" into corners. I hope a RSB is going to liven things up.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i55/vteclol/new%20egg/2011-09-19144736.jpg
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i55/vteclol/new%20egg/2011-10-11195157.jpg
So to sum it up, AMAZING shocks! So well controlled. The 14kg/mm springs certainly do not feel like 14kg. Could go with a stiffer spring in the rear.
They don't have that "crashing" affect you get with lesser units.
All Alloy body makes it lighter!
Make sure to set the damper on a high setting when driving aggressively, otherwise they are too soft.
I would recommend them for people who would do more street driving than track. Probably 80% street 20% track.
So in saying that, I guess I bought the wrong coilovers. :eek:
Please remember when choosing coilovers/spring rates that you match them to the tyre you are going to run. Heavy springs with bad tyres will give you no traction. And soft springs with a semi with give you body roll. -_-.
I feel this unit is capable of satisfying a wide spectrum of tyres.
p.s SUPER COMFORTABLE.
I've had them for nearly 2 months now. Done a fair bit of street/hill driving and 1 track session @ Lakeside with them. I think I have a pretty good impression of what they are like now.
First off, I have the DC2R model in my car.
Spring Rate F:14kg/mm R: 6kg/mm
30 or 32 step damper adjustable (20 too many clicks IMO)
Tired of cheap/poor designed shocks, mismatched springs, over the top compression/extension. I really wanted something I could live with while still being some what competitive at the track. So after having a set of Ohlins shocks in my GTR, I decided to get a coilover set for the Civic.
I was initially put off by the big difference in spring rate and this does show BUT they were designed with a 24mm Rear Sway Bar in mind. I at the moment run none for my own reasons. So please take into consideration my lack of RSB when I describe the Ohlins.
DFV stands for Dual Flow Valve and can be read about here http://www.roadandtrackbyohlins.com/en/the-technology/
http://autobacs-asm.jp/blog/asm/image/719%20ohlins%201%20DSC_9247.jpg
Street: Dampers are set to 50%-70% for road use.
The first thing I notice was how COMFORTABLE they are! OMG shit was amazing, it was like driving on firm OEM setup. Like that of a GTi. And yes they are on the soft side when it comes to compression. But it's so controlled that I don't think it hinders the driving experience or speed. Mountain roads can be rather rough, will plenty of bad patches, holes and loose debris. The Ohlins had no trouble tackling any of this. It was well poised.
Road noise is minimal too, even with the car half stripped and sound deading removed. Running RSR tyres, it's quiet civil.
Track: Once again, I must say. This unit is rather SOFT! I've confirmed that with other users. So I was a little worried hitting the track with them. But to my surprise, once you turn them up past 85% damper. They run great! My last session I had them on 3 clicks from the stiffest setting and they ran very well! Considering I have no rear sway.
I found they settle into a corner quiet quick and smooth. Allowing for very early throttle. This also makes it very easy and comfortable to drive at pace. The car is never on edge, it's a very timid feeling. Nothing like what I'm use to in drift/track cars.
Some may prefer this, some may hate it. It took me a while to get use to. It's not as lively as I had hoped, like you could fly off the corner if you made a small mistake.
Lost of traction is fairly predictable and over-steer is simply dialed out with a bit of throttle and hope your LSD works.
The rear really does "squat" into corners. I hope a RSB is going to liven things up.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i55/vteclol/new%20egg/2011-09-19144736.jpg
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i55/vteclol/new%20egg/2011-10-11195157.jpg
So to sum it up, AMAZING shocks! So well controlled. The 14kg/mm springs certainly do not feel like 14kg. Could go with a stiffer spring in the rear.
They don't have that "crashing" affect you get with lesser units.
All Alloy body makes it lighter!
Make sure to set the damper on a high setting when driving aggressively, otherwise they are too soft.
I would recommend them for people who would do more street driving than track. Probably 80% street 20% track.
So in saying that, I guess I bought the wrong coilovers. :eek:
Please remember when choosing coilovers/spring rates that you match them to the tyre you are going to run. Heavy springs with bad tyres will give you no traction. And soft springs with a semi with give you body roll. -_-.
I feel this unit is capable of satisfying a wide spectrum of tyres.
p.s SUPER COMFORTABLE.