Anyone using DMS suspension?

[Dylanamus]

I'm getting over the whole JDM bolt on phase and am looking into real suspension, but my research comes to a dead end when searching for people who are actually using it on CRXs or Civics.

The closest relevant setup to what I'm thinking of is that chick with a civic rally car running a pro-flex outfit. I'm not looking at dirt or even gravel, just tarmac (ie mostly public road events, like hill climb and tarmac point to point rallies.)

At the moment I'm looking at DMS 50mm adjustable with spherical bearing upper mounts. Don't know what spring rates or what shock length or what valving to use.. haven't found much info so far and I really need corner weights to get a response from DMS themselves.

Anyone who has some first hand knowledge or experience, post away! Cheers :thumbsup:

[mugsee]

Talk about hardcore mods! Have you spoken to Jeff or Zac at Techsports in Bayswater? Their probably the best people to speak to in terms of DMS suspension, as they use it for their competition Evo's.

[EKVTIR-T]

Yep talk to TechSport.They do corner weighting too ;)

TechSport 97209300.

[BRU51N]

i used to run these on my evo, theyre quality items, at a very expensive price, even rebuliding them would be expensive.

as for quality, theyre awesome man, adjustments on them is quite hard to use, as you need to be really accurate when your adjusting the dampers (they didnt really click like teins) but its very good because when you purchase them, you pretty much select the coilover setup you want, your choice in spring rate etc.

also the pistons in the shocks are huge, the thickness was something ive never seen before, even my mechanic was shocked at the size of it.

for the evo the coilover were something like $4500-5200 (depends on what accessories you want with it)

more details at:
http://www.dmshocks.com/default.asp?id=35

[ginganggooly]

DMS stuff is very, very good... I rode in a wrx on some dms puppies a few years ago. I was amazed at the ride quality; It's nothing like the japanese suspension i've sampled. It never felt jittery or bouncy, just perfectly controlled at all times.

Great choice if you go ahead with it.

[Dylanamus]

Well from what I can see, half of the parts that DMS use to build their coilovers are sourced from the same supplier that Proflex use - and proflex have the reputation for being the ultimate. So I thought DMS could be the way to go.

I don't mean to be too harsh towards JDM coilovers, but it seems it's a bit of a hit and miss and that if you purchase suspension designed for the track, it comes at a complete sacrifice for street racing - especially on Australian roads. I found street oriented suspension barely better than OEM when pushed around too... Just looking to break free of the cylce of dissatisfaction!

I take it no one has put DMS on a CRX or a Civic then? I would really like to discuss things like shock length, valving, spring rates (progressive or set) etc

Thanks for your testimonials guys

[e240]

I don't mean to be too harsh towards JDM coilovers, but it seems it's a bit of a hit and miss and that if you purchase suspension designed for the track, it comes at a complete sacrifice for street racing - especially on Australian roads. I found street oriented suspension barely better than OEM when pushed around too... Just looking to break free of the cylce of dissatisfaction!


There are aftermarket Japanese suspensions and there are aftermarket Japanese suspensions. You cannot expect a $1~$2K aftermarket suspension to perform as well as a $4~$5K suspension (which is essentially what the DMS costs).

Try getting an aftermarket Japanese suspension in the $4~$5K range and you will probably find it performs as well if not better than the DMS. In fact, you can even specify to the factory how you want the suspension setup and valved etc.

The advantage that DMS probably has here is that they've got the ability to support the local requirements and build custom. Most Japanese suspensions do not have proper support here, and you can only buy them in kit form with everything already pre-packaged. Reckon if you are willing to pay the same amount for Japanese suspension, you can ask for specific valve rates and spring rates and it will be all the multi-adjustable as well.

[ginganggooly]

I remember reading somewhere that the hardcore zeal products were manufactured by DMS. Food for thought.

[e240]

I remember reading somewhere that the hardcore zeal products were manufactured by DMS. Food for thought.

Won't be surprised...but you'll be paying top dollars for that as well and essentially getting the same quality. Its not like if you buy from DMS you get it any cheaper.

[Dylanamus]

My current suspension is more the $2k-3k range, but your point is valid. There is a big difference between the two budgets.

The biggest difference is fully custom versus pre-designed kits that are designed for japanese circuits, not Australian roads.

The fact that DMS have an Australian presence is why I have turned away from the JDM suspension aftermarket and have begun looking into Aussie rally-bred products. The bottom line is Aussie roads are shit, so we need better shocks and progressive springs...

The aim of the post is more to get feedback from people running it in CRX/Civics. Cheers

[Steer^Gimic]

Hey Dylan, good to see your looking outside of the square (the JDM square!) but to be honest, as good as the DMS' look good on paper, and in figures in regards to spring rates and construction etc, the ONLY way your going to find out is by testing them on the track.

You had Buddy Clubs previously? did you push them hard on the track? maybe they could have been suited for your needs, sure the bound/rebound was a PITA on the street, but that could have been completely compromised on the track.

I just think its a worthy experiment before throwing 4k at your suspension when the rest of the drivetrain needs focussing first.

and if then, everythings complete, and you have a coilover setup at the moment, get everything else sorted first, that you know just how much of an improvement the DMS' will make over the BuddyClubs or whatever you have.

[Dxs]

My current suspension is more the $2k-3k range, but your point is valid. There is a big difference between the two budgets.



your coilovers are easily sub 2k.. if you were to buy them in japan today they would be around 1.6k. just because you pay a lot of postage you shouldnt factor that in.

there are some good JDM shit when you pay 4k.. in japan
maybe just get something milder


the grass is always greener

[Dylanamus]

DXS: I understand the point you are making about price-range, but you know these things retail for $2800 in Aus? Anyway... if it's more relevant to compare pre-shipped prices, then DMS would be cheaper than comparable Zeals for EF8, plus have local support and be fully customised.

Steer^Gimic: I totally agree with you. It's mostly that my goals have changed from track to tarmac. And I'm working on every other problem on the car before changing suspension. The BuddyClubs work and the handling isn't terrible, it's just not what I want. So I can deal with it while I address other things like my entire steering assembly, transmission and the rest of the suspension geometry.

Just doing some research! If i have to pick on JDM to get some people posting about the good stuff over there, then it all serves the same purpose :P

[Dylanamus]

Resurrection: DMS 40mm for street? Any comments?