Got my coilovers finally....

Aj · Post by Aj » November 29th, 2002, 4:38 am

Well, I got my coilovers in yesterday via UPS, which I think really should be called OOPS, bewteen coming to my door, but forgetting to knock, and then coming back, getting me to sign, and then almost leaving without giving me the package, but realizing it wasn't even on the truck, so I had to go to the service center, and waite around for them to bring it to me. The way I figure, I could have just driven to Cali. to go pick them up with all the time I wasted on them. I would have given them a hard time about it, but it was the night before thanks giving, and I figure everyone deserves a break around the holidays.

In any case, I woke up this morning, after getting ditched by my family on turkey day, and decided to go put on my suspension. The coilovers I got, were used from a guy in California who had them imported from Japan. Funny enough, they're actually Swedish coilovers from a company called Ohlins, so someone in Japan had them shipped from Sweden so he could sell them, then ended up selling them to someone in the US, and somehow I managed to get my paws on them.

They happen to be in phenominal condition, I think they were probably only used for a very short time, but either way, when I called the couple of local US distributors to price them out, to see if I had got a good deal, I had paid $800 in addition to the set of ITR pistons and rods out of my motor, when I rebuilt it. Not only were they $897 a corner (about $3650 after shipping), but they were also not available for an ITR in the US, and couldn't even be special ordered. I guess there wasn't enough market here, but there was in Japan, so from my understanding, I have like one of three pairs in the counrty.

I went to go play with them, not knowing a hell of a lot about them, other then the fact that they were pretty easy to put in and hella expensive, and started screwing around with the dampning, and found out that they were 30-way adjustable, the softest feeling like a lexus, and the stiffest feeling almost like somebody was hitting the car with a jack-hammer, not to mention how bouncy it was. I figured out the best setting for the street, was something like 20 clicks toward the stiff side in the rear, and like five less in the front. This way it didn't understeer quite as much, but wasn't ratling my teeth out. All and all, I'm really happy with them.

Not sure if they have all the applications on their website, but they do have some really bad ass stuff, you can check them out at:

http://www.ohlins.com

Now all I have to do is save up to get them corner weighted, and I'll be set....

Wish me lucK!!!!
Aj

Rotaree · Post by **Rotaree** » December 3rd, 2002, 4:02 am

Wow. Good find and sweet deal. At the time, I thought that $1,600 was a good bit of money for the coilovers on my RX-7s...but then I priced a set of Ohlins. Heh.

What do you think you will do for service? If there isn't a certified rebuilder/servicer in the US I guess you could always send them across the pond to their headquarters or what not.

Have any pics of them?

Thanks.

Kyle

Aj · Post by Aj » December 3rd, 2002, 6:52 pm

Actually, funny that you ask, but there are service and rebuild centers in the US, they just don't market my particular application here, so parts may be scarce, but that's there problem. I actually priced out a set of c-spanner perch wrenches from one of their headquarters in japan, and for a $40 part, they wanted $110 in shipping, so sending my coilovers there wouldn't be an option any way, given that they way almost 40lbs between the four.

Just out of curiosity, what did you end up with on your Rex???

Oh, yeah, pic:

Later,
Aj

ITRacer121 · Post by **ITRacer121** » December 3rd, 2002, 6:55 pm

wow those look nice

Rotaree · Post by **Rotaree** » December 4th, 2002, 12:22 am

Ohlins is a popular suspension company with motorcyles so it doesn't surprise me that they have US based servicers.

I ended up going the route of Gab Super R shocks with a M2 coilover set. The shocks are raved about but they don't make them anymore, which is why I snatched them up when I did. I never installed them or the coilover set and am now considering selling them. The Tein FLEX coilover setup has caught my eye and that is probably what I would end up getting if I had it to do over again. Either way, I have about $1,600 in shocks and coilovers on my 94'. The 88' and 85' have remained stock so far.

Kyle

Aj · Post by Aj » December 4th, 2002, 2:50 am

Gab does make very nice struts, and to the best of my knowledge still are in production, or atleast for hondas and Vw's any way. I just have a serious issue paying that much for just struts.

Any way, good luck,

Aj

Rotaree · Post by **Rotaree** » December 4th, 2002, 3:16 am

GAB still makes shocks, they just don't make the Super R. The replacement they put on the market doesn't have near as good a reputation. There have been instances of it blowing seals after a short period of time and what not.

Yes, the price is pretty high for shocks alone although I did get a pretty decent deal. The GAB Super Rs were actually used on M2's race car at one point and are still track favourites of lots of RX-7 guys.

Kyle