KW vs Öhlins vs Fortune Auto
May 3, 2013, 06:23 AM
#31
^Honda-guy had the older Ohlins PCV, with the Paul Gerrard/Vishnu specs. They was single way adjustable back then.
Also, if you have the DFVs, then its cheaper becasue Ohlins currently supports that model. From my experience, once Ohlins redesign and "move on," they will send you to one of their select dealers to get rebuilt. I think I will be out of luck trying to get my Flags rebuilt directly from Ohlins, and not have to pay a premium with PSi.
In terms of which is better, I've had my Ohlin Flags dyno'd at Fortune Auto. Terry clearly admits the quality of Ohlins, which I think everyone here agrees with. THe machining and craftmanship on the Ohlins is topnot. However, you must consider price as we all cannot afford to to shell out thousands of dollars for this stuff. I would have gotten the FAs mysef if I did not get a deal on the Ohlins. From a price and performance perspective, its hard to beat what FA offers; a good product that is truly customizeable and serviceable, and great customer service.
Also, if you have the DFVs, then its cheaper becasue Ohlins currently supports that model. From my experience, once Ohlins redesign and "move on," they will send you to one of their select dealers to get rebuilt. I think I will be out of luck trying to get my Flags rebuilt directly from Ohlins, and not have to pay a premium with PSi.
In terms of which is better, I've had my Ohlin Flags dyno'd at Fortune Auto. Terry clearly admits the quality of Ohlins, which I think everyone here agrees with. THe machining and craftmanship on the Ohlins is topnot. However, you must consider price as we all cannot afford to to shell out thousands of dollars for this stuff. I would have gotten the FAs mysef if I did not get a deal on the Ohlins. From a price and performance perspective, its hard to beat what FA offers; a good product that is truly customizeable and serviceable, and great customer service.
Last edited by chu; May 3, 2013 at 06:28 AM.
May 3, 2013, 06:46 AM
#32
Actually Ohlins supports the PCVs... that IS what I have on my evo... just had to talk to the right people in NC. and mine were bought in incredible condition, well documented from the original owner, for sub $1000... not sure how FA or any other name can be taken seriously at that price point.
I'm not saying I would pay $3k for them new...
I'm not saying I would pay $3k for them new...
May 3, 2013, 07:09 AM
#33
Bolded the two parts that I disagree with above.
1. Even Ohlins entry line are independantly ajustable height vs preload... (see pic below)
2. I JUST had mine rebuilt and revalved, direct from Ohlins... $125/corner total, including shock dynos before/after... PSI charges closer to $250/corner.
1. Even Ohlins entry line are independantly ajustable height vs preload... (see pic below)
2. I JUST had mine rebuilt and revalved, direct from Ohlins... $125/corner total, including shock dynos before/after... PSI charges closer to $250/corner.
May 3, 2013, 07:13 AM
#34
I don't have any experience with FAs on CT9As but I did a briefly test out an X with OTS rates over a very rough stretch of road and they impressed me with the way they rode (I have the latest R/T DFVs for reference) - they're hands down better than any other rainbow coilovers I've tried from Taiwan (Megan/BC/Stance etc.) FAs would definitely get my vote if I were on a tight budget.
May 3, 2013, 07:17 AM
#35
Actually Ohlins supports the PCVs... that IS what I have on my evo... just had to talk to the right people in NC. and mine were bought in incredible condition, well documented from the original owner, for sub $1000... not sure how FA or any other name can be taken seriously at that price point.
I'm not saying I would pay $3k for them new...
I'm not saying I would pay $3k for them new...
Did you just get a revalve, or were they rebuilt also?
May 3, 2013, 07:18 AM
#36
fortune 510 with swift springs are by FAR th best coil in the world for the money.
As far as where the parts are made thing you would probably be shocked at where every company actually gets their parts made or imported from. But the plus of fortune spec'ing, building and testing everything in house and in VA is very very helpful and their customer service is excellent. This is why two years ago we started using forutne auto and nothing else.
As far as where the parts are made thing you would probably be shocked at where every company actually gets their parts made or imported from. But the plus of fortune spec'ing, building and testing everything in house and in VA is very very helpful and their customer service is excellent. This is why two years ago we started using forutne auto and nothing else.
May 3, 2013, 07:26 AM
#37
Thank you guys for all the advice and opinions, it really helps. it looks like I'm either gonna invest in a set of new FA 510's set-up with my specifications or patiently keep my eye out for a set of well cared for öhlins r/t's for the right price
May 3, 2013, 07:39 AM
#39
fortune 510 with swift springs are by FAR th best coil in the world for the money.
As far as where the parts are made thing you would probably be shocked at where every company actually gets their parts made or imported from. But the plus of fortune spec'ing, building and testing everything in house and in VA is very very helpful and their customer service is excellent. This is why two years ago we started using forutne auto and nothing else.
As far as where the parts are made thing you would probably be shocked at where every company actually gets their parts made or imported from. But the plus of fortune spec'ing, building and testing everything in house and in VA is very very helpful and their customer service is excellent. This is why two years ago we started using forutne auto and nothing else.
May 4, 2013, 06:23 PM
#41
i bought my car a few years ago and it came with the Vishnu specs Ohlins R/T. They were fine at first but as I went with stickier tires, the springs were too soft. then i went with AST 4100 because of the rules with NASA and inverted shocks and ran that for a year. then i went back to the old Ohlins R/T and had them rebuilt (moved to a different class, so i could used inverted shocks). then i started using hoosier A6 towards the end of last year and the 10k/12k setup felt soft. so i wanted to go with 12k/14k setup but didn't want to spend a fortune on new shocks or get the Ohlins revalved for 12/14k. I've seen the FortuneAuto time attack cars at the track a few times and they manage some very good times. so i figured if it's good enough on their cars, then it's good enough on mine 
personally, i didn't really fell a huge difference between all three shocks (although i didn't have top of the line ohlins or ast and they had different spring rates and valving for the springs). the one thing i like about the FA over the other two is independent height adjustment. the other two shocks i had need to use spring preload for height adjustment.
FA have great service and friendly people. the 510 are custom valved per application and they do use internal parts sourced from the high end market, like ohlins shims.
also, the ohlins cost about $250-300 per corner to rebuild.
personally, i didn't really fell a huge difference between all three shocks (although i didn't have top of the line ohlins or ast and they had different spring rates and valving for the springs). the one thing i like about the FA over the other two is independent height adjustment. the other two shocks i had need to use spring preload for height adjustment.
FA have great service and friendly people. the 510 are custom valved per application and they do use internal parts sourced from the high end market, like ohlins shims.
also, the ohlins cost about $250-300 per corner to rebuild.
May 4, 2013, 07:06 PM
#44
@ honda-guy: After reading this over again I got this think of the spring rates for my car based on your feedback in this post. You say the 10k/12k setup felt soft cause of the using Hoosier A6 tires you were running. what tires were you running before that?! If i plan on running Hankook RS3's, which have a tread rating of 140 compared to the Hoosier A6's 40, do you think the 10k/12k rates would work?!
May 4, 2013, 07:09 PM
#45
10k/12k would be great for street tires, even entry rcomp like nt01/r888/ra1. but if you're not going to be doing a lot of street driving and plan on getting more serious with turning the car into track car, then go with 12k/14k. i've doing 4 track days with them on street tires and they and two track days on A6, they felt great on street tires or rcomp tires. also not too harsh on the street on full soft setting. but i don't mind stiff suspension on street at all.
My DD is pretty damn stiff. and i think i'll try out the 10k/12k for starters cause the tires i'm looking into are the RS3's or the NT01's