AST 4100 Dampers
06-26-2012, 07:45 AM
#22
Waiting until the 4150s are released. They will be a better shock for not much more than the 4100s were new. And will be aluminum body vs steel (lighter) and you'll be able to upgrade them to double adjustables later if you want which you can't do on the 4100 series. That's not to take away from the 4100 series because they are also great shocks but you'll soon be able to buy better ones with more potential for not a lot of extra $$.
06-26-2012, 08:19 AM
#23
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06-26-2012, 09:43 AM
#26
STainless steel....
I Got in on the group buy but if I do sell them it will only be if I can make money haha or trade for an oem top. I haven't rode in enough cars with high end suspension so I imagine I will be happy with either set up coming from buddyclub n+
I Got in on the group buy but if I do sell them it will only be if I can make money haha or trade for an oem top. I haven't rode in enough cars with high end suspension so I imagine I will be happy with either set up coming from buddyclub n+
06-28-2012, 08:56 AM
#27
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I was asked to come over and answer some questions about ASTs and their pricing and application for the S2000. I'm Jason McDaniel at Vorshlag.
With that balance of street/track/autocross I'd suggest the AST 4100 or 4150 is the right damper for you.
Actually a LOT of the cars in CC are running ASTs. The other most commonly used damper is the Koni 2812. The Konis have to be rebuilt after every event. The ASTs see rebuilds after every 5 or so events or when it's convenient. I understand that the "sticking" comment that's gone around was politically motivated and is far from the truth. In fact, Vorshlag is building a test fixture for AST-USA to simulate and record side loads on the struts when on the shock dyno to help them with future development and make their dampers even more bulletproof.
Both are good, but they have different applications. If you have packaging issues trying to get as much stroke out of the spring before spring bind, the Swift springs frequently (about half the time) have a little bit more stroke available. The Hyperco springs shine in longevity and robustness. If you have a fitment that requires very short springs that might, in an extreme situation like huge potholes, cause the spring to compress to spring bind, then the Hyperco tends to live through that with less or no loss of spring rate. The Swift doesn't do as well once it actually goes to spring bind, but it has to travel a little further before it binds. We use both when setting up different suspensions but favor the Hyperco springs based on longevity, selection and price.
Pricing from AST is:
4100 = $1999
5100 = $3000
4150 = $2200
Those prices include the dampers, 60mm perches, tools and any adapter parts necessary to fit them to the car using the stock mounts.
If additional parts are bought through Vorshlag along with the dampers the prices are:
Pair of Hyperco springs = $100
Pair of Swift springs = $142
Pair of AST tender springs and dual spring adapters = $90
Set of four AST spherical top mounts = $558
Our own photos and information about the AST 4100s are on our page at:
http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info...roducts_id=490
The differences between the models are:
4100 = steel TUV accepted body, digressive piston, lots of available stroke based on compact stiffener and floater piston design
5100 = same as 4100 but aluminum body and upgradable to double adjustable, there are other 5100 features but they don't apply to S2000 versions
4150 = aluminum body, double digressive piston, Moton style stiffener, upgradable to double adjustable - BUT, not yet available
We don't have a firm due date on the 4150s. They've been in development for a few months. AST has a really-really good competition adjuster that they were trying to integrate into the 4150 design, but they ran into too many OEM fitment and longevity compromises when used on this shock. So the internals had to go back to the drawing board and be redrawn to use the tried and true HD-4100 style adjuster. We are expecting the first beta versions in July before the entire country of Holland goes on vacation for 4-6 weeks during their summer break. If the beta 4150 parts work right, production parts will be made after the summer break starting in late August.
The 4100 and 5100 won't be available much sooner. They are special order in the USA. If they are in stock in Holland they can be here within two weeks. But if they have to be made, they take 4-8 weeks and will also be delayed by the summer break in the Netherlands.
In my experience with Ohlins on motorcycles vs other motorcycle dampers they don't have any longevity advantage. They DO have some clever adjusters on some of the automotive versions and they have some nice OEM fitments for technology that other companies only offer in their race versions that are DIY fitments.
We are making a few different top hats and mounts using the same designs we use for our camber plates and should have them available by the end of the summer.
...I am looking for a healthy balance between a track and autocross setup because I autocross about once a month and am going to track my S 2-4 times a year. I am wanting to go with a single adjustable at first so I can learn with these and move on to doubles later on and not be overwhelmed by the adjustability. Let me know if you have any experience with AST! Or if you have some friendly advice, I'm all ears 
Per the website, the 4100 start at 1999 and the 5100 start at 3000. Not sure where the 4150 will price out at. The 4100's are not convertible, but the 5100's are. The 4150's are supposedly convertible. AST is in Plano, TX, where I live. Easy to have them rebuilt as well. Vorshlag in Plano is a distributor and will hook you up with springs and top hats if you want.
4100 = $1999
5100 = $3000
4150 = $2200
Those prices include the dampers, 60mm perches, tools and any adapter parts necessary to fit them to the car using the stock mounts.
If additional parts are bought through Vorshlag along with the dampers the prices are:
Pair of Hyperco springs = $100
Pair of Swift springs = $142
Pair of AST tender springs and dual spring adapters = $90
Set of four AST spherical top mounts = $558
Our own photos and information about the AST 4100s are on our page at:
http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info...roducts_id=490
The differences between the models are:
4100 = steel TUV accepted body, digressive piston, lots of available stroke based on compact stiffener and floater piston design
5100 = same as 4100 but aluminum body and upgradable to double adjustable, there are other 5100 features but they don't apply to S2000 versions
4150 = aluminum body, double digressive piston, Moton style stiffener, upgradable to double adjustable - BUT, not yet available
The 4100 and 5100 won't be available much sooner. They are special order in the USA. If they are in stock in Holland they can be here within two weeks. But if they have to be made, they take 4-8 weeks and will also be delayed by the summer break in the Netherlands.
We are making a few different top hats and mounts using the same designs we use for our camber plates and should have them available by the end of the summer.
10-03-2012, 06:20 AM
#30
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Not out. Talked to AST last week. Test kits should be arriving from Holland Jan/Feb.
In the meantime, I've been told that 4100s can be made with double digressive pistons and valving, very, very similar to a 4150.
PM us if you're interested.