T1R b-max coilovers
09-10-2005 | 11:25 AM
#1
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From: springfield
T1R b-max coilovers
I dont really know if this topic can be disscussed in this forum so mods feel free to move if necessary...
Anyways, i am on my second s2000 and im in the market for suspension and i am really considering the T1R B-Max coilovers. It seems they have just been released for our cars and even though T1R makes great products I'd still like to get some feedback or info at least on these coilovers. 12k/12k sound very close to something I'm looking for, as well as price too. So again, thanks for any info and feedback. And again mods feel free to move if necessary. Thanks in advandce
Anyways, i am on my second s2000 and im in the market for suspension and i am really considering the T1R B-Max coilovers. It seems they have just been released for our cars and even though T1R makes great products I'd still like to get some feedback or info at least on these coilovers. 12k/12k sound very close to something I'm looking for, as well as price too. So again, thanks for any info and feedback. And again mods feel free to move if necessary. Thanks in advandce
09-10-2005 | 07:37 PM
#4
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From: Toronto
I recently got my T1R B-max professionally installed, so I thought I could give some early impression here. However, I never used other coilover before so my comment will be subjective.
The product provides 4 levels of stiffness (compares to 16 in Tein). Spring rates are 12kgf/mm front and rear. With it relatively low price, it is obviously targeting street use and occassional tracker.
Product Info from AJ-Racing
Suspension mod is about ride and handling so I will talk about both.
The Baseline:
My S is mildly moded with OEM 16" wheels. Tire threads are good on all corners. When approach sharp corners at speed, I brake and downshift (toe-heel), turn, exit apex and speed up. However, I find that it is tricky to execute the sequence smoothly. Don't brake too deep, follow good line, constant turning speed, throttle after apex are important to adhere to, or else understeer and oversteer are easily induced (whether I like it or not).
After installation:
Car is about 1.2" lowered (1 finger gap). Relatively agressive alignment: cambers -1.5 font, -2.5 rear. Handling is significantly improved. Same high speed corner can be negotiated at higher speed while wheels are still planted.
Lowest setting is softer than stock. In this setting I found that rebound is too much to be comfortable (sloppy). 2nd setting feels closest to stock. Body roll is not noticeable even in softest setting. For street driving, handling is about same in all settings due to dumps. I expect hardest settings can benefit highway and track driving. But 1st setting is just too soft to be useful in my view.
Why did I go with T1R?
I was about to go with Tein-RA. It offers similar spec but better adjustability and higher price. Since I only go to track occassionally I don't free the need to pay for the adjustability. I estimated my saving with T1R is around US$300-500 (can't be exact because with Tein I will have to pay tax when crossing Canadian border). So far I am happy with lowered look, performance improvement and an not too empty pocket.
[edit] added product link
The product provides 4 levels of stiffness (compares to 16 in Tein). Spring rates are 12kgf/mm front and rear. With it relatively low price, it is obviously targeting street use and occassional tracker.
Product Info from AJ-Racing
Suspension mod is about ride and handling so I will talk about both.
The Baseline:
My S is mildly moded with OEM 16" wheels. Tire threads are good on all corners. When approach sharp corners at speed, I brake and downshift (toe-heel), turn, exit apex and speed up. However, I find that it is tricky to execute the sequence smoothly. Don't brake too deep, follow good line, constant turning speed, throttle after apex are important to adhere to, or else understeer and oversteer are easily induced (whether I like it or not).
After installation:
Car is about 1.2" lowered (1 finger gap). Relatively agressive alignment: cambers -1.5 font, -2.5 rear. Handling is significantly improved. Same high speed corner can be negotiated at higher speed while wheels are still planted.
Lowest setting is softer than stock. In this setting I found that rebound is too much to be comfortable (sloppy). 2nd setting feels closest to stock. Body roll is not noticeable even in softest setting. For street driving, handling is about same in all settings due to dumps. I expect hardest settings can benefit highway and track driving. But 1st setting is just too soft to be useful in my view.
Why did I go with T1R?
I was about to go with Tein-RA. It offers similar spec but better adjustability and higher price. Since I only go to track occassionally I don't free the need to pay for the adjustability. I estimated my saving with T1R is around US$300-500 (can't be exact because with Tein I will have to pay tax when crossing Canadian border). So far I am happy with lowered look, performance improvement and an not too empty pocket.
[edit] added product link
09-10-2005 | 10:06 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by smartson,Sep 10 2005, 07:37 PM
I recently got my T1R B-max professionally installed, so I thought I could give some early impression here. However, I never used other coilover before so my comment will be subjective.
The product provides 4 levels of stiffness (compares to 16 in Tein). Spring rates are 12kgf/mm front and rear. With it relatively low price, it is obviously targeting street use and occassional tracker.
Product Info from AJ-Racing
Suspension mod is about ride and handling so I will talk about both.
The Baseline:
My S is mildly moded with stock 16" wheels. Tire threads are good on all corners. When approach sharp corners at speed, I brake and downshift (toe-heel), turn, exit apex and speed up. However, I find that it is tricky to execute the sequence smoothly. Don't brake too deep, follow good line, constant turning speed, throttle after apex are important to adhere to, or else understeer and oversteer are easily induced (whether I like it or not).
After installation:
Car is about 1.2" lowered (1 finger gap). Relatively agressive alignment: chambers +1.5 font, +2.5 rear. Handling is significantly improved. Same high speed corner can be negotiated at higher speed while wheels are still planted.
Lowest setting is softer than stock. In this setting I found that rebound is too much to be comfortable (sloppy). 2nd setting feels closest to stock. Body roll is not noticeable even in softest setting. For street driving, handling is about same in all settings due to dumps. I expect hardest settings can benefit highway and track driving. But 1st setting is just too soft to be useful in my view.
Why did I go with T1R?
I was about to go with Tein-RA. It offers similar spec but better adjustability and higher price. Since I only go to track occassionally I don't free the need to pay for the adjustability. I estimated my saving with T1R is around US$300-500 (can't be exact because with Tein I will have to pay tax when crossing Canadian border). So far I am happy with lowered look, performance improvement and an not too empty pocket.
[edit] added product link
The product provides 4 levels of stiffness (compares to 16 in Tein). Spring rates are 12kgf/mm front and rear. With it relatively low price, it is obviously targeting street use and occassional tracker.
Product Info from AJ-Racing
Suspension mod is about ride and handling so I will talk about both.
The Baseline:
My S is mildly moded with stock 16" wheels. Tire threads are good on all corners. When approach sharp corners at speed, I brake and downshift (toe-heel), turn, exit apex and speed up. However, I find that it is tricky to execute the sequence smoothly. Don't brake too deep, follow good line, constant turning speed, throttle after apex are important to adhere to, or else understeer and oversteer are easily induced (whether I like it or not).
After installation:
Car is about 1.2" lowered (1 finger gap). Relatively agressive alignment: chambers +1.5 font, +2.5 rear. Handling is significantly improved. Same high speed corner can be negotiated at higher speed while wheels are still planted.
Lowest setting is softer than stock. In this setting I found that rebound is too much to be comfortable (sloppy). 2nd setting feels closest to stock. Body roll is not noticeable even in softest setting. For street driving, handling is about same in all settings due to dumps. I expect hardest settings can benefit highway and track driving. But 1st setting is just too soft to be useful in my view.
Why did I go with T1R?
I was about to go with Tein-RA. It offers similar spec but better adjustability and higher price. Since I only go to track occassionally I don't free the need to pay for the adjustability. I estimated my saving with T1R is around US$300-500 (can't be exact because with Tein I will have to pay tax when crossing Canadian border). So far I am happy with lowered look, performance improvement and an not too empty pocket.
[edit] added product link
09-17-2005 | 09:41 AM
#7
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: springfield
wow, smartson thanks for the write up and thank you for taking the time to do so. But back to the T1r's, are you saying you havent had the chance to ride them on full stiff? If i go with these coilovers, it'll be on the highest setting at all times so i was wondering your impressions on how stiff it feels at the fourth setting. So hopefully you have gotten the chance to do so. Again thank you and anyone else with feedback please chime in. Thanks
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09-17-2005 | 11:58 AM
#8
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Joined: May 2005
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T1R could make a great product but that's too damn expensive if you're not going to be tracking the car often. Why don't you just go with the D2's, you will save about 400 dollars and have way more adjustability and camber adjust is also provided through the pillow mount plates. I'm really no expert when it comes to suspension products but i think at a glance the d2's are alot better for just regular street driving/occasional track. I'm on the search for suspension components too and would like to hear opinions as well.
09-17-2005 | 01:30 PM
#9
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 201
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From: Toronto
Originally Posted by Functional03,Sep 17 2005, 12:41 PM
wow, smartson thanks for the write up and thank you for taking the time to do so. But back to the T1r's, are you saying you havent had the chance to ride them on full stiff? If i go with these coilovers, it'll be on the highest setting at all times so i was wondering your impressions on how stiff it feels at the fourth setting. So hopefully you have gotten the chance to do so. Again thank you and anyone else with feedback please chime in. Thanks
I started riding on stiffest setting for 2 weeks. (I had it installed only 3 weeks ago. I used softest for the 1st to get the spring 'settled/break-in'). My butt tells me the ride is more comfortable than stock. Handling is largely improved, which is partly attributed by the alignment setting. But I am still surprised at the soft feel given the highest setting should give 20k spring rate front/rear (compares to ~3.5/5 for stock).
Now that the shock has been 'broken-in'. I will have my mechanic test drive it and adjust the ride height / spring setting if needed. I will also drive his own S to compare, on which I believe has a spoon or Mugen coilover. Will give an update next week.
01-18-2006 | 04:51 PM
#10
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
AJ Racing raves about this coilover. I've narrowed my choice down to T1R's and Top Secret. The J's set up is just a little to rough for a lot of street use. There are a few others out there that were "actually" designed for the S2000. And other coilover companies claim they work, but did they really do the R&D on an S2000 to make sure it was really beneficial to the car. The stock suspension is a great suspension, so if you are going to mess with it, make sure you are buying quality and that you are buying something that will actually improve the cars handleing characteristics. I'm sorry, but in my opinion, the stock system is better than any shock and spring combo you can find (ie - koni and anything else out there). You're better off with a quality lower spring on your stocks if all you want is a lower ride. I'm not saying that Koni is a bad product, but I am saying that the stock S2000 suspension system is far better! So I guess where I'm going with this is that I truly believe T1R did their homework and provided S2000 owners with a better set up than stock. There are only a handful of suspension companies out there that can claim that. I think that this in one of the best STREET coilovers you can buy for the S2000 that is capable of low to moderate track use. If you are an all out track guy....move on. If you are an all out street guy....get some quality springs and leave your set up alone!