From everything I've read the best stock type replacement shocks are Koni yellows. I've read many good things about the Trin Flex, and they can be bought new for under $1400. One thing to be sure of is that you get them from an actual registered dealer, that way getting them serviced will be easier and warranty claims will be honoured.

It's worth getting adjustable shocks, that way you can tune the car to different conditions. Also, for stock style shocks, the sdjustables can handle much stiffer springs than non-adjustables.

 

Wow, the replies are mind boggling...

Tein Flex...
These used to be "comfort" coilovers from Tein, and they were the softest rates / valving they have released out of their different models.
I find it funny that people claim they are good for track use, when Tein did not design them to be.
All those adjustments is really a waste of time on a "street", "comfort" damper.
I hate these things with a passion, but the U.S. market has embraced them as a "performance coilover".
Add the EDFC controller, and you got an "adjustable" suspension that guys go ga-ga over...go figure.
This goes to show that marketing can sell anything.
If you want serious coilovers, go with the RA's.

Twin-tube versus mono-tube...
Ask any serious racer who knows their dampers, and they will tell you straight-up that a mono-tube is usually better.
The mono-tube is usually stronger due to the larger piston area inside the damper.
Due to this larger piston, greater control of the damping is possible.
Also, superior cooling is better with the mono-tube.
All high-end racing dampers are mono-tube design.
The twin-tube case has nothing to do with protection of the internals - if you're worried about rocks and debris hitting your damper, worrying about twin-tube versus mono-tube is the last thing you should be thinking about.
Funny, the Koni yellows are twin-tube. *shrug*
The twin-tube damper is usually less harsh due to it's design - I dunno what the details on why this is true.


-Ted

 

Superior design?
Yes.

Made for the FC?
NO.

One of my biggest gripes with the POS GC front camber plates for the FC is that they are NOT made for the FC.
They are made for a damn VW GTI / Rabbit.
The holes happen to get real close to the FC front strut bolt pattern, so GC decides to market them as an FC application.
The instructions even tell you to drill / file / grind the hole(s) to fit the camber plates.
BULLSHIT.

K2RD made the best front camber plates, when they were available, cause they were DESIGNED to fit the FC, and not some blasted abomination stolen from some damn VW.


-Ted

 

word

 

That's definetely a hit against the GC camber plates, but at least 90% of the camber plates out there are just a simple pillow ball system, where the vertical loads are on the pillow ball, whereas the GC ones use a torrington bearing to take the vertical loads, so that part of the design is better. Is there anywhere where you can get an FC specific camber plate that uses this design?

 

not that i know of..but GC is a 2 piece system...it wouldnt be hard to redesign the bolt holes on the bottom piece to match up to the FC...the second piece (with the torrington) is the same for everything...all thats different is the baseplate

 

I'd like to second the Stance from reputation alone...Rishie at AutoRnD speaks very highly of them, even in comparison to Zeals. I think that's what he's going to be putting on one of his FCs. And they run about $1300, I don't think you'll find too many coilovers that allow you seperate spring loading and height adjustment in that price range.

I'm running GAB Revolutions, but they're not available in the US so you'd have to get them from Japan. Pretty inexpensive if you manage to get a set, and mine have done me good at several track events.

If I ever manage to get my store up I'll probably carry the Stance, I want to upgrade to those

 

Tein actually lists the flex as a dual purpose setup, suitable for street and light track/autocross use. Which sounds like exactly what the original poster was looking for. Are they as good as the RA or HA for hard core track use? No, but those setups would be hard to live with on the street for most people.

 

fn01r-c 17x8 +25, 17x9 +35

5zigen rims?