KW Clubsports v Bilstein PS9 (Pics to follow + Build Update 28/08/13)

[fuscobal]

I see Ohlins states their coilovers have 70n/mm (399lbs/in) springs on front and 60N/mm (342lbs/in) at the rear ! Are they linear springs ? (from the pics they look like they are) Price is around 3200-3500Euro, so even a litle less than Bilstein Clubsport (4000E) but more than KW clubsport (2500E)

PS : What were the spring rates for PSS9/10 ?

[the bruce]

Yes, Road & Track are linear only.

Bilstein B16 springs are rumored as:

B16 PSS10 Golf 5:
VA: E4-FD1-Y704A00 > progressive; rate from 32.8 N/mm to 43.4 N/mm; 39 N/mm static
HA: E4-FD1-Y754A00 > progressive; rate from 33.0 N/mm to 50.1 N/mm; 50 N/mm static

R32 B16: (very) slightly stiffer.


Conclusion:

Öhlins R&T springs form a compromise between most street coilovers and clubsports. As
these are linear 60 mm dia standard, it'd be easy to replace them with the rate you want.

[fuscobal]

Hmm, if so, the Ohlins is noticeably stiffer...do they also have a camber plate ? (can't see that on the pics). I really wonder if these can bring a good improvement over my B16 so I can justify spending that much on them. Also concerned about reliability on bad roads (B16 is the king of reliability from what I've seen by now among progressive coilovers)

[the bruce]

"Use with original top mounts"

However, they come with their own aluminium upper spring perches.

See both the product sheet and installation manual:

http://www.roadandtrackbyohlins.com/

Regarding reliability, consider Öhlins are known for making great rallye car suspensions for ages.

 

ps
I did write him an email, but still waiting for some feedback.


pps:

L.T.L. Sport

Str. Slatina nr. 1/18
Cluj Napoca 400597
Romania

Email: laszlol.tamas@gmail.com

Phone: +40 722344730

[rex]

Ha ha.. the town I live in...
I might pay him a visit :).

[fuscobal]

Will be ordering the R&T at the beginning of next spring. Does anyone know if :

1) Are they willing to custom valve the dampers and deliver them with stiffer springs ? (say 90-100N/mm front and 75-80N/mm rear)
2) How much more spring rate does the damper as it is allow without ruining the superb balance ? (say mabe going from 70/60 to 80/70 is still safe for these dampers without revalving or losing some pf the 20 steps of adjustement)

[the bruce]

Did you write to Öhlins in Sweden? If so; I'd appreciate to read their answer.

Commonly, 30 % or even more increase should not be any great deal at all.

[fuscobal]

I did write Ohlins on facebook but they've sent me to the Romanian dealer who was very expeditive with not too many details. 30% would be more than enough but I'd like to hear their answer, not some dealer that doesn't seem to know too much or is cheap on words !

[fuscobal]

Swift springs answered my email >


"General rule of thumb that a lot of coilover manufacturers say is 2kg up and down. Most users we work with go as far as 4kg up and down without feeling extremely oversprung.

  And in your case going 2kg up in rate will not be an issue at all. The Ohlin shocks tend to have a fairly big range in damping adjustment. The part numbers you found are correct for what you are looking for. For a track setup however especially on a GTI most people like the way the car feels with a slightly stiffer rear spring rate over the front. So I would suggest maybe a

f-8kg/R-9kg
f-9kg/R-10kg

Of course these are just suggestions, based off of what we see a lot of people running for their track setup."