Bluemustang
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Some of you may know me and have seen me around here, and a few of you may also followed my suspension build from years back. I built up my base 2015 GT suspension almost completely, to what is a very different animal now. Through the first few years of modifications, research, and trial and error, almost everything has been touched at one point or another. I settled on BMR SP083 handling springs and FP Track dampers. And, it was there the car stayed for several years. I loved it. A lot of street miles, back road romps and a few track days under the belt. The springs and dampers, plus other supporting modifications I did along the way, made the handling completely unrecognizable from the base GT car I bought new in 2015.
Fast forward several years, another 40K+ miles, including a cross country trip to Yellowstone, I decided to make a change. The dampers seemed a little tired and to be honest, I wanted to upgrade it. Handling was a priority, but I also really wanted it ride a little better on the street. The BMR/FP was great and still rode pretty well, IMO. But I wanted something more refined with better dampers.
After a long time of contemplating I took the plunge on Ohlins R&T coilovers. Main selling points for me were: high quality dampers, track capable, the spring rates, and also the DFV technology. More research led me to the belief that this car needs stiffer front springs and a softer rear. This somewhat limits me with conventional setups. So, the spring rates of the Ohlins (515F/800R) accomplishes that. This is compared to the BMR SP083 springs rates of 250F/980R. Quite a radical change. At one point I considered MCS coilovers, but Vorshlag steered me away from those for how I use the car and recommended the Ohlins kit.
So, now after a couple months of street miles on the coilovers, I wanted to share my impressions.
- Firstly, it rides even better than the BMR SP083/FP track dampers (which was a well-sorted setup). At 515# fronts, I've more than doubled my front spring rate. About triple the stock spring rate. And, I barely feel the change in ride stiffness. But I do feel it in the agility and the weight transfer. The ride quality is more refined. Success.
- The handling is outstanding. The limit is just as high if not even higher. The adjustable rebound settings, every click makes a difference. Firmer settings make the car extremely hunkered down, especially at higher speeds. Softer setting adds very usable compliance and unlocks more grip on bumpier pavement. I used a horribly bumpy, twisty and hilly back road to do testing. At -15/-17 clicks from full stiff on rebound, the suspension handled it without even blinking. Pushing the car over it it was unflappable. So much grip and the car just stayed on the pavement. On smoother back roads I can turn the damping up and its hunkered down and steering response even firmer.
- The spring rates. It rides great and handles great IMO for a sports car. The change in spring rates. Way stiffer front and softer rear. What happened? The car just turns in with no delay. It's more agile. But as a consequence, at low speeds the rear is more eager to rotate. With the old setup, I didn't have to think about it because it was lazier to turn in. But now it is more lively and more apt for the rear to come around. Some adjustment with the damping helps this though. But it is a consequence of the stiff front. At mid speeds (60-70mph) it is still quite neutral feeling.
So far, I am very satisfied. The handling is superb and the ride quality improved noticeably along with a refined feel. With the stock preload I am lowered at 1" front and rear from the stock car. I may play with that or corner balance it in the future. And I have ample room to increase the spring rate later without revalving. According to Ohlins, 650F and 1200R is easily doable. But I don't know that I will.
This is an awesome street setup and the only thing left is to test it on the track with some stickier tires. But I wanted to just share my first impressions with you all. Thanks for reading and feel free to ask any questions if you have them. Pics to follow.
*One other installation note. 2018+ will need modification of the rear lower control arm or retrofit to 2015-17 RLCA to fit the rear spring properly. The spring cup was designed for the 2016MY.
Fast forward several years, another 40K+ miles, including a cross country trip to Yellowstone, I decided to make a change. The dampers seemed a little tired and to be honest, I wanted to upgrade it. Handling was a priority, but I also really wanted it ride a little better on the street. The BMR/FP was great and still rode pretty well, IMO. But I wanted something more refined with better dampers.
After a long time of contemplating I took the plunge on Ohlins R&T coilovers. Main selling points for me were: high quality dampers, track capable, the spring rates, and also the DFV technology. More research led me to the belief that this car needs stiffer front springs and a softer rear. This somewhat limits me with conventional setups. So, the spring rates of the Ohlins (515F/800R) accomplishes that. This is compared to the BMR SP083 springs rates of 250F/980R. Quite a radical change. At one point I considered MCS coilovers, but Vorshlag steered me away from those for how I use the car and recommended the Ohlins kit.
So, now after a couple months of street miles on the coilovers, I wanted to share my impressions.
- Firstly, it rides even better than the BMR SP083/FP track dampers (which was a well-sorted setup). At 515# fronts, I've more than doubled my front spring rate. About triple the stock spring rate. And, I barely feel the change in ride stiffness. But I do feel it in the agility and the weight transfer. The ride quality is more refined. Success.
- The handling is outstanding. The limit is just as high if not even higher. The adjustable rebound settings, every click makes a difference. Firmer settings make the car extremely hunkered down, especially at higher speeds. Softer setting adds very usable compliance and unlocks more grip on bumpier pavement. I used a horribly bumpy, twisty and hilly back road to do testing. At -15/-17 clicks from full stiff on rebound, the suspension handled it without even blinking. Pushing the car over it it was unflappable. So much grip and the car just stayed on the pavement. On smoother back roads I can turn the damping up and its hunkered down and steering response even firmer.
- The spring rates. It rides great and handles great IMO for a sports car. The change in spring rates. Way stiffer front and softer rear. What happened? The car just turns in with no delay. It's more agile. But as a consequence, at low speeds the rear is more eager to rotate. With the old setup, I didn't have to think about it because it was lazier to turn in. But now it is more lively and more apt for the rear to come around. Some adjustment with the damping helps this though. But it is a consequence of the stiff front. At mid speeds (60-70mph) it is still quite neutral feeling.
So far, I am very satisfied. The handling is superb and the ride quality improved noticeably along with a refined feel. With the stock preload I am lowered at 1" front and rear from the stock car. I may play with that or corner balance it in the future. And I have ample room to increase the spring rate later without revalving. According to Ohlins, 650F and 1200R is easily doable. But I don't know that I will.
This is an awesome street setup and the only thing left is to test it on the track with some stickier tires. But I wanted to just share my first impressions with you all. Thanks for reading and feel free to ask any questions if you have them. Pics to follow.
*One other installation note. 2018+ will need modification of the rear lower control arm or retrofit to 2015-17 RLCA to fit the rear spring properly. The spring cup was designed for the 2016MY.
Sponsored
Last edited:
