Ohlins Coilover Setup

[OptionZero]

you can put it inside the storage compartment if you want it to be less visible

as anedoctally, my local stance dealer/installer says tankless is slow AF (this was when we were looking at options to move my tank)

 

[FSUZ33]

Understood. But I've learned where to and not to go. When I don't know I sit and wait on clear traffic (if possible) and slowly angle out. May take 5 secs or whatever, but unless I'm completely not paying attention I can plan for it. Although with a drop that will happen more often. Also, can add a tank later if slow actuation causes issues.

On that note, if you have a tank, does the compressor constantly keep it up to a certain psi? If you don't run it all the time and have a tank, it would have to pressurize the tank at least to a certain point before the cups pop. Maybe the standard with tanked cups is when the car's on the compressor's on. Assume it doesn't run constantly though.

 

[OptionZero]

Understood. But I've learned where to and not to go. When I don't know I sit and wait on clear traffic (if possible) and slowly angle out. May take 5 secs or whatever, but unless I'm completely not paying attention I can plan for it. Although with a drop that will happen more often. Also, can add a tank later if slow actuation causes issues.

On that note, if you have a tank, does the compressor constantly keep it up to a certain psi? If you don't run it all the time and have a tank, it would have to pressurize the tank at least to a certain point before the cups pop. Maybe the standard with tanked cups is when the car's on the compressor's on. Assume it doesn't run constantly though.

Tank holds enough for all 4 corners to go up and down twice. Compressor activates when tank is low and i engage the cups, it won't auto engage.

 

[FSUZ33]

The Eagle Has Landed...

 

[Imperial]

The Eagle Has Landed...

It's nice they've done most of the setup for you.

 

[FSUZ33]

Preset is loaded/tight, but not ride height.
14K front, 7K rear
Do I need thrust washers/sheets, or roll as-is?

 

[OptionZero]

Preset is loaded/tight, but not ride height.
14K front, 7K rear
Do I need thrust washers/sheets, or roll as-is?

The purpose of thrust washers/sheets is to allow the spring to rotate more freely.

Because it is metal on metal, sometimes springs can catch., resulting in a screeching or squeaking noise. Theoretically, if it is a poorly made setup, it can cause binding and stress, although i've never heard anything mechanically breaking as a result of this friction. It's just a common noise complaint I've encountered myself and heard from owners of all brands of coilovers.

Some coilovers come with built in bearings on top - i believe Fortune offers it as an option on some of their models.
Did Ohlins or Sakebomb mention anything about thrust washers, bearings, or sheets?

If not, they're like . . . $20 from Swift, and as simple as inserting them between the spring and the collar on bottom.

Worst case, you install the coilovers, and if you get any noises, buy some thrust washers and have them installed when you get your alignment. The suspension shop will get the car up, so pulling the coilover isn't THAT much work.

some m3 owners talking about it on their ohlins
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2183648

 

[Imperial]

The JDMs are super quiet.

 

[FSUZ33]

I’m going to have to pull the fronts apart to add the cups anyway. Other than the few bucks spent, I don’t see the downside. And I’d prefer to take a little pain up front than gamble and find out they creak/pop.
Leaning Swift sheets. Guessing I’ll need 3 sets - one for the front and one for each rear corner (main + helper).

 

[FSUZ33]

It's nice they've done most of the setup for you.

They gave me the option of shipping them partially assembled, but I chose for them to set the preload, that way I could measure/record it.

Don’t know, but it’s possible they can preset ride height on models they’re familiar with (FD, S2K, Miata), but they’re new to Z stuff. I hope it works out for them (and us).

Which reminds me that I didn’t measure them before I left work yesterday. Maybe the YouTube wooden yardstick measurement is good enough (not hundredths of a mm critical) but I only have 6” calipers at home.

 

[OptionZero]

Am i missing something? Preload should be zero - perch collar rotated against the bottom of the spring and then locked.

Height is independently adjustable from preload, eyeball it to the factory strut to start and adjust from there, get it on the car, adjust to desired spec.

Since this is being done at home, no alignment shop, it seems best to stay stockish height to avoid wierd alignment results. After driving around a bit and the springs settle, you're just waiting on your arms to arrive and to schedule your alignment. From there, you can have them set the height to your desire and then set the alignment based on that height

 

[FSUZ33]

Typically they spec a measurement, or turns after tight, maybe 5mm. I think it depends on the rate of the springs, and maybe manufacturer.

 

[Imperial]

Factory Ohlins come with very specific measurements for setting preload.

 

[Nice boat]

Some thoughts after some seat time with the JDM ohlins.

The daily ride quality honestly felt more refined, obviously it’s less “soft” than the OEM performance coilovers, but the motion of the car after big bumps and braking feels much more controlled and predictable, instead of the soft mushy feeling from the OEM.

On the track, it’s a whole different story, the car feels extremely planted during corners, and completely eliminated the body rolls and secondary motions from the OEM coilovers, oversteers are now much more predictable and the turn in is now very precise compared to the OEM where I need a lot of small adjustments to make it to the racing line.

Despite all that, car still feels VERY understeer due to the fact that I reused my OEM rear tires on my front wheels just to learn more about the rubbing situation before pulling the trigger on some new tires, once that got sorted I think I can definitely shave off a few more seconds on my personal best.

I’m not a professional driver by any means so please take this with a grain of salt, but I’m really glad the ohlins turns out to be this way and now I understand why they are regarded as one of the best coilover brands.

 

[Murix]

That sums up ohlins well. You get better ride on the street and better performance on the track. The DFV is magic for a street/track hybrid use car.