For a while now we've been working with a few different brands to find an "entry" level replacement coilover option to cover the outgoing Daiyama line. Daiyama are simply too slow to work with currently with most kits taking more than 2 months to arrive.
Two brands have stood out recently. One is KTS from Japan, the other is Stance via the US. Another in the running was Progress Suspension from the US but they cater for US chassis specs only - another flaw with Daiyama (who used to be JDM only, but now make only for the US, causing headaches when it comes to rear mounts and front top hats!)
About Stance
Stance is made in South Korea by a company called HSD. In the merry-go-round world of Suspension manufacturers, it is not uncommon that a manufacturer makes for many different brands. HSD make for a few brands, just as Daiyama supply for a few brands and KTS supply for a few brands. HSD's customers are rumored to be some of the better known brands in Japan.
Background aside, the one thing that stood out for me about Stance is the plethora of information pertaining to shock dyno tests, shock strength and piston thickness. And they're happy to show off their performance results and compare themselves to other options. When it comes to racing, thicker is often stronger, stronger is better. They don't have masses of application covereage, but they do touch the core performance chassis's from each marque.
Price for price, they are the same as HSD (so we're not 'losing' anything by going with Stance) and start under $2000 however most kits are in the $2-$3000 range. Race Spec kits are around the same price as what you'd pay for the top Japanese options. They are easily a higher specced kit than Daiyama, K-Sport and D2, and Stance themselves rates them as a stronger, more peformance-orientated shock than the entry N+ Coilovers from Buddyclub which are a great kit. For instance, their shock piston is much thicker (42mm vs 55mm) whilst the price is near the same.
About KTS
KTS Is a small manufacturer in northern Tokyo - Saitama. They make for brands such as D-Max, Yashio, Uras and other common drift brands. Their coilover lineup however covers mostly non-drift brands. Fortunately we can buy direct from KTS - no problem!
KTS kits are a bit different than most other entry level / race spec kits. They don't really do street. Their kits are entry level track spec, medium track spec, and full track spec. They use very strong damping on their kits and it is only when the entry level kit is fully unloaded that it becomes suitable for street. In all other scenarios they are for track / endurance work.
Whilst their spring rates start around 6kg/4kg for some applications, the valving makes them seem more like 2-3kg stronger. Their pricing starts under $2000 also and being JDM, they make JDM specific options. You won't need to swap lower control arms to run them!
What's the line up now?
So here's a summary of what's up. Daiyama will still be available but is a slow option at best. The rest slot in as follows. They are grouped by price not performance!
Entry Level to $1300
Blox
Daiyama
Entry-Mid $1300 to $2000
KTS Alpha
KTS Beta Twin
Tanabe S-0C
Buddyclub N+
Stance LX
Stance GR+ (some)
Tein (some)
Mid $2000-$3000
Buddyclub RSD
KTS Beta
Tein
KTS Gamma
Stance GR+ Pro
GP Sports
Yashio
Mid-Top $3000+
KTS Epsilon
Tanabe Pro Five
Toda
Apexi
HKS
Kei Office / GP Sports / D-Max / Yashio C-Ser
Showa
Aragosta
Tein
KW
Moton
Bilstein
+ many more!
Slowly we'll be kicking up the options on to the site but if you want some advice before then we'll certainly help out! We'll still offer impartial advice as to what application would suit your car best, so if there's too much to take in above just ask what would suit and we'll help you out!
Mac
mac@fortyone.co.nz
http://www.fortyone.co.nz
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