Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 01:12 pm, by: Dave Cazes(Cazman)
You will find that most "jap" coilovers arnet made by the host companies, they are made by a Shock absorber factory, as in JIC are made by KYB, it says it on the dampers when you pull it apart.
It is too much of a delicate art for 1 company to all of a sudden start specialising in maybe 30 diff makes and models for a relativley limited prodcution run. Thats why they are outsourced and rebadged, but built to the host companies specs etc.
I understand what you are saying about "jap" made •••• in korea etc. For a prodcut to have a japanese made label, it must be made form over 50% of japanese materials or assembled/boxed up with 50% time in japan.
But in saying that, just because they are contacting "korea" to make it doesnt mean that they are making them to the strict standards that you would get form a true japanese/USA company.
Oh no one can rebuild your coilovers..... well that is, there is the shock rebuilder in vic or syd, but they dont last long.
Fulcrum wont, toperformance wont, sydney shocks wont, i have asked them all for my customers requests. They basically say, they are trying to teach you a lesson, the lesson is dont buy •••• you cant service here. Its a bad way to go, buy Australian made or delivered, help our country where you can.
Anyway, HSD arent that bad, of the cheapie they are the best really, but can you get specs on your dampers? NO, no one will give them out and Im sure otomoto dont know either. They are decent in terms of design, ie monotube and big bore, base height, but they are as generic as the toilet paper you wipe your ass with.
They are sold in 6 diff countries under 3 known diff brands. Why do they need many diff brand names? To tap into diff markets or to start fresh after tarnishing their name in one country. D2 and G4 are another more common generic brand.
The main reason I say they are not for the serious track user is becuse they are buy it and your done with them. You cannot alter/ repair the valving in them, they use a primitive valve stack, and dont have the longest life span (3 years is expected max)
You may think that that top knob is great, but it doesnt offer enough scope for a change of spring rates.
Just curiuos what is your track setup? PM me if you like. The main thing im interested in is your CWG heights adn spring rates, as well as what other alignment products your using.
Oh and keep looking around for cheaper prices that $800, you can get em cheaper
