Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

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Jayrdee
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Jayrdee » Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:13 am

Deuce Cam wrote:On paper fa seems like great option, especially considering the supposed 'ae86 specific' tuning, digressive valving, and being made in usa. However, if they tuned it for an ae86 why offer 8/6k default rates? They answer is marketing... everyone else does it so they prop figured they'd scare away potential customers by offering lower rates. That in itself is a huge compromise imo.


Can't argue with that one. I mentioned that a little further up.

You can't really blame them though. From what I read about the company, they really got their name on the map thanks to the s-chassis crowd, which of course ties into the drifting scene. And with drifting being the popular choice here in the states, gotta market to the crowd. Even with my own personal research (I literally read every single ae86 suspension thread on the internet) the 8/6 rate was the most common. What were they used for? Drifting Lol.

At least the valving is good because these rates on any other brand shock would be death Lol. I really can't stop praising the digressive valving though, by far the best I've ever felt.
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BattleGarage_RS
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby BattleGarage_RS » Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:19 pm

8/6 can definitely work well if you live in an area with very smooth roads, or you spend most of your time at the track. Since FA was starting off in the Corolla application, they stuck with what was most popular.

This doesn't have to just be a thread about FA though. I'd be happy to share my insights on other aspects of the suspension too if I see an interesting topic come up! Some of us older guys have gone through enough setups to kinda know what works well in different conditions.
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Deuce Cam » Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:38 pm

Just peaked at the fa website again... they used to list a rally suspension for a few select models (not ae86) which had inverted inserts, longer stroke than their street/race/tarmac/etc. coilovers (therefore, lower spring rate to match), and also the strut top mounts weren't metal (plastic or rubber, not sure). It *might* have been 3 way adjustable. Problem is the cost was around $2.5-3k. I thought it was a good start to adapt to an ae86, but custom work would skyrocket the price further haha...

After driving twisty mountain back road heaven in upstate South Carolina for 7 months (fair-to-poor tarmac surface conditions), and watching some rally vids on youtube, it solidified the idea that I had the wrong idea about suspension, at least in terms of usable high performance on the street. (I linked a few vids below to wet the appetite.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5XEgPQjqZ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84tOxFDBuUs

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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby totta crolla » Sat Jul 15, 2017 5:53 am

The cars in the video are probably using Ohlins 40mm inserts:
http://www.esapeltonen.fi/kuvat/iskarit/etuohlins.jpg
In modified AE86 casings:
http://www.esapeltonen.fi/kuvat/iskarit/runkoputki.JPG

A cheaper alternative is available by using these conversion tubes:
http://grp4fabrications.com/product_inf ... cts_id=565
and Bilstein 40mm inserts in 300/70 (tarmac) or 260/60 (gravel)
http://grp4fabrications.com/product_inf ... cts_id=650
Mk2 Escort (turreted) rear dampers are a direct fit and the Bilstein rates work very well on bumpy tarmac.

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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Deuce Cam » Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:09 am

Thanks totta. Ive considered the grp4 strut tube with 40 mm bils rally inserts, but decided against it this time. Maybe on the next setup.

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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby CloudStrife » Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:51 am

I had no idea the type of setups run on gravel/rally. It really must be completely differently set up chassis!
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Jayrdee » Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:33 am

Another update!

If someone does decide to get these, make sure you pay attention to the pre-load specs that are given in the little instructions book. The fronts require exactly 1/4 inch of preload from uncompressed.

If not, you might get tons of spring noises when turning. I know it was the springs because I couldn't feel anything when turning, and i was able to re-create the noises when rotating the spring collars. I didn't read the directions, just straight installed them. Then when the noise came i tried adding more preload to them to hold the springs in place but it only made the noise worse, and totally ruined the ride quality... like, I added a sh*t ton Lol.

This morning I went back, noticed the 1/4 inch thing and adjusted accordingly and its all better.

I guess the springs only need enough preload to hold them in place, but still able to rotate freely? I've always been under the assumption that springs stay in place while the shock itself rotates. Oh well, you learn something new everyday!

**EDIT**
The noise is due to the AE86 having a MacPherson style struts in the front, where basically the lower strut assembly rotates while the upper is stationary, causing the spring to get "caught up" between the two and drag on the perches. In my case, excessive preload only amplified the binding when turning. Fortune Auto does offer a Radial Bearing upgrade to counter this issue, but if you do get the noise, its not hurting anything.

On a more personal note, these combined with falken azenis rt-615k tires turns this thing into a gokart. I love it.
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby BattleGarage_RS » Tue Sep 19, 2017 2:40 pm

The radial bearings are highly recommended on AE86 applications. We noticed the steering effort and feedback is improved with the radial bearings as well.

Car looks amazing man, keep up the good work.
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Jayrdee » Tue Sep 19, 2017 9:00 pm

BattleGarage_RS wrote:The radial bearings are highly recommended on AE86 applications. We noticed the steering effort and feedback is improved with the radial bearings as well.

Car looks amazing man, keep up the good work.



Thank you!!

Kind of funny you mention that though, because I literally just got mine in the mail last week Lol.

The noises eventually started to come back and they're annoying so I just went ahead and got them. My steering return is pretty bad too so these should help.

I was actually supposed to get them originally, but long story short I ordered through a local shop and they messed up my order Lol.
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby BattleGarage_RS » Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:44 pm

Post pics if you can!

We pretty much don't let anyone order the fortunes from us without the bearings, they are that important.

Grant
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby frankist » Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:32 pm

jayrdee any reason for not going full coilover on rear? Id like to hear pros and cons. Do they recommend reinforcing the shock top with full coilovers on the rear? any regrets going oem style?

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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Jayrdee » Fri Sep 29, 2017 6:11 am

frankist wrote:jayrdee any reason for not going full coilover on rear? Id like to hear pros and cons. Do they recommend reinforcing the shock top with full coilovers on the rear? any regrets going oem style?


No particular reason on my end. I just figured I would stick to the divorced setup since thats how the car was designed, and I didn't want to put all that weight on 30 year old shock towers with regular coilovers. There for a while FA offered the regular style for the ae86. I think Battle Garage has the option on their website, but I couldn't find the option on FA's website. I know they still make them though because I emailed FA about the difference.

Only downside is having to drop the rear axle to do any spring adjustments :lol: :lol: The adjustable perch goes too far up in the "spring saddle" thingy in the chassis to adjust by hand, but then again i'm super low so that doesn't really help haha
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby frankist » Fri Sep 29, 2017 12:11 pm

Sounds good, looking forward to changing my set up. I previously had experience with FA on a s14 and have had good results on track and street.

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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Jayrdee » Fri Sep 29, 2017 1:16 pm

frankist wrote:Sounds good, looking forward to changing my set up. I previously had experience with FA on a s14 and have had good results on track and street.


Yeah dude I love them. Can't praise them enough

Idk if you read the previous posts but if you do decide to get these, definitely go ahead and get the radial bearing mounts too. Otherwise you might get a ton of spring noise when turning. I installed mine without them, and the noises are so annoying. I bought the bearings but haven't installed them yet. Will update the thread once they're on.
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Re: Fortune Auto Coilovers Review 2017

Postby Jayrdee » Sat Sep 30, 2017 10:31 pm

BattleGarage_RS wrote:Post pics if you can!

We pretty much don't let anyone order the fortunes from us without the bearings, they are that important.

Grant



^^ good call ^^^
I shouldnt have installed them without the bearing upgrade in the first place.
I finally got around to putting them on today, and it made the world of a difference.

I updated the original posting with pictures and stuff.
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