36valves

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/41218/04-05-05_-_drive_1_52_s4__beach_1.jpg"></center><p>Hi everyone,

I recently got Stasis' Tracksport coilovers installed at Achtuning while roadtripping from Calgary to the Bay Area. It's been a month since I had them and thought I'd share my impression.

Details:
- 500 lb front / 600 lb rear
- Sport valving
- 25.5" front / 25.625" rear
- stock 17" Avus with stock Bridgestone RE040

I chose the softer spring rates due to poor road conditions here in Calgary, as I have to drive on packed snow and ice during winter.

Impression:
Under normal driving, this setup is pretty comfortable, ride is close to stock, but you can tell it's stiffer and the ride is a little busier. Ryan at Stasis told me that after a 2 weeks or so (depending on miles driven) the shocks will be broken in and the ride will get better, less choppy. He's absolutely right, the car now rides better than when the c/o was first installed. Also, the springs and shocks work well together at all speeds, no mismatch at all as a good coilover setup up should be.

Handling wise, I got the previleage to test it out on some of the best twisty roads with smooth surfaces the Bay Area has to offer. I'm please to say that handling is way better than stock, understeer has been greatly reduced and turn-in is now much much sharper.

I find myself having to back off the steering angle the first few weeks when attacking turns, because I was so used to turning in sooner and expect understeer to set in. At those 270o freeway off ramps, the car now stays pretty neutral (some understeer can still be felt due to the car's inherent weight), and at WOT near the exit, I can sense the tail coming out slightly in a controlable manner. Something I've never felt before with the stock suspension.

However at times I do wish I had more springs, as I can still feel some body roll, squat and dive. But then I think my setup is a fairly good compromise between comfort and handling.

For those who're thinking of getting the Tracksport, I'd suggest my setup if your local road conditions are pretty crappy. Otherwise I'd recommend going with a little more springs, such as 550f/650r or 600f/700r to start with.

I hope this post can help some of you to decide what setup to choose. Feel free to post any questions (I'll be tracking this thread) or email me directly, I'll try to answer them as best as I can.

PS: Stasis doesn't include the front damper adjustment tool and the height adjustment wrenches with the coilover kit. I had to buy the tool from Stasis ($50) and Josh at Achtuning threw in a set of wrenches for free from the H&amp;R coilover kit he has lying around.

midnight

Nice post...Very Informative

2Turbos4Steve

thanks for the write up - will definitely help in my spring rate choice

MikeyB09

Thanks for the post. Very useful.

S4Lynx

I have the Tracksport setup as well, but with a 700/800 spring rate and also the sport valving. When I first had the suspension I thought it still rode too nice (with the dampener tension Stasis ships the kit with) so I cranked it up tighter. Even at 2 out of 2 1/2 turns in the front IMO it feels fine on Bay Area roads. Sometimes the road is just terrible, and the ride could be better, but that's the price you pay for better (tighter) feel at the wheel. I actually now have my front dampeners cranked all the way at 2 1/2 turns because, quite frankly, it feels awesome like that. The trick really is to not have the front dampeners at such a tension so the car feels bouncy. The right tension for you can only be found by testing it out. Of course the beauty of the Stasis is that you can adjust the front tension very easily with the Stasis Tool and therefore make the ride MUCH NICER if you want to (by backing off the front dampeners to 1/2 or 1 turn). Sometimes if I just want to cruise on a long trip where I know the roads will be bad, I loosen the dampeners before I leave. Then if I get to a nice canyon road somewhere I crank them up again!

Most importantly, for those looking into this kit I would highly suggest a 700/800 spring rate with sport valving. With that spring rate you get no dive and no roll, and that's what you want from your suspension. You can always keep the ride nice by softening the dampener tension (IMO).

Otherwise, just want to say that Stasis rules! If you're on the West Coast I highly recommend going through Jeff Moss (moss@torque-factory.com) as he will provide you with lots of information regarding the differences between different setups.

Ps. 50valves: where do you live in NorCal? You really should take a ride in my car and see what you think. Stasis will swap springs with you if you want to get higher spring rates and be forever rid of that dive / roll.

ATH

Where in the Bay Area are you? I want to a ride ;-)

S4Lynx

Let me know if you plan to be in the area and we'll roll.

BTW, are you really selling your car?

Inactive Account

Excellent! Thank you.

ATH

Cool - I dunno, still contemplating selling it.

S4Lynx

Anyways, unless you're going to a 911 Turbo where ya gonna go (that won't be disappointing)?