AST Suspension - My Latest Upgrade

[GTRgav]

This post is somewhere betwen a showcase and a technical write up, so I guss this section is as good as any.

After 5 solid years of motorsport, I thought it time to upgrade from the Tein Monoflex units that have served me so well.

Michael Copley from Raventech Racing made a very good case for their 5200 Club Sport series.

http://www.raventechracing.com/index.htm?page=parts&sub=ast (Raventech Racing - AST Suspension)

These are 2 way adjustable with remote reservoirs. I also specified the double digressive piston opion.

These are custom made in the Netherlands to the customer's specification with any rate springs you want and valving to suit (or as specified if you need something special)

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/72551272/AST%20Suspension/front%20and%20rear.JPG

The units themselves install easily and like the Teins are 2 way adlustable in length - spring base and lower bracket.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/72551272/AST%20Suspension/Rear%20Shock.jpg


The remote reservoirs also incorporate the compression adjustment and need a bit of thought where they get mounted

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/72551272/AST%20Suspension/Rear%20Reservoirs.jpg


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/72551272/AST%20Suspension/Front%20reservoir.jpg


OK - enough bling - how do these feel on the track??

My first venture out was a tuning day at RAC centre. We started off with the compression and rebound set to soft both front and rear. My immediate impression was that these feel like standard GT-R suspension at this seting but MUCH more planted. With the swaybars also set to soft the ride was somewhat complient even though the spring rates are 1kg/mm more than the Teins.

I then set everything to hard (although not the swaybars). My first impression was that I was riding on solid rubber mounts! The spread of adjustment you have with these are an order of magnitude over the Teins.

Over the next couple of hours I found a good mix between ride, response and traction. Most of the adjustment is done in the rebound (i.e. this has the greatest effect). The remote compression is excellent for removing "submarining" on the front with hard braking. Essentially adjust the front reservoirs to the point where understeer is just about to begin on turn in and you will be able to brake and settle much better.

Anyway, that's my spiel for today and my plug for what a difference good quality shocks can make. If you are in the market for an upgrade, give Raventech a call or email and discuss prices and options.

Questions or comments welcome.

Cheers

Gav

[tinto]

Great write up Gav.
Excellent to see some real testing to get them how you want.

Loving the easy access to those adjuster dials too.
So you've got a low speed compression (dive/roll) and a rebound adjuster on there?

[SimonR32]

Ballpark costs?

[alexinperth]

Do they have nicer options for the remote reservoir lines? The rears are not uncommon, but the lines on the fronts are a reliability risk IMHO. (although I'm using to running into / over things!) Obviously more of a problem for strut style suspensions.

What's the availability of spare parts like?

[cplagz]

Ballpark costs?

When I looked for my car AST4200's were ~3100USD + post, so at a guess.. more then that!

[mehow2g]

Good euro Coilovers make Japanese stuff like China.

[RaventechRacing]

If you want any details or specific pricing on AST suspension, please PM me. Mods - I will sign up to become a forum vendor next week :-) This particular setup would cost you approx $4.5K.

[RaventechRacing]

Do they have nicer options for the remote reservoir lines? The rears are not uncommon, but the lines on the fronts are a reliability risk IMHO. (although I'm using to running into / over things!) Obviously more of a problem for strut style suspensions.

What's the availability of spare parts like?

We have a large stock of parts for AST dampers here in Perth. They can be serviced and rebuilt here very quickly. What is your objection to the reservoir lines? Why do you consider them a reliablity risk? Anything custom is possible with AST so we can provide other options if you prefer i.e. piggy-back mounting etc.

[alexinperth]

That's a good price.

For the fronts, reservoir lines ideally tee off above the strut top so they aren't exposed in the wheel well.

The ones I've seen are typically inverted though, which makes it a lot easier.

This is for rally, I guess it's a non-issue for circuit stuff.

[RaventechRacing]

That's a good price.

For the fronts, reservoir lines ideally tee off above the strut top so they aren't exposed in the wheel well.

The ones I've seen are typically inverted though, which makes it a lot easier.

This is for rally, I guess it's a non-issue for circuit stuff.

For all AST competition kits that are for a MacPherson strut setup, the struts are inverted and have the remote reservoir lines coming of the strut top as you describe. This is not possible with the Nissan R32 GTR. These lines are built to take a lot of abuse though and we have never seen one fail.

[GTRgav]

If anyone is seriously considering a set of these drop me a PM and come over and I'll take you for a spin with the settings at minimum and maximum so you can feel what the range of adjustmet really is like.

On adjustment I'd like to give Michael a big plug on the installation, set-up and tuning process. We not only installed but also corner weighted the car to within a 0.1% on diagonal weightings (i.e. I reckon I changed it after my pie and iced coffee lunch!).

The term corner weighting rolls off the tongue easily but to do it right is a LOT of attention to detail and correct procedure (i.e ensuring the wheels are on exactly the same place on the scales each time and that the car is driven between each adjustmet to ensure the springs are bedded to their final height). This is probably another post in itself, but it gives you an idea of how Raventech is very pedantic about getting the set-up right.

[zeroyon]

Raventech is very pedantic about getting the set-up right.

Thats "one" way to put it ... ;-)

[alexinperth]

For all AST competition kits that are for a MacPherson strut setup, the struts are inverted and have the remote reservoir lines coming of the strut top as you describe. This is not possible with the Nissan R32 GTR. These lines are built to take a lot of abuse though and we have never seen one fail.

That's awesome, two thumbs up :)

[Mr Scorpio]

On adjustment I'd like to give Michael a big plug on the installation, set-up and tuning process. We not only installed but also corner weighted the car to within a 0.1% on diagonal weightings (i.e. I reckon I changed it after my pie and iced coffee lunch!).

Sounds horribly tedious! :P

Hopefully these and all the new Ikea Forumla parts net the result that you're chasing Gav.

[Dim]

do you have any shock dyno curves we could take a look at?

cheers

[RaventechRacing]

do you have any shock dyno curves we could take a look at?

cheers

If you're seriously interested in shock dyno plots, please PM me

[magic1]

If anyone is seriously considering a set of these drop me a PM and come over and I'll take you for a spin with the settings at minimum and maximum so you can feel what the range of adjustmet really is like.

On adjustment I'd like to give Michael a big plug on the installation, set-up and tuning process. We not only installed but also corner weighted the car to within a 0.1% on diagonal weightings (i.e. I reckon I changed it after my pie and iced coffee lunch!).

The term corner weighting rolls off the tongue easily but to do it right is a LOT of attention to detail and correct procedure (i.e ensuring the wheels are on exactly the same place on the scales each time and that the car is driven between each adjustmet to ensure the springs are bedded to their final height). This is probably another post in itself, but it gives you an idea of how Raventech is very pedantic about getting the set-up right.

can you just pop round and take me for a spin?