AST 4100 first impressions,

ekalks · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 02:38:21 PM

I had AST 4100's installed earlier in the week. I also had an alignment along with corner balancing. The settings were set in the middle between hard and soft. At first drive, I found the rears a little stiff ,and asked my self the question, What did I just do, and why did I just spend all this money. After riding a bit more, the car felt well planted, but I could feel every little undulation on the road. I would say they felt a little less stiff than my Bilsteins with stock springs. They carved the corners nicely. Well today I adjusted the rear shocks to full soft, and left the fronts alone. All I can say is wow what a difference.
The car now soaks up the bumps way better while maintaining unbelievable
amounts of grip while cornering. I am very thrilled to say the least. I was so pleased, I drove an extra 40 miles on the highways and back roads just to get more time in behind the wheel.

m1356guy · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 05:04:53 PM

NICE! that's the beauty of coilovers..you can adjust to what the situation calls for

BleedsBlue · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 06:06:50 PM

You realize how awesome it is that ASTs make 600# springs feel softer than Billies...

cracky · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 06:27:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekalks

but I could feel every little undulation on the road.

thats the price you pay when you have a car set up that can handle amazingly well.

its always a trade off.
but it seems you found a nice balanced set up for the street (with your adjustments).

Richardsperry · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 11:45:59 AM

If it were me, I'd start with them full soft and see what it does. Then full hard and see. Then you have some sort of baseline or bounds to the setup. Depending on what spring rate you got, I'd say a bit softer is better.

You do realize that there is only 1 setting that it right? You don't want it overdamped, or underdamped. It's like porridge, it needs to be just right...lol

camdinans3 · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 01:03:48 PM

i find 6 clicks off soft with my 550f/650r 4100's to be a good setup. 4 clicks feels weird over bumps.

adema24 · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 01:07:57 PM

sounds good man

**PurduinaM3** · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 01:10:40 PM

I leave mine set at 3 front 1 rear. When racing, I'll use only the front rebound along with tire pressures to fine tune the car to handle perfectly neutral depending on the type of track layout. I haven't ever needed to touch the rears. Unlike most Koni-based dampers, the AST's actually show a drastic difference between full soft and full stiff. With the stiffer spring rates, I've never found any reason to stiffen up the dampers more than a quarter of the way or else you start to lose compliance and comfortability. Stiffer is not always better....

**jvit27** · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 09:00:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurduinaM3

When racing, I'll

OahuMPower · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 09:25:27 PM

HAHAHHAA.... bobby doesnt "race" anything

Sun, Aug-01-2010, 02:38:21 PM	#1
ekalks Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 126 Reputation: 0	AST 4100 first impressions, I had AST 4100's installed earlier in the week. I also had an alignment along with corner balancing. The settings were set in the middle between hard and soft. At first drive, I found the rears a little stiff ,and asked my self the question, What did I just do, and why did I just spend all this money. After riding a bit more, the car felt well planted, but I could feel every little undulation on the road. I would say they felt a little less stiff than my Bilsteins with stock springs. They carved the corners nicely. Well today I adjusted the rear shocks to full soft, and left the fronts alone. All I can say is wow what a difference. The car now soaks up the bumps way better while maintaining unbelievable amounts of grip while cornering. I am very thrilled to say the least. I was so pleased, I drove an extra 40 miles on the highways and back roads just to get more time in behind the wheel. __________________ Rebuilt Engine by CSS Motorsports. Forged pistons, 24pound injectors, Schrick Cams, Active Autowerke software tune, Dr Vanos Stage 1,Auto Solutions Ultimate SSK, ZHP Shift Nob, UUC RSC36 Exhaust, AST Coilovers, Vorshlag Camber Plates, UUC Sway Barbarian, FCAB's, Meyle Contol Arms and Bushings, UUC Chromoly Adjustable Rear Control Arm, Rogue Engineering RTAB. Active Autowerke differential support,Strut Bar, UUC Rotors, UUC Steel Braided Brake Lines, Eurosport Cold-Air Intake, Custom Carbon Fiber Cluster and Speedometer with Gauge Rings, AC Schnitzer Race pedals and Dead Pedal, Custom 2 Tone Leather Dashboard and Interior, Hardtop, New Convertible Top, Euro Corners, Euro Turn signals, Euro Tail Lights.

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 11:45:59 AM	#5
Richardsperry 95 SC M3 Join Date: Aug 2005 Age: 56 Posts: 3,511 Reputation: 0 Location: Eldersburg, MD	If it were me, I'd start with them full soft and see what it does. Then full hard and see. Then you have some sort of baseline or bounds to the setup. Depending on what spring rate you got, I'd say a bit softer is better. You do realize that there is only 1 setting that it right? You don't want it overdamped, or underdamped. It's like porridge, it needs to be just right...lol __________________ No matter where you go, there you are!

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 01:03:48 PM	#6
camdinans3 Resident Rabble Rouser Join Date: Jul 2008 Age: 27 Posts: 13,139 Reputation: 0 Location: Charlestown NH	i find 6 clicks off soft with my 550f/650r 4100's to be a good setup. 4 clicks feels weird over bumps. __________________ Andrew: AVUS 1995 ///95 Supercharged Club

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 01:07:57 PM	#7
adema24 Music is like candy - you throw away all the rappers. Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 721 In the garage: '95 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	sounds good man __________________

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 09:25:27 PM	#10
OahuMPower :FACEPALM: Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 26,505 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	HAHAHHAA.... bobby doesnt "race" anything __________________

Sun, Aug-01-2010, 05:04:53 PM	#2
m1356guy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 51 Reputation: 0 Location: San Jose	NICE! that's the beauty of coilovers..you can adjust to what the situation calls for

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 01:10:40 PM	#8
PurduinaM3 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 27 Posts: 15,677 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 '05 AUDI A4 Reputation: 0 Location: White Plains, NY	I leave mine set at 3 front 1 rear. When racing, I'll use only the front rebound along with tire pressures to fine tune the car to handle perfectly neutral depending on the type of track layout. I haven't ever needed to touch the rears. Unlike most Koni-based dampers, the AST's actually show a drastic difference between full soft and full stiff. With the stiffer spring rates, I've never found any reason to stiffen up the dampers more than a quarter of the way or else you start to lose compliance and comfortability. Stiffer is not always better....

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