JRZ Dampers

savowood · July 27th, 2010, 17:35

Hi gang

I'm talking right now with the folks at JRZ about dampers for my car, a 2010 TDI Cup Street Edition. They're interested in knowing about who else would be interested in their dampers. I'm guessing any Mk. V would be the same, but I'm not sure.

So, who's game for some fantastic dampers?

TdiRacing · July 28th, 2010, 19:07

Depends on the price and adjustabilty.

honda93 · July 28th, 2010, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by savowood

Hi gang

I'm talking right now with the folks at JRZ about dampers for my car, a 2010 TDI Cup Street Edition. They're interested in knowing about who else would be interested in their dampers. I'm guessing any Mk. V would be the same, but I'm not sure.

So, who's game for some fantastic dampers?

As a long time autocrosser (and soon to return to track day events driver) who plans on campaigning my new TDI in HS (H Stock), I would like something that can be adjusted without having to take off the rear shock <cough> Koni Sport <cough>. But alas, no such option exists; so for now Koni FSD's or Bilstein Sports will be my damper of choice.

However, having done the double adjustable, race valved, degassed voodoo Konis on my previous car (2006 Civic) I can say that prices shoot up very rapidly. I had over $1200 in just two rear shocks and hardware like custom bumpstops.

I'm sure (I hope) you realize that JRZ is up there with Ohlins, Penskes, and Motons in that you'll be budgeting almost $4000+ for a set of dampers. Hell, even the AST's start at about $1600 and I've seen Motons for almost $12,000 for a set.

Grassroots Motorsports said it best in an article a few years ago... Does spending 4x the money on a set of dampers mean it's going to yield 4x the improvement in time or 4x the performance?

Of course not.

That being said, I don't know if there's enough serious, basically hardcore, racers out there in VW land to warrant spending that much money unless you're a professional race team.

Let's hope I'm wrong and not only is there enough interest for a dedicated appication, but they surprise us with a sub-$1500 arrangement, however unlikely that may be.

savowood · July 29th, 2010, 12:06

The pricing should be in the 3100-3200 range. Availability, as yet unknown.

I'd love to have the sub-$1500 range, but that's really only a dream. However, I did hear back from Koni. They can make a set as long as I have a way to get to the top of the shock tower in the rear. I haven't looked, so I don't know yet. I'll be back home and can take a peek tomorrow.

honda93 · July 29th, 2010, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by savowood

The pricing should be in the 3100-3200 range. Availability, as yet unknown.

I'd love to have the sub-$1500 range, but that's really only a dream. However, I did hear back from Koni. They can make a set as long as I have a way to get to the top of the shock tower in the rear. I haven't looked, so I don't know yet. I'll be back home and can take a peek tomorrow.

I guess I'll go there... Is your driving up to the task of $3000 dampers? I honestly don't know you and I just want to make sure you will take full advantage of them versus being just as satisfied on an $800 set of dampers.

TdiRacing · July 29th, 2010, 19:53

I run the KONI coilovers on my MK5 Jetta. They can be custom valved for any application and spring rate. At $1000 these are the best buy for a road racer. They have service stations all over the place for these units. You can can make all kinds of shocks fit your car, but why would you mess with a brand new Cup edition? I raced one at Summit point, and it was amost as fast as my car with the stock suspension. Slicks would yield a better return than spending a lot on shocks. my 2cents.

savowood · July 29th, 2010, 20:06

Yes, very much. I've been racing everything from karts through open wheel since I was 7 (so about 35 years) and am currently an instructor for the usual alphabet soup and most of the manufacturer based clubs. I teach new instructors how to (hopefully) identify driver or car trouble before it gets them in trouble. If funding comes together, I could be campaigning a Grand Am car later this season or next.

Truthfully, I'd probably be happy with Konis on this car as it's mostly for the street, but the thought of a nice set of JRZ/Moton/Penske dampers really gets me excited about the possibilities. But to answer your base question, yes, I can most definitely tell the difference. Thanks for asking.

I know there is a large number of people out there who buy the most expensive thing for their car, just because they have the money and want to brag about their upgrade. Sure, they might be a little faster, but if they'd learn how to drive faster instead of buying their lap times, they'd be faster once they earned the upgrade.

Sorry, but that's my usual rant about upgrading the cars. As they always say, upgrade the nut behind the wheel first.

savowood · July 29th, 2010, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by TdiRacing

I run the KONI coilovers on my MK5 Jetta. They can be custom valved for any application and spring rate. At $1000 these are the best buy for a road racer. They have service stations all over the place for these units.

I was thinking of a coilover kit, but don't want to lower the car or change the spring rate. The dampers are really the problem with it. Having driven a 2010 Beetle as my rental car this week, the dampers are much more responsive than my TDI Cup.

Quote:

You can can make all kinds of shocks fit your car, but why would you mess with a brand new Cup edition? I raced one at Summit point, and it was amost as fast as my car with the stock suspension.

On SPR? SC? JC? What were your lap times? Racing, TT, or HPDE/FATT? I hadn't seen another TDI Cup out there until I saw the white one cruising the pits at LeMons on the SC during Hyperfest.

Your comment leads me to think my dampers may be defective. I haven't driven a stock suspension for so long, I figured it was supposed to be that soft.

Next time I'm up at Summit Point, we'll have to trade cars for a session. I won't be bringing the Boxster 1700 miles (just moved to Austin a few weeks ago), but the rental car should be fun.

Quote:

Slicks would yield a better return than spending a lot on shocks. my 2cents.

There's really not enough camber available to take advantage of slicks. Even a set of R6es would be too much. RA-1s, R888s, or R1Rs are a good tire for playing on the track, then driving them home.

Which brings me back to my original need. Simple adjustment for the track, then soften it up a few clicks to drive home.

TdiRacing · July 29th, 2010, 21:11

The koni kit will be fine for you then. It is much stiffer than the Cup edition suspension. Not that the cup edition is bad, it is great for all conditions, just not for an experienced driver like you said. You can add some camber but you have to notch you strut towers to do it like the real cup cars do. Simple, but would not want to do it on a new car. I agree if we had about 1.5-2 degress negative the tires would respond much better. None is about .50 inch lower and the ride is stiff but nice at full soft for street driving. I agree that a good set of dampers is a must for an all out race car, but the Koni kit might get you to where you want to be and not mess with your car too much.

getfast · July 30th, 2010, 07:50

Has anyone yet looked into getting the suspension that comes on the TDI Cup racecars? I drove one at VIR last fall and was impressed. Really not too stiff, it could totally be a streetable setup.

Just thinking out loud, hopefully it wouldn't cost "JRZ money"

savowood · July 30th, 2010, 17:41

I've tried to contact Sachs USA, but haven't gotten any response from them.