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01-17-2021, 07:55 PM | #1 |
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thoughts on ST XTA (3-ways)
Came across a seemingly interesting set of dampers. From what I've seen, ST XTAs have always been a bargain at around $1,500. ST recently released a 3-way adjustable set of dampers (low-speed and high-speed compression along with rebound) ...
Does anyone have experience with these (3-ways) ... From what I know, the 2-ways are just KW V2 dampers, with a galvanized body, different spring #s, and KW Clubsport hardware (camber plates). I wonder where these dampers are derived from, as the only 3-way damper in KW's line up is the competition series, which retail for $6,000+. These seem like a bargain for $2,500 (closer to $2,000 when on sale), no? https://www.stsuspensions.com/produc...ingloweringkit |
01-18-2021, 02:29 PM | #2 |
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Nice find and I'm intrigued.
The audience it's trying to target is confusing. It's 3 way adjustable for performance, but you can also customize the color of the springs AND add custom text to the spring. |
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01-19-2021, 02:45 PM | #3 |
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They look like the 2-way KW Clubsport and not a 3-way. And their 2-way looks like a KW V3. I would assume the internal valving is inferior and on a shock dyno we would see the whole story. But maybe they are a good bang for the buck. Hard to say.
If you take the risk on them, get a dyno, and send it to me I can compare to my 2-way Clubsports
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01-19-2021, 06:07 PM | #4 | |
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For comparison I think the KW Clubsport 3-way's are like ~$5000 by comparison. The standard XTA's are excellent for the money, so I wouldn't be surprised if these are as well. Last edited by tsk94; 01-19-2021 at 06:13 PM.. |
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01-19-2021, 06:58 PM | #6 | |
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According to the online rep I spoke to from ST, "No sir valving on the club sports is ging to be much more aggressive. Club sports are made for strictly track us compared to the XTA these are street coilovers." .. I wonder what upgrading to stiffer springs would look like on the STs -- I doubt I'd be able to run 672lb f, 900lb r springs like I do on my KW CS 2-ways. I also think the rep didn't fully understand what he was talking about, as he said the ST XTA plus-3s are only rebound and camber adjustable. |
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01-19-2021, 07:10 PM | #7 | |
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Ya, doesn't sound like he knew that much about them. But from my understanding is it's essentially a KW CS, in a non-stainless housing, with some slightly cheaper hardware and a 3rd knob. It might be that they are valved differently and the XTA's can't handle the same spring rates as the CS's can. But for the price it's an intriguing option. |
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01-19-2021, 07:14 PM | #8 |
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For example, the standard XTA's are a KW V3 damper, with the CS camber plate and linear springs + helpers like the CS (front), but softer rates.
I urge someone else to get clarification, but it was my understanding when talking to them about the 3-way ST's, that they are more similar to a KW CS dampers, then a V3 damper (like the standard XTA's) with 3 adjustments. I didn't specifically ask on spring rates or how the valving compares between them and the KW CS's. |
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01-19-2021, 07:15 PM | #9 | |
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01-19-2021, 07:30 PM | #10 | |
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I would want more information like what spring rates they come standard with and what the factory valving is capable of handling if you wanted to increase spring rate. A 3-way in theory is great, but unless you know what you're doing you can really give yourself a headache by messing the setup up on a 3-way. |
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01-19-2021, 07:50 PM | #11 | |
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01-19-2021, 08:58 PM | #12 | |
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I had the XTA on my e36 and besides inner clearance issues which are well documented by now, they were amazing value |
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01-20-2021, 02:07 PM | #13 | |
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Otherwise I would agree that the Ohlins R&T (they have a new one that is slightly above those too and 1-way adjustable) may be the best bang for the buck here and if you ever want them upgraded I think that the valving on those and spring rates can be easily updated down the road.
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01-20-2021, 03:25 PM | #14 | |
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01-21-2021, 08:20 AM | #15 |
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Good find, I think I'm going to buy a set when they have a sale.
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01-22-2021, 09:56 PM | #16 |
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There is a good reason why they are this price. Putting cheap $2K dampers on what was once a $70+K car seems logical to you? That is less than $500 per corner! Suspension affects everything your car does, and if you feel comfortable with that
Like everything, you get exactly what you pay for. The suspension is no different. Believe me, you get back every dollar you pay for the good stuff. If you ask those that have actually used quality dampers, I will bet there will be very few who would say they were a waste of money. Even the better products I would consider extremely cheap for what they deliver. Whether it is JRZ RS PRO3, MCS 3W, AST 5300 or Nitron NTR R3, if you plan on spending less than $6-$7K by the time you get camber plates, end links and a few other things then you can't afford to do the job justice. A good 3-Way set-up never has been and never will be cheap.
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01-22-2021, 10:10 PM | #17 | |
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Tons of people have expensive coilovers which aren't dialed in at all.. rendering them pretty useless.
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01-23-2021, 12:13 AM | #18 | |
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I'm not saying these are the best on the market, but they make an excellent value proposition--perhaps allowing someone to spend more money on kinematics, sway bars, solid/spherical bushings, etc. Dampers aren't the only component that make up a suspension, I have seen "lowly $2,000/$3,000 dampers" do AMAZING things on track when working in conjunction with a well-adjusted car. Just food for thought. I wouldn't automatically discount this set of dampers because of their cost. Maybe you have personal experiences with the KW/ST brand that I havent. |
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01-24-2021, 10:58 AM | #19 |
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I will be giving these guys a try this year (most likely in April). I don't have any experience with track setups, but previously ran KW V3's which will be my basis for comparison. My car is a weekend toy / canyon car, and personally, I'm expecting a great return from the XTA's for explicitly street and spirited weekend driving. I'll be sure to post a review as soon as I get them installed later this year. Y'all can hold me to that
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01-24-2021, 01:54 PM | #20 | |
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