Racecomp Engineering Superstreet-1 Coilovers
 

Looking into getting these for my 22' GR86 as I've seen they are highly regarded, but I have yet to see any one explain what exactly makes them so much better than a cheaper set like a Tein Flex Z.

I know a big plus is they are rebuildable, but what else makes them great?...Quality? Durability? Ride? The way they are valved?

Basically why should I buy these over a different/cheaper set?

Use: daily driver, weekend autocross

This is going to be a little not very helpful but I'll do my best.
Quality springs are quality springs. Once you get to a certain level there is very little room for improvement. Koni, Eibach Swift are all pretty much of a muchness for most people. Race drivers might have a different opinion.

Damping quality?... ah. that's a different story. Quality costs money.

So to address your question. Tein Z are good value. Superstreets are better and given RCE has their hand in their development I would say excellent value for money.* Are they worth it? Unless you drive on both it's hard to say but when it comes to suspension, particularly dampers, I say spend as much as you can.
Also, having local support cannot be over rated.

*No, I haven't driven on RCE dampers, RCE are 1/2 way around the world from me. I basing my post on feedback in these forums.

Another point is that many budget coilovers offerings are generic solutions - i.e. the damper valving isn't changed between different cars and the spring rates are what is easiest for them to use. This means that the dampers might be appropriate for a car 500 lbs heavier with a different weight distribution and suspension geometry and the spring rates are not matched well front to back.

I don't know how well design the Tein Z coilovers are, but they seem to be decent budget option (vs. some other less regarded coilovers like BC).

Finally, RCE (Superstreet 1) and CSG (CSG Spec Tein A) are great supporters of the Twins and have claimed that their coilover offerings are tailored by them to the Twins with regard to valving and spring rates (and yes, most coilovers settled on 6k springs all around, so that's less of a differentiator now). Both are also well regarded in this community.

For DD needs you won't likely to really feel a large difference, and only you can say if the extra cost is worth it for you to get a supposedly better engineering and better tailored product.

For autocross, if you're just having fun the same logic applies. If you're trying to be competitive, that's a whole other can of worms and would greatly depend on your chosen class and what's the competition is like in that class.

You are paying for custom valved dampers specifically designed for this platform.

They're also KW based which is a plus. Not knocking teins but the SS1 are more comparable to the CSG flex A which are also custom valved. .

I just bought a set of RCE SS-1s that I'll be putting on in the next month or so. I'll keep you posted, OP. I looked at EVERYTHING, and settled on RCE based on platform knowledge and recommendations here. Price was less of a concern for me, more about comfort and ability to track later. We shall see!

Ive had my SS1's installed for about a year now. Very happy! Easy to use, no spring preload adjustment. Just set height, rebound and go. Low speed understeer was a concern at first because the front spring rates are a lot higher, but it teaches you how to manage weight transfer.

Highly recommend these. RCE in general sells great products for the platform.

I got regular Tein Flex A's and I'm telling you right now I feel like I should have saved a bit more and gotten a KW based coilover like these RCE SS1's.

Just installed a set of SS1 today...best shock I've driven for the money on this platform. The camber plates they include are nice and quiet, minimal NVH for them compared to most brands.

Love my SS1's. Had the KwV3's installed before and these are even better and come with camber plates which is a plus.

Wow sounds like I have to put these on my list.

I really appreciate everyone's input...just ordered a set of RCE SS1s :)

Only took 2 days to arrive...

https://i.imgur.com/EaIaTok.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ws9cybA.jpg

Can't wait to install these over the weekend :thumbup:

I haven't driven on these specifically, but I have my heart set on a set of RCE tarmac 2's for my STX autox setup once I move on from street class.

I have driven a KW variant of some sort on an FRS and it was very nice. Never thought coilovers would ride better than stock. My experience with coilovers prior were they lowered, made it harsher, and a crapper ride, all in the same of performance.

I drove in an S2000 with KW V3's and those were crazy good too.

Reason I'm talking so much about KWs here is because RCE's are based on KWs, then tweaked to what RCE thinks is the best performance while retaining the ride quality. It's that extra edge. The valving is mostly the same as many KW products though.