pros and cons of both ? my mini is a second car does 8k a year and will be doing the odd trip to the ring / track

 

Pros of the AST's, in no particular order:

1. Outstanding performance and tested a LOT.
2. Top quality Swift springs ship with them.
3. US-based rebuilds and revalving.
4. Dyno tested, matched spring rates.
5. Monotube.
6. EXCELLENT ride.

Cons:

1. Single-adjustable (although this really isn't a con for 99% of track junkies)
2. Suggested ride height from stock is no more than a 1.75" drop - we suggest 1.5", which provides the best track performance (via datalogging) and is still very streetable.

So, if you want to slam your ride, the CROSS setup is better because of the design... Most of our customers running the AST's use their car the same way that you do.

We do have a dual-adjustable system now if you want more adjustment.

 

many thanks for the excellent reply :D

the other reason i was thinking AST's is there is a uk based supplier and re builder (should have said i live in the uk) what is the re-build schedule ? 2 years ? dual adjust isnt so much of a worry as im not that hardcore

im not into the full slam, well i would be if the roads in Edinburgh would allow it

 

txwerks

Whats the story on the dual adj. I don't see them on you site?

 

Double Adjustable = Twice as many ways to screw up settings since the majority of us really have no idea how to properly set up suspensions.

 

wow
That was a kick in the nuts

 

Yeah well triple adjustable make it even worse....6x the setttings.

Inset a lot of smile things here since I'm trying to be funny too...

 

We're in the final stages of testing, but they're specialized KW V3's, springs, etc.

 

dont worry i get it tis why im only going single adjust far less for me to mess up

 

In that case, I wouldn't use the off-the-shelf springs and valving that come with the AST's - tell the supplier you want them re-valved to work with 60 kg/cm spring rates all around, and order some Swift springs. I can help with part numbers on the Swift springs, if you should choose that direction. The open wind of the Swifts works really, really well. Equally good would be Hypercoil OBD springs with the same rates... Also, make SURE they supply some cable adjusters for the rear shocks...

They're quite awesome - depending on how much track work you do, they'll likely go 3 years with no issues. AST has GT3's running their setups for 2 complete race seasons with no rebuilds between - and, when they open them up, they still look like brand new inside, dyno the same, etc.

 

i can say that the little time i spent in Gnatsters car, it felt amazing. It felt perfect in every way. I think the only reason for not going this route is camber plates- and you cant slam the car. My car isnt "slammed" perse, but its pretty low, which i like. But thats just my opinion

 

thanks sounds like a very good set up, im having the cooper off the road over winter as its 6 years old and having the 6 speed swap done, all the polly bushes done and exhaust and mainifold done so i can wait and take my time to get the suspension right i will get my supplier to contact AST and see if i can get them made like this out the factory

 

Also one thing to note if you want to try to put Swift springs on the CROSS it's possible but the CROSS Inner Diameter on the spring is 62mm whereas swifts come in 60mm and 65mm. ASTs I believe use the regular 65mm ID. You can also order a set of thresh bearings from Swift which prevents the front coilovers from popping when turning the steering wheel due to the preload (This happens on a lot of coilovers). I have Swift Springs on my car and absolutely love them. One thing to note when you get swift springs on your car is that the ride will actually feel softer due to the springs being more consistent in spring rate inch per inch. You don't need to revalve your coilovers unless you're going more than 2kg up or down.

Edit: I also wouldn't recommend dual adj. coilovers unless you know EXACTLY how you want your coilovers to feel.

 

i will sleep on this and let it all sink in and i dont have to decide for another month or so any so alls good

 

AST's use 60mm I.D. springs...

 

Thanks for the correction! I assumed the ID on the AST was 65mm as that is the most common I've seen.