HP Autowerks | New AST 4150 4250 Digressive Coilovers now available!!!

[HP Autosport]

HP Autowerks, Inc. is proud to announce the new AST 4150 and 4250 Series Damper. The new design builds on the success with the AST 4100 and 4200 series damper and the recent wins in GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, including new technology developed specifically for GRAND-AM racing teams.

New for 2012 AST 4150s and 4250s with digressive valving and several other advantages over previous models. Shopping for a quality set of coilovers for your BMW E8x E9x 128i 135i 325i 328i 330i 335d 335i can be a little overwhelming. Many people turn to the forums to make a decision. The problem with this is anyone can post anything on forums. The information you get will likely be out of date and many people who recommend a coilover on forums do not have any direct experience with anything other than the coilover the are recommending and their oem shocks. If you look past all of the re-branding and forum hype you can make an informed decision.

Before you spend over $2000 on coilovers it's important to understand what you are buying. To know that you are getting the best possible set up for your application and budget you must understand the differences between the options you are considering. We strongly believe that in this price range AST 4150s and 4250s are by far the best option. These are Dutch made monotube coilovers with digressive valving. All other options in this price range (including KW Clubsport and Competition 2-way models, Bilstein) are twintube inserts, out of date linear monotubes or built in China/Taiwan. Monotube coilovers are superior to twintube coilovers in all aspects of performance. They provide a larger range of adjustment, respond quicker and deal with heat/heavy use better. Digressive valving is better than linear valving in all aspects of performance because it allows damper manufacturers to properly set up both low speed and high speed damping instead of having to compromise between the two. This means you get the best of both worlds. Instead of a damper that only handles high speed or low speed damping correctly, you get a damper that handles both of them correctly at the same time! These will give you better lap times than other options in this price range and give you better ride quality on the street as well.

DDP Technology Piston
Our latest digressive piston developed for GRAND-AM gives drivers and race engineers the best of both worlds. Drivers love the low speed damping response and body control, while race engineers love the “blow off” at high shaft velocities. When the rebound adjustment is soft, the damper curve looks similar to an OEM street shock profile. When the rebound adjustment is hard, the damper curve looks like a race shock!
This “Jekyll and Hyde” personality is exactly what AST 4000 Series customers want: soft street ride and race car track performance in ONE shock - all with the turn of a knob!
Lower Drag Seals
High performance seals are a challenge for any damper. They must balance friction and sealing ability while not impacting shock performance and not leaking; a difficult balancing act! While the seal was originally developed for GRAND-AM road racing, AST is taking our knowledge from the track to the street again. Newly redesigned seals decrease hysteresis in the damper and decrease seal drag over 50%.

Discontinuing Steel Shocks
In 2012, most AST 4150s will come with aluminum shock bodies. Strut bodies will continue to be built from steel, but all shocks will switch to aircraft grade aluminum. Economies of scale have allowed us to switch to aluminum without a large increase in cost of manufacture. For some models, this represents a 50% reduction in the weight of the damper (unsprung weight).

Structural Improvements
Several new designs proven in GRAND-AM racing will be added to various products on an “as needed” basis. All strut models will receive a new two piece top guide assembly that separates the dust seal assembly from the oil seal/bearing assembly. This two piece design is stronger in compression loading (bottoming out) and side loading (in the turn). Some models will receive weld-on stabilizer brackets which take the guesswork out of setting the stabilizer height and torque setting of the clamping ring.

Upgradeability
4150s will be upgradeable to 4250s! Using a modular build system, customers can send their shocks to AST at a later date and upgrade from a 1 Way shock to a 2 Way internal reservoir or remote reservoir system. Some models may only upgrade to remote reservoirs. An upgrade matrix will be published in 2013.

[John Dempsey]

How much will a set of 4150s be. I'm very interested

[HP Autosport]

Anyone interested in the new 4150's? PM or email us if you are interested. We need a minimum of 5 sets for AST Holland to start making these.

[sour97]

How's compare to Ohlins R&T

[uberschnell]

I've been running 4100's for some time now and coupled with Swift springs are by far the best dampeners I've experienced. Rebuilds are easy and fast making them the last set of dampeners you'll need to by for your car.

[HP Autosport]

Once again, AST is looking for 5 sets to roll out the BMW E8x/E9x 4150 line.

Subaru and Mustang guys are making it happen, what say you BMW guys?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by MteK

I've been running 4100's for some time now and coupled with Swift springs are by far the best dampeners I've experienced. Rebuilds are easy and fast making them the last set of dampeners you'll need to by for your car.

New AST 4150's will be even better!

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

New AST 4150's will be even better!

PM sent.

[fboutlaw]

Originally Posted by sour97

How's compare to Ohlins R&T

+1 Would like to know Harold's honest input.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by fboutlaw

+1 Would like to know Harold's honest input.

Okay, if you must have a clear winner, here it is. The Ohlins R&T and AST 4150 will be head to head in terms of performance in my opinion. Ride quality winner will likely go to the Ohlins. Built quality, again, to the Ohlins. Warranty is 2 years on the Ohlins and 1 year on the AST.

[fboutlaw]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Okay, if you must have a clear winner, here it is. The Ohlins R&T and AST 4100 will be head to head in terms of performance in my opinion. Ride quality winner will likely go to the Ohlins. Built quality, again, to the Ohlins. Warranty is 2 years on the Ohlins and 1 year on the AST.

Wow!

This is why I'm a repeat and future customer!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by fboutlaw

Wow!

This is why I'm a repeat and future customer!

I meant to say 4150, NOT 4100.

[HP Autosport]

E46 M3 kits are coming soon. E8x and E9x shouldn't be far behind if we could get a pre-order of 5 kits.

[houtan]

Please pm the pricing for 4150 and 4250 for e82 135i. Zip code is 92009. Thanks.

[dcaron9999]

Any updates on the 4150 set for the 135i? When will they become available?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

Any updates on the 4150 set for the 135i? When will they become available?

I remember the 4150's were delayed the longest time for the other platforms, basically AST got way too excited and made a pre-release announcement but then encountered major production delay in Europe.

I'd ask Terry at Vorshlag for the latest updates.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

I remember the 4150's were delayed the longest time for the other platforms, basically AST got way too excited and made a pre-release announcement but then encountered major production delay in Europe.

I'd ask Terry at Vorshlag for the latest updates.

The best person to call is Brian at AST USA.

As far as I know if we can get 5 people together, the production can happen.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

The best person to call is Brian at AST USA.

As far as I know if we can get 5 people together, the production can happen.

To piggy-back off what Harold said, they are worth it!

-Mike