Presently got BC coilovers, but they are knackered.
Sadly, my wife is now paralysed from the waist down, and too many bumps gives her painful muscle spasms. She doesnt accompany me often, but likes to occasionally.
I'd therefore like something which would allow the car to handle, but not too hard ride.

Its a classic, 2.5 forged, running over 400/400. Rides on 215/40 x 17's.
I've never tracked it and probably never will.
Suggestions?
And from where?

 

Pedders are doing the classic ezifit kit again I think.

Pedders EziFit Lowered Suspension Kit. Subaru Impreza, GC ,Sedan ONLY 803036

 

Any way you’d consider dropping down to smaller wheels with a larger sidewall assuming the brakes you have are compatible? One of the first things I did for my mum who has neck and spine injuries was to drop down to 15” wheels with larger tyres on her Forester to take as much sting out of bumps as possible. IMO you could have the softest suspension in the world but if you’re running such a small sidewall you’ll always get those jarring hits coming through.

 

Something like the Bilstein B12 kit would be perfect and really is a far better suited road setup than “most” coilovers.

 

Go to 215/45/17, or 225/45/17 if they fit under your arches.

Get a set of P11L springs on the next group buy and Excel-G or OEM STi Red struts.

Or if you need something sooner, Eibach Pro-kit with Excel-Gs.

Bilstein B16 coilovers are good on the road but still on the firm side and firmer than either of the above solutions.

If you drive on bumpy roads stick with OEM roll bars not fat aftermarket items.

 

if b16s ask chevron ,they make softer version or meister gt1's

 

get a set of KYB's ,, perfect for the road and not hard like coilovers

 

Thanks for the responses.
I'm not keen on lowering the car, it's not something I'd do. Messes with the handling by lowering roll centre.
Bigger sidewall tyres? That's a maybe
Smaller wheels? No can do, brakes won't fit.
I need to pick brains at Chevron, AS Performance, Carnetix etc.
Got time yet as I'm away until end of May.
Keep the suggestions coming please.

I wish the suspension gurus of ten to fifteen years ago still used the site.

​​​​

 

If you are running BC's, even at maximum height, it will still be sat lower than the likes of the Eibach progressive springs and other lowering springs, so your car is already lowered. I am talking from experience as I had a set of BC coilovers on my Hawkeye WRX after replacing the Eibach springs I had on there. I hated the BC's so went back to the Eibach springs with standard KYB Excel G shocks and even though the car is lowered, it still sits higher than the BC's set up.

I am considering a full refresh again and much like you, I am unsure where I want to go with it. The Pedders option up the page seems like a decent set up.

 

The reason I suggested Bilstein B12’s is because they are a traditional shock and spring package, rather than a coilover. They use progressive rate springs, which are far more compliant for road driving, they will also load up when you carry additional passengers, something that linear rate springs on most coilovers won’t do. They also offer a fair amount of droop allowing the wheel to keep in contact with the road over bumpy ground, something a coilover won’t do due to their limited shock travel, making them feel skittish at times. They are designed to be used at, or close to, standard ride height and are what are used on most special edition Subaru suspension setups. Cheap Coilovers really are more for looks than anything, they are designed to be used on smooth road and race tracks, unless you start spending big money.

 

Do Bilstein make a B12 kit for a classic or newage?

How do you think a progressive spring works?

 

google it ,You could learn something

 

I've searched do you have a link?

 

There is no such thing as a Bilstein B12 kit for a classic. And other than the Prodrive WR Sport days 20 years ago they no longer make dampers either.

You can obtain Eibach Pro-kit springs for a classic as per my post above, which are sold with Bilstein dampers in B12 branded kits marketed for other models.

 

Apologies, I seemed to have missed the fact it’s a classic. In that case, H&R do a very good kit which uses Bilstein internals (their part number 29375-1). It’s basically a B12 kit but with H&R springs. I use the same H&R setup on my 2015 STI and it’s another league in superiority over the coilover setup I had before it for normal road driving.

 

H & R do a classic coilover (Bilstein B14 equivalent) - with Bilstein internals.
But, it uses a linear piston, the gas fill pressures are too high, too little compression damping/too much rebound damping and the spring rates induce pitch. As you've rightly pointed out, this is the same scenario with most coilovers. At least with the Bilstein-based set-up's , this can be put right.
Coilovers often run with ride heights, significantly, lower than stock - you could increase the pre-load, to gain some ride height, but the downward re-set from the spring would then create problems.

Also, your description of a progressive spring operation, would be correct for a van or a lorry - a load carrying vehicle.
A progressive spring, in this instance, is a dual-rate spring, to stop the spring dislodging at full droop.
This would be the equivalent of a coilover using a helper spring, combined with a linear spring.

 

Skim read so may have missed it, but there is a guy who can rebuild coilovers to different specs (increasing rod travel if need be by removing internal spacers/stops ) as well as supplying different rate spring to suit needs. He can do KWs, and dispenses with the "helper" springs for a longer main spring.

Don't know if he can do BCs, or even if he's still in business as I've lost his contact details (probably 7+ years ago). But maybe someone here knows of him.

In the end of the day stock shock/spring are still technically coil-over springs (i.e coilovers sans the americanism), just with larger diameter coil and more rudimentary damping. A classic on stock shock/springs, even in UK2000 spec isn't exactly a cushy ride at low speeds on 17s...although better than the average BMW on runflats

 

This?:
GM Suspension Technology Ltd

@sustech

 

Found them: https://www.corneringforce.com


Got to admit buying new shocks/springs fills me with dread as I really can't be sure what they are like until they're fitted, bedded in with the geo tweaked; I once put new shocks on a Merc W211 E320cdi to fix creaky shocks. It turned a wallowy barge into a supple, taut yet compliant back road blaster. It was awesome. Alas, owner's wife disagreed and ended up trying three different sets to get it to ride like a barge again.

 

Not making much headway.
Some of the vendors/ specialists I've approached, (by email), are, shall we say underwhelming.
One didn't bother to respond, and a very respected one's email address bounced my query.

Must be a Brexit problem🙄

 

I think spring threads are can be used.