Alternative to coilovers?
#1
Alternative to coilovers?
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?
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?
#2
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Pedders are doing the classic ezifit kit again I think.
Pedders EziFit Lowered Suspension Kit. Subaru Impreza, GC ,Sedan ONLY 803036
Pedders EziFit Lowered Suspension Kit. Subaru Impreza, GC ,Sedan ONLY 803036
Last edited by 1509joe; 10 March 2022 at 10:21 PM.
#3
Scooby Regular
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.
#5
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iTrader: (13)
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.
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.
Last edited by plenty; 10 March 2022 at 09:03 PM.
#6
Scooby Regular
if b16s ask chevron ,they make softer version or meister gt1's
Last edited by JdmSti2006; 11 March 2022 at 03:36 AM.
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#8
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.
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.
#9
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (1)
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.
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.
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.
#10
Scooby Regular
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.
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.
Last edited by Danjo; 18 March 2022 at 10:26 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by Danjo:
#11
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
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.
How do you think a progressive spring works?
#12
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#14
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (13)
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.
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.
#15
Scooby Regular
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.
#16
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
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.
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.
Last edited by 2pot; 19 March 2022 at 12:24 PM.
#17
Moderator
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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
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
Last edited by ALi-B; 19 March 2022 at 12:53 PM.
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#18
Scooby Regular
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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.
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.
GM Suspension Technology Ltd
@sustech
Last edited by 2pot; 19 March 2022 at 03:55 PM.
#19
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
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.
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