newb question: suspension/shock combo suggestions?

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:29 pm

hey guys,
for a while i've been wanting to lower my NA a bit. i will have 16" wheels, and was hoping to put on some 'low' king springs which is 3cm lower right? (can this be done, will it still fit?!)
i read another thread that suggested the standard shocks won't last long with these lowered springs. so since i have no idea the age of my current ones, i ought to replace these too.

though i wish i could go all out with coilovers etc, i can't. wondering what the next level up from the standard shocks would be, and if the kings are the best option for this combo... open to debate!

thanks in advance

philz · Postby **philz** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:42 am

budget?

There are some Tein basic coilovers going for $1000 on ebay, which is just ridiculous cheap for BRAND new.

Even new lowered springs + koni adjustables or agx shocks will be more expensive, and will be inferior to the Teins.

If you are on a budget, just look out for used spring + shock combos on the forum.

But as said, what is your budget?

philz · Postby **philz** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:02 am

Tein Basic and SS are soft, and aus spec are just too soft.

7/6 is nothing, try 10/8 it's killer.

But hey that's just me.

AB7 · Postby **AB7** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:17 am

For budget performance, you can go past KYB AGX & Kings.
IMO Eibach is just not worth the extra $$$.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:23 am

AB7 wrote:For budget performance, you can go past KYB AGX & Kings

How much are we looking at for a set?

I assume mine is still running the standard Bilsteins, which with 120,000kms on the clock now should be due for replacement.
My ride is reasonably harsh at the moment, not that I mind all that much, but would that be due to my suspension being worn out or are the Bilsteins that hard normally? (sorry for the hijack Doogle

)

AB7 · Postby **AB7** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:10 pm

Quite a few forum member here bought it off EBAY USA for less than $580 shipped. Thats when our $$$ was in 90 cents region. I remember paying all up with my kings for less than $800 all up

I think its cheaper to buy it locally now for around $850...plus kings for around $250.
I guess its cheaper these days to buy that Tein Basic set but its not adjustable (damping wise) but then again its height adjustable whereas KYB is not.

OK, maybe that Tein basic is the best bang for your bucks option now

philz · Postby **philz** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:22 pm

AB7 wrote:OK, maybe that Tein basic is the best bang for your bucks option now

Which was my point :wink:

Unless you want to try those new Koni STRT shock+spring, but I haven't really heard that good of a review.

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:16 pm

thanks for the advice so far... my budget would be 'as least as possible' - perhaps around the $1k to 1.5k mark (if i have to pay someone to install)..

after reading up and looking around on prices (ebay) i guess i'm leaning towards the kyb agx shocks and some low kings..

another newb question: is installation DIY-able? i have a haynes manual but no knowledge of that area of the car

...

grump · Postby **grump** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:34 pm

doogle wrote:thanks for the advice so far... my budget would be 'as least as possible' - perhaps around the $1k to 1.5k mark (if i have to pay someone to install)..

after reading up and looking around on prices (ebay) i guess i'm leaning towards the kyb agx shocks and some low kings..

another newb question: is installation DIY-able? i have a haynes manual but no knowledge of that area of the car ...

Doogle, Diy is more than doable for the newbie. I have NB,KYB AGX with king lows on my NA. The advantage of using NB shocks on an NA is the fact that you get about 1.5 cm more travel, by using the NB top hats. The ride height is about 30 mm lower than standard. I am really happy with the ride, and got my KYB's of Ebay in AUS for $380 delivered, brand new.
The option of 4 way dampening adjustment is an advantage. I run them on the softest setting for normal driving and the hardest for the track. In my opinion the KYB AGX and King lows are a good combination.
The are plenty of people on this forum that could point you in the right direction for installation, otherwise you are looking at around $600 including a wheel alignment.

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:30 am

hey grump, thanks for the advice. what size wheels do you have? is there enough clearance by the wheel arch/does it fill it nicely? (i'm planning to have 16" but potentially can get 15"...)
$380 delivered!! thats awesome.... all i could find on ebay were ones from the us which start from about $620AUD and like $100USD postage... guess i'll keep looking for that bargain.
never considered using NB shocks, but (sorry yet another newb question) what do you mean by '1.5cm more travel'?

thanks!

grump · Postby **grump** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:36 am

doogle wrote:hey grump, thanks for the advice. what size wheels do you have? is there enough clearance by the wheel arch/does it fill it nicely? (i'm planning to have 16" but potentially can get 15"...)
$380 delivered!! thats awesome.... all i could find on ebay were ones from the us which start from about $620AUD and like $100USD postage... guess i'll keep looking for that bargain.
never considered using NB shocks, but (sorry yet another newb question) what do you mean by '1.5cm more travel'?
thanks!

Doggle, I got mine of a company in Adelaide that had 2 sets at the time. Another forumite grabbed the second set, that was last November.
I run 16" wheels with 205/ 45 ,and +45 offset. don't have any issues. they are a cheap Bob Jane rim that weigh 6.5 kg, so not a bad weight.
Your other alternative to NB Shocks is to use Fatcat motorsports bumpstops on the NA shocks. Tbro has them on his clubbie and swears by them.

tbro · Postby **tbro** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:22 am

Jeo wrote:
AB7 wrote:I assume mine is still running the standard Bilsteins, which with 120,000kms on the clock now should be due for replacement.
My ride is reasonably harsh at the moment, not that I mind all that much, but would that be due to my suspension being worn out or are the Bilsteins that hard normally? (sorry for the hijack Doogle )

Doogle and Jeo,

Billy's work well with upgraded springs and Fatcatmotorsport bump stops, I have these is my clubby with the NB top hat mod and the car rides and handles perfectly.
Dunno how much to do it now but certainly worth looking at as mine ended up costing approx $700 with adjustable perches.

Just another option.

Terry

Szemen · Postby **Szemen** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:44 am

Have anyone tried the Gaz coilovers? The new ones, not the old rebadged AVO ones. Theres some pretty good comments on the UK side of things, Mania recently got them in as well.

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:01 am

well it seems like these fatcat bumpstops are the way to go i gather? they seem easier to source too... found this website http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_KYB_pr ... A.htm#bump
1. not sure about the specs of the king springs, whether i would need a 36mm or 46mm bumpstop.
2. are dust boots necessary? do i need to order one or is there a stock one already in my car which i can modify?
thanks for the help so far!

and yeah the exchange rate is a kick in the face too...

doogle · Postby **doogle** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:58 pm

correction, just had a look and i'm pretty sure i don't have any dust boots on there... so i take it they're not necessary! not that they look good either...