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suspension questions

Started by natho · 29 Apr 2004 · 25 replies

Preserved from CalaisTurbo. Original authors and dates are shown; archived members are not current Holdcom accounts.

nathoArchived member
hey all getting a VLT soon which has been lowered. however its a bit too low and the suspension on it feels quite dodgy, so i want to change the lot. i was going to just get a complete whiteline kit, since i have heard good things about them. however someone has told me that their stuff is way too firm for what i want. what i'm after is something that is still reasonably comfortable to drive, but isnt as sloppy as the factory suspension. someone has suggested to me that i use king springs with monroe GT gas shocks, and use whiteline swaybars, radius rods, and panhard bar. also kyb shocks were mentioned as being good, and koni, however they are probably a bit expensive considering what i want. remember - its a daily driver and not a track car. anyone have some suggestions?
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vlt-dreamerArchived member
Natho - the whiteline kit over here is 2k - how much you willing to spend?
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nathoArchived member
2k? they advertise it as around 1100 + $400 for installation and wheel alignment. i can get 10% off through a friend. i'm looking to spend as little as possible but as much as it takes to get it how i want. lets say $1200ish for parts.
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spiritfcArchived member
The whiteline kit isn't too firm at all, one of the best things I've done on my VL. The shocks that whiteline give you are kyb unless you 'upgrade' to koni.
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VLTurbsExArchived member
hey natho, i'm getting suspension done to my car next i think, r u able to get ne1 else stuff cheap?
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VLTurbsExArchived member
i'm really keen on whiteline too from what ppl have said, i haven't heard about it being too firm though
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nathoArchived member
i dont know mate, send me a pm with the part numbers of what you want and a mobile number, and i'll have a chat to him. no promises though.
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vlt-dreamerArchived member
Quote: Originally Posted by natho 2k? they advertise it as around 1100 + $400 for installation and wheel alignment. i can get 10% off through a friend. i'm looking to spend as little as possible but as much as it takes to get it how i want. lets say $1200ish for parts. sorry i think the 2k was the racing setup...
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nathoArchived member
anyone else care to comment? i know there are lots of people on here that have a good idea about suspension! few more questions: are adjustable strut tops worth it? i'd imagine a touch more negative camber and positive (i think?) castor would be a good idea, but are some whiteline radius rods enough for this? a lot of people seem to reccomend thie monroe gt gas shocks with king springs combo. anyone know what this is like compared to the whiteline setup which i believe uses modified KYB's? i'm tempted to get the whiteline kit simply because it all comes together and will be simple to order.. however i can get trade price at the local repco so the kings/monroe combo may not be too bad an idea.
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MorgzArchived member
HSVSUX experience in the suspension aspects of circuit racing, is invaluable, he'll be able to help. "natho" have you priced any fully adjustable strut/shock combos for the front? I am after a set to help me get the suspension height right, while getting enough clearence over the 19's.
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Mr.RB30Archived member
You mentioned monroe GT Gas shocks, they are not bad but I have had problems with them leaking after 12 months with some friends I helped fit them to. If you are going that way, get some gabriel's, they will do the job. Otherwise if you've got the extra cash, go KYB or even better koni.
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coastvlArchived member
I've had KYB shocks now for 10 years and they are brilliant. The Kings springs are good too for a daily driver. If it's only for a street setup, I'd go with the Whiteline setup.
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GuestArchived member
I find Koni and Bilstein too firm for some people, if you want to tighten the car up a bit but still be confotable, use KYB or Monroe GT, I think KYB is a better shock though. go big on the front sway bar it will make the car feel firmer but wont increase ride harshness at all. if you want to save money dont get adj strut tops until you have had an alignment to see what specs you can get, the std tops have 3 postions of adjustment and can work ok if you arent too fusy. try the postion that puts the strut back fully and in slightly (if you know what I mean)
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nathoArchived member
thanks guys, i'll price up the king+monroe combo with the whiteline swaybars and if it works out cheaper than using a complete whiteline kit i'll go with that, otherwise the whiteline kit it is!
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VLTurbsExArchived member
Natho: what i want is the Whitleine "works kit" but also with a strut brace on top of that, if you can get it cheaper that would be awesome!
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nathoArchived member
VLTurbsEx: strangely enough, it seems there is no trade price for the whiteline kit. I may try getting prices on all individual component part numbers, instead of just the kit part number, and see what that comes to.
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OldGoldArchived member
what happened with this Natho?
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nathoArchived member
i got a whiteline "the works" kit for around a grand. changing all the bushes not included in the kit cost another few hundred as did fitting. very, very happy with the result. firm but not bone jarring, corners a hell of a lot flatter than before. i'm also happy with the height. worth doing i'd say.
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BaxArchived member
I'll be interested to what you think of the kit, 87calais had some fairly major troubles with this kit and doesn't recommend it at all I believe. Which is what turned me off getting this kit. I'll definately consider it again when it comes time for my white rig to get dropped down a few notches. Which won't be too far off.
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nathoArchived member
so far so good, its been on there a little over a year now.
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