Ok, the time has come for suspension on the Red Woo. I'm sick of body roll and dorky-high stance. I need help.

Here's the plan, and the plan will be executed within two weeks tops, as I have money and time to myself.

For shocks I want Koni sport shocks all the way around. At $413.00 from eBay, you can't really go wrong. For those with experience, is there a large difference between the cheaper KYB variety and the Konis, and does anyone have anything good or bad to say about them?

For springs, I want H&R Sport Springs. They lower me how much I want, they're inexpensive, and they seem to be of good quality. I've also heard good things about them.

The parts for the project shouldn't cost more than $650.

Heres where the questions arise.

Fitment:
Will the Konis and H&Rs fit well together, as well as fit my car? Will I need a camber kit?

Ride Quality:
How rough are we talking? I don't mind a solid suspension and a stiff ride, but in the next four years, I'll be driving between Clearwater and Gainesville every few weeks and I don't want my kidneys to bleed.

Installation:
I could probably get it installed myself, but my lack of tools and location to work make it a tough task, I'd rather just pay my mechanic to do it right. Does anyone know the ballpark estimate of how much I should pay to have the things installed?

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

What are you trying to accomplish with your new suspension setup? Just less body roll and a lowered ride height, or are you planning on doing any racing?

 

Lowered ride height and less body roll for now. Maybe racing in the future, though I'll be so busy it may be twice a year. The Lanos, though it handles inherently well (thanks Porsche and Opel) has abysmal springs. Driving it straight over uneven pavement, the car bumps so much you'd think it had a stiff purely race suspension, but take it around a corner with even mild devious intent, the horizon turns sideways and the leather seats slide you to the point that your ass might touch the window. Its the exact opposite of what good springs should be.

If you were gonna suggest coilovers, its useless, they don't exist. At all.

 

Well, if your spring rate is already high (as you described from the stiffness over bumps) the stiffer anti-roll bars (if you even have them at all) will help the car in roll. When both wheels of one axle bump together, the anti-roll bar has no effect on the system, but in roll they do. Since you said there are no coilover systems available for your car, it's probably pretty unlikely that there are any aftermarket anti-roll bar available, too. How good are your fabrication and engineering skills?

If you just want to lower it, you can simply buy new springs. If you can't find any aftermarket springs, you may need to do some measurements and calculations to come up with what you need. If you do it right, you can get exactly what you want in a custom order. It might cost you a little more, but you'll be the only one with them!

 

If you have found the right shocks and spring for your woo....And still need them installed, Give me a shout and I can get you rollin low in no time and the price I offer all of my acquaintances seems to be the best in town.

I have all of the right tools and can honestly say I have more then 200+ Vehicle drops/lifts under my belt, So in no way do I offer amateur work.

Just look at my Trader Ratings if your sceptical.

As for the H&Rs with Koni Yellows, If they do make both products for your application, Then the install should be a piece of cake.
As for ride quality, I currently have H&R Race springs along with Koni Yellows on my Jetta GLI and the ride is fabulous!!!

Everyday point A to B travel is pretty smooth IMHO, even cruising on I-75 at 80mph from Spring Hill to Brandon is a pleasurable ride.
The two times I've put the car on the track for playful purposes, She hung around tight corners at a very steady rate.
I would definitely suggest going with the Koni/H&R setup if that is whats offered to you.
What kind of "Inch" Drop are you looking to achieve?

-Jeff

 

Yeah, H&R, Intrax, Apex, and a slew of other companies other suspension companies make springs for my car, but I just heard good things about H&R. Same thing with shocks. Plenty make 'em, but only Koni offers the "sports". I guess since Outkasted24 has them and recommends them, no reason to differ.

Regarding the anti-roll bar. Yeah the car does come stock with one, but its a weenie, and a stiffer one would help a bunch. My engineering skills are great (its what I do, currently at work, LoL) and my fabrication skills are OK, but again the lack of tools kills me. Does anyone know of a good shop where I can get one made if I were to bring in the specs. Thanks.

Also, any ideas if I'd need a camber kit?

Thanks a million for your help guys.

-Damir.

 

To check to see if you'd need a cambe kit, push down on the corner of your car and watch how much the wheel cambers. If it's excessive, you should proabably consider getting a camber kit, especially if you're going to be driving it daily and don't want to replace tires often.

Good luck with what ever you end up doing.


Joel

 

cant say I have ever heard of that way to test.