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The best road handling setup #1562573
03/02/2016 22:05
03/02/2016 22:05

S
sirspin
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sirspin
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S



Hi all , I would appreciate coupe owners/drivers to advise me on what they would recommend for the best road handling setup. I want the car to look standard with original wheels. Thanks

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562579
03/02/2016 23:37
03/02/2016 23:37
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,961
west bromwich
C
coupedummy Offline
Je suis un Coupé
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C

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,961
west bromwich
For me what your after would be ,
Original setup refresh-new shocks,springs,top mounts, wishbones etc.
Strut brace
Uprated rear arb 22mm

I have had a bilsteins and eibach lowering and found it too harsh on uk roads


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: coupedummy] #1562590
04/02/2016 07:31
04/02/2016 07:31

S
sirspin
Unregistered
sirspin
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S



Thanks for the advice , what's your opinion on polyurethane bushes ?

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562591
04/02/2016 07:44
04/02/2016 07:44

G
Gimmo
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Gimmo
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G



Too stiff.

My opinion? Uprated arb is the best mod, but also battery in the boot (where spare wheel is) could be a good idea.
Standard spring and height
More stiff shocks or original but new.
2.3/4 bar front tires
2.2 bar rear tires

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562637
04/02/2016 17:11
04/02/2016 17:11
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,617
SE Essex
charlie_croker Offline
I need some sleep
charlie_croker  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,617
SE Essex
In order smile
22mm Rear ARB (Best mod ever)
Bilstein B6 Dampers
Eibach springs
PU bushes for rear subframe
New bearings for rear trailing arms
New top mounts
New wishbones and drop links

That will transform the handling, it did for mine smile

Last edited by charlie_croker; 04/02/2016 17:12.

Happy
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562643
04/02/2016 18:58
04/02/2016 18:58
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 608
Stockport
patrickstar Offline
Enjoying the ride
patrickstar  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 608
Stockport
I've put on mine
Sparco strut bar (great mod)
22mm rear arb
lower front brace
Eibac front springs
front arb black series poweflex
black series drop link bushes
rear parcel shelf bar (for looks)
New Toyo T1 sport all round
new track rod ends
new rear shocks
new wish bones
each one makes a difference but arb,strut and tires make the most difference I love the bushes to but harsh for a daily driver.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562668
05/02/2016 06:47
05/02/2016 06:47

M
mihai7645
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mihai7645
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M



Is the 22mm rear arb a great mod also for the 16vt? I am thinking into getting these

Also, if I would want to get a front strut bar like this one will I have any issues in mounting it considering I want to have a pair of BC Racing coilovers installed?

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562676
05/02/2016 09:29
05/02/2016 09:29
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,299
Sandhurst
Begbie Offline
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Begbie  Offline
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I AM a Coop

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,299
Sandhurst
That strut brace will be fine, especially if you are going to but coilovers on.


Originally Posted by Jonny - After being taken out at Spa
Your car is Usain Bolt with wellies
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562722
05/02/2016 18:50
05/02/2016 18:50
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,961
west bromwich
C
coupedummy Offline
Je suis un Coupé
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C

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,961
west bromwich
Make sure the eibach bars are in stock. I believe others have ordered from supplier before with very long waiting times


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562761
06/02/2016 07:38
06/02/2016 07:38

S
sirspin
Unregistered
sirspin
Unregistered
S



Where can I get the cheapest 22mm ARB ?

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562762
06/02/2016 08:04
06/02/2016 08:04
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
deannn_20VT Offline
My life on the forum
deannn_20VT  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
These days your only option is UltraRacing (?mm), where you can buy ARBs separately, Eibach kit (front + rear 23mm) or keep looking for a used Whiteline 22mm. I know a person selling Whiteline 24mm but that's too much for road use. I have been looking for the Whiteline 22mm for almost a year whithout success.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562774
06/02/2016 10:34
06/02/2016 10:34
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
paul Offline
My life on the forum
paul  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
Tried loads of set ups always end up back at ....
Standard springs ,bilstein shocks, thicker rear arb, strut brace,I have seam welded front subframe,poly bushed wishbones , a great but expensive addition was the q2 diff too...really helps turn in smile

Last edited by paul; 06/02/2016 10:35.

was Paul S,now just paul...Member since Oct 2000,Coupe may be FATALLY injured - :(oh no it's not smile
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562798
06/02/2016 17:21
06/02/2016 17:21
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
I've been watching this thread before chipping in - its clear that "best" is very subjective and what is great for some people may be unbearable for others

My car is pretty much where I want it now, apart from upgrading the tyres to something much stickier now that its only a weekend car.

The spec is as follows:

Eibach springs
Osrav adjustable shocks
Novitec 23mm rear ARB (standard front)
17" Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2 wheels
Quaife slippy-diff
Strut brace
Lower subframe brace
Seam welded front subframe
Poly-bushed wishbones
1 degree negative camber
1mm toe-in

With that little lot (plus the poly-bushed rear subframe being fitted next week), the ride is firm, but very controlled. It will happily out-corner most so-called sporty RWD stuff, even in the wet. The only cars that give me some serious grief around the corners are the current crop of modern 4WD hyper-hatches, such as the AMG45 and the RS3 - I simply cannot compete with all that computing power, nibbling the brakes on individual wheels and shuffling the power around. Still - I have 'em on the next straight....

Also with that lot, I can happily cruise in comfort at 80-ish for 500+ miles in a single journey without any aches or pains

My only minor regret is that the Vibra-Technics engine mounts transmit quite a bit of noise and vibration to the chassis - an unavoidable downside of having mounts that will take the power without being ripped to shreds

Finally, I'd echo earlier comments that the uprated rear ARB makes the biggest difference for a single handling mod - 22m isn't quite enough (but still makes a huge difference) and 24mm is too much unless you uprate the front as well.

Biggest mod for actually getting the power down was the Quaife - truly amazing what the car will do now, especially in the wet, as the M3 driver this morning will testify.....


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1562814
06/02/2016 22:48
06/02/2016 22:48
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,252
Windsor/ Reading
knight7660 Offline
Competition Level
knight7660  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,252
Windsor/ Reading
good write up Nigel smile


LE53 (452BHp & 389ftlb's with Quaife)
Wine red VIS FOOFY
Audi RS4 B7
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1575406
30/05/2016 15:39
30/05/2016 15:39
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
deannn_20VT Offline
My life on the forum
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
I am a bit thorn apart with the way forwards with handling mods. My 20VT setup was:
- new Monroe shocks (front) + new KYB Gas-A-Just (rear)
- 2nd hand 16VT Eibach springs
- 215/45/R16 tyres

Whereas it was acceptable in Norway, in therms of comfort, I found it too hard for patchy roads here in Poland. First thing I did was swap tyres to 205/50/R16 and boy did it help! Stiffer rear shocks helpws dialing in enough oversteer to make the car handle corners better but... I got a feeling that as for road use is concerned it is fine, it won't be quite enough for track days.

My question to those of you who experienced different setups would be. Should I upgrade my shocks to:
- OSRAV non-adjustable
- Koni adjustable

I don't really consider coilovers anymore as they will be an overkill, if I will do 3-4 track days per year.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1575527
31/05/2016 14:21
31/05/2016 14:21
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,580
Melbourne, Australia
Scuderia Offline
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Posts: 1,580
Melbourne, Australia
I have Koni adjustable and Eibachs. The ride is very firm. Probably the best I've experienced on a race track and smooth roads but it's painful over old bumpy roads.

Saint has Eibachs and Osravs which I remember as being far more compliant than my combo but you'd want to check with him because it was so long ago I don't really remember.

I've tried a few Combos in Tipo 16v cars,
Jamex Springs with KYB shocks were very soft.
Full Bilstein shock and spring combo which was fantastic. The best compromise. Tipo is a little lighter though. I suspect Konis are far harder.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1575531
31/05/2016 15:49
31/05/2016 15:49
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
I've had Konis and Osravs - Konis are definitely harder than Osravs

Osravs also have a greater range of adjustment (from too soft to too hard and anywhere inbetween)


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1575536
31/05/2016 17:28
31/05/2016 17:28
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
deannn_20VT Offline
My life on the forum
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
So far sounds like the OSRAV will be my choice, thou, I will aim for the non-adjustable version as cannot justify spending 40% more on the KGA kit. Still worried whether they will be too hard or not.

Nigel, how long did your Osravs last? Can they be rebuild if they fail?

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1575593
01/06/2016 08:11
01/06/2016 08:11
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
My first set of Osravs lasted 150,000 miles. The second set have been on for five years and 60,000 miles so far

They can't be rebuilt

I also considered the non-adjustables, but I'm glad I didn't. I can make the front of the car nice and soft - almost floaty, for when I want a bit of comfort on a long journey. I can also make it so hard that traction suffers (too much damping can cause the front end to 'hop' over bumps, which reduces traction)

TBH, rear adjustment is a complete pain - the adjuster is at the top of the shock body. The left side can be reached if you have skinny wrists, but the right side can only be reached by removing the shock, of getting some even skinnier wrists through the fuel pump access panel in the boot.

I've set mine to 5 turns from soft and left them there....


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1575606
01/06/2016 11:00
01/06/2016 11:00
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
deannn_20VT Offline
My life on the forum
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Posts: 1,904
Poland
As always, an awesome feedback, Nigel. I am quite set on the OSRAVs, just trying to find a reason to justify buying the KGA kit.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: Nigel] #1605387
31/07/2017 11:06
31/07/2017 11:06
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,904
Poland
deannn_20VT Offline
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Posts: 1,904
Poland
Originally Posted By Nigel
I've set mine to 5 turns from soft and left them there....

Nigel, is that 5 turns from soft (left to right). I think I misunderstood and set my 5 turns from center of the adjuster valve window to the right. So that would be too soft, I guess?

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625163
20/09/2018 13:36
20/09/2018 13:36

P
postman
Unregistered
postman
Unregistered
P



Hi guys,

I have a question about the uprated rear ARB, which some of you have installed.
Which one do you have installed?
Ultra racing seems to be the only one to offer only the rear arb.
Eibach is just offering a kit for the rear and the front axle.

Last edited by postman; 21/09/2018 09:28.
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: deannn_20VT] #1625219
22/09/2018 08:30
22/09/2018 08:30
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By deannn_20VT
Originally Posted By Nigel
I've set mine to 5 turns from soft and left them there....

Nigel, is that 5 turns from soft (left to right). I think I misunderstood and set my 5 turns from center of the adjuster valve window to the right. So that would be too soft, I guess?


Apologies - I missed this reply

Yes, five turns of full left-to-right movement of the adjuster. Five turns from the centre will only be 2.5 turns from full left to right


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625222
22/09/2018 08:36
22/09/2018 08:36
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By postman

Which one do you have installed?
Ultra racing seems to be the only one to offer only the rear arb.
Eibach is just offering a kit for the rear and the front axle.


I have a Novitec 23mm rear ARB with a standard front ARB very good “fast road” setup.

24mm rear ARB is too much on its own and would need an updated front ARB as well


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625353
25/09/2018 04:15
25/09/2018 04:15
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,580
Melbourne, Australia
Scuderia Offline
My life on the forum
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,580
Melbourne, Australia
Has anyone tried Koni shocks on std springs? Will it be much more compliant compared with Eibach Springs?

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625402
26/09/2018 08:59
26/09/2018 08:59
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Koni shocks are very firm, even on their softest settings - I doubt that they would match standard springs very well

I had Konis on the rear of my last Coupe for a while - I had them set fully soft, even with Eibach springs


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625440
26/09/2018 21:14
26/09/2018 21:14
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,062
Southsea
G
Gunzi Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Gunzi  Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Je suis un Coupé
G

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,062
Southsea
This handling thread compares a number of different set ups which may make for interesting reading.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: Gunzi] #1625498
28/09/2018 11:00
28/09/2018 11:00
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline
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Nigel  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,370
Staffordshire
There's also my handling thread where I tried to get into some of the technical aspects of getting a Coupe to handle better. Warning, its a long read...


[Linked Image]
Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625505
28/09/2018 13:52
28/09/2018 13:52

S
suba
Unregistered
suba
Unregistered
S



Originally Posted By sirspin
Hi all , I would appreciate coupe owners/drivers to advise me on what they would recommend for the best road handling setup. I want the car to look standard with original wheels. Thanks


Having spent a lot of money on coupe handling in the past for a road car here is what I would go with:

Bilstein / Eibach Suspension - stock ride height
22mm rear ARB
front strut brace
standard bushes - not poly
replace any worn bits (wishbones, track rod ends, etc.)
decent place to do the alignment
decent tyres

depending on power level possibly quaiffe ATB, but if under 300 bhp or thereabouts not really needed on a road car IMO.

At one point on my coupe I went back to totally stock suspension - it reminded me why I bought the car in the first place after a test drive...really great to drive on the road 90% of the time, i.e. unless you are playing about on a smooth B road.

Re: The best road handling setup [Re: ] #1625609
01/10/2018 11:14
01/10/2018 11:14
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,017
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline
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Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,017
Behind Enemy Lines
Hmm,

If Bilstein b6's can cure the crashing I get when on country lanes and small roads...could be interested in trying them!

MM

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