Suspension upgrades are you happy what have you done.

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Hello all,

Looking to up grade the suspension on the 2005 VZ R8 manual clubbi.

Are coil overs or just springs and shocks the go.

What have you had done and would you recommend someone else doing the same.

Hope everyone is off to a flying start in the new year.

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[maka5]

http://www.vcmstore.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/vcmperformance/Products/VU-VE-Bilsteincoilover

pretty sure they make them for pre VE aswell.. worth the $$...

[poolkeeper]

I reccomend Tein coilovers, gives a nice and positive feel to the car

[brandanjm]

I am currently running Kings Springs and Koni adjustables but am looking to upgrade to Tein coilovers. Nothing wrong with the King Springs and Konis, just like the height adjustability of the Teins.

[phat_6ltr]

I went gt monroe shocks and lovell spring, love the ride quality but as for the height in the rear especially it's a few mm's too high and the next spring down is way too low. Need the inbetween setting that coil overs provide.

So I'd say coilovers from that aspect anyway..

[Wonky]

http://www.vcmstore.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/vcmperformance/Products/VU-VE-Bilsteincoilover

pretty sure they make them for pre VE aswell.. worth the $$...

Yep, I've got the H&R coilovers (Bilstein inserts) on my ute and love them. Unlike Pedders and Teins coilovers they're only height adjustable and if you want something different to factory settings for rebound/bump you have to get them adjusted eg Bilstein Australia AKA Quadrant Suspensions in Berwick. They did a lot of Australian testing before releasing them here and to me they're fine. I like the fact that bump/rebound is not user adjustable as I know guys with Pedders coilovers who spend half their life trying to find the "perfect" set up.

To the OP. Springs and short body struts are a much cheaper way out coming in at around $650 + fitting (approx $250??) whereas most coilovers are around $2k + fitting. I was looking for second hand coilovers for the height adjustability but ended up fluking a brand new set of H&Rs at a super bargain price!! :woohoo:

[gladrock]

I am currently using Lowered springs and shortened munro shocks, I have done my own research and will be changing to these within the next 12 months, one thing I like about these is tha the ride height is adjusted with the shock body, not just the spring height.


http://youtu.be/Ih74V6LOGTk

http://www.pedders.com.au/products/114

[Le0n86]

What gives you ride comfort?
Is it the shocks or the springs? Or a combination of the two?

[V28VX37]

I see that no one's mentioned upgraded swaybars as yet, they're supposed to be the best bang-for-your-buck suspension upgrade.

I've got yellow Koni adjustables, King Springs and bigger swaybars on the Monaro and it's great. Lower but not too low and very neutral around corners. Ride quality (smoothness & the ability to absorb sudden impacts) feels better than the original FE2. Recommended.

[feistl]

Depends mate, Do you want a fully hectic ride thats off tap? Or do you want something that actually drives and handles properly?

First thing i would be doing is upgrading the stock sway bars, installing a strut bar and checking out the bushes. Get that part right first.

Then id either be looking at proper springs/shocks or a coil over setup. Then finally id be looking at a BMR subframe connector which is about $700 landed from the US at the moment.

But yeah, just doing coil overs straight wont give a "good" result (other than "braging" rights).

So yeah, what do you want out of the suspension and what do you want the car to do properly?

[HSV543]

+1 for the Pedders V8 Supercar Sportsryder setup

[Dave85]

Yep, I've got the H&R coilovers (Bilstein inserts) on my ute and love them. Unlike Pedders and Teins coilovers they're only height adjustable and if you want something different to factory settings for rebound/bump you have to get them adjusted eg Bilstein Australia AKA Quadrant Suspensions in Berwick. They did a lot of Australian testing before releasing them here and to me they're fine. I like the fact that bump/rebound is not user adjustable as I know guys with Pedders coilovers who spend half their life trying to find the "perfect" set up.

To the OP. Springs and short body struts are a much cheaper way out coming in at around $650 + fitting (approx $250??) whereas most coilovers are around $2k + fitting. I was looking for second hand coilovers for the height adjustability but ended up fluking a brand new set of H&Rs at a super bargain price!! :woohoo:

+1 for the H&Rs (got them for a steal also :D )

Once they settle in, they're great on the road - firm when they need to be and not when you don't, despite not being being manually damper adjustable.

I would also seriously consider thicker swaybars and new bushes (the latter especially if the current ones have had it). Those mods, with a good spring/shock combo (if you're not worried about height/damper adjustment) will be a significant improvement from stock, and IMO represents great value for money :)

[iloveholden]

Hi guys,

Just a couple questions to clarify a few things regarding coilovers as i might be keen on a set for my SSV ute in the coming months;

1. What exactly can you adjust with the pedders and tein kits? ride height and stiffness?
2. Is it easy to adjust these measures?
3. What would say a set of pedders XA's be fitted to a VE ute be worth?

Cheers for whomever answers!!

[old_mate]

I was looking at upgrading the suspension in my crewman, i was going the kings/bilsteins/sway bars and whiteline bushes for the whole shebang.

I am trying to ascertain if the SS Crewman SSZ used the normal FE2 springs, I am happy with the height at the front and am worried king lows will drop it too far. I am definately coming down a bit in the rear courtesy of some new King leaf springs.

I am also trying to ascertain if it's worth going coilovers up front whilst retaining the Crewmans leaf sprung rear. As has been mentioned, some of the coilover pricing is good at the moment.

Whilst I know the Crewman will never go round corners overly well because it's fundamentally a heavy arse boat, if I am going to spend 3 grand on it i want the best bang for buck and really only want to do it the once.

[surfwagon]

I am happy with the height of my senator and the ride so left the HSV luxury springs in it and fitted Koni Yellow adjustable sports shocks all round and 30mm/18mm swaybars.
The springs give me a soft ride while the shocks keep it all controlled and the swaybars take care of the roll, also the FE2 type ride height means no crawling over speed humps, driveways etc.

[jfp]

I am happy with the height of my senator and the ride so left the HSV luxury springs in it and fitted Koni Yellow adjustable sports shocks all round and 30mm/18mm swaybars.
The springs give me a soft ride while the shocks keep it all controlled and the swaybars take care of the roll, also the FE2 type ride height means no crawling over speed humps, driveways etc.

Are HSV springs different from Holden SS (FE2) springs? If so, do HSV springs differ between HSV models? Same questions for swaybars - are HSV swaybars different from Holden swaybars? If so, do HSV swaybars differ between HSV models?

[calais190]

Hi guys,

Just a couple questions to clarify a few things regarding coilovers as i might be keen on a set for my SSV ute in the coming months;

1. What exactly can you adjust with the pedders and tein kits? ride height and stiffness?
2. Is it easy to adjust these measures?
3. What would say a set of pedders XA's be fitted to a VE ute be worth?

Cheers for whomever answers!!

1. Yes, ride height and rebound (stiffness) can be adjusted.

2. Rebound is as easy as turning a little knob one way or another (they have 30 notches of adjustment). Ride height involves taking a wheel off, undoing the lock washer rings and twisting the coilover to get the right height. With practice, it can be done in around 10mins per corner.

3. Around $2400.

[AMADR8]

1. Yes, ride height and rebound (stiffness) can be adjusted.

2. Rebound is as easy as turning a little knob one way or another (they have 30 notches of adjustment). Ride height involves taking a wheel off, undoing the lock washer rings and twisting the coilover to get the right height. With practice, it can be done in around 10mins per corner.

3. Around $2400.


fronts can have the height adjusted without removing the wheels.
i got quotes by pedders on here about $1750 mark using the forum discount, but that was supply only

[calais190]

fronts can have the height adjusted without removing the wheels.
i got quotes by pedders on here about $1750 mark using the forum discount, but that was supply only

I can never reach in properly and adjust the fronts without taking wheels off. But I'm not exactly a wizz with my hands either.

I paid $2200 with the forum discount fitted and wheel aligned at my local Pedders. Without discount I was told $2390. This was over a year ago.

[surfwagon]

Are HSV springs different from Holden SS (FE2) springs? If so, do HSV springs differ between HSV models? Same questions for swaybars - are HSV swaybars different from Holden swaybars? If so, do HSV swaybars differ between HSV models?

I would say that HSV VZ springs would be different to Holden FE2 as there are different springs used between HSV models.
HSV Z clubbies and R8 use sports springs while Grange and Senator use sports luxury springs.
My senator had 28mm front and 14mm rear bars and I think that is pretty std across the HSV Z range.

[iloveholden]

Thanks guys for the info!

So you guys just use a little jack to jack up a corner, take a wheel off and adjust?

I mean i would only ever adjust it if the cops gave me sh1t for the ride height or its too low or too high after settle time after fitment.

Would more so get the height ride for daily use and then play with stiffnes settings depending on what i was using the ute for.

[calais190]

Thanks guys for the info!

So you guys just use a little jack to jack up a corner, take a wheel off and adjust?

I mean i would only ever adjust it if the cops gave me sh1t for the ride height or its too low or too high after settle time after fitment.

Would more so get the height ride for daily use and then play with stiffnes settings depending on what i was using the ute for.
That's pretty much all you'll do. I only played with the height to get it to sit they way I imagined. Now I haven't changed it in a long time. I also found that having the fronts on around 5-10 (from full soft), and the rears on zero (full soft) is the most comfortable.

And yes, jack up a corner, wheel off and adjust is what I do. Doesn't take long.

[heo2hog]

i had f+r whiteline hd swaybars and bushes done by pedders today and i must say the back end has tighten up considerably, i can take corners a lot faster and it just sticks. the front end just goes right were you point it for $1250 well worth it.

[Madmik]

Ive had the Pedders Extreme coilovers installed into my Vy Calais, strut brace is in, adjustable sway bars sitting in the shed. The car has had a descent runin and feels really good.
Tried running on the hard setting for a week and on a track great for everyday driving......crazy rebound. Then the softest setting for a further week and I cant complain.
Once the sway bars are in i'm sure it'll finish it off just nicely.