VE Calais V Suspension /Ride Height

[GRC888]

I am interested in the thoughts of other Calais V/SS owners with regards to the VE's standard FE2 suspension.

My Calais V is the best car I have ever driven and owned. I love it except for one thing - its high riding stance and spring rates .

After 4,500km and a trip to Sydney and back, I came to the conclusion that my Calais V 6.0L's suspension felt like it was constantly floating at the top of its springs and too susceptible to crosswinds.

I often felt the sensation when travelling along the Hume Highway with moderate crosswinds and sitting on a constant 110km/h that the steering was overly sensitive and nervous. The vehicle felt unbalanced and not at all stable. This was using the recommended 36 psi in all tyres. I tried 38psi and then 40psi but to no avail. I run the original 245/45 18's and had a wheel alignment before I left for Sydney. It did not feel tied down and secure.

I also felt that there was too much lean on corners at moderate speeds.

Last week I made the decision to lower my Calais V. I enquired about the various options and chose to go with Walkinshaw Performance's 25mm lowered suspension pack.

What a transformation. Not only does it look far better getting rid of the rear's jacked up look, all the nervousness in the steering has gone and it corners much flatter. Crosswinds do not upset the Calais V anywhere near as much. Far superior stability than before. Even the ride feels more comfortable with improved control.

I am very impressed with Walkinshaw Performance's chosen spring rates. I would highly recommend them.

I would be interested in other Calais V owners experiences and thoughts on the standard FE2 suspension. I have read criticism that Calais V's ride too harshly. In my opinion, my vehicle rode too soft. Perhaps my Calais V's suspension was abnormally soft in its spring rates. I do not know.

Why has Holden released VE sitting so high on its suspension?

Glenn Corey
Rowville, Victoria

[Noah]

Nice write up.

I have noticed much the same with my SSV, so the drop will come in the next few weeks. Had good reports on the Pedders set up also!

cheers
Noah

[Wonky]

Am sure you'll find Walkinshaws just use King springs. Have a look for a stamp on the springs.

[CalaisRider]

Glen, can you post some photos of it please. Would be interesting to see someone who has actually done it on a VE; rather than the advertisements for such products. Before and after from similar angles would be perfect if you have them..

[Nervous]

Glenn,

I completely agree with your comments about the suspension on the Calias V. I am currently test driving a Calais V V8 and spent all day yesterday driving it, in fact went to Wilsons Promontry and must say the suspension did not give me complete driving confidence, it behaved in the similar manner you described. My daily car is a VZ Monaro and I must say I feel more in control and confident driving this car around the turns than the Calais V.

Having said that, when the suspension was pushed hard around bends or roundabouts it did behave well and controlled, but when lightly loaded it did seem to float at the top of the spring as you described.

Overall the car is very nice, well packaged and all the features you want to make your driving experience a real pleasure. The V8 is very very impresive!

If I do purchase a Calais V I would definitately address the suspension and follow your lead.





I am interested in the thoughts of other Calais V/SS owners with regards to the VE's standard FE2 suspension.

My Calais V is the best car I have ever driven and owned. I love it except for one thing - its high riding stance and spring rates .

After 4,500km and a trip to Sydney and back, I came to the conclusion that my Calais V 6.0L's suspension felt like it was constantly floating at the top of its springs and too susceptible to crosswinds.

I often felt the sensation when travelling along the Hume Highway with moderate crosswinds and sitting on a constant 110km/h that the steering was overly sensitive and nervous. The vehicle felt unbalanced and not at all stable. This was using the recommended 36 psi in all tyres. I tried 38psi and then 40psi but to no avail. I run the original 245/45 18's and had a wheel alignment before I left for Sydney. It did not feel tied down and secure.

I also felt that there was too much lean on corners at moderate speeds.

Last week I made the decision to lower my Calais V. I enquired about the various options and chose to go with Walkinshaw Performance's 25mm lowered suspension pack.

What a transformation. Not only does it look far better getting rid of the rear's jacked up look, all the nervousness in the steering has gone and it corners much flatter. Crosswinds do not upset the Calais V anywhere near as much. Far superior stability than before. Even the ride feels more comfortable with improved control.

I am very impressed with Walkinshaw Performance's chosen spring rates. I would highly recommend them.

I would be interested in other Calais V owners experiences and thoughts on the standard FE2 suspension. I have read criticism that Calais V's ride too harshly. In my opinion, my vehicle rode too soft. Perhaps my Calais V's suspension was abnormally soft in its spring rates. I do not know.

Why has Holden released VE sitting so high on its suspension?

Glenn Corey
Rowville, Victoria

[GRC888]

Thank you all for your feedback.

Good to know I am not going mad! Many drivers would never have picked up the problem I was experiencing. Having previously owned a multitude of Commodores, VC, VL, VN, VR, VT, VY and VZ, I felt the Calais V just did not feel right at higher crusing speeds. Around town it felt beautifully refined but the nervousness in the steering and instability in crosswinds was a real turnoff.

Not sure if Walkinshaw Performance use King Springs for VE. I didn't ask. I chose them because of their HSV/HRT background/ connections and their claims that the spring rates were custom designed after extensive testing of various alternatives. They do use King's for VT-VZ but those fitted to my Calais V are painted black not the usual yellow of King Springs. Do King's use black paint as well? Could not see a stamp on them from a cursory glance.

Nervous, I agree wholeheatedly with your comments re your VZ Monaro. I also have a VZ Lumina Wagon fitted with 30mm lower King Springs and the Lumina feels more stable and sure-footed than the Calais even though it has only 17" wheels compared to 18". My previous VY11 SS with 25 mm lower Kings also felt far more secure.

I did the same Sydney trip up the Hume two years ago in the SS and never ever felt that is was unstable like I did with the Calais V, particularly in crosswinds.

CalaisRider, I will take some pics this afternoon of my Calais V lowered and post later. Unfortunately, I don't have any before pics to compare. However, the lowered rear is very noticeable compared to the standard jacked up look. You can compare to your own vehicle. The front is less noticeably lowered at present although I was told the front will settle approx. another 10-15mm over the coming weeks. I only had it lowered on Wednesday.

Cheers,

Glenn Corey
Rowville, Victoria

[EddieVE06]

I agree with the ride height and the lowered springs being a better look and yes the ride although a little more jiggly is much better and stable, body roll has also reduced. As previously mentioned in other posts, just ensure that after a few thousand km you have the front and back checked for camber, toe in and alignment. The rear on mine was way out of whack in toe in and to much camber. The front was ok but I had a bit of positive camber. I didn;t feel comfortable after getting the car lowered it jumped and skipped around corners. Now its completly different it just hugs the road beautifully.
I was told to keep the tyre pressures at 42psi but I could not handle it. It was to much so have dropped them back to 39.

[racketsports]

Glenn, you choose the same car as me, but it appears your missus let you get a sunroom. Lucky bastard! Anyway, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay all up for the Walkinshaw 25mm kit. I'm very interested in doing the same with my Calais.

Cheers
Racketsports

DOH, change the above post to sunroof!:thump:

[GRC888]

Racketsports, paid $590 for Walkinshaw Performance pack. This includes front and rear alignment, revised bumpstops and a Walkinshaw boot badge!

Eddie, I am running 38psi as rcommended by Walkinshaw Performance but this still feels a bit soft still so I might try 39 or 40psi as well.

I went for a drive this afternoon along Lysterfield Road in Melbourne's outer-east, a short but very twisty challenging road, recognised by many as an ideal road for testing handling and suspension tune. The lowered springs have completely transformed the car with little body roll and firmer more accurate steering. Just hugs the road now and completely stable and confidence inspiring through the corners. Also a beautifully controlled ride over bumps. Could not say this before.

For those interested, including CalaisRider, I do not have permission to attach after fitment photos to this forum. If you would like to see some photos, please email me at : grcorey@bigpond.net.au and I will forward.

Otherwise, who do I talk to to give me permission to attach photos to a post?

Cheers,

Glenn Corey
Rowville, Victoria

[HSVQUE]

I can see where your coming from.. but i never expected mine to feel perfect from the factory.. Mines going in to be lowerd in the next week so ill be able to comment better then. the front height isnt to bad standard but the rear is bloody awfull

[GRC888]

Upon closer inspection the springs fitted to my Calais V by Walkinshaw Performance are King Springs but are in fact not painted black as I previously advised but are covered in a metallic dark grey plastic coating, not the traditional Kings yellow.

Glenn Corey
Rowville, Victoria

[BLACK expreSS-V]

Just to help with a visual...

The black SSV has Pedders lowered springs on it (around 40mm lower)

The red SSV has the standard FE2 springs on it.



http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m265/jvohradsky/car2.jpg

[CalaisRider]

Not much in it at that angle other than taking the spoiler out on gutters. Its the high rear end that is the appearance of the VE being high.

Don't care what anyone thinks, but IMHO the handling of a higher end VEs in stock form is extremenly good and I have done much testing on road, track, strip and hillclimb. Likewise big brake package and thousands of dollars will pull it up on a dime if needed. Looks/appearance of lowering is likely to be the main benefit as it must be firmer than stock as there is less travel; and on my 20" wheels I would have to try one and consider carefully. Depends how often ur pushing the twisties limits and the type of roads you traverse IMHO.

[carneb]

Would people like to post the distance between wheel center and guard?

My 3 month old Calais V V8 with a full tank is 395mm front, 390mm rear. I think mine with stock suspension sits nicely and already scrapes at the front sometimes.

[EddieVE06]

Racketsports, paid $590 for Walkinshaw Performance pack. This includes front and rear alignment, revised bumpstops and a Walkinshaw boot badge!

Eddie, I am running 38psi as rcommended by Walkinshaw Performance but this still feels a bit soft still so I might try 39 or 40psi as well.

I went for a drive this afternoon along Lysterfield Road in Melbourne's outer-east, a short but very twisty challenging road, recognised by many as an ideal road for testing handling and suspension tune. The lowered springs have completely transformed the car with little body roll and firmer more accurate steering. Just hugs the road now and completely stable and confidence inspiring through the corners. Also a beautifully controlled ride over bumps. Could not say this before.

For those interested, including CalaisRider, I do not have permission to attach after fitment photos to this forum. If you would like to see some photos, please email me at : grcorey@bigpond.net.au and I will forward.

Otherwise, who do I talk to to give me permission to attach photos to a post?

Cheers,

Glenn Corey
Rowville, Victoria

Glenn.
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by revised bumpstops? What exactly are they for and can they be put on at a later date?

[Wonky]

Would people like to post the distance between wheel center and guard?

My 3 month old Calais V V8 with a full tank is 395mm front, 390mm rear. I think mine with stock suspension sits nicely and already scrapes at the front sometimes.

See http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=68171 and please add your measurements. :)

[GRC888]

When the springs reach full travel or compression, the springs hit rubber bumpstops to prevent hitting the metal underbody. Not sure about after fitment.

On the VE they look like they are attached to the springs so I would think you must fit at same as time as replacing or reinserting springs.

I might be wrong on this, perhaps someone else can clarify this point.

Cheers,

Glenn Corey



Glenn.
Excuse my ignorance but what do you mean by revised bumpstops? What exactly are they for and can they be put on at a later date?

[EddieVE06]

When the springs reach full travel or compression, the springs hit rubber bumpstops to prevent hitting the metal underbody. Not sure about after fitment.

On the VE they look like they are attached to the springs so I would think you must fit at same as time as replacing or reinserting springs.

I might be wrong on this, perhaps someone else can clarify this point.

Cheers,

Glenn Corey

I thought that may have been them. I had a problem with one just after lowering the car. It slipped off and was sitting on an angle and every time I went over a bump I would hear a loud clunk. Took it straight back and they said the rubber had slipped off the coil.
Does anyone know whether the revised ones do anything different to the ones that are on there or or they maybe of a stronger compound or something

[GRC888]

Some photos of my lowered Calais V can be viewed at:

http://www.twango.com/channel/GRC888.CalaisV

I have also measured wheel centres to guard dimensions:

Front = 385mm
Rear = 375mm

I suspect the front will settle a further 10mm -15mm over coming weeks as advised by Walkinshaw Performance since I only had the new springs fitted last Wednesday.

Cheers,

Glenn Corey

[EddieVE06]

Looks good, will definately drop a little more once you put a few extra km's on it.

[GRC888]

I have now uploaded side view and close up front and rear side views to: http://www.twango.com/channel/GRC888.CalaisV

Cheers,

Glenn Corey

[huggies]

sore your Calais down @ knox today glen and it stands out even when its sitting in the carpark:)

[Delft Maloo]

dads calais was lowered with pedders springs about 30-40mm allround. it was less than a week old when it was dropped. dad thought that it rode quite harsh when standard and i honestly say i had the same impression. the car rides much nicer now and doesnt seem as hard around town not to mention how much better it looks.