I am blessed to commute up the Pacific Coast Highway every morning on my way to work. I have numerous canyon run options to get me there... if I want more spirited drive then the scenic PCH.

Currently I am running stock suspension setup, but wanted to see if any one had suggestions for upgrades for aggressive canyon driving? I don't really plan on tracking to car too often and don't think I need the adjustability that some aftermarket options offer.

I have been thinking about getting the jcw suspension, I like the warranty benefits of going that route. OR maybe just starting with a 19mm sway bar and maybe some H&R springs. But with the springs I'm worried about the lose of shock travel with springs on the standard shocks. And what about camber plates do I need those?

So I am looking to the vast knowledge base that is NAM... let me know if anyone has suggestions.

 

I would suggest going with the rear sway bar initially. It'll give you the biggest bang for your buck, and shouldn't affect your warranty. If you don't do any track days, camber plates are probably not necessary. Did you know you can dial a little negative camber into your car without them?

 

I also agree a rear sway bar helps quite a bit. I would rate it high on the list. I like an adjustable bar so depending on what I'm going to do I can dial it in by moving two bolts. Tires should be high on your list. I just put on a set of Yoko ADVAN AD08's and was amazed how well they handled (in the rain) last Saturday and Sunday on a BMW CCA HPDE at Road Atlanta.

 

I'm of the same mindset as Dev but was going a little farther either with this combo from Way at WMW:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-sus...n-package.html

or just sticking with TRW:

Springs:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-min...6-r55-r57.html

Sway bar:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-rear-swaybar-19mm.html
Rear Control Arms:

http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-rear-control-arms.html

with maybe a set of fixed camber plates if needed:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/ireland...5-r56-r57.html

I wouldn't be switching tires until the RF's die (cheap bastard!)

Opinions? Comments?

 

Thanks for the response.

I think I will be starting with the rear sway bar. And swapping out the RF tires is pretty high on my list. I swapped them out early on my clubman and it made a tremendous difference.

Anyone have thoughts on the loss of shock travel if I also add lowering springs? Will it be doing more damage then good?

Also with a sway bar addition and/or springs do you need an alignment after?


Melangell, that combo looks like a pretty sweet deal. Also see you're in Savannah, GA... I went to school at SCAD.

Anyone have opinions on the necessity or the benefit of control arms?

 

Yes, you will need an alignment after lowering springs as the rear camber will be at a max limit and tire wear might be an issue.

The springs you choose will play a role in the amount of camber you develop.

However, don't run out an buy control arms until you look at the set up and determine it's too much... do a search to look for what is considered too much.

I have a son in his third year at SCAD. He's loving it. Computer animation. I'm actually heading down there for a 5 day visit....Tybee Island and Hilton Head drives are on my to-do list. Pretty sure there is a speedway nearby .

 

Yep, Roebling Road Raceway out in Pooler-ish.
http://www.roeblingroad.com/index.html

I'm currently living downtown. Love it!

 

yeah i gotta find a way to get back to Savannah, fond memories and some forgotten ones

Getting H&R 19mm sway bar and springs installed this weekend.

I'll Let you know how it goes.

 

Looking forward to it Dez. If you do make it out here, PM or email me. I first actually moved here in 2000 but had lived within a couple of hours of here for years so it's the closest thing to home I have. I agree about the memories part.

 

sway bar and springs installed... wow! car fills so much tighter and looks amazing... true test will be once I get back in the canyons next week... I'll post picks once I can get back to were I took the before shot

 

Dez, now that you got them installed, try one of the finest twisties I've been on-California 33(Maricopa Highway) from Meiners Oaks there east of Santa Barbara. I can't wait to take it again with my current MINI!

 

Ahh...my old stomping grounds....

I went to school at LMU...and would always take a cruise up PCH to go play in the canyons. Tuna Canyon was always one of my fav's....one-way and downhill, so you never had to worry about people coming up the opposite way. I always wondered how many cars must be down in the canyon below though....its very narrow and there are no guardrails!

 

Blackbart, you too.... Get down to Savannah, PM me!

 

wow fttuhzbmcs CA 33 does look like a great road. Checked in out here http://www.lateralg.org/roads/sbarbara/2.htm I'm heading up the coast to Big Sur next weekend. Might have to take that detour.

Just finally made my way to Tuna on friday afternoon. I had always wanted to take it but didn't work into the morning commute since you can't access it from PCH. The one-way, downhill is nice but still treacherous. I think from all the rain we've gotten lately parts have gotten a bit dilapidated, and the was a lot of dirt and debris. But me and my buddy in a GTI still had a great time marking it off the list...

Latigo is probably my favorite!

 

wow... canyons... wow!!! the car feels so much more planted and tighter. A relatively difficult canyon run felt almost easy this morning.

As promised here are some before and after picks

Before


After

 

Nice! Really completes the look.

 

...oh its not done...

 

Haha.. I guess it's never done. Lookin' good though. I love how the red calipers pop on a blacked out car.

 

Lookin good Dez,
I didn't catch what kind of springs those are?

Ever try Latigo Canyon? That's a good one. Stunt road is great too.

 

Ended up going all H&R. So I got the 19mm adjustable rear sway bar set on stiff and H&R Sport Springs...

Yep... Latigo is one of my favorite, actually that was my test run of the new setup yesterday

 

How is the ride now? Did you give up much? You stayed with the stock shocks for now? Are you going adjustable in the future? Looks good.

 

It is a slightly harsher ride, but really not that noticeable. But i have been extra cautious dodging the bumps

Yes, stayed with the stock shocks for now. Going to see how they work for a while. I don't track the car so not sure I need to go the adjustable route, but that is subject to change. Right now the car just feel significantly firmer, less roll, less bouncy, and much more responsive in the twisties