Suspension control arm bushings - what else?
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 435
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Oh, sorry i never got back to you, I have JIC Cross coilovers
2.3 camber front, 1.2 rear set up at a reasonable ride height with a 22mm rear swaybar, Swift springs and light weight wheels.
with strut bars front and rear.
2.3 camber front, 1.2 rear set up at a reasonable ride height with a 22mm rear swaybar, Swift springs and light weight wheels.
with strut bars front and rear.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 97
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rjtrout2000 - i am impressed with your setup! i am looking to do the same and re haul the suspension. i was going springs and shocks combo first but then i ran across the st coil overs and they look pretty appealing. i can get them for $878 shipped. pretty hard to beat as most spring and shock combos go over 1k easy. still going back and forth. i have setup a deadline of 2/1 for ordering my suspension. so i should have something soon.
for sure i am getting ie fixed camber plates, powerflex bushings (control arm, front sway), ball joints, bsh lower engine mount and m7 stb.
melangell - definitely calling way as i will be buying most if not all my suspension parts from him. just need to make up my mind on springs/shocks or coil overs.
for sure i am getting ie fixed camber plates, powerflex bushings (control arm, front sway), ball joints, bsh lower engine mount and m7 stb.
melangell - definitely calling way as i will be buying most if not all my suspension parts from him. just need to make up my mind on springs/shocks or coil overs.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 97
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i setup a hard # for upgrades and fixing broken items of 5k. so far i am at 3k and have not even started on suspension, brakes and power upgrades. something tells me i am going to have to adjust my budget just a tad. either that or stop keeping track!
Total $3,048
M7 CAI $270
JCW Style Grill $122
Jacking Point Spacer $16
One Ball Exhaust Mod $50
Alta License Plate Holder $74
Custom License Plates $85
ATI Super Damper $362
Serpentine Belt $25
Labor $80
MSD Ignition $140
NGK Iridium Spark Plugs $30
Radiator Overflow Tank $78
Tire Balancing $80
Royal Purple Synchromax $30
Coolant Flush $100
Ireland Engineering Exhaust $380
Labor $50
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 $1,076
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 97
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damin it! i started putting numbers together and i am over 1.5k over budget not including labor for my planned upgrades.
after the suspension i still have planned tce/wilwood bbk, pulley upgrade, injectors and tune.
getting rid of spreadsheet now!!!
after the suspension i still have planned tce/wilwood bbk, pulley upgrade, injectors and tune.
getting rid of spreadsheet now!!!
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 97
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the ie exhaust rocks! the tips look like sh*t but they are kinda growing on me. gives it that raw race car look. at least i think so. might paint them black with some bbq paint when they start looking bad. drone - the first week i was regretting it since i drive 50 miles round trip to work and most of it is highway. it really quiets down after a few hundred miles or so unless you get on the gas. either that or i am getting use to it. nobody that i have had in the vehicle said its loud unless i floor it then it really opens up. the supercharger whine, cai and exhaust are great! may not add huge power but its certainly worth the $$$ on sound and driving experience alone.
its much better sounding than the one ball mod. definitely worth the $400 for sure. plus, its a bargain compared to other systems out there.
its much better sounding than the one ball mod. definitely worth the $400 for sure. plus, its a bargain compared to other systems out there.
I have heard awesome things about the Ireland Engineering exhaust for the money. And it is my favorite sound for the R53 S. I still can't believe how awesome R56 "s" models sound with an exhaust setup. Absolutely mean 
With regards to the fixed camber plates vs. adjustable plates, the adjustable plates will allow for camber correction as you lower the car further or you can adjust them for more camber for the track, etc... I think that you may find the adjustable camber plates a better investment in the long run. Again, just my .02
The Vorshlag Plates are pricey, but they are built to order, don't raise the car any when installed ( yes, the IE plates will raise the front end a bit) and for the investment, I have heard awesome things about these plates. Plus, if you go with springs right now, but want coil overs later, no biggie! Vorshlag makes the adapters for several types of spring perches and shock designs! The one set of plates will work with any spring/shock or coil over setup you can throw at them.
Price for Koni Yellows
$680
Price for TSW Springs
$230
A little over $900 before shipping,but this has been the tried and true setup for many a track and street car
With regards to the fixed camber plates vs. adjustable plates, the adjustable plates will allow for camber correction as you lower the car further or you can adjust them for more camber for the track, etc... I think that you may find the adjustable camber plates a better investment in the long run. Again, just my .02
The Vorshlag Plates are pricey, but they are built to order, don't raise the car any when installed ( yes, the IE plates will raise the front end a bit) and for the investment, I have heard awesome things about these plates. Plus, if you go with springs right now, but want coil overs later, no biggie! Vorshlag makes the adapters for several types of spring perches and shock designs! The one set of plates will work with any spring/shock or coil over setup you can throw at them.
Price for Koni Yellows
$680
Price for TSW Springs
$230
A little over $900 before shipping,but this has been the tried and true setup for many a track and street car
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
I would rather not bash anyone other than mention that there are some valid points above.
I did months of research in this realm of which suspension system to pick. Some things that I read/heard about I will enclose below:
- low satisfaction rate with H&R's good coilovers
- H&R's "Touring" kit is probably similar to stock suspension
- Koni Yellow Sport seem to be a good option for cheap around ~$615, but do not include springs or upper strut towers. These are also "Sport" which usually indicates its not for the extreme enthusiast.
- Koni FSD shocks are for the person who wants a little sportier but still comfortable ride. Seems some people find the dynamic system to fail at times which results in Cadillac suspension sometimes when you wanted to take a corner quick.
- I ultimately went with the Megan coilovers which I found for $800 plus shipping. Fully adjustable (and appears it only takes 5 mins to adjust the rebound on them). They include the strut towers and coils, obviously, so if you have had mushrooming like I have had, this might be a good solution. I wanted something that I could adjust easily, was not over $1000, and had a good reputation. My Mini mechanic recommended these over any of H&R's products. I haven't yet installed them, because of timing issues; but I will report my findings.
I also picked up a 22mm Alta rear sway bar to do at the same time. I did the front control arm bushings a few months ago (PowerFlex bushings) and that was fantastic right off the bat. My shocks I'm running on are completely blown and Les Schwab wants $1200 to do OEM shocks, and this explains why I ended up purchasing aftermarket coilovers.
More later, including my ultimate verdict about the Megan's.
(Forgive type-o's, I'm typing this on my iPhone)
I did months of research in this realm of which suspension system to pick. Some things that I read/heard about I will enclose below:
- low satisfaction rate with H&R's good coilovers
- H&R's "Touring" kit is probably similar to stock suspension
- Koni Yellow Sport seem to be a good option for cheap around ~$615, but do not include springs or upper strut towers. These are also "Sport" which usually indicates its not for the extreme enthusiast.
- Koni FSD shocks are for the person who wants a little sportier but still comfortable ride. Seems some people find the dynamic system to fail at times which results in Cadillac suspension sometimes when you wanted to take a corner quick.
- I ultimately went with the Megan coilovers which I found for $800 plus shipping. Fully adjustable (and appears it only takes 5 mins to adjust the rebound on them). They include the strut towers and coils, obviously, so if you have had mushrooming like I have had, this might be a good solution. I wanted something that I could adjust easily, was not over $1000, and had a good reputation. My Mini mechanic recommended these over any of H&R's products. I haven't yet installed them, because of timing issues; but I will report my findings.
I also picked up a 22mm Alta rear sway bar to do at the same time. I did the front control arm bushings a few months ago (PowerFlex bushings) and that was fantastic right off the bat. My shocks I'm running on are completely blown and Les Schwab wants $1200 to do OEM shocks, and this explains why I ended up purchasing aftermarket coilovers.
More later, including my ultimate verdict about the Megan's.
(Forgive type-o's, I'm typing this on my iPhone)
Getting them installed this afternoon... Will put results on here later today (unless I'm having too much fun!!)
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Hey guys, those that have used the vorshlag camber plates or any other camber plates, can you please advise the results of adding this mod. What exactly did it achieve, did it create any additional noise? Did it give you better turn in? Did it create the front to change direction even more so? Any feedback would be great thanks.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 5
Im actually selling my cross coils.
or would like to.
And as far as adding camber, it adds front end grip and helps turn in.
depending on what type of bushings you use it can add some noise if you run super rigid bushings.
or would like to.
And as far as adding camber, it adds front end grip and helps turn in.
depending on what type of bushings you use it can add some noise if you run super rigid bushings.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 2
From: Savannah Georgia
Screw paint. I had mine powder coated gloss black from the tips back to the muffler for $30. Excellent look!
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