Hi everyone,

PLEASE HELP!!! I'm torn between whether to go further with my suspension mod or to restore it to STOCK!! It is a 2004 MC with the Eibach Pro-Kit and H-Sports Rear Sway.

After driving with the Eibachs for one year on bumpy Toronto roads I know I want a more refined ride. On bad roads I definitely feel the car is too bouncy to my liking. My plan now is to (1) add Bilstein SP or Koni shocks or 2) restore the STOCK spring. I'm weighing some pros and cons

Bilstein/Koni shocks
(PRO)
- even better handling!!!
(CON)
- not cheap
- unknown result -- the ride might be bumpier. I've never sit in one so I cannot tell.

Stock springs
(PRO)
- cost less $
- legal for autocrossing in stock class
- definitely softer ride
(CON)
- feels like stepping back
- may not handle as great
- and the wheel gap....

NOTE: I posted a similar thread on SOMC, I just need more responses!! Any opinion is appreciated

Andrew

 

If you've been riding on lowering springs and stock dampers for a year, perhaps you have killed the stock dampers, which would explain the "bouncy" ride. If that's the case, going back to stock springs would not solve the problem because the dampers are shot.

You're probably going to need new dampers. Put the on with the lowering springs, and you should be happy again.

 

I am running Konis with Hsport springs. They are not soft but handles much better than when I was running Hsport with stock shocks. Get the Konis. You won't regret it.

 

If your struts are OK, maybe a progressive spring like the H-Sport, M7 or others may be more to your liking. The rear bar should stay on, you'll be real bummed if you go back to massive understeer.

There are a thousand ways to skin this cat, it really comes down to what you want to do!

Do you want to compete in Auto-X stock class? That really limits your choices.

do you want better handling without a firmer ride? Then progressive springs are a must.

Matt's reccomendation is

Camber plates,
Rear Bar,
Some sort of springs and shocks.

Next round...
Adjustible rear control arms.
Adjustable coil-overs
Adjustable end links.

But opinoins on this are like (in the polite version) noses. Everyone has one!

Matt

 

Wow.... 3 replies in 20 minutes! Thanks alot guys

snid - I agree with you that my shocks might be toasted...... I'm wondering about it too.

pfunk - can you describe what you mean by "better", after installing the koni shocks? How do u rate the comfort level compare to shock shocks + h-sports??

Matt - Eibach is actually progressive. My car is OK over small bumps. I can't say it is very uncomfortable but I jsut feel it can be more settled. Autocrossing in stock-class is not a must, I was just trying to list one advantage of the stock springs.

 

Very soft, and adjustable, so I can stiffen them up for track. But I do have bottoming issues, as the car is pretty low....

Matt

ps, they are real expensive, but I got mine used for $1k.....

 

What I'm worry about coilover is that they may rust in winter. Here in Toronto salt is used in Winter to melt snow...

Also I don't have enough knowledge to tune the coilover, so I prefer something more "out of the box".

 

You might want to try H-Sport Springs with Bilstein shocks. After driving multiple setups (H-sport/stock damper, H-sport/koni, H-sport/Bilstein, Leda), H-sport springs and Bilstein shocks had the best setup for street/autocross driving. Did you know that H-Sport uses the same spring rate as stock for their front spring. The rear is stiffer by about 100 lbs./in. The Ledas were awesome, but not as comfortable as the other setups.

As for autocross, with lowering springs and sways, you can compete in STX.

Good Luck!

 

I understand the stock springs work well with the Koni shocks. You would still be in stock auto-x class.

 

Sounds like going back to stock setup is not recommended... afterall I'm asking a group of car enthuastics

I think I might go with Eibach/Bilstein or Eibach/Koni. Since the shocks are stiffer I expect the ride to be bumpy, but say if I drive down a slightly bumpy road at highway speed, will my car still bounce around like the stock shocks?

 

No, with those stiffer shocks your suspension will not "bounce". After the bump, the suspension will settle very quickly. However, the ride might be "stiff" because the suspension will finish moving quicker.

It sounds to me new shocks will cure the problem you have.

 

I have Koni/H-SPort. Awesome handling but if you drive over a nickle you can feel it. Bigger potholes give me that tooth-loosening, God-dammit! feeling. Since my daily commute is only 6 miles each way I don't mind, but you might.

 

wheel gap?! yeeeeuck! don't go back to stock.

 

Have you tried full soft with the Konis or are you aleady using that setting?

 

I'm actually 3/4 soft front and rear. I still have my autocrossing alignment which makes my Mini a pain to drive for any length of time. Like I said, though, my short commute is okay.

Here's how I've made myself uncomforatable:
Koni's/H-Sports: jarring ride
Race alignment: very twitchy, takes constant attention on the highway
Lightweight flywheel: ratlling idle, hard to launch on hills
Stage 3 clutch: grabby
Ferodo D2500 brakes pads: one word-"screeeeeeeech"

I must be crazy, cause I still love it.

 

Just noticed there's one more option.... the Koni sport kit
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=52693

Actually, anyone know how long will those koni yellows or bilstein sp last?

 

I heard the M7 spring give a nice balance of proformance and lowered looks while providing a smoother than stock ride. They might be a good option for your bad roads. Adding a set of konis could only improve things further too.

 

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm going with the Eibach + Bilstein SP combo.