Stiffening but not lowering

Shifty · 19-07-2005, 09:23

Is there a way to stiffen my suspension in the roll/dive areas without lowering the car. I don't really want to lower the car as it would make it a bit impractical for doing the cash and carry run.
I would just like to lessen the dive under braking and roll through cornering, maybe even stiffen the back end up to make it step out and stop it understeering.
Would be grateful for any advice.

**TaviaRS** · 19-07-2005, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by That fish and chip bloke

Is there a way to stiffen my suspension in the roll/dive areas without lowering the car.

Yes.

HTH

Mort · 19-07-2005, 09:28

A set of coilovers will be stiffer and let you set your height to wherever you like.

**TaviaRS** · 19-07-2005, 09:30

Ah, but they usually lower the car.

Mort · 19-07-2005, 09:33

but they don't have to. Most Coilovers have a range +stock height to a lot less than stock height.

**TaviaRS** · 19-07-2005, 09:35

What make did you have in mind? Just checked KW and theirs drop by a minimum of 5mm....

Mort · 19-07-2005, 09:48

My fault then, I thought the KW's did stock height downward. I guess 5mm wouldn't hurt a fully loaded Fabia though?

**TaviaRS** · 19-07-2005, 09:56

True, but I think Shifty is off to the local caravan emporium as we speak to purchase some accessories

ScoobyChris · 19-07-2005, 09:56

Because uprated springs are stiffer, the car doesn't drop very far once you start loading it. My car was lowered 30mm on Eibachs and I did 3 full loads (moving the girlfriend's stuff) and the wheels were still plenty clear of the arches, plus the car still cornered nicely

Chris

faboka vrs · 19-07-2005, 09:59

I've got eibach dampers fitted to standard springs. Reduces dive and roll over standard springs.

**TaviaRS** · 19-07-2005, 10:11

Front and rear spring inserts for less than £40?

Shifty · 19-07-2005, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaviaRS

True, but I think Shifty is off to the local caravan emporium as we speak to purchase some accessories

faboka vrs · 19-07-2005, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaviaRS

Front and rear spring inserts for less than £40?

Where about can you get these from Jon. Would like to try them.

ScoobyChris · 19-07-2005, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by faboka vrs

Where about can you get these from Jon. Would like to try them.

Your local caravan emporium

Designed to stop the rear end sinking during towing IIRC

Chris

faboka vrs · 19-07-2005, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobyChris

Your local caravan emporium

Is that halfrauds then?

**TaviaRS** · 19-07-2005, 11:18

Either a caravan place or Halfords will do them, IIRC they are about £15-£20 per axle set.

Has the effect of removing one or two levels from the springs. Stiffens it up nicely, with no loss of ground clearance.

faboka vrs · 19-07-2005, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaviaRS

Either a caravan place or Halfords will do them, IIRC they are about £15-£20 per axle set.

Has the effect of removing one or two levels from the springs. Stiffens it up nicely, with no loss of ground clearance.

Is it a noticable differnce. You use to run these on your 1.4 along with leda dampers right?

***ColinD*** · 19-07-2005, 11:55

IIRC you need the unsprung distance measuring between coils...i.e. jack up the car and measure between the coils and mid point to mid point, take both to your caravan place.

I was considering for the 4x4 but ended up going for coilovers...

The caravan man was running 3 spacers in his rangerover, he said it handled quite well

faboka vrs · 19-07-2005, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinD

IIRC you need the unsprung distance measuring between coils...i.e. jack up the car and measure between the coils and mid point to mid point, take both to your caravan place.

I was considering for the 4x4 but ended up going for coilovers...

The caravan man was running 3 spacers in his rangerover, he said it handled quite well

Cheers Col. Think I'll look into this soon...

***Neo_VR*** · 19-07-2005, 12:33

might as well grab a set of eibach springs.... 25mm is naff all on lowering!

Mil · 19-07-2005, 12:51

How would coilovers help? Yeah they're adjustable dampers and springs, but it's the springs that determine the stiffness of the car no? The dampers absorb all the shock, they're not there to 'stiffen' the ride. That's where sports springs come in. Stiff springs will do the job. Someone correct me if I've made a mistake.

Mort · 19-07-2005, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mil

How would coilovers help? Yeah they're adjustable dampers and springs, but it's the springs that determine the stiffness of the car no? The dampers absorb all the shock, they're not there to 'stiffen' the ride. That's where sports springs come in. Stiff springs will do the job. Someone correct me if I've made a mistake.

Coilovers have uprated springs, so they'll give you the stiffer spring and damper setup while also allowing you to set the ride height as well.

Chavyboy · 19-07-2005, 13:01

Stiffer springs will help as well as stiffer dampers but ride comfort will be compromised (Stiffer dampers will mean the absorption of bumps is alot slower). Sounds to me like alot of hard work

Shifty · 19-07-2005, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chavyboy

Stiffer springs will help as well as stiffer dampers but ride comfort will be compromised (Stiffer dampers will mean the absorption of bumps is alot slower). Sounds to me like alot of hard work

Sounds expensive too. As well as the pitching and rolling the car keeps bottoming out. Obviously the GB sump guard will protect things, but the whole car is just too soft. It was all fine before the remap........but im on the slippery slope now and i can't get off. Thanks for the advice so far guys. I will be off to the tin snail emporium

this afternoon as thats by far the cheapest option.

Chavyboy · 19-07-2005, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shifty

Sounds expensive too. As well as the pitching and rolling the car keeps bottoming out. Obviously the GB sump guard will protect things, but the whole car is just too soft. It was all fine before the remap........but im on the slippery slope now and i can't get off. Thanks for the advice so far guys. I will be off to the tin snail emporium

this afternoon as thats by far the cheapest option.

Sounds like you need a van not a car

19-07-2005, 09:23	#1
Shifty www.oscarli.com Join Date: May 2005 Location: The home of witty banter™ Posts: 6,445 Images: 1 Thanks: 86 Thanked 155 Times in 92 Posts	Stiffening but not lowering Is there a way to stiffen my suspension in the roll/dive areas without lowering the car. I don't really want to lower the car as it would make it a bit impractical for doing the cash and carry run. I would just like to lessen the dive under braking and roll through cornering, maybe even stiffen the back end up to make it step out and stop it understeering. Would be grateful for any advice. __________________ Official 0 to 60 mph - 5.85 seconds. Standing 1/4 mile - 14.3 seconds. 251.5 BHP and 400 lbs/ft of torque. Oh - and 55 mpg on a run My car is for SALE!! www.fyldeperformancecars.com

19-07-2005, 09:28	#3
Mort Broom Broom! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Derby, England Posts: 1,438 Thanks: 9 Thanked 47 Times in 45 Posts	A set of coilovers will be stiffer and let you set your height to wherever you like. __________________ Fabia v/RS, in Red. Green filter & Cupra Intake, TT brakes, Josh's Sumpguard, Jabba ARB, MOMO strut brace, Powdercoated alloys. KW v1's next...

19-07-2005, 09:30	#4
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Ah, but they usually lower the car. __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-07-2005, 09:33	#5
Mort Broom Broom! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Derby, England Posts: 1,438 Thanks: 9 Thanked 47 Times in 45 Posts	but they don't have to. Most Coilovers have a range +stock height to a lot less than stock height. __________________ Fabia v/RS, in Red. Green filter & Cupra Intake, TT brakes, Josh's Sumpguard, Jabba ARB, MOMO strut brace, Powdercoated alloys. KW v1's next...

19-07-2005, 09:35	#6
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	What make did you have in mind? Just checked KW and theirs drop by a minimum of 5mm.... __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-07-2005, 09:48	#7
Mort Broom Broom! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Derby, England Posts: 1,438 Thanks: 9 Thanked 47 Times in 45 Posts	My fault then, I thought the KW's did stock height downward. I guess 5mm wouldn't hurt a fully loaded Fabia though? __________________ Fabia v/RS, in Red. Green filter & Cupra Intake, TT brakes, Josh's Sumpguard, Jabba ARB, MOMO strut brace, Powdercoated alloys. KW v1's next...

19-07-2005, 09:56	#8
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	True, but I think Shifty is off to the local caravan emporium as we speak to purchase some accessories __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-07-2005, 09:56	#9
ScoobyChris Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Andover Posts: 18,193 Thanks: 15 Thanked 335 Times in 289 Posts	Because uprated springs are stiffer, the car doesn't drop very far once you start loading it. My car was lowered 30mm on Eibachs and I did 3 full loads (moving the girlfriend's stuff) and the wheels were still plenty clear of the arches, plus the car still cornered nicely Chris __________________ Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

19-07-2005, 09:59	#10
faboka vrs Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Merseyside Posts: 6,027 Thanks: 12 Thanked 44 Times in 44 Posts	I've got eibach dampers fitted to standard springs. Reduces dive and roll over standard springs. __________________ John Take away the poor damping, inadequate bushes, heavy diesel lump and spongy brakes its not a bad warm hatch

19-07-2005, 10:11	#11
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Front and rear spring inserts for less than £40? __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-07-2005, 11:18	#16
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,943 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Either a caravan place or Halfords will do them, IIRC they are about £15-£20 per axle set. Has the effect of removing one or two levels from the springs. Stiffens it up nicely, with no loss of ground clearance. __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

19-07-2005, 11:55	#18
*ColinD* Site owner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hill & Mountains of North Wales Posts: 10,281 Images: 3 Thanks: 24 Thanked 165 Times in 78 Posts	IIRC you need the unsprung distance measuring between coils...i.e. jack up the car and measure between the coils and mid point to mid point, take both to your caravan place. I was considering for the 4x4 but ended up going for coilovers... The caravan man was running 3 spacers in his rangerover, he said it handled quite well __________________ ColinD - 97/100 Limited Edition Octavia vRS < For Sale £2500 Going to Dealers on the 29th... www.BRISKODA.net :: Site Owner. E-Mail : webmaster at briskoda dot net Got a comment to make about the site? Please feel free to use the feedback form here, we welcome your views.

19-07-2005, 12:33	#20
*Neo_VR* Om nom nom nom Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 12,409 Thanks: 77 Thanked 175 Times in 124 Posts	might as well grab a set of eibach springs.... 25mm is naff all on lowering! __________________ ColGod the UberMod ,___, [O.o] /)__) -"--"- ORLY??

19-07-2005, 12:51	#21
Mil Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: United Arab Emirates Posts: 3,801 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	How would coilovers help? Yeah they're adjustable dampers and springs, but it's the springs that determine the stiffness of the car no? The dampers absorb all the shock, they're not there to 'stiffen' the ride. That's where sports springs come in. Stiff springs will do the job. Someone correct me if I've made a mistake. __________________ Milton Kyvernitis Private Government

19-07-2005, 13:01	#23
Chavyboy Proud Dad Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Darkest Deepest Peterborough Posts: 3,789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stiffer springs will help as well as stiffer dampers but ride comfort will be compromised (Stiffer dampers will mean the absorption of bumps is alot slower). Sounds to me like alot of hard work __________________ 2004 '54' Citroen Picasso 1.6 16v Desire HDI in Wicked Red 2004 '54' Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTI Energy Ex Skoda owner Last edited by Chavyboy; 19-07-2005 at 13:04.

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