Hi,my 91 C4,which I've not long since bought, is still on it's original shocks and is rock hard on bumpy roads,which most seem to be nowadays.It's on 18" rims, which I assume add to the firm ride,and I am looking to replace the dampers and springs for something a little more compliant and controlled,any suggestions would be welcome.
Suspension?
- Thread starter gazzy
- Start date
Dave Wilkinson
New member
It depends a bit on your intended use - whether it be mostly road use or some track use. One of the best combinations for a reasonably compliant ride is to fit a set of progressive springs. These are relatively soft in the first instance but prograssively get harder as the spring compresses more. Good examples of these are the H&R spring sets. The Greens are a little softer than the Reds (which are really designed for the Turbo). Coupled with Bilstein HD shocks the combination is hard to beat in terms of value for money.
If you're looking for something more track orientated and adjustable, a lot of people on here have gone the KW Variant 3 route with great success. Probably OTT for solely road use but much more tuneable for the track - but quite a bit more expensive than the H&R/Bilstein route.
When pricing it up don't forget you'll need a full geo after the new kit is fitted.
Regards
Dave
If you're looking for something more track orientated and adjustable, a lot of people on here have gone the KW Variant 3 route with great success. Probably OTT for solely road use but much more tuneable for the track - but quite a bit more expensive than the H&R/Bilstein route.
When pricing it up don't forget you'll need a full geo after the new kit is fitted.
Regards
Dave
tim_haskins
New member
Hi
As Dave said alot of people have the bilstein/h&r kit on here (I am one of them). I recently had my shocks/springs fitted by an indie and the car geo done also. I was going to fit the shocks myself and then take it to get the alignment done but decided to just take it in to be done. This was mainly down to the fact that I didnt want to drive too far to get the alignment done after fitting the kit (the indie I use was 200 miles away from me!!) so I left them to do it. All in all it cost about 100 pounds a corner inc alignment so was not that bad.
I purchased my kit from shox.com in the states....it was much cheaper than I could get over here at about 1100 dollars+ postage and the dreaded import Tax. Cant remember the exact cost but i think it was about 80-100 pounds postage+ about 100 pounds tax. At the time the exchange rate was not bad so mine all in was around 800 pounds for the kit+fitting.
The kit arrived from the states in only a few days!!
Ride wise I am happy with the feel of the car and its much improved over the old set up. If I had my time again I would probably get the KW variant kit mainly cause I would of prefered a bit of a lower stance on the car and the fact its a bit more adustable,But having said that its alot more expensive and abit ott for what I need.
I used to have 18 inch rims on my car but I personally felt that the ride was a little harsh and opted to fit 17 inch cup wheels instead although lots of people run 18 inch wheels and have little complaints.
It would be worth checking the front wishbone bushes prior to fitting the new suspension as the bushes wear and crack (mine were). I fitted polyurathane bushes in my spare set of wishbones and had them powder coated. Then I took the whole kit to be fitted. The bushes are a pain to fit if I am honest and took me a few hours to do and I had access to a press etc at work. I dont think it would be that much in it if you were getting an indie to change the bushes against the cost of new A arms. One advantage is though that once the bushes have been changed its quite easy to replace them in the future.
Regards
Tim
As Dave said alot of people have the bilstein/h&r kit on here (I am one of them). I recently had my shocks/springs fitted by an indie and the car geo done also. I was going to fit the shocks myself and then take it to get the alignment done but decided to just take it in to be done. This was mainly down to the fact that I didnt want to drive too far to get the alignment done after fitting the kit (the indie I use was 200 miles away from me!!) so I left them to do it. All in all it cost about 100 pounds a corner inc alignment so was not that bad.
I purchased my kit from shox.com in the states....it was much cheaper than I could get over here at about 1100 dollars+ postage and the dreaded import Tax. Cant remember the exact cost but i think it was about 80-100 pounds postage+ about 100 pounds tax. At the time the exchange rate was not bad so mine all in was around 800 pounds for the kit+fitting.
The kit arrived from the states in only a few days!!
Ride wise I am happy with the feel of the car and its much improved over the old set up. If I had my time again I would probably get the KW variant kit mainly cause I would of prefered a bit of a lower stance on the car and the fact its a bit more adustable,But having said that its alot more expensive and abit ott for what I need.
I used to have 18 inch rims on my car but I personally felt that the ride was a little harsh and opted to fit 17 inch cup wheels instead although lots of people run 18 inch wheels and have little complaints.
It would be worth checking the front wishbone bushes prior to fitting the new suspension as the bushes wear and crack (mine were). I fitted polyurathane bushes in my spare set of wishbones and had them powder coated. Then I took the whole kit to be fitted. The bushes are a pain to fit if I am honest and took me a few hours to do and I had access to a press etc at work. I dont think it would be that much in it if you were getting an indie to change the bushes against the cost of new A arms. One advantage is though that once the bushes have been changed its quite easy to replace them in the future.
Regards
Tim
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