Suspensions

5.4 GT · 24-11-2006, 11:43 AM

Interested to hear what people think is the best suspension option for my car at the moment. I want to lower it so that it doesn't look like a 4wd, yet be able to keep some ride comfort and have it not so ridiculously low that I scrape going into our driveway (our BA XR8 can make it without scraping the front but only just). I'm interested in improving the handling, more so than just the look of the car. What components should I be looking at and what would be a ballpark figure on how much they cost (fitted or not)? The car in question is in my signature (EFII Ghia). I'm in Sydney and would also like to know a good place to get them fitted. I've heard good things about Doctor Shocks in Brookvale.

Cheers,
Dave

EA2BA · 24-11-2006, 11:47 AM

King lows and new shocks if yours are old, otherwise just the springs will be a good start.

**Polyal** · 24-11-2006, 11:52 AM

yeah I have some super lows sitting here ready to go, but my car even bottoms out in our driveway with the xr springs, so that why I haven't really got around to doing it yet.

EA2BA is pretty much on the money. Even pedders stuff is good if you want to retain ride quality, nice to hear someone else that does!

poomba · 24-11-2006, 01:48 PM

i have kings super lows all round, and pedders shortened sports ryders...
best money i spent yet... car handles really well.

AdzT3-146 · 24-11-2006, 03:29 PM

I agree with Jason.
King Lows and new shocks.

chich · 25-11-2006, 09:50 AM

You'll need a few things if you want to do the job properly.
- Shocks
- Springs
- Front sway bar
- Bushes

If you're after value for money i'd recommend using something like the Pedders Sportsryder system. The shocks are nothing special but they get the job done.

If money isn't an issue and you're willling to spend a little extra i would strongly recommend a set of Koni Sport (Yellow). I went from a Pedders shocks to Koni Yellows in my EFII Fairmont and despite the fact that the car is 1" lower than before, it actually rides better. I was quite happy with the spring rate on the Pedders springs so i decided to carry them over. Many people also swear by Bilstein shocks so you might also want to take a look at those.

In terms of sway bar you'll need a 30mm Whiteline front bar. I also wanted a rear sway bar but my suspension guy talked me out of it as he believes the difference is so small it doesn't justify the expense.

Being a 10yo car you can bet that the bushes will be shagged. Mine were replaced a few months ago at 165,000km and they were absolutely stuffed.. and there i was wondering why no-one could get the alignment right.

Cost will obviously depend on what components you use and who will carry out the work, but as a guide budget around $1,800-$2,500.

5.4 GT · 25-11-2006, 01:36 PM

Thanks for all your advice guys. Im currently leaning towards a Kings low spring? (2" drop) with Monroe Heavy Duty GT Gas shocks. Anybody got these shocks and whats their opinion on them? How much would I be looking at for a Whitelines 30mm front sway bar?

Aaron_EF8 · 25-11-2006, 07:45 PM

2" drop for EF/EL are superlows I believe. Monroe GT gas are good shocks for the price, but overall they are too hard, and don't have the control of the more expensive shocks.

I run King Superlows with Monroe GT Gas in my EF, and I certainly wouldn't call the ride smooth, although it looks good, and handles quite well. IMO, a big part of the problem is that King spring's aren't made to match Monroe shock absorbers, and vise versa.

I suggest looking at Whiteline's suspension packages for EF-EL Falcon's, which include shocks/springs better matched to each other, as well as swaybars. They do cost more than a set of Kings/Monroe GT Gas, but as the old saying goes; you get what you pay for.

5.4 GT · 26-11-2006, 01:36 AM

Well i'm in a real quandary now about what shock absorber to go with. The suspension place that I visited was actually a Whitelines specialist, but the guy there didn't really recommend it for my car. I've been going back through pages of stuff on this e-series forum looking for things about shocks and it looks like some people have had real horror stories with their Monroe shocks. I thought they came with a 3yr warrenty? Some people speak of them "failing" after a few months use. I would think that the Monroe's would have to be better than the standard ones I have in it from factory that have done now 90,000kms without a problem (still perfectly fine but cant be used with the new springs). The only reason I could think of, that you would want high end Koni or Bilstein shocks is if you did circuit work on a regular basis or had a rally car. Otherwise for city driving it would be a bit of overkill.

I cannot find out whether the Kings Superlows are road legal (I noticed on the Kings springs brochure that it may render your car illegal). So another question is are Kings Superlows road legal on the EF (I really dont want to go voiding my insurance)?

chich · 26-11-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveO_SP

How much would I be looking at for a Whitelines 30mm front sway bar?

About $200. Without looking at my invoice i think i paid something like $180 fitted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveO_SP

The only reason I could think of, that you would want high end Koni or Bilstein shocks is if you did circuit work on a regular basis or had a rally car. Otherwise for city driving it would be a bit of overkill.

Not really - the superior control these shocks offer makes road imperfections such as pot holes, train lines etc alot smoother. In the case of the Koni Yellows they are rebound adjustable so if you find you can do with a little more rebound control you can wind them up or down as you please. Also keep in mind that the Konis and Bilsteins are rebuildable when they eventually wear so you don't have to go out and buy new shocks again. Granted, this is irrelevant for most people but its a feature that some like myself find useful.

5.4 GT · 26-11-2006, 06:18 PM

Ok guys went around under the car measuring it's lowest points and between the wheel arches. The back can definately drop 50mm no problems but the front could only really drop around 25mm to 30mm max without having to have my guards rolled (will not be doing this). Are the Kings Low springs 25mm (1 inch) lower and if so can you mix Lows at the front with Superlows at the rear? Are there any tradeoffs to ride, handling, looks or durability using different height springs front and back? I think using the different height springs would finally make the car sit flatter too as the back of it is clearly up in the air more than the front.

$200 for a swaybar is good bang for your buck considering the effect i've heard they have. I think i'll package that in too.