Anti roll bars.

[VRVIRGIN 0]

Gonna jump in the deep end now the cars in for repairs. Thinking about some FK Konisports or Koni Coilovers for it. Thing is, is it really necessary to fit anti roll bar kit, say like Eibach kit for example? What do u guys n gals think? What coilovers do you lot run? Have you got anti roll bar kits too? Thanx in advance.

[Eat this 2]

i dont have 1 afaik but every1 who does swears by em

[acf8181 0]

yeah, wish i'd got ARB's instead of a susp kit

[MK2R32 0]

First think I did with my suspension was replace the existing anti-roll bars and bushes (Eibach), This was after talking to plenty of tuning companies etc. Even with the std suspension setup they made such a difference to the overall handling.

But most people tend to go for the struts & springs first because it gives a lower ride height and you can see the difference your cash has made straight away.

I've heard and seen good results from the H&R coilovers, but they are more expensive than the Koni or FK?s. I think FK also do a high end spec coilover kit for 800quid+ that comes with 2springs within each strut which allows you to adjust the rebound etc these sound cool but I?d say aimed at the serious Trackday person.

My personally view with regards to coilovers is, they are a very expensive option unless you are using your car for show's and trackdays etc then the ride height adjustment they give comes into there own. But for a car as an everyday ride then they are very expensive option and something you'd never use to their full potentional. I've see so many lads at JBS buying expensive coilover kits and you know for a fact that once they've been fitted and set up they'll never be adjusted again, because it's not a 5minuite job to adjust all 4 struts.

So I ask you, what is the point in buying them in the first place.

[MrBen 0]

It's definitely worth going for the anti roll bars, I'm constantly amazed how well mine handles with them. It just stays flat and hangs on, where without them it would struggling. There are some downsides - the ride tends to suffer a bit as the opposite side will react a bit more to bumps, and it's a bit jittery if you hit a bump mid corner, but I think it's worth it!

[VRVIRGIN 0]

Cheers guys. JBS you raise a good point there m8, it's not 5 minute job to adjust all struts. Thought of coilovers cos the crap roads where i live, thought the adjustability would come in handy. But like you say, not entering any show or trackdays with it so why bother. What Kit would you all sujest i buy. Thinking of 17's for the summer months, with the 15's for winter. What gives the best handling/ride combo in everyones experience? Cheers once again.

[Slim 0]

At least with coilovers you can set the ride height to exactly what you want in the first place, otherwise you've got to buy springs that are shorter by the level you want to go, and experimenting with the height as you fit them will be near impossible.

[Eat this 2]

iv got fk ride height adjustables but not rate adjustable + i havnt got the tool to do it so im stuck at the current height lol i think theyr a good trade off between bumpiness on crap roads (of which stoke has loads) and stiffness once u start making progress imo the grip of this car is fantastic it wants to fly around bends the limit is higher than mine as i dont wanna find out im goin to fast at 60 mph on a bend

[MK2R32 0]

For a none coilover setup i think one of the best out there is the Koni SSK, not heard a comment about them yet. And for about £360 not a bad price too.

[malcolm 0]

what drop do you get from Koni SSK

[acf8181 0]

i have bilstein sprintline's non-coilovers...about £300 and give really really good gains in grip and handling, ride has suffered a tad though.

[VRVIRGIN 0]

SSK is what i was thinking, anyone know offhand how much they drop by? Now i either go for the FK Konisports, or the SSK's + Eibach ARB's. I have a budget, so the coilovers + ARB's are out of the question. Could really use this advice guys, thanx.

[VRVIRGIN 0]

what drop do you get from Koni SSK

Think you got either 25mm or 40mm versions on the SSK kits with adjustable damping. Anyone got any pics of a 40mm drop on their VR? Front arches have been rolled so don't think rubbing will be a problem.

[MK2R32 0]

I think the Koni book says the SSK kit is about 20mm from std.

The only thing with the SSK kit is that the springs provided in the kit are not Koni's own brand of springs, but i'm sure they are of a sufficuent quality or koni wouldn't put there name to them.

[malcolm 0]

Are the GMAX kits any good

[Slim 0]

No.

[acf8181 0]

yes...gmax stuff is very good. its actually made by spax, and is prob the best low budget stuff you can get. ride is usually very good as well. not gonna be as good as high cost stuff obviously, but for the money its truely amazing.

[pete8tch 0]

i have koni ssk but the springs are a weird burgudy colour so i think they are koni as well , they were fitted at tsr before i got the car . ride and handling are good an you can genuinly feel the diff. if u change the damping. i have 15s for winter and 17s for summer but only to keep salt of my good wheels .

[VRVIRGIN 0]

Think the springs are by Vogtland or something, have you any side pics of the car Pete, just to get an idea of the drop they give? Would be greatly apreciated m8. Gonna try and match rolling radius of the wheels, thinking 205/40 17 against 205/50 15, that sound right to you? Cheers pal.

[Dragon Dave 1]

I have a Koni spring and damper setup. I think it is the SSK kit. The kit was sold as a 35 - 40mm lowering kit. It takes a while for the kit to settle.

I also got 10mm lowering spring caps for the front.

Now the suspension has settled, I am pleased with the drop. When it was first fitted I thought it needed to be lower at the front. If I were to choose springs again I would probably look for some that are 60mm at the front and 40mm at the back.

I posted pictures of my car when the suspension was fitted, you should be able to find them if you search.

I haven't got any pics of the car recently but I have one that was taken about two months after the kit was fitted

The car handles very well and is a reasonable ride for a lowered car. A friend (who also has a VR6) has FK coilovers and the ride in mine is more comfortable and less bone shaking than his and it handles better.

I am about to have the Eibach ARB kit fitted and a rear strut brace. I will let you know what I think of these after I have tried them out.

I also had Poly bushes fitted with the suspension, so this would have made a difference too.