1997 Highline needs lowering - GMAX Spring & Shock kit OR FK Highsport Coilovers?

[MarkP 0]

Hi Chaps,

I've not had my highline very long but the standard suspension is ever so wallowy (not sure that's even a word actually).. I'm wondering what the best thing to do regarding lowering it is. In an ideal world I'd have a huge amount of money to throw at the best coilover suspension available, but sadly that's not the case.

So I'm wondering, as my standard shocks are all in really good nick could I get away with just buying some Koni springs for £70? Or should I try and spend the extra money and get a Koni Sport Adjustable Suspension Kit from somewhere like Awesome-Gti for about £290?

Is a 40mm drop from standard ride height going to make a big difference? And is there any pros/cons of just getting springs on standard shocks as opposed getting a spring/shock package?

Any info much appreciated.

Mark

[ian 182 0]

Ive got a 40mm drop on koni shocks(new) and ive got 17" bbs alloys with 205/40/17 tyres,no rubbing at all

ian

[vr6madmike 0]

Just doing the springs wont be very comfortable, the wollowy handeling is caused by not having good enough damping so if its handeling your after your best off changing the dampers and keeping your standard springs and ride hight....

[MarkP 0]

I would like a firmer, stiffer suspension.. but still comfortable as well as a reduced ride height.. it looks far too high at the moment, you can get a fist between the tyre and the arch, which looks wrong in my opinion.

Further comments welcomed.

Many thanks

Mark

[dubloke 4]

good shock and spring set-up is the only wat imo to do it on a budget. springs alone will make it bouncier than a bouncy thing from bouncyville! u need to look at spending around 300 on matched springs/shox tbh!

[MarkP 0]

good shock and spring set-up is the only wat imo to do it on a budget. springs alone will make it bouncier than a bouncy thing from bouncyville! u need to look at spending around 300 on matched springs/shox tbh!

Do you have a particular reccomendation?

Thanks

Mark

[spindat45 0]

Have a look at some of the Suspension threads on this site via the search. They should be of some help. I have the G-Max spring/shock set-up on mine. Very happy with it.

Kevin

[MarkP 0]

Have a look at some of the Suspension threads on this site via the search. They should be of some help. I have the G-Max spring/shock set-up on mine. Very happy with it.

Kevin

Which kit do you have? Is it 40mm or 60mm? I have standard wheels (Solitudes?) with no plans to change them, so what would be best do you think?

Also do you have a link of somewhere that sell a G-Max kit for the VR6.. I've looked on www.europerformance.co.uk but they only seem to have kits for non VR6's.

Thanks and sorry for all the questions.

Mark

[MarkP 0]

After looking around it seems that the FK Highsport Coilovers are also a popular choice for the VR6. Anyone like/dislike them? Also does anyone know of a good supplier and what's the best price I can expect to find etc.

So now I'm thinking either the GMAX Shock & Spring kit or FK Highsport Coilovers. I don't have loads of money to waste and I'm not looking for a stupidly hard ride. I would just like it to be firmer and lower compared to the current standard suspension.

What do you think?

Thanks chaps!

Mark

[spindat45 0]

Hi

I have the 35mm kit shich lowers the car all round by about 40mm. I don't think they do a 60mm kit for the VR6. I had Solitudes on when I first fitted the G-Max kit and it was a vast improvement in height and handling over the standard ones with no tyre rub!. I was also on a budget and had no intention of using my car on the track, just round town where comfort was important. I did a lot of research on here and other sites before deciding on the G-Max. I got mine from http://www.gmaxsuspension.co.uk/c1473_1589_1628_1662.htm. The kit you would need for the 40mm ish drop is the "40 VW 25". Just bear in mind the fact that your height will be set once fitted as they are non adjustable

Kevin

[MarkP 0]

Hi

I have the 35mm kit shich lowers the car all round by about 40mm. I don't think they do a 60mm kit for the VR6. I had Solitudes on when I first fitted the G-Max kit and it was a vast improvement in height and handling over the standard ones with no tyre rub!. I was also on a budget and had no intention of using my car on the track' date=' just round town where comfort was important. I did a lot of research on here and other sites before deciding on the G-Max. I got mine from http://www.gmaxsuspension.co.uk/c1473_1589_1628_1662.htm. The kit you would need for the 40mm ish drop is the "40 VW 25". Just bear in mind the fact that your height will be set once fitted as they are non adjustable

Kevin

Thanks for the info, I have to say I'm leaning towards the GMAX setup at the moment. Do you happen to have any pics of your car with the GMAX and Solitudes? I would be really interested to see if you do.

I'm not planning on using the car on a track, i'm just going for a few subtle mods and mostly town and motorway driving.

Also if I went ahead and bought the GMAX kit, what should I expect to pay for fitting? Should I also be looking to replace top mounts and other bits and bobs at the same time, or is it not essential?

Many thanks

Mark

[spindat45 0]

Hi Mark.

There are some before and after pics of my car in the members cars section on here. Look for "Black 4 Door Highline".

Prices for fitting will vary but they are the same as the originals to fit only the springs are a bit shorter. I'd say 2-3 hours labour. I did all of the work myself at my old workplace which saved a few pounds. It took me about 5 hours but that included changing my discs and pads and quite a few tea breaks.

Most people would recommend changing your front top mounts as they are not that expensive and if they do go at a later date you will have to pay again to do them. Mine were ok and I think they may have been changed so I didn't bother. The same applies to the bump stops which you are advised to cut down before fitting. Don't forget to allow for wheel alignment after they have been fitted. I drove mine for a week or so to settle in properly before doing the wheel alignment.

Tracking AND Camber will definately need to be adjusted!!! The only other bits I changed were the nuts that came with the kit.

Kevin

[MarkP 0]

Hi Mark.

There are some before and after pics of my car in the members cars section on here. Look for "Black 4 Door Highline".

Prices for fitting will vary but they are the same as the originals to fit only the springs are a bit shorter. I'd say 2-3 hours labour. I did all of the work myself at my old workplace which saved a few pounds. It took me about 5 hours but that included changing my discs and pads and quite a few tea breaks.

Most people would recommend changing your front top mounts as they are not that expensive and if they do go at a later date you will have to pay again to do them. Mine were ok and I think they may have been changed so I didn't bother. The same applies to the bump stops which you are advised to cut down before fitting. Don't forget to allow for wheel alignment after they have been fitted. I drove mine for a week or so to settle in properly before doing the wheel alignment.

Tracking AND Camber will definately need to be adjusted!!! The only other bits I changed were the nuts that came with the kit.

Kevin

Thanks Kev, I appreciate all the info. I've just looked at the pics and even on the solitudes it looks much lower.. I don't have any plans to change the alloys (yet) but I think it will look much better and lower, and obviously a stiffer suspension. I think GMAX is for me. How did you find it on the solitudes? Was it low enough do you think?

Do I need to buy new bump stops or do you have to cut down the existing bump stops? Sorry if that's a dumb question, but I don't quite know what a bump stop is (although I can take a wild guess that it stops the car when going over bumps ).

I'll keep you informed.

Mark

[spindat45 0]

It was fine on the fine on the Solitudes m8. Low but not too low for these damn South London speed humps. The handling was much better on badly worn tyres. Even after putting the 17's on the ride is not as harsh as I though it was going to be

The bump stops are fitted to the shocks and stop the piston from bottoming out when you hit a bump. The standard ones are made from hard foam and need to be cut down slightly because of the lower ride height of the G-Max suspension. They are worth changing as they are cheap and often perish with time.

Are you going to GTi International on Sunday?

Kevin

[MarkP 0]

It was fine on the fine on the Solitudes m8. Low but not too low for these damn South London speed humps. The handling was much better on badly worn tyres. Even after putting the 17's on the ride is not as harsh as I though it was going to be

The bump stops are fitted to the shocks and stop the piston from bottoming out when you hit a bump. The standard ones are made from hard foam and need to be cut down slightly because of the lower ride height of the G-Max suspension. They are worth changing as they are cheap and often perish with time.

Are you going to GTi International on Sunday?

Kevin

Wicked, that's what I wanted to hear. 35mm drop doesn't sound much and I'd be a bit gutted if I went ahead and with the GMAX and it didn't look lowered at the end. But I feel good about it from what you have said so I think I'm going to go and order myself a GMAX setup (along with new front top mounts and new bump stops)!

I'm not going to GTI International, I wish I had known in advance and I would have done. Definatley be up for some meets in the near future though.

Thanks for all the advice, it is much appreciated!

Mark

[spindat45 0]

Not a problem m8! Make sure you get some before and after pics!

Important date for your diary :- 9th July, GTI Summer Festival at Santa Pod!

Kevin

[VRVIRGIN 0]

The bump stops are fitted to the shocks and stop the piston from bottoming out when you hit a bump. The standard ones are made from hard foam and need to be cut down slightly because of the lower ride height of the G-Max suspension. They are worth changing as they are cheap and often perish with time.

Sorry for beeing a dimwit, but are there bump stops off the shelf which don't need cutting, something from powerflex or summin. I'm thinking on GMAX myself. I just need to be able to explain to my local spanner in Spanish what to do.

Cheers

Nelson :$

[spindat45 0]

Hi Nelson

I know that the standard ones need to be cut down but I don't know what the original length of them is. I only cut down the front ones btw. I would suggest checking with powerflex or a similar manufacturer to see whether or not they do shorter than standard uprated bump stops for a 40mm drop. I'm sure they will be able to advise. Sorry I can't be more help but I didn't change mine.

Kevin

[VRVIRGIN 0]

Cheers Kev. I don't really wanna go with powerflex tbh, as i've heard they harshen the ride. I've just had the front wishbone mounts done recently, so what i will probably do is get the rear ones done and get top mounts front and rear. As u say, i probably won't bother with cutting down the rears, but would love to know how u went about cuting down the fronts and by how much if thats ok. I'm not very good with my hands (some would argue otherwise LOL!!!), so it would be a matter of me explaining to my my local spanner whats involved. Could u explain it for me mate? Thanx very much for the reply, it's been a great help so far.

[spindat45 0]

Its really simple. The standard bump stops are made from hard foam and can be cut very easily with a junior hacksaw. My G-Max kit came with an advisory note of how much to cut them down by. From memory this was about 30mm which I removed from the bottom of the bump stop. It will make more sense once you or your mechanic actually see the bump stop when the suspension leg is stripped down. Remember to find somewhere to have your wheel alignment (tracking & camber) checked and adjusted after the supsension has been fitted and settled in. Both will definatly need to be adjusted!!! Get your mechanic to loosen off both track rods and make sure they can be freely adjusted whilst the suspension is being done. This will save a lot of time and effort for whoever is going to do the tracking as they are often seized.

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

Kevin

[VRVIRGIN 0]

Fantastic info Kev, thanx very much m8. My spanner will be doing the tracking also so no probs there. Just need to make sure of how it gets done. Thanx very much and apologies for the hijack.

Regards

Nelson

[spindat45 0]

Fantastic info Kev' date=' thanx very much m8. My spanner will be doing the tracking also so no probs there. Just need to make sure of how it gets done. Thanx very much and apologies for the hijack.

[/quote']

Glad to help m8. Remember tracking AND CAMBER adjustment will be needed. Let me know how you get on and what you think once its all done.

Kevin

[VRVIRGIN 0]

Will do matey. BTW, who supplied yours? GMAX haven't got back to me yet, so wondering where else to try. Bit of a pain getting em sent to Spain but hey.

[spindat45 0]

I got mine fromthem direct. If you haven't done so already then try this link http://www.gmaxsuspension.co.uk/c1473_1589_1628_1662.htm and order online. There shouldn't be any problem having them sent to Spain.

Kevin

[MarkP 0]

I got mine fromthem direct. If you haven't done so already then try this link http://www.gmaxsuspension.co.uk/c1473_1589_1628_1662.htm and order online. There shouldn't be any problem having them sent to Spain.

Kevin

I ordered my GMAX suspension from the link provided on Thursday 11am and it arrived yesterday at 11am.. so that's cool. Just off to buy some bump stops and front top mounts then I need to find a decent/cheap'ish mechanic to fit it.

I'll be sure to get some before and after pics.

Mark