Drummond Motorsport Coilovers

[35R]

Anyone have experience or know about the DMS coilovers?

http://www.dmshocks.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp

I am looking at the 40mm or 50mm package, for a CV8 munro.

At the last track day my noltec top mount popped out of the tower! (and still is!). To be frank the noltec mount has been a complete pain in the arse, more hassle than it's worth. I am going to put stocker mounts back in (with perhaps a nylon bush) assuming i can get a coilover that can yield decent camber.

I am currently running a bilstein/eibach combo, it has been friggin brilliant on the track thus far, but it has its limitation. Time to get some serious suspension (gotta try and catch up to Erik you see!).

Anyway i did the ring around, spoke to Heasmans in Sydney (got the usual ambiguous stuff from them, it's so hard talking to those guys) plus they charge a fortune. Then I called DMS, simple straightforward advice, i just have a much better feeling with DMS.

40mm or 50mm kit?

[VooDoo]

DMS are a customised Bilstein setup but arent cheap. Ive used them and they are awesome for track work but very noisy so in a daily driver will annoy you.

Duncan, Talk to Darren Park as he used these for a while. Not cheap at around $5000 for a complete setup. Another option that will work is the Teins but you need to get the springs setup for your application and weights. The base price is around $2500 plus customised shocks/springs etc. You should get a perfect system in the car for approx $3500.

[35R]

DMS are a customised Bilstein setup but arent cheap. Ive used them and they are awesome for track work but very noisy so in a daily driver will annoy you.

Duncan, Talk to Darren Park as he used these for a while. Not cheap at around $5000 for a complete setup. Another option that will work is the Teins but you need to get the springs setup for your application and weights. The base price is around $2500 plus customised shocks/springs etc. You should get a perfect system in the car for approx $3500.

Thanks Stu. So the DMS is noisy? in what way.

I called DMS today, the 40mm kit is $4000 and the 50mm kit is $5000. I've sent Darren a PM too, thanks.

[Pulse Red]

These are supposed to be right up there to:

http://www.inmotive.com.au//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=32

They are made for the Monaro/ GTO and cheaper then the DMS jobs. Pretty sure the quote I got was $3200 fitted.

[CV860L]

I had 50mm DMS struts in my first WRX (about 8yrs ago), and they are definitely the real deal when it comes to suspension.

My boss at the time bought them so we could check out the internals and how the valving worked (I was working in R&D at a suspension place).

They have double sealed end caps which have been custom made on a cnc, the working piston inside is also a custom design, as is the floating piston.

The principle idea of how it works is similar to the Bilsteins (different thickness shims either side of the working piston) but the quality, material and attention to detail was a lot better. Also have some fancy bypass valves to allow for a wide range of adjustment.

The kit I had fitted was built to suit a group N rally car so it was way too firm for everyday driving but I put up with it for more than a year.

I never had any noises in the whole time I drove with it.

I think Jamie Drummond was they guy we used to deal with and he was always extremely helpful.

[CV860L]

You could also check out STA, these guys supplied and built the struts used on the '03 & '04 Targa Tasmania Monaro's and have the same kits to suit your CV8R.
They ditched the Eibach/Bilstein set up they used in '02 and went with STA for their last 2 years I remember Brocky giving them a real good wrap.

http://www.suspensiontechnology.com.au/

[VooDoo]

DMS = Bilstein

He inverts them, rebuilds and redesigned them. Gary (GHZ28 (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/member.php?u=6635)) ran them on his ute so PM him too. He complained a lot of the noise and had them removed.

[VooDoo]

These are supposed to be right up there to:

http://www.inmotive.com.au//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=32

They are made for the Monaro/ GTO and cheaper then the DMS jobs. Pretty sure the quote I got was $3200 fitted.

I know a guy in brisbane that has these KW's. did under 100k's and BOTH struts snapped and destroyed his front end. 1 breaking i could understand, faulty etc but not both going.

[Pulse Red]

I know a guy in brisbane that has these KW's. did under 100k's and BOTH struts snapped and destroyed his front end. 1 breaking i could understand, faulty etc but not both going.


That is really bad! They have such a good reputation to. I know alot of euro boys love them. Although I know there was a Vauxhall Monaro owner on Ls1.com.au who found them to harsh. That was the only negative response I had heard until now.

[PSI38L]

Duncan try Murray Coote Suspension i can put you in contact if you like. very good product.

[35R]

Duncan try Murray Coote Suspension i can put you in contact if you like. very good product.

Yes please, i will give them a call to discuss.

[ghz28]

DMS = Bilstein

He inverts them, rebuilds and redesigned them. Gary (GHZ28 (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/member.php?u=6635)) ran them on his ute so PM him too. He complained a lot of the noise and had them removed.

If you are not in a big rush, but I guess you are with a strut hanging out, Murry is rebuilding my DMS fronts, changing the grease to try to quiet them down, and doing a full new system for my ute right now. Hoping to have them in the car for track day 27th.

As far as control, quality and feel goes, the DMS was absolutely fantastic, Jamie listened to what I wanted the car for, and the spring rate etc was right on, loved them, just could not live with them. So we got divorced and I put my Pedders back in, albeit with different springs while waiting for new ones.

The big thing I liked about the 50mm version is that it has a hydraulic bump stop, which you can not appreciate until you experience it.

For a pure race car, the DMS 50 would have suited me for sure, just the noise was too much for me in a daily driver. The noise by the way was the upper seals groaning incessantly.....much like sleeping with a snorer.

See what Murray comes up with in the next week or so, remote canister double adjustables for the rear, probably inverted double adjustables for the front, non-gas as I don't want to cut away the strut tower to put a plate in to allow the remote canister hose to come through,on a road car. The fronts will also be made to have the lower spring point above the tyre, so lots of negative camber can be used without hitting the spring or lock rings.....a very common problem with coilovers.....just look where they are on almost every kit on offer.

Hopefully Murray can stop the noise with the DMS and I can have them as spares or use in another car.

Cheers,


Garry

[PSI38L]

Dunc,

here is the number 07 5494 8177. tell him John From Barrie Smith Motorsport said to call.

[FatBoy]

Dunc - PM "Justice R8" on the LS1 forum. I know Darren was a fan of DMS for a while there. At least he won't bullsh!t you, he tells it like it is... :yep:

Cheers,
Paul...

[choppo]

Dunc,

just been through the same investigation process as you and decided on Quadrant (VIC). Heasmans - same as your comments.
Quadrant run many many setups in Production and Commodore Cup & they have a group of guys who specialise in Commodores. I found it easy to get specific advice and information out of them.
My full Front/Back set-up will arrive this week - sorry can't give feedback on actual performance as wont have car ready till Dec.
2 x front c/over struts with adjustable 36mm inserts,running 900lb main spring with a 70lb tender spring - these are custom made Quadrant struts.
The rear comes with 2 x 46mm Bilstein 9 stage adjustable shocks and 2 x rear mini block spring @ 750lb. All revalved to suit my intended application (Dutton and track days). Also Quadrant upper race mounts are coming for the front struts which stops what happened to your strut tops - may be of particular interest to you considering. All the springs are our Quadrant brand designed and developed in-house.

Im purely running off their advise and the same set up on their front running Production/Comm Cup cars - as Dave said, when (if!) i can beat their times on the same set-up, then start playing around :yep:

Give them a call... Dave Bath 03 97699666

[35R]

Dunc - PM "Justice R8" on the LS1 forum. I know Darren was a fan of DMS for a while there. At least he won't bullsh!t you, he tells it like it is... :yep:

Cheers,
Paul...

Thanks Paul, will do (actually have done) and got a response this morning from Darren. I think he's been away in Canada.

[35R]

Dunc,

just been through the same investigation process as you and decided on Quadrant (VIC). Heasmans - same as your comments.
Quadrant run many many setups in Production and Commodore Cup & they have a group of guys who specialise in Commodores. I found it easy to get specific advice and information out of them.
My full Front/Back set-up will arrive this week - sorry can't give feedback on actual performance as wont have car ready till Dec.
2 x front c/over struts with adjustable 36mm inserts,running 900lb main spring with a 70lb tender spring - these are custom made Quadrant struts.
The rear comes with 2 x 46mm Bilstein 9 stage adjustable shocks and 2 x rear mini block spring @ 750lb. All revalved to suit my intended application (Dutton and track days). Also Quadrant upper race mounts are coming for the front struts which stops what happened to your strut tops - may be of particular interest to you considering. All the springs are our Quadrant brand designed and developed in-house.

Im purely running off their advise and the same set up on their front running Production/Comm Cup cars - as Dave said, when (if!) i can beat their times on the same set-up, then start playing around :yep:

Give them a call... Dave Bath 03 97699666

Awesome thanks Choppo, will check your setup out.

many thanks for that

[2 cylinders shy]

Dave and rest the guys at quadrant are top bloke and realy know there stuff.
I hope your car is not a daily, those strut tops are track only. Though steve cramp had a rave review of them.
I have a simmilar setup albeit non-adjustable. :bravo:

[choppo]

Dave and rest the guys at quadrant are top bloke and realy know there stuff.
I hope your car is not a daily, those strut tops are track only. Though steve cramp had a rave review of them.
I have a simmilar setup albeit non-adjustable. :bravo:

Fortunately 100% track car i will be fitting them to :bravo:

[FatBoy]

Choppo - are you going to do a "build" thread of the circuit car ??

Do you intend running it at State Championship level ?? Ie - Improved Production or Combined Touring etc ?? Just curious... :)

Cheers,
Paul...

[2 cylinders shy]

Any photos or details of the build?
I am sure you will be happy with the suspension.

[choppo]

Choppo - are you going to do a "build" thread of the circuit car ??
Do you intend running it at State Championship level ?? Ie - Improved Production or Combined Touring etc ?? Just curious... :)
Cheers,
Paul...

Hi Paul,
nah... just a fun track day car (E.C./ Wakefiled/Oran etc) and really focused on doing Dutton Rallies.

Any photos or details of the build?
I am sure you will be happy with the suspension.

I should so that. Im taking the day off to scrape the body deadener out - ive already done half of it and it is a prick of a job!
Its getting the full cage installed as i write :yep:

[FatBoy]

Sweet, do a build up thread then mate, please !!

Lots of photos would be good too... :)

[35R]

Have you had the suspension fitted Choppo?

[35R]

Spoke with Murray Coote, Quadrant, Drumond and Suspension Technology Australia.

Drummon Motorsport (DMS)

- as per first post above

Murray Coote Suspension

- Sounds totally custom built jobs, and he needs pictures of my strut tops (top off) and rear shocks (issues relating to remote canister fitment).
- I get the feeling he only builds race-spec setups usually?
- Cost would be a minimum of $5000

Quadrant Suspension

They have three options

- Package 1: $2200 (sounds like what I have but revised spring rates)
- Package 2: Coilovers $3200 ~ $3700 (depending on top mount)
- Package 3: Coilovers 4900 to $5400 (depending on top mount) includes 9-stage adjustability

Suspension Technologies Australia

They have a setup apparently developed for Brocky's targa munros (as Jake mentioned). Not coilovers, but he says they can run 265's on the FRONT with 3* of camber?? Sounds a bit ambitious to me. Price is $3700 for complete setup.

All packages have verious attributes and differences / sales pitch. I need to get some more feedback from people, collect my thoughts and call a couple of these guys back.

[choppo]

Have you had the suspension fitted Choppo?

Nah, not yet... as usual, it starts with one thing then i end up doing something more.... now im building a new 6Ltr N/A so i can give the Imp. Production series a go next year - Fat Boy will be happy!:bravo:

Seems the 402ci will brake the rules somewhat :up2sum:

Engine still a week away so have not fitted the Quad stuff yet.

[2 cylinders shy]

Quadrant Suspension

They have three options

- Package 1: $2200 (sounds like what I have but revised spring rates)

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/549/medium/DSC01771.JPG

[35R]

Quadrant Suspension

They have three options

- Package 1: $2200 (sounds like what I have but revised spring rates)

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/549/medium/DSC01771.JPG

Awesome! how do you find it? What about the camber!

[2 cylinders shy]

I?m no expert but here are my observations

I previously had a spring and shock combo from quadrant (which by all reports is comparable to a koni yellow/king combo) and the difference is unbelievable.

I can mix it (+ or ? 1 second) with the guys from the HSVOC at winton (a handling track) but they are 5 seconds quicker at sandown.
I?m comparing camed ls1?s with a whole list of other mods including koni coil-over?s Full bolt on VZ R8?s with koni shocks, king springs and whiteline swaybars.
The specs for my car are on LS1

If you are going to use the car for track only get the quadrant strut tops.

Camber wise I can only get 1.5 with 245 RE55s. If you get wheels with the correct offset (or use spacers like the brute utes) you can run more

I am sure there are better setups $$$$$$$
These offer plenty of scope for me to improve and for the money they are unbeatable.

I don?t know if any of that helps or if i'm just waffling. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

[MrKeen]

Its really a confuseing issue this one for me. It seems set -up become very specific to what you want to use the car for.
Its the next thing on my hit list to do. I wonder if we had a few members wanting similar set-ups if we could do a group buy/set up type deal with some one?

[35R]

Quadrant Suspension

They have three options

- Package 1: $2200 (sounds like what I have but revised spring rates)

http://www.trackchat.com.au/media/data/549/medium/DSC01771.JPG

These are coilovers right? Looks like it! Apparently the $2200 quadrant option isnt a coilover setup. How much did you pay approx?

[35R]

Its really a confuseing issue this one for me. It seems set -up become very specific to what you want to use the car for.
Its the next thing on my hit list to do. I wonder if we had a few members wanting similar set-ups if we could do a group buy/set up type deal with some one?

I'll be in that Keen, but i hazard a guess we'll all probably want something slightly different. The other thing playing on my mind is the occassional 1/4 mile excursion. I suppose a good circuit setup just isnt going to be any good good for 1/4 mile at all.

[MrKeen]

My take on it all is get something that is as ajustable as possible so we can set up our cars for different things. I cant see me doing alot 1/4 stuff any more. Ive got a shit box for a daily driver so im really after a set-up for sprint/tarmac type events.

[35R]

My take on it all is get something that is as ajustable as possible so we can set up our cars for different things. I cant see me doing alot 1/4 stuff any more. Ive got a shit box for a daily driver so im really after a set-up for sprint/tarmac type events.

I was thinking the same Keen, get something adjustable to at least be somewhat acceptable for the drags too.

Does anyone know if this is possible? I mean even if it is comparable to say a stocker somewhat.

Perhaps the stage 2 quadrant setup?

[FatBoy]

Nah, not yet... as usual, it starts with one thing then i end up doing something more.... now im building a new 6Ltr N/A so i can give the Imp. Production series a go next year - Fat Boy will be happy!:bravo:

Seems the 402ci will brake the rules somewhat :up2sum:

Engine still a week away so have not fitted the Quad stuff yet.

Giddyup Choppo, have seen your posts on the IPRA forum !!
:bravo:

Without wanting to sound like a smartarse, if you need any help or advice don't hesitate to drop me a PM and i'll send you my mobile number, or you can call around for a chat mate...

I don't know how much racing you have done but it can be a little daunting at first if you aren't sure how everything works. I'll happily talk you through what goes on and i'll be at the track crewing on my mates re-built RX-7 every round so if you need anything just yell... :)

Hell, i might even get my own "new" car up and running next year if all goes well... ;)

Cheers,
Paul...

[choppo]

Giddyup Choppo, have seen your posts on the IPRA forum !!
:bravo:

Without wanting to sound like a smartarse, if you need any help or advice don't hesitate to drop me a PM and i'll send you my mobile number, or you can call around for a chat mate...

I don't know how much racing you have done but it can be a little daunting at first if you aren't sure how everything works. I'll happily talk you through what goes on and i'll be at the track crewing on my mates re-built RX-7 every round so if you need anything just yell... :)

Hell, i might even get my own "new" car up and running next year if all goes well... ;)

Cheers,
Paul...

Cool! - wont ruin this tread - will PM :waving:

[MY Racing 221]

Hell, i might even get my own "new" car up and running next year if all goes well... ;)

Cheers,
Paul...

Yeah, c'mon Boppa... been hearing enough talk for ages now... let's see you back out there! :bravo: :whip:

[FatBoy]

Mate i last raced in May 2006, so it wasn't "that" long ago. But yeah, i'm getting itchy feet... :yep:

So much for sitting out for a few years and paying off the mortgage !! :headbang:

Choppo - It's bedtime mate, i'm getting old... :p

Got your PM, i'll write up a decent reply tomorrow mate and go from there... :)

Cheers,
Paul...

[MY Racing 221]

Its been September 07 for me... that's long enough! ;)

[choppo]

[QUOTE=FatBoy;24759]So much for sitting out for a few years and paying off the mortgage !! :headbang:
QUOTE]

I know how you feel - but you only live once!:yep:
p.s. (even if it ends up being in a tent)

[Stelth]

Hey Duncan

I have the KW V3's on the car and have done over 10,000 Km.

I had the pedders coilovers before them.

The car sits 2.5" lower then FE2 and rides great.

I drive around with the bump and rebound set very low.

But i run the pedders thick swaybars all round on the hardest settings.

Very happy with performance and ride quality.

I have given them a hard time on and off the track.

They show no quality problems.

I got them on a special deal from East Coast Suspension.

I think they are going for under $3000

If you want to have a drive call me.

cheers

John

[BOMI]

Good info there Johny.


Troy :thumbs:

[Stelth]

Good info there Johny.


Troy :thumbs:


Cheers mate.

Also forgot to add that there's quite a bit of clearance for -3 deg camber with no spacers.

Stock VY SS rims 235/40/18

[35R]

Cheers mate.

Also forgot to add that there's quite a bit of clearance for -3 deg camber with no spacers.

Stock VY SS rims 235/40/18

Johnny was yours a full set, or just fronts?

[Stelth]

Johnny was yours a full set, or just fronts?

I have the full set.

The other week at the private track day i set all shocks to soft settings and managed a 1.61 60' with out trying to hard on the street M/T at 2500 rpm.

The car has a tight 3000 rpm converter.

[35R]

Well i finally bit the bullet and purchased the Drummonds (50mm kit).

Will try and get some pics of the kit and the install in coming weeks.

Big thanks for all those with info!

The Quadrant thing looked the goods, but is was going to be north of $5k, so a bit too exxy for me. The DMS kit looked a bit more track focused and was significantly cheaper, and came highly recommended by Darren (Justice).

The KW V3 sounded ok, but not many people running it atm. Johnny i think you are like the first commodore guy!

I think we will perhaps run the quadrant shock tops though.

[BOMI]

So what have you done with the set up that was on the car?

You going to sell it Mr D?


Troy :)

[35R]

So what have you done with the set up that was on the car?

You going to sell it Mr D?

Troy :)

Already sold i think! The bilstein/eibach combo served me very well though, it has been great.

[35R]

The kit was delivered last week, so hopefully we can get some pics and impression on them at the circuit soon.

[35R]

whoohoo - the kit is being installed now. In time for the supersprints this weekend!

[NickS]

Excellent mate ... look forward to hearing how it goes !!!

Any luck with the gearbox issues yet ?

[35R]

Excellent mate ... look forward to hearing how it goes !!!

Any luck with the gearbox issues yet ?

the thing with the gear changing issue is, you can't test it on the street. There have been a number of things done this week, so we'll see how it goes this weekend. I can't wait to get back down to Wakefield!

[35R]

Well thanks to Russo's the DMS kit is now in the car.

Off to my local suspension alignment dudes (Heasmans) and we have issues...

It seems the DMS kit can only do 1* neg camber on the front!

Why? The coilover spring seat sits lower than the stocker struts, and it would foul the tyres. I am pretty sure i got more than 2* with the stocker struts, so i am a bit miffed at this really.

Options now are:

1. Fit offset tops. Don't really want to do this again because (after my prior Noltec units blew up with blown bearing) we got some solid mount Quadrant tops recently. I dont feel like flushing another $500 down the dunny after the new tops have been on for 2 days. Offset tops would probably result in another 1*

2. Get shorter springs. This would bring the spring seat up above the tyres, and yield another 10~15mm clearance. More $$$$$$$$ but perhaps another 1~1.5*

3. Alter control arms. $1700, ouch. However this would yield maximum camber i think.

4. Wheels spacers.. pfft maybe 0.25* camber

5. Combination or all of the above.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

There were some other odd issues which hint i may have been sent the wrong kit. I will have to try and get clarity on this.

[ghz28]

Hi been there done that, changed to MCA front struts.

I have been down the path you are on now, although I was able to get 2.5 degrees with 8mm spacers. My Drummonds are still with Murray Coote, gotta collect them some day.

Murray took the time to work out the tyre height and got a short enough spring to allow the spring seat to be above my circuit tyres, and at the moment I am running 4 degrees, but have the ability to run up to 5.5 with the current setup. What poundage spring are you using, I ended up with a compromise 350-500 progressive on the DMS, but have a 450 linear with the MCA. It is a multi-role car at the moment, once converted, will go with 700lb front and 1000lb rears.

Also I could not stop the squeaking with my Drummonds, but that has since been solved too.

I intend putting the DMS struts back on my ute once my circuit car is built, 1 degree or so will be fine for road use, and all my MCA stuff is going from the ute to the track car.

Garry

[35R]

Hi been there done that, changed to MCA front struts.

I have been down the path you are on now, although I was able to get 2.5 degrees with 8mm spacers. My Drummonds are still with Murray Coote, gotta collect them some day.

Murray took the time to work out the tyre height and got a short enough spring to allow the spring seat to be above my circuit tyres, and at the moment I am running 4 degrees, but have the ability to run up to 5.5 with the current setup. What poundage spring are you using, I ended up with a compromise 350-500 progressive on the DMS, but have a 450 linear with the MCA. It is a multi-role car at the moment, once converted, will go with 700lb front and 1000lb rears.

Also I could not stop the squeaking with my Drummonds, but that has since been solved too.

I intend putting the DMS struts back on my ute once my circuit car is built, 1 degree or so will be fine for road use, and all my MCA stuff is going from the ute to the track car.

Garry

Hmm interesting. I need to confirm spring rates, however the part numbers suggest 350lb's - which seems a bit soft given this is not a daily driver but 95% track focused now. I thought i confirmed this before ordering them, but i forget and will need to check. 1* isnt going to cut it for my setup, not even come close. I ultimately want 4-5*.

Did you ever think about changing the springs on your DMS kit (to raise the spring seat)?

[ghz28]

Hmm interesting. I need to confirm spring rates, however the part numbers suggest 350lb's - which seems a bit soft given this is not a daily driver but 95% track focused now. I thought i confirmed this before ordering them, but i forget and will need to check. 1* isnt going to cut it for my setup, not even come close. I ultimately want 4-5*.

Did you ever think about changing the springs on your DMS kit (to raise the spring seat)?

You are right, 1* will result in you scrubbing the sidewalls off the tyres, almost literally. With 4* as my times are coming down and I am pressing harder I am almost back to that point. But with the ute still needing to be street driven for work every now and then, I am not going to the 5* setting. When I finally start building a track car, then will set to 5-5.5* and see how that goes.

No I didn't change the Drummond springs, got sick of the squeaking well before I got to that stage,but you can order King springs in virtually any length / diameter combination. The 450lb springs in the MCAs seem to be a very nice compromise for the moment, most people would be hard pressed to pick the ride from FE2, until it hits irregularities, then you realise it is much much better. What we are doing with the MCAs, is working out my preferred spring rate with the cheaper King springs then when settled, order Eibachs to replace them.

The Drummonds are bloody wonderful shocks, I am not criticising them other than that the springs were too long, easily fixed, though you have to watch suspension travel isn't too severely compromised, and the 60mm ones have hydraulic bumpstops, isn't that nice. My MCAs do too, take all that crashing and bashing away from the front end over sharp bumps and dips.

I currently have 180mm springs in the front, but they are not confined when jacked up, so I need to go a bit shorter, maybe 165, and add keeper springs, that will be the next change, but requires stiffer spring rate, 550 lb at least as the travel is reduced, to avoid coil bind.

Bloody complicated working all this stuff out and coming up with a workable solution for dual purpose vehicles.

Oh I have dents in the top of my guards now from people pushing down on them feeling how hard the springs are, yet the ride is firm yet surprisingly comfortable and controlled.

Good luck....

Garry

[35R]

Great post Garry, thanks for that.

They way i see it i have two options i guess:-

a) Get new (shorter) front springs
b) Get the cross member mod done

If i get the shorter springs, thus raising the spring seat, that should yield (max) 15mm extra clearance. How much camber do you think that will yield? I am thinking perhaps 1.5* extra. So whilst good, not good enough. Maybe i should bite the bullet and just get the crossmember mod done (I think that's what it is anyway :)). Apparently that yields quite a lot.

[ghz28]

10-15 mm extra clearance will be a big benefit. I am pretty sure that with the Drummonds and 8mm spacers I was very close to 3* camber, but not quite.

Not sure on the K frame mod, but possibly a long term solution if the car becomes track dedicated. But shorter springs, and you can go to 500 odd lb springs without being too harsh for the street, and if it is to be a track car then 700 seems to be the number the experts are happy with, in that case you could have pretty short springs and keepers, but be friendly with a dentist if street driven.

Garry

ps 2.5-3* will make a huge difference to your turn in, but I did find that it was not enough to stop mid corner understeer developing. Now that could be something else that was causing it, like going too fast, but with 4* now, all is much better. Still the odd push, but usually it is my fault for going in too hot, a quick stab of the brakes normally fixes it though.

[lautray]

I am running almost 3* neg with my Bilstein/Eibach coilover setup. Could go a little more, but the limitation is not the tyre rubbing on the strut, rather the camber screw is wound out to the max already :headbang:. And agreed, it did seem to help turn-in :).

[35R]

Some good info, thanks guys. I am sure i will eventually get there.

FWIW the solid tops aren't as bad as i thought they would be. They are a little more harsh than the noltec offsets. The suspension does creak and moan a bit (tight turns in carparks etc) btu no squeaking as yet.

Oh I have dents in the top of my guards now from people pushing down on them feeling how hard the springs are, yet the ride is firm yet surprisingly comfortable and controlled.

We noticed this on my car, if you push down on any corners of the car - rock solid, will not move!

If anyone has suggestions on the bump rebound settings for my first go at Wakefield with these, do tell! I havent even tried playing with the settings yet. If the track is damp i presume full soft?

[seldo]

ps 2.5-3* will make a huge difference to your turn in, but I did find that it was not enough to stop mid corner understeer developing. Now that could be something else that was causing it, like going too fast, but with 4* now, all is much better. Still the odd push, but usually it is my fault for going in too hot, a quick stab of the brakes normally fixes it though.
Another reason for mid-corner understeer is often from having the suspension too low and when it bottoms-out on the bump-rubbers your spring rate suddenly becomes almost infinite....

[ghz28]

Some good info, thanks guys. I am sure i will eventually get there.

FWIW the solid tops aren't as bad as i thought they would be. They are a little more harsh than the noltec offsets. The suspension does creak and moan a bit (tight turns in carparks etc) btu no squeaking as yet.



We noticed this on my car, if you push down on any corners of the car - rock solid, will not move!

If anyone has suggestions on the bump rebound settings for my first go at Wakefield with these, do tell! I havent even tried playing with the settings yet. If the track is damp i presume full soft?


Not sure how smooth Wakefield is, just had a reseal I seem to recall, in that case I would start out mid range and tend to head softer. QR on the other hand is like a bloody goat track and has awful bumps in all the braking areas, so I have moved way soft of middle and times are falling.

And if wet, either park up and watch the fun, or yes go soft.....beats bent.

Dave.....yeah I had mid corner understeer caused by my shocks being set too stiff, but sorted that....these struts have hydraulic bumpstops, so until coilbind, should be reasonably controlled.

But, boy is it a big learning curve going from the street to the track, most of the things you thought were right, are wrong. But still a lot of fun.

gh