Test Drive Suspension

[Bassik]

Hey all,

I know this may seem odd to some of you but I've always been interested in getting suspension/handing upgraded to my 6R. I recently just upgraded the brakes and have had a rear sway bar a month in since my purchase. I've have had a couple of posts on here in getting a front sway bar but have been reluctant due to increased under steer and well lets face it not wanting to risk it without having driven a car with it done or at least had feedback from others.

I'm leaning towards either skipping the front ARB and going springs/lowering or coil-overs. Personally I'm happy to give up a tad bit of comfort over performance and handing. Now I'm also a little scared in getting it done without having testing it out so I'm just giving a shout out to see if anyone has either a front ARB, coilovers or springs upgraded and is willing to take me on a test drive just to see how it handles?

I'm in the Sydney Parramatta area but am willing to drive out to meet anyone within close range of course and I'll happly pay in beers I figured that this would be the best way for me to do any upgrade without jeopardizing one unhappy camper!

PM me and my thanks goes out to you in advance....!!!!
Cheers

[ill0gitech]

I'm also interested and will pay in beers

[Bassik]

Bump bump

[Melon Head]

The safest option is to sell your current ARB, and buy the front and rear pair from APR. You are then guaranteed of having a well balanced handling car.
The other option is workout what the stock anti-roll bars are and increase the stiffness front and rear by 50%, or maybe %60 rear, %40 front, for better turn in and less under steer..
There is nothing wrong, going stiffer on the front since you are stiffer at the rear as long as you don't go too stiff.
You need to know what you have at the moment. To get an idea you can measure the diameter of the front and rear with vernier calipers

[Bassik]

Thanks would it be smart to sell the rear and buy APR rear again with front? I rather keep what I have already saves me trouble.

The back (whiteline) is 24mm and I don't know what the front is but I'd say about 20mm so I could go up... but I don't know if it's really worth it. This is why i'd rather drive one or passenger one before taking the plunge.

[Melon Head]

I had a chat with the guy from APR just recently, he is an absolute gentleman and a scholar.
I would tell him what you have and ask him whether his front roll bar will work with the rear you already have. I am sure he will help you out. I give him 5/5 for customer service.

[Bassik]

Ok awesome thanks buddy ill give him a bell, name per chance?

I'm still and eager if anyone offers I'd love to test drive a 6R with handling upgrades already!

[Melon Head]

Can't remember his name now, just call him on 1300 730 949.
In a recent test against other cars, his Polo 6R Gti had the fastest cornering speed, so the guy obviously knows how to set-up a car properly.

[Bassik]

Gave them a call today. And the guy was very helpful, I must say also very bias. It's hard to tell he did offer to test drive their car but I'm in Sydney so kinda hard for that.

If anyone is willing would be much appreciated. Perhaps anyone who has actually got the APR ARB setup might be able to share their experiences?

Thnx

[Melon Head]

As I said you can't beat independant testing, with real measurements
The car was tested by some motoring magazine, can't remember which one. From memory it had the second fastest lap time even though it was the least powerful car in the test group, but what stood out for me was that it had the fastest cornering speed out of all the cars.

[Melon Head]

Found a video of it

[Bassik]

Yeah I've got this mag I read that too. Was very impressive the guy also mentioned that getting this pair setup would only really help when I hit corners 110km and above, if your cruising at 40-60kms your bound to feel anything at all as they only tuned them to come into affect then their pushed over 30% tension. That's was another thought as well.

Paired with my white line I need to find out what percentage stiffness increase is there's from lowest to hardest tension setting? I called white line and they couldn't give me a straight answer as it wasn't measured by percentage increased stiffness but more diameter on the beam. Having the advantage of adjustment in the back is good though as it provides more flexibility. I think I would be able to pair the 2 quiet easily, save $200 on back as well.

So although its all well and true I'm still not completely satisfied without having at least someone having the same setup or being able to test drive one.

[Melon Head]

I can do a rough calculation for percentage stiffness increase, if you can tell me what the diameter of the stock arb and the new arb are?

[Melon Head]

So although its all well and true I'm still not completely satisfied without having at least someone having the same setup or being able to test drive one.

Yes that would be the ideal situation. I was so close to purchasing a pair but when I kept up with a group of motorcylcists without even pushing it, I decided that I am quite satisfied with the car stock

[Bassik]

Really.... I can image you kept up but you weren't phased by the body roll?

The is no rear bar and the front bar I believe would be 18-20mm diameter. The rear is now a 24mm on the hardest tension.