Test Drive Suspension

[Melon Head]

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.

I wasn't phased by the body roll because I am coming from a standard Suzuki Swift, so it's a massive improvement from that.
I was so impressed with how hard I could push that car (suzuki swift) even with large amounts of body roll, that even though I like a car that sits flat, I appreciate feel/feedback, grip, and balance over minimum body roll

[Melon Head]

Just regarding your current setup, if you floor it through a corner then midway through if you completely lift off the throttle, does the back flick out or does it not move at all?

[gavs]

Bassik is runnnig the same as mine and I can say that it really is corner dependant. I have not induced lift-off oversteer but I am also not stupid enough to try it on a public road, even with ESC. Yes, there is squirming from the rear but I am sure that on an off camber, downhill corner, the back would release itself quite easily. Then it would be up to ESC as to if it would catch it or not....

Anyone have a racetrack or skid pan available to test on?

[Melon Head]

I think the setup both of you guys have is probably good enough then, probably no need for stuffing around with the front ARB.
Just lower the car slightly and increase coil spring ratings all round by eg 30% or whatever is considered appropriate

I'll keep my eyes open for possible skid pans

[Bassik]

Ok so back to the drawing board. I've just heard to many voiced opinions stating a front ARB wont help. I do consider APR's advice but their Polo isn't a simple setup they've done vigorous testing applied/upgraded a lot more then just a simple front and rear ARB, I just can't compare to that.

I agree that it is very corner dependent for example there is one corner right near my house that I tend to take heavy coming home from College late at night it's a downhill corner (off camber corner) I have to back off the throttle when exiting on this corner because it tends to just tighten up and I need to ease back, lucky for me it backs straight onto a bus bay so there is no worries about hitting a curb etc.

My experience with body roll etc is more for roundabouts and chicanes this is where I tend to be unsatisfied.

So if anyone has every coilovers or lowered...i'm still up for a test drive?

Thanks

[gavs]

Bassik, I have said this along with kaanage to you before. What you are after is not acheivable, especially on the assumed budget you have (less than $25,000).

You are after the handling and body-roll characteristics of your old Honda Integra Type R. It's not going to happen. As I have pointed out to you before, you are talking about a car that was built in the Honda factory, shipped elswhere, completely pulled apart again and re-built with ompletely different suspension geometry, components and even setup which included the re-location and addition of different mounting points. It also had chassis strengthening rails welded into the monocoque. The entire car went from spot welded together to 75% (from memory) seam welding.

You literally are talking about a race car that was tarted up for the street.

A front anti-roll bar upgrade WILL help with body roll. As will stiffer, progressive rate springs with matched dampers. To get the handling you are after though? Never going to happen due to the suspension setups you are comparing. Double wishbones and multi links vs torsion beam and MacPherson Struts. Yes, you can make a very good handling car, but if you want the Type R handling experience, sell your polo and buy another Type R. Or buy a 2nd hand Boxter / Cayman which is even better. Probably still has more body roll though.

[Bassik]

I always enjoy reading your posts gavs its like my dad is telling me straight.

I understand all that but I'm not asking for a direct comparison or "please convert my 6R to a Type R" all I want is a little bit less body roll, I'm quite happy with the handling as is and know I can come slightly closer to my Type R driving experience. I read that tonnes of people on here get their suspension upgraded straight off the bat so I wonder hows theirs drives?

The only reason I went down the ARB path was because it can be easily taken off or changed. Suspension/coilovers can sometimes deter a potential sale.

As no one has really done the front and back combo i'm struggling to find it hard to do any other minor adjusts to prevent body roll. I also took my car to Kings Suspension and had a guy review my car and gave me advice he said also that a front ARB plus camber conversion would decrease body roll but the 2 go hand in hand. I don't wanna run through tires 50% more then usual. It just seems everyone has different opinion hence why I want to see if someone can offer a test drive.

Thanks again gavs and I will definitely keep your thoughts in mind however I still want to try and sort this out. If it takes to long I'll end up selling and getting something else?

Just another question is the Golf Gti better in this department? Body Roll Etc?

[gavs]

Test Drive Suspension

The ones I have driven have more body roll but more compliance. Look, do the front, it's a cheaper mod than the coilover route, it just requires a hoist and subframe location pins when you drop the subframe. It sounds scary but it's really not that bad. I plan on getting a front anti rollbar, I'm just waiting for some cooler weather to work on the hoist

[Bassik]

Ahh so your planning on doing it yourself as well down the track? Have you thought about springs or coilovers or is that not your forta?

I'm in no immediate rush but I'm getting anxious. So is there a reason to why you want to the front done as well, and you going APR?

[JexL]

springs are good. i got the 25/40 h&r in mine plus the RSB. springs made a huge difference and the car looks better. still remember the first corner i took after i had them installed was so amazed

[gavs]

Test Drive Suspension

Once the stock dampers give up I will look at replacing the suspension but I am looking at the front anti roll bar to dial a bit of underdetermined back in without sacrificing body roll. This should couple with new tyres just nicely.

Nope, I'll be getting either eibach or KW.

[Bassik]

springs are good. i got the 25/40 h&r in mine plus the RSB. springs made a huge difference and the car looks better. still remember the first corner i took after i had them installed was so amazed

Ahhh hey JexL.... You sent me a PM once. So you rate springs highly? I didn't want to get this done but I'm tempted, you'd basically have the same setup as me if I went your path.