Finally installed the new springs and shocks and had time to take the ol' girl out and have a go at some of the local back roads. This may be the single greatest improvement yet to the car. Pictured are B&G springs and Koni Sport externally adjustable shocks. I still have the shocks at the softest setting and it rides very well around town (lots of rough pavement) but still very controlled at speed on the back roads. The springs only lowered the car about 3/4" although they advertised 1.5". I believe my old stock springs and shocks were sagging a bit. Those of you who have Bilstein HD shocks and find them to be too stiff would be well advised to give the Konis a try.

Suspension improvements so far: New bushings, shocks, springs, GT braces, Kumho Ecsta Supra 712s, Ate Power Discs, PBR Ceramic pads, IPD sway bars and a really good alignment. Next up are a pair of GT lower braces.




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don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35

Hey man,

what is your alignment settings?

Looks good!!!

Chargerucd,

Way to go Don, ya need to let me take it for a spin sometime.

Mike

Way to go Don, ya need to let me take it for a spin sometime.

Mike

Any time buddy, you know where I am. BTW, how did those discs and pads work out for you?


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don hodgdon '89 744ti, '81 242t, '71 D-35

Don, you left out those euro, glass headlights--major illumination improvement!

i'm looking for some.

regards,
byron golden
86 245
92 245

Don,

Looks fantastic! I really want to snag a set of the progressive B&G's but worried that they will drop the car too much for the roads here in in New England let alone for the horrible pot-hole ridden rough roads in Boston. Didn't some of the guys on T-bricks say the springs dropped their bricks like 2+". I know the EST spings are different from the B&Gs though which some are riding on. I'm currently using Bilstein HDs with bracing maxed out and the ride is almost jarring and feel like I'm going to lose my exhaust for daily driving. I like how the brick handles on the highway though so need a compromise. Bushings are all new too. I've always wanted to try the Koni Sports but I was leaning back towards Boge Turbos which would still be suitable for lowering springs if I ever wanted to proceed that route and are obviously cheaper. Where did you get the Koni's as I'm tempted to look into the Koni Sports using the softest setting instead of the Bilsteins.

Best,
Adam
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'92 244GL silver-metallic, 150k, Enem V15 cam, Bilstein HDs, IPD sways, upper+lower braces, Cherry-Turbo strut brace, 240 OEM rear spoiler, 15' Dracos, E-codes w/side repeaters, Euro cowl covers paint-matched, Magnaflow 2.5' SS exhaust w/Unitek header

I picked up the shocks and springs from www.shox.com.

Hey Adam,
I have had the B&G and Boge Turbo set up for a year, and I STRONGLY advise against this setup. I am going with Bilstiens when my car goes back on the road as I found the Boge really under dampened, and when pushed into Corners hard, would bob a fair bit if the corner had undulatations, making control a lot harder.
Granted, they gave a bit more of a plush ride, I felt they just didn't combine nicely with the B&G's.
FYI - The B&G's lowered my wagon 1.3 in the rear and 1.5 in the front

Good Luck
-Phil
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Phil Sinnott '81 245 630,000kms

Thanks Phil!! Just what I was afraid of as I always see that "ricer bob" effect on cars with lowering springs installed on stock struts let alone the dangers of loss of control. I'll rethink my plans now for lowering swapping shocks/struts. I've heard good things about the Boge Turbos though on stock springs...stiffer than stock but still provide nice control and comfort.

Best,
Adam



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'92 244GL silver-metallic, 150k, Enem V15 cam, Bilstein HDs, IPD sways, upper+lower braces, Cherry-Turbo strut brace, 240 OEM rear spoiler, 15' Dracos, E-codes w/side repeaters, Euro cowl covers paint-matched, Magnaflow 2.5' SS exhaust w/Unitek header

That's gotta be one sweet handling machine. How are the Kumhos holding up for you?

They've only been on the car for about 6 months. So far so good!