What suspension upgrade is best

[dave_ph]

Hi Guys,

Apologies if this has been discussed before, however i'm at work and dont have a whole lot of time for searching!

I've been considering improving the handling on the car, and coilovers seems to be quite popular, however i personally dont want the car riding too low, as i dont want to rip my splitter off everytime i go into town (multi-storey car parks, speedbumps etc). Also i've heard they have a limited life span?

The other option i've seen is lowering springs and uprated shocks? do these provide any advantage over the standar LCR suspension? which manufacturers are the best for these?

Or would just getting ARB's, strut brace, powerflex bushes etc be just as good if not better?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Funkyfin2000]

Wouldnt mind getting some of this info as well actually

 

[lordgibbness]

The other option i've seen is lowering springs and uprated shocks? do these provide any advantage over the standar LCR suspension? which manufacturers are the best for these?

Or would just getting ARB's, strut brace, powerflex bushes etc be just as good if not better?

Aftermarket springs and shocks will generally be stiffer and lower than OEM, which improves the handling (but obviously affects ride quality).

Upper strut brace is a must-do in my experience to tighten up the loose cornering in the LCR.

I wouldn't bother with uprating bushes, myself, but would just replace with OEM bushes when they are worn.

Getting a stiffer DBM from INA or THS (INA's is stiffer but costs twice as much) is very good for traction from standing starts (and throttle response without the engine swaying about).

ARBs reduce the body roll but should be upgraded front and back so as not to make the car unstable on cornering (with the LCR only having an 18mm front ARB). Neuspeed are the only rear ARBs that fit the LCR with a standard exhaust.

 

[dave_ph]

for the DBM, is that replacing the whole part, or just the rubber bush inside it?

 

[lordgibbness]

You can upgrade with poly bushes in the dbm which is the cheaper option, but you'll suffer from vibrations when idling.

 

[DamianPM]

If you didn't want to lower the car too much then maybe something like the Weitec 30mm kit, which would give around a 10mm drop on the LCR, would be a good choice.

Uprated ARBs make a big difference on the LCR as well.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[lordgibbness]

The LCR OEM springs are about 20mm lower than the standard Leon springs, I take it, Damian?

 

[DamianPM]

Yeah that right, about 20mm lower.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[dave_ph]

cool thanks for the info damian

You can upgrade with poly bushes in the dbm which is the cheaper option, but you'll suffer from vibrations when idling.

is there a complete replacement dbm available then which would solve that problem?


I've gotta start looking at exhausts now as well, because its service today revealed a mount is snapped on the backbox so that needs replacing. Was thinking of doing the whole system while im at it. Would be after a 3" system. any recommendations?

 

[Funkyfin2000]

Blue flame mate! Turbo back system!

 

[lordgibbness]

Yes, INA available with track or street rubber for £99 and THS for £55.

Blueflame do a good value, good looking full exhaust.

 

[dave_ph]

I've heard a few people mention the blueflames quite a bit.

I've also looked at the piper exhaust as well. The exhaust tip looks quite OEM on it which I like. Is there much difference between them performance wise? (when it comes to exhausts im clueless) Going to get a 3" downpipe as well when I do it

EDIT: just looked at the price of piper... i dont fancy paying 760quid just for the dp and cat lol so scrap that!

without starting a war inadvertantly, blueflame or milltek? there much difference in performance between them. must admit i prefer the blueflames exhaust tip

 

[lordgibbness]

Piper and Blueflame both look good options - pick the price/style to suit

 

[Funkyfin2000]

BF all the way!

 

[lordgibbness]

Milltek don't do a downpipe and you'll pay more for an ugly oval IMO.

 

[dave_ph]

yea im not a fan of the milltek oval, the bottom of it looks flat lol

think i will go with a blueflame then. get a catback to start with and then save for the dp as my insurance is due in sept which will be a bit of a kick in the nuts.

Is there any welding needed to fit an exhaust? was thinking how difficult this would be to do at home with a jack and axel stands? My dad was a mechanic many many years ago, so got a good set of tools to use, and he has a pretty sensible head for car repairs