OM-NOM-NOM New Suspension!!!

[rammstein]

Special thanks to Jack from Elephant!!!

As seen in photo:
> Lemfoerder Front Control Arms
> Front Control Arm Bushings (urethane)
> Rear Subframe Bushings (urethane)
> Rear Trailing arm bushings, fixed position (urethane)
> Diff Mount (Urethane)
> Urethane Rear Shock Mount
> UUC Front and Rear Swar Bar Kit
> Vorshlag Camber/Caster Plates
> H&R Race Springs
> Greyhounds (2, very lazy)

I can't WAIT to get the car back. I am having it done professionally (woe is me, the man with no garage of his own).

I will post my impressions. By the way, anyone have recommendations on how I should handle getting the alignment done? I was going to try and have the shop mark the camber plates with an appropriate setting for street and for track and/or autoX.

EDIT: I started a new thread abotu the alignment settings- I wanna be sure I get some feedback before tomorrow on that.

[Sagaris]

LOL@ the pup

I am just about to post my own suspension thread :)

[raafhimself]

where you getting the work done?

[rammstein]

Hey Raaf-

Having Mike's do it. They gave me a bit of a discount because its a large job, but still, its a large job $$.

That being said, for shits and giggles I got a quote from Active- it was double!!

[daniel]

say hello to vibration

[rammstein]

MMMmm..... vibration.... will chicks dig it?

[sector6]

Congrats dude!

My family used to have three Greyhounds. I love them. Yes, they are lazy, but why shouldn't they be? I think they have earned it, don't you?:)

[rammstein]

My impressions-

First of all, I want to formally thank Jack from Elephant Motorsports. Jack is the shiz- in addition to hooking me up with a good deal on parts, he talked with me for HOURS (literally) about what I could do with the car and cars in general. I wish I was part of a race team, if you ask me he has the life.

Also, thanks to Mike's Beemer in Miami for the install. They gave me a reasonable rate, and got it done right.


So on to the car-

The first thing I noticed was the drop- I hadn't even considered that it would come back lowered. I bought everything based on performance and never thought about the change in appearance. As I walked up to the car for the first time, I laughed- it was SO low in the back! The top of the tire gets hidden by the fender! I really like it though- the car looks SO mean now. It's like hunching down to attack something. The HR race springs drop your car a LOT from stock.

Driving Impressions:

The first time I stopped at a stop sign, the car didn't pitch down at ALL. The ride is definitely firm. Its not jarring, but at the same time if the roads were bad like up North, it might be too much.

I had to go straight back to work, but there was a roundabout that I had a go at. The car didn't even feel like it leaned at all. Even as the tires reach their limit, the car doesn't experience that bobble right as the tires give. It just progresses, very smooth. I bet this lack of sensation might bother some people, who would say that it breaks away unpredictably, but in reality its more like without that little bobble you really have to pay attention, but you ultimately get rewarded for it.

Honestly, it feels like a Bavarian monster-sized go-kart with air conditioning and 4 doors. Perfect.

[McGyver]

did you change the shock on it?

h&r race does feel a world different form stock. and you'll get used to the bumpiness of the ride!

[raafhimself]

cheers and congrats! i did the whole suspension/bushings upgrade about 6 weeks ago at bavarian- what a hella difference it makes! did you end up replacing your wheels too?

[rammstein]

It already had billie sports on it, which from what I'm told is a good combo. Certainly feels awesome.

I am ordering a set of wheels for track days, hopefully today. The existing wheels will remain for cruising/balling :D

[rammstein]

Update- did my first autoX 2 weeks ago. I ended up getting the TR Motorsports 15x8s and Toyo R888s. At the AutoX, I didn't even know how to drive the car- its just way more planted than before. In particular, the front has far more bite than it used to. I am sure I left a lot of time on the table. In other words, the car now has the issue of the loose nut behind the wheel (me).

I'm doing another on Sunday, and then hopefully a DE at Homestead the week after. I will do my best to provide video evidence of my car's awesomeness and my inept driving :p