Bilstein B8

[classicswede]

The factory springs are very soft and very long and have a LOT of pre load.

The typical 40mm lowering springs have a much shorter free length but are a fair bit stiffer. At standing ride height the springs are not compressed much, a shorter damper is likely to extend with a bang going over bumps etc

[MiniNinjaRob]

If I was fitting B8's I'd lower a lot more than 40mm. 40mm is only going to make it look like it isn't on stilts - if I was you I'd go 60 or 80mm

[360beast]

I have asked PFV and they say the lesjofores 40mm springs are okay for us with standard and shortened dampers.

If I were to lower 60/80mm wouldn't it rub the arches on full lock/cornering?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 360beast

I have asked PFV and they say the lesjofores 40mm springs are okay for us with standard and shortened dampers.

If I were to lower 60/80mm wouldn't it rub the arches on full lock/cornering?

Can't say for sure Luke as a lot of people have lowered their cars that much without problems, i know when i first got my current 760 and it was on Nivos, because both they and the springs were weak, normal ride height was about 35mm lower than normal. If it had been sat for anything more than about 5 minutes, the back was even lower and i took out the back of my exhaust on a speed hump shortly after pulling away after doing some shopping.

As a general observation, i've seen a lot of ads selling -60mm or lower springs as they were reverting to -40mm, from that i'd suggest that -40mm would be the way to go.

Might be worth also looking at this thread, particularly the bits about shimming the prop centre bearing and the video of how the back axle reacts on the road :

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...72#post2505372

Also the suggestion in that thread of renewing the torque rod bushes is quite a good idea!

[360beast]

Very informative thread and video Dave, right then... bilstein B6, 40mm springs and diff arm (whatever it is called) polybushes it is.

I'm not interested in "lows" as I'm not a scenester... anymore, I want a decent handling 940 is all.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 360beast

Very informative thread and video Dave, right then... bilstein B6, 40mm springs and diff arm (whatever it is called) polybushes it is.

I'm not interested in "lows" as I'm not a scenester... anymore, I want a decent handling 940 is all.

Sounds like a good choice Luke!

When i was just a young pup, i had a Mk1 Cavalier 2000GLS Coupe - the Vauxhall version of the Opel Manta S/R "B" (the GT/E was the Manta "C" and came a few years later) and i lowered the back end of that using Grayston Coil Spring Clamps. Dropped about 25-30mm off the normal ride height but gained a very different and improved handling car. Didn't lose much in the way of ride comfort either because it was the centre coils i clamped, the hardest of the coils in the springs of those.
Since then i've not really had any lowered cars (except factory lowered versions) and these days, being a bit longer in the tooth, i prefer comfort to a harsh ride. I tend to go for thicker ARBs instead of lowering/uprating the springs.
This keeps the ride comfort but improves body roll and weight transfer - perfect for a grumpy old fart to scare the bejesus out of boy racers in their Saxos and similar!