Recommend me some better suspension

-bobda- · Mar 8th, 2007, 11:26

Hello chaps, long time no see.

I have a jaunt to the Nurburg planned for the end of June and I'm currently quite happy with the performance of the S40. It's been running really well since the turbo blew up and I had it and the EGR valve replaced. Especially since I freed up one of the rear pistons which was sticking and put my BMC panel filter back in!

I still find the handling a little bit ambiguous though. It can be rather crashy at times and a little bit wallowy, so I'm seriously thinking of making a few modifications before I go.

Number 1 on the list (because it's the easiest and cheapest option) is a front upper strutbrace. Hopefully this will reduce the crashyness and will stiffen it up a bit.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to the type? Do Volvo do an official one as my dad's S60 D5 has a Volvo one as standard?

Secondary to the strutbrace is suspension. I've been looking around and gathering recommendations and a friend of mine has an FK kit fitted to his Alfa which he says is great, not too stiff and good response. They're very reasonably priced as well at about £300ish for a 35mm front, 40mm rear drop as well as stiffening.
Again, any reommendations as to alternatives?

35mm front drop isn't much to go down on standard as (AFAIK) mine is already 20mm lower due to the Sport kit. I could be wrong, but I'm sure I read that somewhere!

Big T · Mar 8th, 2007, 14:58

I have PI springs fitted, 50mm drop on the front and 25mm on the back along with a Sparco strut brace, I did the Nurburgring last year and on only my 5th lap i managed 9.54. I was also only running standard power for th 2.0t (165bhp) with just exhaust and induction done. Now I have MBC at 14psi and over 200bhp I reckon I would get another 30secs off!!!

The car handled superb and I had next to no understeer, i was very impressed!!!

The springs cost me around £110 and the strutbrace £65!!

catflem · Mar 8th, 2007, 22:03

You'll probably shave a few more seconds off by getting shot of your passenger :-).

Cheers

-bobda- · Mar 9th, 2007, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big T

I have PI springs fitted, 50mm drop on the front and 25mm on the back along with a Sparco strut brace, I did the Nurburgring last year and on only my 5th lap i managed 9.54. I was also only running standard power for th 2.0t (165bhp) with just exhaust and induction done. Now I have MBC at 14psi and over 200bhp I reckon I would get another 30secs off!!!

The car handled superb and I had next to no understeer, i was very impressed!!!

The springs cost me around £110 and the strutbrace £65!!

Cheers - I like your pics, looks good on the big wheels.

Do you know if all the S40 strutbraces are the same size and fitment? Where did you get yours from?

Big T · Mar 9th, 2007, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by catflem

You'll probably shave a few more seconds off by getting shot of your passenger :-).

Cheers

Probably right, he is over 17 stone!!!!! lol

Big T · Mar 9th, 2007, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by -bobda-

Cheers - I like your pics, looks good on the big wheels.

Do you know if all the S40 strutbraces are the same size and fitment? Where did you get yours from?

The vids of the flames I was throwing out the back are cool as well!!!!

Got stutbrace from here!!! http://www.strutbracer.co.uk/

-bobda- · Mar 12th, 2007, 10:37

Flames are always good!

Spoken to Strutbracer and they don't have one listed for my car, nor do they have one listed for a 2003 T4.

-bobda- · Mar 14th, 2007, 18:07

Strutbracer are about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

In the mean time, I've gone out and bought a 2003 T4. Should be picking it up on Saturday.
Still on the hunt for a strutbrace, so far the only ones I have seen are the official Volvo ones, which are £165 from PFV.

FIREBOLT · Mar 14th, 2007, 20:49

I got my Sparco strut brace from Demon Tweeks for £70, fits well & really improved the handling! They also do an OMP strut brace that is cheaper but is poor quality.
They also sell Whiteline rear anti roll bars, Ive got the adjustable one (£100) with new doplinks & there is a non adj for £80 that uses the standard droplinks. I think mine is great & get virtually no body roll at all! I personally would save the £20 and get the non adj one as I've never adjusted mine from the middle hole. Hope this helps.
I also have FK -60/40mm springs/shocks & they perform really well, I just wish they did a kit that went lower

-bobda- · Mar 15th, 2007, 10:09

Have you got any side profile pictures of your car so I can see the ride height, Firebolt?

Mar 8th, 2007, 11:26	#1
-bobda- Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2007 14:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leeds	Recommend me some better suspension Hello chaps, long time no see. I have a jaunt to the Nurburg planned for the end of June and I'm currently quite happy with the performance of the S40. It's been running really well since the turbo blew up and I had it and the EGR valve replaced. Especially since I freed up one of the rear pistons which was sticking and put my BMC panel filter back in! I still find the handling a little bit ambiguous though. It can be rather crashy at times and a little bit wallowy, so I'm seriously thinking of making a few modifications before I go. Number 1 on the list (because it's the easiest and cheapest option) is a front upper strutbrace. Hopefully this will reduce the crashyness and will stiffen it up a bit. Does anyone have any recommendations as to the type? Do Volvo do an official one as my dad's S60 D5 has a Volvo one as standard? Secondary to the strutbrace is suspension. I've been looking around and gathering recommendations and a friend of mine has an FK kit fitted to his Alfa which he says is great, not too stiff and good response. They're very reasonably priced as well at about £300ish for a 35mm front, 40mm rear drop as well as stiffening. Again, any reommendations as to alternatives? 35mm front drop isn't much to go down on standard as (AFAIK) mine is already 20mm lower due to the Sport kit. I could be wrong, but I'm sure I read that somewhere! __________________ Andy. --- 2003 S40 T4 Sport Lux.

Mar 12th, 2007, 10:37	#7
-bobda- Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2007 14:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leeds	Flames are always good! Spoken to Strutbracer and they don't have one listed for my car, nor do they have one listed for a 2003 T4. __________________ Andy. --- 2003 S40 T4 Sport Lux.

Mar 14th, 2007, 18:07	#8
-bobda- Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2007 14:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leeds	Strutbracer are about as much use as a chocolate teapot. In the mean time, I've gone out and bought a 2003 T4. Should be picking it up on Saturday. Still on the hunt for a strutbrace, so far the only ones I have seen are the official Volvo ones, which are £165 from PFV. __________________ Andy. --- 2003 S40 T4 Sport Lux.

Mar 15th, 2007, 10:09	#10
-bobda- Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2007 14:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Leeds	Have you got any side profile pictures of your car so I can see the ride height, Firebolt? __________________ Andy. --- 2003 S40 T4 Sport Lux.

Mar 8th, 2007, 14:58	#2
Big T Jimmy's Mate! Last Online: Oct 16th, 2010 20:49 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dunstable View Photos By: Big T	I have PI springs fitted, 50mm drop on the front and 25mm on the back along with a Sparco strut brace, I did the Nurburgring last year and on only my 5th lap i managed 9.54. I was also only running standard power for th 2.0t (165bhp) with just exhaust and induction done. Now I have MBC at 14psi and over 200bhp I reckon I would get another 30secs off!!! The car handled superb and I had next to no understeer, i was very impressed!!! The springs cost me around £110 and the strutbrace £65!!

Mar 8th, 2007, 22:03	#3
catflem Master Member Last Online: Oct 20th, 2023 12:15 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Expat in NW France	You'll probably shave a few more seconds off by getting shot of your passenger :-). Cheers

Mar 14th, 2007, 20:49	#9
FIREBOLT Master Member Last Online: Oct 3rd, 2022 09:05 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Island	I got my Sparco strut brace from Demon Tweeks for £70, fits well & really improved the handling! They also do an OMP strut brace that is cheaper but is poor quality. They also sell Whiteline rear anti roll bars, Ive got the adjustable one (£100) with new doplinks & there is a non adj for £80 that uses the standard droplinks. I think mine is great & get virtually no body roll at all! I personally would save the £20 and get the non adj one as I've never adjusted mine from the middle hole. Hope this helps. I also have FK -60/40mm springs/shocks & they perform really well, I just wish they did a kit that went lower

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