Suspension Issues

[JL7mgte]

Hi all;

I finally got around to installing my suspension after replacing my engine. I have installed Bilstein struts and B&G springs. The problem I have is that now my car feels really bouncy (especially the front end). I converted from the "Full T.E.M.S. Mod" to this setup and now I'm not happy with the way it rides. Is it possible I got a bad set of struts or is this the characteristics of Bilstein struts (I wanted a really stiff strut without going to coil-overs)? Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.

P.S.
'92 Turbo

 

[Nick M]

Stock suspension is a coil over. The factory shocks are not real stiff. They have no need to be for most drivers. The suspension will maintain tire contact patch with its SLA design. A stock like replacement shouldn't be very stiff at all.

Or yours are defective.

 

[supraguru05]

blisten struts are not that stiff however depending on the bounce you are talking about it could just be a side effect of the stiffer springs

 

[JL7mgte]

Well I was hoping that these struts (http://935motorsports.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=79_14_34_35&products_id=188) would be a better match for my springs (http://935motorsports.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=25&products_id=175) than the Tokico Ilumina II's I have been using that kept blowing out.

 

[SublimeSupra]

If you want a stiff ride get the koni adjustable with the rsr race springs the ma70 feals really good with them my friend has em and i love the ride im ording the same setup in about 2 weeks.And you can adjust the shock to your liking if its to soft/stiff

 

[topher]

I got koni yellows and b&g's sitting in my trunk

 

[JL7mgte]

I'm going to check to make sure that the struts were not put on backwards. BTW, I thought the Bilstein's were supposed to be a stiffer strut? Anyway's, like I said, I'll know more this weekend.

 

[Nick M]

If you keep blowing the damper, you could have a mismatched length.

 

[shaeff]

i'm on koni's and eibachs. the car doesn't bounce at all. but i hate my eibachs.

-shaeff

 

[johnathan1]

i'm on koni's and eibachs. the car doesn't bounce at all. but i hate my eibachs.

-shaeff

What do you dislike about them?

 

[IJ.]

Custom Koni Coilovers+Eibachs here and LOVE it!

 

[shaeff]

for my style of driving, the eibachs are not up to the task. i'm not a: "go out and cruise" type person who takes winding back roads at a moderate speed. i like the twisties, and the eibachs have too much roll for me. (though, i do need sway bars)

i'm going with a linear rate spring, more specifically, an aftermarket coilover. eibachs are great if you're looking for a better ride, i suppose.

i'd rather have the near instant reaction of the car due to a linear spring with less roll, though.

-shaeff

 

[IJ.]

Ahhh ok!

My Eibachs aren't Supra type springs they're linear 650lbs/375lbs so not a lot of roll with the solid sway bars

 

[suprageezer]

Here's what I learned the hard way. Shocks are for ride, sway bars are for handling. So if you want to go fast around corners buy sway bars and tires that can handle the extra traction your sway bars are going to command. I personally get sway bars first, then buy my shocks which when they are in need of replacement. Remember shocks control the up and down movement of your car to keep your tire tread in contact with the pavement. Sway bars keep your car parallel to the ground. Unless you’re a major track racer stiff shocks on the street can be dangerous and cause bounce then your tires lose traction at the wrong time. On the other hand stiff sway bars and controlled up and down movement of your control arms is a great combo for the street. I see ten times as many people talking about shocks and how that make your car handle as I do folks with sway bars talking about how they make your car handle. On my first suspension adventure on my 78 Fiat 124 Spyder I went with 300.00 Monroe Racing D shocks, (leaked oil after 9 months) they had no effect on my cornering except a firmer ride. I then lowered the car, yes it cornered a little better but that gave me unnatural suspension geometry, causing me headaches when I needed an alignment. I bottomed out on everything busting my front lip spoiler off. Next I bought wide tall tires, Goodyear Wingfoots, now that was a major move, they stuck like glue but I still felt like I was going to tip over from body roll. So I bought sway bars, and I can't tell you enough what a difference that made. So from then on I bought sway bars and tire’s first, and then adjusted my ride comfort with shocks once they needed to be replaced. With my Supra once my stock Tems are done I will be a replacing with a Illuminas since I can have a caddy smooth ride then with the push of a button get a firm ride to enhance the performance of my sway bars and tires.
Rick

 

[SublimeSupra]

Those are some nice and shiny konis IJ :love:

 

[IJ.]

Geez: As with EVERYTHING on our cars the suspension is a system and has to be treated as such or you end up with an unbalanced mess!

When I first started on my car way back in the late 90's there were no aftermarket bars here so I ended up sending a pair to one of the suspension manufacturers here in Australia and had them make me a pair.

Up to that point (Koni's and Lowered Springs) the handling was hideous and had more roll then that Titanic!

Sub: Thanks, not cheap but have made a HUGE difference!