Help on Clubman suspension, now all fixed!!

[tbro]

After driving Richards (MX5PLUS) Bilstein equipped NA on Saturday the time has come to do something with my suspension.
Where my car thumps across rough roads, Richards glides across the same roads.
So I've done some research and decided to do the following:
Rebuild the Bilsteins, re-valving to a softer valving at lower speeds and increasing rebound.
Fitting adjustable spring perches.
Fitting good quality springs eg; Eibachs.
I've rung some suspension companies for quotes and suggestions and now waiting for replies.
What I now need to find out is I remember reading somewhere about some one in Brissy having their Bilsteins done , but I can't seem to find where I read about it.
Have my suspicions it may have been on the club site, but is no longer there.
AJ or JBT help please.
Terry

[AJ]

try Fulcrum Suspension Terry, they're a Club sponsor & very well respected, you'll find their ad on the club website & it's probably what you were thinking of.

cheers,
Clive

[rich85]

i find having my teins quite low and the damper quite hard is a pretty rough ride so i will be getting an edfc installed so i can adjust the damping force to soft while cruising to soften up the ride a bit - just an option you might want to consider

[NMX516]

MrStarlet had some rebuilt at, I think, Fulcrum. Would be worth PM'ing him Terry.

[Tezzax5]

Wayne down the Goldcoast was the man in question...

Last time i spoke to him he still had not decided what way to go regarding his clubbie...?

[Ted]

I had the Bilsteins on the 10AE revalved and body shortened. Also had the spring perch moved so that I could still use the Eibach springs without lowering the car as much. Definitely worthwhile for what was done, but if I were to do it again I would probably spend more on the Teins for the street. The Bilsteins are a decent unit being a 36mm monotube and so handles heat well, but the lack of adjustability means some compromise (and adjustment here being more than just rebound/bump adjustment but height and range of springs). It went to 30% stiffer on bump and 100% stiffer on rebound (fast bump only, slow was pretty much left alone), and 10% bump/50% rebound stiffer at the rears. The shorter body was to accommodate the shorter springs and maintaining travel.

The biggest problem with the OE setup was the reliance of the bumpstop as part of its suspension.

[tbro]

Thanks Ted,

Thats the info I was after.
I remember reading about your car, I think in the club mag?? but the link has been removed.
Richards car has 6kg front springs and 3kg springs rear.
I will probably run 5 & 4.
The reason behind adjustable perchs is that I don't want to lower the car more than 10mm f & r over the std clubby height
Terry

[Fatty]

The biggest problem with the OE setup was the reliance of the bumpstop as part of its suspension.

fatcat motorsport bumpstops are said to be a good thing on the clubman bilsteins.

[tbro]

Well, finally recieved my quotes, and boy talk about big price difference.

The first quote I recieved was so much dearer than I expected it wasn't funny. The quote was for the rebiuld and revalving of Bilsteins, fitting of adjustable perch $200 plus fitting, springs that are specials to fit over perchs, machining of top plates because of special springs plus labor. When I asked why special springs was told that I needed 65mm dia spring seats and that only King springs do them?? Now i didn't ask for springs as I've been offered different quality springs at very good prices by other people. So ok how much? remembering that I'm the only person who will be doing the labor on my car!!$1700 thank you very much!!!

Ok, next quote. This time the man doing the work is the man I spoke to.
Same thing about Billys, rebiuld and revalve. you tell me what you want, we test the shocks on the machine and then revalve to what you want to achieve. Adjustable perchs no probs,$150 fitted, but when I explained why I wanted them he suggested that he machines circlip grooves every 10mm and I can reset the billy perchs to what i want, bit fiddly but once set won't ever have to readjust, as i only wanted to drop car down 10 mm lower. So ok how much, and how long to do it. Big job take at least 2 days and cost $600 or $700 with adj perchs.

Bloody big difference, so rang back first quote and asked for break down of prices, seems springs are $500, shocks $525+ labor to revalve???machining, perchs and reassemble.

Needless to say no2 will get the job.
Best part though was when I told him it had billys from factory he said \" oh its a clubman\" , apprentally he did them for some dealers when new because cust complained of rough ride. No1 man asked me after looking at the car \"is that a NB??' DOH!!
Terry

[Ted]

Terry, by going with the adjustable collars, it will certainly cost you more but you get the option of a large range of small ID springs (typically 65 or 70mm, and in 10lb increments if you can get them to make up \"soft\" springs in the free length you need). I have the adjustable collars on Konis for the Charade, and for a crude setup they are fine.

On the second quote, you are bound (bad pun) to springs which are designed for MX5s pretty much. Going this way (which is the way I did, with Eibachs as it got closest to the rates I was after), then a full length shock will rob you of a bit of travel or control. So you have to shorten the body of the shock to suit. Lots of guess work.

Honestly, unless you need a monotube or its not for street work, I would really consider getting the Teins. Given the time again, that is the way I would go. I was stupidly trying to make all my mods unseen to the general punter

[tbro]

Just an update on whats happening.

Found this site [url]fatcatmotorsports.com[/url] and found most of what I was after on their website. Emailed them Friday night and bugger me Sat arvo had an email back from their CEO Shaikh.

Fatcat specialise in Miatas and Bilstein shocks so was the obvious place for advice. Their email was very informative, gave advise and the quotes I asked for. Bloody terrific service, not what I've come to expect from US sellers.
So parts will be ordered this week, coilovers adjustable perches for Bilsteins, bump stops and boots etc. Espelir springs are sitting in the garage and will all be fitted after I do the next track day. Like all of us on this forum I do one thing at a time and see what difference each mod makes to the car. So the shocks will wait to see if they do need revalving.

Will keep you informed.

Terry

[tbro]

Hi all,

Today my parts finally arrived from Fatcatmotorsports.



To be fitted with these!!



So guess what I'll be doing for the next few nights?????

It will be interesting as to the difference these mods will make.

Terry

[Tezzax5]

..

[Matty]

I was stupidly trying to make all my mods unseen to the general punter

you mean "I was cheating"?

[Adam_NAclubman]

I've been in Ted's Charade with the coilover conversion kit that Fulcrum fitted, works nicely, so as long as you start with good dampers it should be all good