Upgrading suspension (already searched!)

[Mr_Slim]

Before you all say anything, i've already used the search!

I just bought a VP Calais, which feels very light and rolly, compared to my VN S-Pac. This i have put down to not having Fe2, and just having standard suspsension crap. i want a stiff, and most importantly, safe ride. Having it lowered is nice, but mainly i just want road hugging suspension for all occasions.

Now after searching i've come to the following conclusion

King Springs Super Lows
Monroe GT Gas Shocks

Also it looks as though if i get the super-lows, i need shortened shocks, but if i just go with the standard lows (1.5inch) then i dont.

SuperCheap said if i go the standard low i can buy their brand of Shock (Gabriel) and it should work as well as the Monroe. I doubt that, but if someone can suggest otherwise?

Also, is there an advantage to having it 0.5inch lower to the ground (lows vs. super lows) - because this would cost me an extra couple hundred, which i'd prefer to save. But in saying that, you can't put a price on safety

And finally, would buying a new strut make a difference? Or is pretty much all of the difference made up in the springs and shocks? By the way, the Calais came with IRS


Thanks heaps for your help guys

[jack.mc]

have a look at the link in my sig, we're trying to organise a big buy...

[str8up]

I like my cars dumped to the ground, but to keep it level i would suggest superlows up front and ultralows in the rear. Shrot shocks are recommended in the rear as they prevent your springs comming out if you get a bit of air.

If you want handling get good shocks and struts, honestly i think they make all the difference. If you can afford it get adjustables, if not monroe gts gas are alright.

Hope that helps.

[Mr_Slim]

Any particular reason to have lower springs in the back? i've seen that is the trend, but what is the actual reason for doing so?

And i had a feeling upgrading the strut would make a difference. Is there a difference between the standard strut and say the FE2 one? Where could I pick up an upgraded strut?

[str8up]

The reason to have lower springs in the back is because they design the spring height so that when the car is loaded up with people in the back it sits level with the front.

I'm not sure about FE2 never had anything to do with it, i can recommed pedders and koni, they're good shocks!

[SlowVac]

Fe2 strut are no different to the normal strut. The only difference that I have seen is the the fe2 strut has v8 brakes setup while the normal one has the standard brake setup.

From experience I have kingspring low and koni yellow and that is the best thing I've invested on the car.
The ride has completely changed (monroe sensatrac) in which I found a bit soft.
GT gas has a firmer ride but I found a bit bouncy. Another shock you could look at are KYB or Bilstein (simular price as koni)

I would say shop around and tell specifically what you want and eventually they would temp you with a deal.

[mouce]

If you've got a tight budget, I'd go with King Springs and the Monroe shocks. But if you have a bit more cash to throw at it, check out some of the Whiteline kits, they do shocks/struts, springs, pan hard rod, and a whole stack of other stuff. Makes the car a hell of a lot firmer.

Also, and at the risk of sounding a little rice, a strut tower bar in the front really helps the VN. There's a surprising amount of front end flex in them.