DET17
Reformed SAABaholic
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2009
- Location
- NW Georgia
Time for some testimony.
For the previous 10 years, I've run several lowering spring systems on my 940 sedan. The first rendition was IPD blue "sport springs" matched with Bils HD; this arrangement gave the car a sporty stance for sure, but underwhelmed on handling and suspension manners. The second rendition was B&G Progressive lowering springs matched with KONI Sports. This setup slightly outperformed the original in lateral handling but was worse mannered when encountering road disturbances.
The best, is definitely the last:
After resisting for nearly 10 years, I finally upgraded to coilovers from Kaplhenke Racing, with "old man" rates of 250F / 175R lb/in. My KONI Sports were retained and the rebound both front and rear have been set to the minimum. I did a fair bit of research on TB and elsewhere, and the 7/9 series KONI Sport fronts need spring rates in the range of 250 to 325 lb/in to be properly "tuned".
With an hour long test drive yesterday, WOW am I impressed!. Every road disturbance is met with a once & done response from the suspension..... just as the factory Engineers designed the system. I never realized just how poorly those lowering springs worked with the dampers that I chose, but I sure do now.
An eye opener for me a couple years back, was when I restored my 92 745T wagon to factory wagon springs and mated with the BILS HD which were already on the car, the difference from the previous lowering springs (removed) was amazing. That old wagon was the best mannered 7/9 series I had ever driven. To me, this was validation that the BILS HD were specifically designed to be mated with factory springs. They nailed it.
This testament is probably a yawner for the suspension sages on TB...... but I'm intending it for newbies who are considering suspension work and who are attempting to improve handling while NOT destroying road manners for traveling over disturbances.
Save your nickels, save your dimes, until you can afford a proper coilover arrangement. Then do your research to ensure the spring rates are a match to the dampers that you will run. The assembly of springs & dampers is a engineered SYSTEM........ not something to be haphazardly thrown together for the "stance".
There, I feel better now
For the previous 10 years, I've run several lowering spring systems on my 940 sedan. The first rendition was IPD blue "sport springs" matched with Bils HD; this arrangement gave the car a sporty stance for sure, but underwhelmed on handling and suspension manners. The second rendition was B&G Progressive lowering springs matched with KONI Sports. This setup slightly outperformed the original in lateral handling but was worse mannered when encountering road disturbances.
The best, is definitely the last:
After resisting for nearly 10 years, I finally upgraded to coilovers from Kaplhenke Racing, with "old man" rates of 250F / 175R lb/in. My KONI Sports were retained and the rebound both front and rear have been set to the minimum. I did a fair bit of research on TB and elsewhere, and the 7/9 series KONI Sport fronts need spring rates in the range of 250 to 325 lb/in to be properly "tuned".
With an hour long test drive yesterday, WOW am I impressed!. Every road disturbance is met with a once & done response from the suspension..... just as the factory Engineers designed the system. I never realized just how poorly those lowering springs worked with the dampers that I chose, but I sure do now.
An eye opener for me a couple years back, was when I restored my 92 745T wagon to factory wagon springs and mated with the BILS HD which were already on the car, the difference from the previous lowering springs (removed) was amazing. That old wagon was the best mannered 7/9 series I had ever driven. To me, this was validation that the BILS HD were specifically designed to be mated with factory springs. They nailed it.
This testament is probably a yawner for the suspension sages on TB...... but I'm intending it for newbies who are considering suspension work and who are attempting to improve handling while NOT destroying road manners for traveling over disturbances.
Save your nickels, save your dimes, until you can afford a proper coilover arrangement. Then do your research to ensure the spring rates are a match to the dampers that you will run. The assembly of springs & dampers is a engineered SYSTEM........ not something to be haphazardly thrown together for the "stance".
There, I feel better now