[trukk]

HELLO EVERYONE!


It's been more than a while since I've posted. Still have the V1. Still runs super strong, but needs some new shocks.

I just had all my brake lines fixed, and now its time to refresh the shocks on the old girl.

I had FG2's for about 100k miles, and they were great, but around that time, I went to Eibach's for lowering, and swapped over to some Sach's T2's (old spec shocks for when the CTS-V competed in SCCA T2; unfortunately not made any longer). The Sachs were basically OEM's that were stiffer than FG2's and we not nivomats, so no rear end jack up issues when lowered.

The T2's are now shot, and they need to be replaced.

What are the options these days? I'd prefer to stick with the Eibach's, and just replace the actual shocks. I know back in the day, QA1s were an option. I couldn't really find those anymore , when I looked (perhaps the part number changed?)


Any recommendations? I really don't want to go nuts here, as this car no longer sees the track, but I do want something stiff for spirited country roads. Are there quasi performance options in the $1k range?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[trukk]

I found these. Zero clue:

https://www.carid.com/ksport/kontro...cca010-kp.html?singleid=479289554&url=6469993

Not sure I want to spend 2k on the Belltech's ffor street use:
https://www.jegs.com/i/Belltech/146/21060/10002/-1


EDIT: found these as well, but they look a bit sketch:
https://propartsusa.com/products/Me...MIwYqiuOC24AIVg__jBx3qjwx9EAQYAyABEgINj_D_BwE


-Chris

 

[trukk]

Anyone?

Are we that limited with options, and people to provide feedback at this point in the V-1 lifecycle?


-Chris

 

[darkman]

Anze Suspension (dot com) can probably provide an option for the right price.

 

[odla]

qa1 are not offered anymore. I just hand mine rebuilt about a year ago. I think most go to a cheap coil over route.

 

[Billfrombyron]

I found these. Zero clue:

https://www.carid.com/ksport/kontro...cca010-kp.html?singleid=479289554&url=6469993

Not sure I want to spend 2k on the Belltech's ffor street use:
https://www.jegs.com/i/Belltech/146/21060/10002/-1


EDIT: found these as well, but they look a bit sketch:
https://propartsusa.com/products/Me...MIwYqiuOC24AIVg__jBx3qjwx9EAQYAyABEgINj_D_BwE


-Chris

Belltech and KW are exactly the same.

I really enjoy mine, I did 12k front springs and 15k rears and it's awesome. Not too stiff for long distance and when you want to play, control for days.

Lots of good feedback from the Megan coils for DD guys. Jan at excess horsepower is currently the best price I've seen for either the beltech or the Megan.

I've had the kws now for almost 3 years, and Darkman is the guy who sold me on them. You do get what you pay for with coils.

But either choice, upgrade the springs and bushings.

-Byron

 

[trukk]

Well, I just got around to ordering the Belltech from Jegs as a winter project. After waiting 2 weeks, I just received confirmation through Jegs from the manufacturer that they no longer make that kit, and no replacement. SOOO.....

Any other options anyone can recommend, aside from going full custom (like Anze or LG ?). I'm not sure I want to spend half of my car's value on a new coil-over kit.

Are the KSports even and option, or are they crap?

-Chris

 

[trukk]

Well, I went ahead and ordered the KSports. I'll update ya'll on the progress.

-Chris

 

[trukk]

Shocks received. Plan to get them on over the next few weeks. I also have a few other things to do as well:

• CS motor and tranny mounts. I went through at least 4 sets of UUC mounts, and the just aren't up for my level of moddage (and engine shake).
• ARP Header Studs and new header gaskets. Having studs just makes changing the mounts so much easier (can hang the headers on the studs). I should have done this years ago.

-Chris

 

[odla]

let us know how you like them.

 

[AAIIIC]

ARP Header Studs and new header gaskets. Having studs just makes changing the mounts so much easier (can hang the headers on the studs). I should have done this years ago.

With both the Kooks that I used to have, and the JBA shorties that I have now, I've found that the studs wouldn't allow me to get the headers into position. The headers would contact the frame rail before the flange clears the forward-most stud. I think the driver side is worse, passenger side may have been OK.

 

[trukk]

With both the Kooks that I used to have, and the JBA shorties that I have now, I've found that the studs wouldn't allow me to get the headers into position. The headers would contact the frame rail before the flange clears the forward-most stud. I think the driver side is worse, passenger side may have been OK.

I'll let you guys know how it goes. I've never really had issues with the Kooks flanges leaking, so it's more of a convenience thing. It wont be a huge deal if I can get every stud to fit, as long as I can get at least 2 on each side.

 

[Billfrombyron]

Odd. Both my chinasetters and my kooks stab right on there with the arp studs.

Maybe just a odd angle? Mine were done on a lift both times, so that may factor in.

-Byron

 

[trukk]

Odd. Both my chinasetters and my kooks stab right on there with the arp studs.

Maybe just a odd angle? Mine were done on a lift both times, so that may factor in.

-Byron

Could be due to aftermarket engine mounts sitting a bit lower? Just spitballing here. Again, I haven't taken a look yet.

-Chris

 

[trukk]

Shocks received. Plan to get them on over the next few weeks. I also have a few other things to do as well:

• CS motor and tranny mounts. I went through at least 4 sets of UUC mounts, and the just aren't up for my level of moddage (and engine shake).
• ARP Header Studs and new header gaskets. Having studs just makes changing the mounts so much easier (can hang the headers on the studs). I should have done this years ago.

-Chris

So finally got the Shocks on (K-Sports), and then set them to "HARD". Not impressed at all. This package is way under-sprung, and the damping can't keep up. It's not "rip them out and throw them in the trash", but it's not great. The height adjustment is nice, I have them at about 1.3" drop, which is just about perfect (just a tad higher than Eibachs). I no longer drag over everything, like the with the Eibachs. These would never do on the track, and i'm not really comfortable with them canyon carving.

Ohh, well. Back to the drawing board. Anyone have any other ideas for replacement shocks/springs, other than going full custom?

-Chris

 

[AAIIIC]

So finally got the Shocks on (K-Sports), and then set them to "HARD". Not impressed at all. This package is way under-sprung, and the damping can't keep up.

Undersprung and underdamped at the same time? That doesn't sound good. I'm surprised to hear they're undersprung, I thought all of those setups (BC, KSport, Megan) used high spring rates.

Ohh, well. Back to the drawing board. Anyone have any other ideas for replacement shocks/springs, other than going full custom?

I just called Belltech / KW North America customer service because the webpage for the Belltech 21060 says to call for availability. According to the guy I spoke to, they are still available, but would take 4-6 weeks to come from Germany. Edit: And their website shows them marked down almost $500, so that's nice. The price isn't as good as some folks were apparently able to get on Ebay a number of years back, but I think it's lower than what I paid.

 

[trukk]

Undersprung and underdamped at the same time? That doesn't sound good. I'm surprised to hear they're undersprung, I thought all of those setups (BC, KSport, Megan) used high spring rates.


I just called Belltech / KW North America customer service because the webpage for the Belltech 21060 says to call for availability. According to the guy I spoke to, they are still available, but would take 4-6 weeks to come from Germany. Edit: And their website shows them marked down almost $500, so that's nice. The price isn't as good as some folks were apparently able to get on Ebay a number of years back, but I think it's lower than what I paid.

I tried to buy Belltech last year, and they said "we just need to get them from Germany" a bunch of weeks later, Germany said "ah ya dog, nein".

 

[Billfrombyron]

Undersprung and underdamped at the same time? That doesn't sound good. I'm surprised to hear they're undersprung, I thought all of those setups (BC, KSport, Megan) used high spring rates.


I just called Belltech / KW North America customer service because the webpage for the Belltech 21060 says to call for availability. According to the guy I spoke to, they are still available, but would take 4-6 weeks to come from Germany. Edit: And their website shows them marked down almost $500, so that's nice. The price isn't as good as some folks were apparently able to get on Ebay a number of years back, but I think it's lower than what I paid.

I really recommend stepping up the spring rate on those KWs (belltech is KW Var 3)

I'm running 12k up front and 15k rears and it's awesome. If you only choose to upgrade one set, choose the rear. I drove it that way for quite a long time and it's not ideal, but was a huge improvement.

Stick to the KW recommended settings at first. Especially with the upgraded springs.

I'll be happy to link you to the recommended spring rates and part numbers that I use, straight from KW technical department.

They are truly wonderful when dialed in.

-Byron