KONI with matching H&R springs or COILOVERS??

[vr6monkey 1]

All,

 

This is my first Corrado :D , and my first post on the forum so please bare with me.

 

I have an untouched VR6 in good order (73000 miles and RECARO leather) and want to do some subtle OEM+ work on it. My first idea is to sort the suspension out. My options are either

 

1. KONI TA with matching H&R springs

 

2. A set of Coilovers, probably something like FK KONIGSPORTS.

 

The car is never going to be thrashed on a track, and I really want to keep it reasonably comfortable. Any suggestions or advice?

 

ALSO I have a set of 16" BBS split rims from the Mk3 Anni to put on the car, but the ET is 43!!! Is this going to cause me problems and if so what is the best solution?

 

Other work I am looking at is

 

Either a cat back Supersprint or Milltek exhaust system. Not sure which one though, as I want the more discreet of the two. Any suggestions?

 

I'm also looking at poly bushes and engine mounts in my first spend.

 

My budget this time around is about £2000.

 

Any advice or guidance is appreciated.

[KADVR6 0]

hi mate, i have T/A konis with kw springs, and all i can say is superb :D also look at PI springs as they are cheaper than the H&R springs, but have a very very good reputation on the vr's, the wheels will be no problem, just put them on, and dont worry.

 

as for the exhaust look at the jetex also, look O.E, very quiet but give good power gains, but match it up to a BMC cold air induction system for the full benefits,

 

any pics of the new purchase mate???

 

karl

[chazrad 0]

Your post makes it sound as though you have either done your homework or that youa re a discerning owner, which is excellent. Either way, you are suggesting some quality kit. My thoughts:

 

If you can afford it, I would always go coilovers. It seems your budget will stretch to a decent set. Manufacturers, after extensive testing, have matched springs and dampers to give the optimum balance between comfort and ride height. Also, a decent set of coilovers will allow you to adjust that ride height to your requirements. I have recently been in a very well set up C with KW coilovers and I have to say it rode so much better even though it was lower than mine, which only has the Koni TA / Eibach spring combo. Might I suggest you consider Koni coilovers or KW Coilovers. Owners of FK equipped cars on here have given some mixed reviews of FKs. Suffice it to say, coilovers will be my next purchase.

 

As Karl says, the wheels will be fine. They should look great once the ride height is sorted.

 

Re exhausts, Magnex will be louder than the others. Supersprint is not made of stainless steel, like the others, but is a quality item and is not too loud, I believe. The Jetex is also a good system, and sounds nice, but not too loud. I believe all of them are a good fit on the car. Despite having one, I would recommend not going for Milltek as they are loud like Magnex and also not a great fit.

 

HTH

Charlie

[vr6monkey 1]

Karl / Charlie

 

Thanks both for the advice so far.

 

Coilovers.... hmmm... I can afford them, but not sure whether i need them as i want to keep the car looking reasonably stock and not mega low. As for the H&R springs, I'd rather pay extra for the quality so long as they are worth it? Any more suggestions?

 

I think the Corrado is one of the best looking cars ever :D . Almost perfect in stock form, SO nothing wrong with the 'slammed' on the floor look, but that is not what i want for my Corrado. A matter of opinion i suppose, and this is the reason i not sure I need coilovers. (ALSO horror stories of the adjustability on coilovers seizing up tends to put me off???)

 

Same detail for overly large alloys on cars as old as Corrados. I hoping the 16 inch split rims will look just right? P.S. Does £300 for a full re-furb sound expensive? If so any recommendations?

 

Milltek - loud you say... hmmm... now i am confused as i went to a well known VW specialist garage over the weekend and they suggested it wasn't offensive at all. I am after the subtle, BUT 'you know it is a VR6 under the bonnet' exhaust note. As for induction kit, probably too noisy, so I will use a panel filter and drill a few extra holes in the standard air box.

 

Still tempted by the Supersprint, but a little concerned over its durability?? DOES ANY HAVE A SUPERSPRINT (INCL CAT BYPASS) FITTED AND IF SO

 

Learning quickly, but any advice is appreciated before i shell out the cash.

 

Cheers, James

 

P.S. i hope to get some photos on the forum over the weekend.

[corozin 0]

Coilovers.... hmmm... I can afford them, but not sure whether i need them as i want to keep the car looking reasonably stock and not mega low. As for the H&R springs, I'd rather pay extra for the quality so long as they are worth it? Any more suggestions?

 

You don't have to buy coilovers just because you want the car to run "mega low". They work much better than stock suspension at normal heights as well. This is partly because they have dual rate springs (try and avoid the kits with a separate "helper" spring on top) and also because the dampers are adjustable. The main point is that although you may want to run the car at standard height, you do have the option of adjusting the height a bit if you want so that you can get the car to sit absolutely perfectly the way you want it to look, and with a bit of damper adjustment you can dial the suspension response to suit as well.

 

I think the Corrado is one of the best looking cars ever :D . Almost perfect in stock form, SO nothing wrong with the 'slammed' on the floor look, but that is not what i want for my Corrado. A matter of opinion i suppose, and this is the reason i not sure I need coilovers. (ALSO horror stories of the adjustability on coilovers seizing up tends to put me off???)

 

Again you may be right- you may not actually need coilovers given what you've said but you will find the handling will be better than if you just go for lowered springs. Coilovers are expensive, but that's because they're really good. Don't worry about the scare stories of seizing threads, that hasn't been my experience at all.

 

HTH,

John

[KADVR6 0]

i have a vibratechnic front engine mount for sale mate, £70 inc postage, have a look in the parts for sale.

[Goldie 2]

300 quid for a refurb will definitely be sufficient, id be expecting some change although im really in the know about splits..

 

I have the KWs on mine and they are excellent, it does sit quite low, but not decked, and rides comfortably but firm and handles brilliantly, id definitely recommend them..

 

Ive always been led to believe that supersprint are excellent systems and in the not too distant may go for one myself, i have however listened to KIPVWs Magnex and is lovely and carries a longer warranty period than the supersprint system, both weigh in at about the £350 mark..

[double-6s 0]

Personally if you don't want to go too low, track it, etc then I would get very good quality shocks and springs. I have coilies, but in your situation I would definately get traditional dampers and springs. Can't see the point in getting coilies really.

[vr6monkey 1]

Once again, many thanks for the advice so far.

 

I took a drive today to see a well known VW tuner, (very helpful) and he agreed coilovers are great, but more than i need unless i decide to go lower than approx 35mm at a later stage. So that is the route I am going to take, just a matter of deciding on what brand spring and dampner.

 

He suggested Wetic Ultra GT spring / damper kit, but I don't really know too much about them apart from they are NOT adjustable dampners like the KONIs, however he said not to worry about that as they come perfectly dialled in already. He also questioned the quality of KONI for the price since the started manufacturing their kit out in China???

 

So does anyone have any experience of WEITEC or should I stick with the KONI and H&R set up?

 

Regards James

 

P.S. I've had my C now for about 2 months (and have been grinning from ear to ear throughout! :D !). It is simply an incredible motor, and I find it amazing that people often stop in the street to have quick look at my 12 year old car. I've had several comments, such as 'I always loved those cars when they came out' or 'I always wanted one of those', pretty indicative of what a classic it is!!!

 

I still think that VW made a mistake in pulling the plug on these all those years ago, even if financially they did not make sense!!!!! My last motor was nearly 300bhp, reasonably flash and cost 4 times as much, BUT I definitely prefer my C!!!!

 

P.S.S. Karl - I might well take you up on that? I'll have a look in the parts, then send you a PM if I'm still interested.

[Goldie 2]

On a late VR 35mm isnt going to be enough of a drop imho, mine isnt decked but has gone down quite a bit lower than that..

 

Weitec is the 'budget' setups available from KW, they have a very good reputation, my KWs dont have dampening adjusment on them but i dont need it, they are spot on as they are, firm but not crashy, bouncy or anything else unpleasent...

[A1 VR6 0]

All good advice from everyone. Thing is you should get a much better ride quality using coilovers if you only drop the car 35mm. Problem is the coilies cost more if you buy a premium brand, but if that doesn't bother you then it's the way to go.

[vr6monkey 1]

For those I met at the Stoner VW rally, thanks for the friendly welcome and all the advice.

 

Have been for a ride in Goldie's VR6 (+schrick!!!! lovely), set up with KW coilovers. I was very pleasantly suprised, not a harse ride at all, and he is running it lower than I am likely to. All I can say is that coilovers are becoming more and more likely.

 

As for my motor at the moment a couple of photos for now, but hopefully by mid august it should be looking tip-top (i hope?!?!)

 

2.8l 24v Climatronic system.pdfIMG_0903.jpg[/attachment:7283d]

 

IMG_0909.jpg[/attachment:7283d]

[_leon_ 0]

I have a supersprint full system - got 2 silencer boxes (mid and rear) - i think its still too loud - but then I do have a noisy engine to start with (g60) and tubular manifold which probably contributes to some extra noise. i really want less noise tbh.

[junkie 0]

I disagree with the comment of avoid kits with helper springs on top as thats exactly how KW are.

 

I have FK on and not too happy with them, i was at first but have grown out of them. They were fitted due to good comments heard of them and i couldnt afford the KW, wish i could have fitted them now as thats what is the plan now to get the KW variant 2.

 

You really do get what you paid for with suspension.

 

Surely drilling the airbox with a panel filter would be just as loud as a BMC induction kit?

 

16" wheels do look right on the c not too big but imo the car needs to be low enough to pull it off otherwise they look like 15's, a little lost.

[double-6s 0]

The only issue with helper springs is noise isn't it? My H&Rs have helpers and you can sometimes hear them creak or groan.

 

What other issues are there with them?

[_leon_ 0]

agree on suspension. you certainly do get what you pay for. only tried vipertech (which were terrible) and leda (think they're great).

[junkie 0]

2nd that on Leda they make them how you want them like GAZ do as well.

[vr6monkey 1]

I have a supersprint full system - got 2 silencer boxes (mid and rear) - i think its still too loud - but then I do have a noisy engine to start with (g60) and tubular manifold which probably contributes to some extra noise. i really want less noise tbh.

 

Well I've listened to a Magnex cat-back on a standard car, and it sounded lovely, not too loud, just right.

 

I also had a listen to a Milltek system (including de-cat pipe) on a supercharged VR6, sounded nice but probably a little too loud and burbly for my liking. Hard to say how much of that noise was the supercharger?? People seem to have various opinions on the Milltek, some thinking its quiet and others loud??? Then there is the quality and fitting issues that some people have mentioned???

 

Still waiting to hear an actual supersprint system, all I know is that they have the reputation for quality. Interesting that you find it loud. :?

 

Another option i suppose is to look at another OEM exhaust???? Not sure how much they cost (I'm sure they are not cheap)??? The plus point is they definitely keep the noise down and they seem to LAST forever despite being mild steel. I think mine is still the original exhaust, 12 years on!!!?!?!?!? Down side I suppose is how restrictive are those massive silencers? Has anyone bought one recently?

 

As for suspension, i'll just re-iterate what i said before, the KW setup seemed great. On advice from various people, I'll probably be going for the non-adjustable. Reasons being, i have faith that KW have a lot more experience than me at setting the dampening at the optimal setting. (remembering i no plans to thrash it around any tracks).

 

As for the FK's, there have now been enough people posting negative comments about them to put me off.

[chazrad 0]

Good to meet you on Sunday, James.

 

Seems you are picking up the right advice here. A couple of things:

 

1. If you go for a Magnex, you'll be alright. Same goes for KW, or (imo) Koni coilovers.

 

2. Drilling you airbox will be noisy. Depending on how much you drill it, it can be louder than any induction kit, so decide what you really want. A panel filter in a standard airbox might be the answer. Or buy a K&N induction kit and fit the cone down in the front bumper, in place of the carbon canister. This will give the gains associated with an induction kit but whilst keeping the noise down. Having said all this though, I've not yet come across anyone who doesn't like the induction roar of a VR6...that gutteral sound as it builds up from low revs under big engine load...absolutely fabulous. I've lost that with the 'charger, and I really miss it!!

[Jim Bowen 1]

For those I met at the Stoner VW rally, thanks for the friendly welcome and all the advice.

 

Have been for a ride in Goldie's VR6 (+schrick!!!! lovely), set up with KW coilovers. I was very pleasantly suprised, not a harse ride at all, and he is running it lower than I am likely to. All I can say is that coilovers are becoming more and more likely.

 

As for my motor at the moment a couple of photos for now, but hopefully by mid august it should be looking tip-top (i hope?!?!)

 

2.8l 24v Climatronic system.pdfIMG_0903.jpg[/attachment:c1fd8]

 

IMG_0909.jpg[/attachment:c1fd8]

 

did you decide on the suspension yet?

 

also like to note your car looks identical to mine :!

 

i too am tossing up what suspension to get

[Kevin Bacon 5]

2nd that on Leda they make them how you want them like GAZ do as well.

 

Leda's top guy left Leda and went to Gaz 8)

 

Last I heard Leda were under receivership again....