Suspension Upgrade - Koni SSK or Coilovers

[elbon50]

If someone was willing to spend £550 to upgrade Mk1 MR2 suspension to Koni SSK

Would it be a good idea to spend a bit more & go to BC racing coilovers instead

[Lauren]

Depends if you are going racing really and what you are doing.

Koni's and springs are good.

However I've recently driven a MK3 race car with BC racing coilovers fitted along with Whiteline ARB's. It was properly stonking. Not quite sure how it'd be on a MK1 though.

Not particularly cheap though.

Depends upon your budget.

[FossMan]

I haven't driven a mk1 with Konis but if it's any help I am really impressed with the BCs that I fitted recently. They are really smooth and comfy with the right damping setting and springs.

[LimeyMk1]

I haven't driven a mk1 with Konis but if it's any help I am really impressed with the BCs that I fitted recently. They are really smooth and comfy with the right damping setting and springs.

What spring rates did you go with Chris?

[elbon50]

I haven't driven a mk1 with Konis but if it's any help I am really impressed with the BCs that I fitted recently. They are really smooth and comfy with the right damping setting and springs.

That does help LeSpank

Thank you

You too Lsuren

[FossMan]

4 and 6kg/mm

How are you finding them? Think I saw a pic of your car wearing them!?

[LimeyMk1]

4 and 6kg/mm

How are you finding them? Think I saw a pic of your car wearing them!?

Ended up with 5 front 8 rear but may buy some lower rates if they end up being uber hard.

Car's still not MoT'd so not had the chance of a full test, but they feel ok so far.

[elbon50]

4 and 6kg/mm

How are you finding them? Think I saw a pic of your car wearing them!?

Ended up with 5 front 8 rear but may buy some lower rates if they end up being uber hard.

Car's still not MoT'd so not had the chance of a full test, but they feel ok so far.

I take it they're on your V6 Mk1 Chris ?

Perhaps 4 front 6 rear would be more suitable for my car ?

[LimeyMk1]

Yep they're for the V6, I think it depends on use really there's an old article I read that actually recommends 4 on the front and 10 kg/mm on the rear for a pure track car. But they say you need to reinforce the chassis for the high rear spring rates.

I'll have a look and see if I can find the article.

Edit: here http://www.club4ag.com/technical_main.htm under the tech tips section.

One thing I love about the BCs is the height adjustment, you don't move the spring perch, you move the entire strut. This retains the full movement of the shock absorber.

[elbon50]

Hmmm, lots of interesting stuff on there

Think I'd probably go higher than 6 on the rear

[Gad]

Don't suppose they do BCs for a MK1a do they?

[elbon50]

Don't suppose they do BCs for a MK1a do they?

It looks as though they only make them for the Mk1b (86-89) Gad

If you go on the BC website www.bcracing.co.uk they have a contact form there

So you could ask them

Peter

[coanda]

I think when it's time for me to shell out on suspension I'm going to go along the Mk.2 route and fit Tein with EDFC coilovers. I'd go with Cusco Mk.1 top mounts. I've got fronts, just need to look out for some rears.

I recall Paul Woods writing that it would be easy enough to fit mk.2 suspension to a mk.1 without changing all the running gear - Paul, if you read this, can you confirm?

[PW@Woodsport]

Yep on a Mk1b you can fit Mk2 coilovers by just changing the topmount for a Mk1 type, on my V6 Mk1 i've gone with Mk2 KW coilovers and Technotoy adjustable camber top mounts.

We've been fitting Mk2 coilovers to Mk1's for years without issue, for info Mk3 stuff also fits a Mk1b, again changing the topmount.

On a Mk1a they will fit on the front, but you need to modify the rears.

[elbon50]

The thing I like about BC is that as well as adjustable ride height you get :

Fully adjustable damping AND

Choice of spring rate

Are they included with Mk2 coilovers

[LimeyMk1]

The only thing I dislike about BCs is they haven't matched the hole sizes in strut for the camber adjustment bolts, which causes some fittment issues. I'm still trying to work out if they're an problem and how to rectify it if it is.

Peter any half decent coilover kit should come with a choice of spring rates.

[elbon50]

Peter any half decent coilover kit should come with a choice of spring rates.

Do they all come with adjustable damping Chris

[LimeyMk1]

Peter any half decent coilover kit should come with a choice of spring rates.

Do they all come with adjustable damping Chris

They should do, if they're decent kits.

All depends how much you want to shell out as to the degree of adjustment.

[coanda]

Yep on a Mk1b you can fit Mk2 coilovers by just changing the topmount for a Mk1 type, on my V6 Mk1 i've gone with Mk2 KW coilovers and Technotoy adjustable camber top mounts.

We've been fitting Mk2 coilovers to Mk1's for years without issue, for info Mk3 stuff also fits a Mk1b, again changing the topmount.

On a Mk1a they will fit on the front, but you need to modify the rears.

Thanks Paul, will check out the technotoy topmounts now.

[coanda]

Peter any half decent coilover kit should come with a choice of spring rates.

Do they all come with adjustable damping Chris

Thing is, you can get springs made up fairly cheaply for common sizes. This is what my mate has done with his Elise - made a few different springs up and tried them out to see which he liked best.