Best lowering bits for my car?

86audicoupe · 24-02-08, 08:20 PM

Hello guys!

As you all probably know, I have an '86 Coupe GT. I've seen another Coupe lowered by 40mm, ideally I'll like to go a bit lower again. Possibly 60mm? I'm fussy though so it'll have to look right when done!

Which is the best lowering kit to buy? Koni adjustables? Adjustables would be ideal as I may fit some 15" Ronals later on. I don't really want to compromise ride quality though if I can help it!

I have access to a proper workshop and tools so fitting them shouldn't be a problem.

Isimmo · 24-02-08, 08:51 PM

Erm... First thing is to understand the suspension layout and how it works, the Koni adjustables only adjust the damping of the springs, which give the ride height. So it's the spings that you'll need to drop the car 60mm. The Koni's will only 'control' the chassis at it's lower ride height/spring strength.

And spring strength is the key, the stronger the spring, the tougher the ride.... But.... The Koni's will only control rebound.

So... 25mm drop springs with strong re-coil strength and Koni's set to maximum adjustment = fillings in the footwell....

But...40mm drop springs with softer re-coil strength and Koni's set to intermediate adjustment = nice compromise ride.

BUT.... It's a shot in the proverbial dark, as the Koni's are only adjustable off the car.

IMHO 60mm’s too much, Koni’s on rock hard are too much…

Best Chassis set ups are compromises… Including the ARB’s and bushes…

60mm might look good (if you can find the springs), but the spring rate is almost certainly going to be too hard as the Koni’s will need to be equally as strong to ‘control’ the bounce… This will lead to a perfect set up for Castle Combe… But not your local B road or High Street… The car will bump steer, tramline and suffer torque steer… making it, ultimately slower than it is today… Even though it doesn’t feel like it.

Trust me, I’ve been there with Koni’s…

darreno'd' · 24-02-08, 08:57 PM

I'd be inclined to go along with ians view on the drop, that much with koni's on hard will have you avoiding white lines let alone cats eyes.

Booty · 24-02-08, 10:36 PM

Just as Ian states 60mm is too low.

86audicoupe · 27-02-08, 07:08 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies!

Sorry I was confusing the issue, yes I do understand that the Koni's shocks only adjust the damping. Regarding the actual lowering springs, yes 40mm will be fine. I know another car locally that's been lowered by 40mm and that looks good!

So which are the best make springs to buy? Should I buy a complete set of Koni's which includes the shocks and springs?

Baggee · 07-03-08, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86audicoupe

Hello guys!

As you all probably know, I have an '86 Coupe GT. I've seen another Coupe lowered by 40mm, ideally I'll like to go a bit lower again. Possibly 60mm? I'm fussy though so it'll have to look right when done!

Which is the best lowering kit to buy? Koni adjustables? Adjustables would be ideal as I may fit some 15" Ronals later on. I don't really want to compromise ride quality though if I can help it!

I have access to a proper workshop and tools so fitting them shouldn't be a problem.

Just reading through some threads and wondered if you'd made any decisions on which route to go for the lowering? Am toying with the idea of dropping mine 40mm

4v6 · 07-03-08, 01:23 PM

I bought a complete kit from Boge for my old gt coupe, iirc it dropped it by around 40mm and the ride quality wasnt too hard either on that.
Heres the old girl before she was in finished state.

Spot the missing and the altered items...........

Baggee · 07-03-08, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4v6

I bought a complete kit from Boge for my old gt coupe, iirc it dropped it by around 40mm and the ride quality wasnt too hard either on that.
Heres the old girl before she was in finished state.

Spot the missing and the altered items...........

Pics not loaded up

Baggee · 07-03-08, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baggee

Pics not loaded up

Has now

Isimmo · 07-03-08, 07:45 PM

Red mirrors
No wipers
no screen wash jets
no rubbing strips
black headlight surrounds - darker headlight glasses
wheels
(Silver trim around windows might be black - hard to tell)
Grille Rings
Rubbing strips
(might have later sill covers - hard to tell)
Headlight washers missing

Something like that

Looks cracking too... Like that a lot.

24-02-08, 08:51 PM	#2
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Erm... First thing is to understand the suspension layout and how it works, the Koni adjustables only adjust the damping of the springs, which give the ride height. So it's the spings that you'll need to drop the car 60mm. The Koni's will only 'control' the chassis at it's lower ride height/spring strength. And spring strength is the key, the stronger the spring, the tougher the ride.... But.... The Koni's will only control rebound. So... 25mm drop springs with strong re-coil strength and Koni's set to maximum adjustment = fillings in the footwell.... But...40mm drop springs with softer re-coil strength and Koni's set to intermediate adjustment = nice compromise ride. BUT.... It's a shot in the proverbial dark, as the Koni's are only adjustable off the car. IMHO 60mm’s too much, Koni’s on rock hard are too much… Best Chassis set ups are compromises… Including the ARB’s and bushes… 60mm might look good (if you can find the springs), but the spring rate is almost certainly going to be too hard as the Koni’s will need to be equally as strong to ‘control’ the bounce… This will lead to a perfect set up for Castle Combe… But not your local B road or High Street… The car will bump steer, tramline and suffer torque steer… making it, ultimately slower than it is today… Even though it doesn’t feel like it. Trust me, I’ve been there with Koni’s… __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback.

24-02-08, 10:36 PM	#4
Booty Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Deepest darkest Shropshire Posts: 5,077	Just as Ian states 60mm is too low. __________________ 1987 Audi Coupe quattro - Clarion Tribute Car 2012 Audi A6 Allroad 2004 Mercedes SLK 350 2017 Mercedes GLA 220

07-03-08, 07:45 PM	#10
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Red mirrors No wipers no screen wash jets no rubbing strips black headlight surrounds - darker headlight glasses wheels (Silver trim around windows might be black - hard to tell) Grille Rings Rubbing strips (might have later sill covers - hard to tell) Headlight washers missing Something like that Looks cracking too... Like that a lot. __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback.

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24-02-08, 08:57 PM	#3
darreno'd' Mr Sixty Thousand!! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: berkshire Posts: 1,729	I'd be inclined to go along with ians view on the drop, that much with koni's on hard will have you avoiding white lines let alone cats eyes.

27-02-08, 07:08 PM	#5
86audicoupe Classic Audi Pervert! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dorset Posts: 2,182	Thanks everyone for your replies! Sorry I was confusing the issue, yes I do understand that the Koni's shocks only adjust the damping. Regarding the actual lowering springs, yes 40mm will be fine. I know another car locally that's been lowered by 40mm and that looks good! So which are the best make springs to buy? Should I buy a complete set of Koni's which includes the shocks and springs?

07-03-08, 01:23 PM	#7
4v6 Ex Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,565	I bought a complete kit from Boge for my old gt coupe, iirc it dropped it by around 40mm and the ride quality wasnt too hard either on that. Heres the old girl before she was in finished state. Spot the missing and the altered items...........