Topic: New BC Coilovers installed

[Carpe Diem]

Well, I had a set of new BC coil-overs and Z0K GXP sway bars front and rear installed yesterday. I lowered it 1/2" in front and 1" in the rear. I've noticed that 1/2" already on a couple of speed bumps and driveways. I set the alignment to Brentil's numbers to start with - Camber: Front -1.5, Rear -1.0; Caster: Front 8.0, Rear 4.0? (no change from stock), Toe: 0 Front and Rear. Shocks set at 2 clicks from soft. Gonna tighten that up.

The ride is only slightly harder than stock. Handling is slightly better than stock so far. I've really not pushed in any twisties yet. All bump-steer is gone.

While she (her name is Mysti) was on the lift, I had the rotors and new stock brake pads changed out replaced damaged rotors with newer OEM rotors with edges and hubs painted black.  The old brake pads had 34K miles on them, including four track days at Willow Springs Raceway, and still had about 40% life left.

Next will be to tighten up the stiffness some, and to install the Latin Venom front frame stiffener. Then I'm done except for fun driving and maintenance.

[spider]

Then your done? Yeah right! I hope you've already gotten a backbone/ tunnel brace.......

[Carpe Diem]

Then your done? Yeah right! I hope you've already gotten a backbone/ tunnel brace.......

I already have the backbone and tunnel brace, since when they first came out.

Done?  Well . . . I am thinking about replacing the radio head unit with an LCD unit with back-up camera, video, GPS, iPhone music/handsfree, etc. But after that . . .

[Brad Kenny]

I am sure you will find "more" mods as time goes by. None of us are ever completely satisfied. There is always something more to do.

[1LILNDN]

I am sure you will find "more" mods as time goes by. None of us are ever completely satisfied. There is always something more to do.

Jeremy ; Your right just when you say I'm finished . You can always find another Mod

[ChopTop]

Question; how much different are the BC alignment specs from the stock alignment specs?

I had my BCs installed last fall on my GXP Coupe and was planning on having it realigned before driving season this year (it’ currently stored).  However, it does sound like mine sits lower than yours.

[Carpe Diem]

I already have the backbone and tunnel brace, since when they first came out.

Done?  Well . . . I am thinking about replacing the radio head unit with an LCD unit with back-up camera, video, GPS, iPhone music/handsfree, etc. But after that . . .

Did I say "backbone and tunnel brace.  Oops!  They're the same thing.  I meant to say the "Backbone and the ProBeam".

[Carpe Diem]

Question; how much different are the BC alignment specs from the stock alignment specs?

I had my BCs installed last fall on my GXP Coupe and was planning on having it realigned before driving season this year (it’ currently stored).  However, it does sound like mine sits lower than yours.

Yours probably does sit lower.  I would like to have mine be lower, but some practicality must prevail in my case.  There are several nasty speed bumps and steep driveway exits in places where I frequent, plus the occasional parking berm that I fail to observe.  I have the Hahn intercooler that I care not to have to replace.  So, 1/2" in front was all I felt comfortable in lowering it (plus 1" in the rear.)

If by "the BC alignment specs" you mean the specs after I installed the BC coilovers, not much different, but from what I've read here, a little change can make a big difference.  I am certainly not an expert (or even knowledgeable in this area), but I checked a lot of messages on the subject on this forum and the Solstice forum (but not the Sky forum) and settled on Brentil's numbers as a first, and hopefully final, alignment set up for me.  Apparently, there are many factors that affect the numbers, such a driving style (e.g., Auto X, road racing, normal (whatever that is) freeway or around-town driving, aggressive street driving, etc.), types of tires (e.g., Hoosiers vs. ?? vs. stock), desired tire life vs. adhesion and cornering ability, etc.)  I consider myself an aggressive street driver, but I care not to sacrifice a lot of tire mileage.

So, I went from stock to what I now have.  I show below the stock numbers from Deep Blue's post ( http://www.kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php/topic,4395.0.html ), where he says he got his numbers from Small Dealer, and have superimposed my numbers in red beside the stock numbers below.

I hope this answers your question.


Front Suspension
 Camber       -0.50° ± 0.50°                      (-1.50°)
 Camber Cross Tolerance     0.00° ± 0.50°
 Caster      7.50° ± 0.50                          (8.0°)
 Caster Cross Tolerance     0.00 ± 0.50°
 Total Toe     0.10° ± 0.20                        (0.0°)


Rear Suspension                            (-1.0°)
 Camber     -0.50° ± 0.50°   
 Camber Cross Tolerance     0.00° ± 0.50°     
 Caster      -4.00°± 0.50°                        (-4.0°) Note: No adjustment made from stock.  Not necessary and unable to measure.
 Caster Cross Tolerance       0.00 ± 0.50°
 Total Toe     0.10° ± 0.20                        (0.0°)

[Carpe Diem]

I drilled clearance holes for the adjustment knobs on the BC coil-overs today. I found that  the location of the BC shock adjustment knob was not the exactly the same on either side, and the holes did not come out as neat as I would have preferred. I didn't want to use a hole saw for fear that the pilot drill might hit the knob and damage it. I bought a Rockwell SoniCrafter oscillating tool. What a slick tool.

I very seldom drive in the rain, so I won't be covering the holes with any kind of plate or plug (for now anyway.) I did go to a local auto upholstery shop and get a piece of scrap liner material (gray felt material similar to the OEM trunk liner) to cover the holes. I simply slipped a square under the original liner to cover the hole and original bald spot. I am satisfied with the result.

The knobs were touching the underside of the trunk pan bottom. I think it would have eventually damaged the shock, or at least the adjustment knob, and it would have been very difficult to make any adjustments.

Now to take Mysti out to the local twisties and give her a good hard test with the new shocks.

[Sol Asylum]

...(gay felt material similar to the OEM trunk liner) to cover the holes....

Hey GJ and Critter what kind of fun can you have with this quote?

[Gentleman Jack]

Doesn't the felt know don't ask don't tell got repealed?  Why is it still in the trunk?

[ChopTop]

Thanks CD, so if I understand, since I did ours for aesthetics, am a cruiser, and still have the stock tires, it sounds as if when I get my car aligned; I should be asking that the alignment be returned as closely too stock as possible?

[Critterman]

CD, I got some black scrap leather from JPM for the same purpose, I have driven in the rain, and the trunk stays dry.   Hope you don't have any problems with your gay fabric wanting to come of the closet errr trunk

[Carpe Diem]

CD, I got some black scrap leather from JPM for the same purpose, I have driven in the rain, and the trunk stays dry.   Hope you don't have any problems with your gay fabric wanting to come of the closet errr trunk

Embarrassing typo corrected.

[Carpe Diem]

Thanks CD, so if I understand, since I did ours for aesthetics, am a cruiser, and still have the stock tires, it sounds as if when I get my car aligned; I should be asking that the alignment be returned as closely too stock as possible?

Stock alignment or more 'aggressive= alignment - your choice.  Sounds like stock is probably good for you.  I am no expert, but from what I have read, there are a number of factors to consider, e.g. tire brand and model, tire pressure, driving style, spring and shock setting firmness, typical driving conditions, tire wear vs. adhesion preference, etc.  I'm not certain I will keep the settings I have, but for now I like them and we'll see how the tire wear works out.