AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I am lookin to get a Suspension setup fo rthe Escos and i need a decent clutch.

I was thinking Koni Shox and Ahmed Springs and a AP Racing Six Paddle Clutch.

Has anyone had this suspension setup ?? and whic cover plate to i buy ??

Ta..

JohnP001

I had an AVO setup on my Escort Cosworth, and then switched to the Koni/Ahmed setup. It’s definitely a softer ride. The AVO’s did handle better when throwing it into roundabouts etc. The AVO’s also performed better when changing direction quickly. But saying that, the Koni/Ahmed spring setup is a great compromise for an everyday driver. Sorry, can’t comment on the clutch side.

Cheers
John

rsdene

iTrader: (1)

i've got a alcon 6 paddle and a heavy duty cover, the pedal is very light too. But you will need to re-face the fly wheel. i use a new release bearing and cable. all purchased from mike rainbird

oh i use gaz coilovers and i think there great on the road, i had avo before the gaz's and i thought they we're to soft

Arnie

I'm using Bilsten coilover, and the ride is really harsh, but really good handling. I guess for everyday use, the setup you mentioned would be a really good compromise.

Kelv

iTrader: (4)

why will you need to re-face the flywheel?

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I dont really want coil overs as i have a limited budget

I have heard too you must re-face the fly wheel.

Arnie

From the instruction which came with my aP organic plate, it does recommend refacing the flywheel for better contact/engagement

Arnie

no need for coilover unless you are planning on doing some trackdays OR something to brag about in front of your mates

DENNIS

i have koni shocks and PI springs, good set up for the road, but i will prob be changing to eibach springs soon.

as for clutches, i use an AP 6 paddle kit, bit harsh for road use ( vibration / judder ) and i think i am just over the limit of this kit ( 450 bhp / 401 lbf ) as it slips if i do a few launches... ( although AP rate it @ 330 lbf , but did admit it will take a bit more!! )

i spoke to AP directly recently and they told me there cover is only a std ford spec item !! ( been looking into twin plate setups !! )

as for refacing the flywheel, its a get out clause for clutch makers , if the flywheel is not near perfectly flat ( high spots ) you will get some judder and it will cause the clutch to wear rapidly..

the set up you need will depend massively on the car`s spec and YOUR driving style and use...

Arnie

I'm going to reface my flywheel when I replace my clutch and probably going to lighten and balance it at the same time. It seems odd not to do it when everything is out

JohnP001

If you're stripping the engine then have the flywheel, clutch cover, crank, rods and front pulley all balanced together. No point in balancing the flywheel only.

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I got a godo price for AVO Shocks and Springs and Koni Shox and Avo Springs, not sure which woudl be the best.

Arnie

I'm not stripping the engine, just replacing the clutch plate and cover. I'm going to lighten the flywheel, don't I need to balance it after doing so?

rsdene

iTrader: (1)

you need to re-face it because the paddle clutch will pick up any raised spots on the flywheel and make the clutch judder, this is what mike rainbird told me when i brought it from,

rsdene

iTrader: (1)

have you ever changed a clutch before?? you wont need to strip any other parts to re face the flywheel just undo 9 bolts

Mr.Ford

I should buy Koni shocks and Eibach springs, best IMO

Ow and the clutch... AP Racing Btw. an Six Paddle Clutch is quite heavy for your feet, especially if your driving in traffic-jam

AlexD

iTrader: (3)

I am thinking Koni's and Ahmed Springs now ..

Deffo decided on a Six Paddle tho and standard cover

silky16v

iTrader: (1)

why fit a uprated clutch and not fit the cover plate also?

they go hand in hand together if you don't want the feel of a 6 paddle clutch fit a uprated clutch and AP cover plate

on the suspension side i'd say AVO as they are far more adjustable than Koni shocks as the rears only have 3 setting and the Avo have 12-16 setting

Arnie

while I replace the clutch plate and cover, I'll undo the flywheel and have it lightened and balanced. who said anything about stripping? u've been to too many "clubs" lately?

JohnP001

I don’t see any point in only balancing the flywheel, as the point of balancing is to balance the whole rotating mass as one. I.E. everything that’s rotating. The flywheel and crank is roughly balanced when the engine is built, so just balancing the flywheel could make it worse. Personally, I wouldn’t have the flywheel balanced. But that’s my opinion. Just as a matter of interest, why do you feel you need to lighten the flywheel? How much are you going to lighten it by?

Cheers
John

John Savage

Alright mate,

Im running koni's, ahmed springs and do a bit of track work also, i find they work well. Would alos recommend that you go for the ahm rear beam as well makes a LOAD of difference and transforms the car

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

If you're going to the trouble of fitting Konis, I would highly recommend the Ahmed springs, they are available in both fast road and track spec. I would NOT fit a budget set of springs (Chassis Dynamics etc), they will compromise the car too much due to being lower than is ideal, so the roll centres will go to rat-shit, and if too low, it will roll MORE.

John,
Regarding the coment on the AVOs out-handling the Konis, I would be interested in knowing what setting you have them on?

As has been said about the flywheel and a paddle clutch, it is IMPERATIVE that this is surface ground to remove any raised hot spots. If you don't then the paddle clutches will drag on the raised hot-spots that you get from slipping the clutch, and this will cause the clutch to judder, be difficult to engage first gear and prematurely wear the clutch out from the drag.

JohnP001

Mike, what I have noticed, is that the car takes slightly longer to settle after a “jump”, and when changing direction very quickly. I do some very spirited driving around the backcountry roads where I live, and there are a few humpbacked bridges with sharp turns directly after the bridge. When taking the humpbacked bridge at speed, and upon landing on the other side, the car will squat for a split second, and then raise its self, thereby unsettling the car for the next corner. With the AVO’s the ride was so hard, that there was very little squat, therefore when landing the other side of the bridge, the car was more settled for the next corner. Also, when flicking the car through a roundabout from left to right then back to left, there’s quite a bit of body roll/centre of gravity movement compared to the AVO’s. With the AVO’s the car felt more “Go Kart” like. Nevertheless, I changed to the Koni’s and Ahmed springs, and find them a very good compromise. I do 110 miles a day in my Escort, and the AVO’s were starting to do my back in, and also my head with the noise they made. Hope the above makes sense.

Just been out and checked the car. The fronts are on one full turn to firm, and I believe the backs haven’t been adjusted yet.

Cheers
John

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Try the rears on medium, you may find some greater control with only a small loss of comfort .

Also, when you know you're going to do some spirited driving, turn the fronts up as high as they will go - turn in will be vastly improved. You can always put the back again for poodling around .

That is why you have adjustable suspension .

Report back on your findings .

JohnP001

I’ll do the changes over the weekend, and then spend next week testing. The thing is that my spirited driving is everyday to and from work for the first and last 10 miles of my journey. The rest is boring motorways. So I don’t really want to stop get out of the car adjust my suspension for the first and last 10 miles of my journey. I need to find a perfect compromise. (If there is such a thing.)

Cheers
John

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

On motorways, the front being full hard will not be noticed .