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RS Turbo Suspenion/Handling Advice

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Old 23-11-2005 | 02:19 PM
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Default RS Turbo Suspenion/Handling Advice

Just after some advice by people who have coilovers and adjustable suspension fitted to there Series 2 RS Turbos/or people who have been in cars with the above fitted.

I've had a bonus from work and I'm contemplating spunking a bit of cash on the handling of my RST.

It currently has Spax Adjustables, -45mm Chassis Dynamic Springs, Polybushes in the front end, Strut Braces front and rear + a 6 point cage.

The handling is pretty good at the moment, but it always ends up understeering when pushed and the rear end never joins in the party

I'm thinking of going for the full MEF set-up:

Bilstein Coilovers All Round
Adjstable TCA's
Concentic Top Mounts
Adjustable rear end
Full geomtry set-up

Anyway the question is:

How will the car handle? How much difference will I notice? Will it transform the car? Is it worth the expense? [or should I just buy a car that handles well in the first place

n.b. The car is used for fun on the roads + track days.

Old 23-11-2005 | 02:27 PM
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The above stuff is Tony's parts?

If it handles anything like his RS1600i, then you'll be really really pleasantly surprised/shocked! It's like it is on rails

Put a post up for people who have been out / driven his RSi!
Old 23-11-2005 | 02:28 PM
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what about a front tie bar kit
Old 23-11-2005 | 02:37 PM
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coilovers will TRANSFORM the way it rides/handles. WELL worth it imo. been in B8's car with them fited and i was thoroughly impressed!
Old 23-11-2005 | 02:56 PM
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I have only looked at the MEF and Zoo website so far,

Any other options?

How important is the rear end kit? Will the rear adjustable suspension make a significant difference or is the front end kit the most important?
Old 23-11-2005 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by BROM@ZOO
what about a front tie bar kit
Looks very interesting, although I can't quite picture how it fits to the front of the car, how does the anti-roll bar connect to the other piece? Do you have any pictures of the kit fitted to a car?

I assume that is a picture of S2 tie bar ARB kit inc TCA's from your website.

What advantage does this set-up give over the use of Adjustable TCA's and a concentric top mount?
Old 23-11-2005 | 04:43 PM
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this kit transforms the front end of the car due to the standard roll bar design and them stupid plates that flex
i have fitted this kit to s1 as well due to the crap roll bar giving hardly any resistance in body roll due to the diameter being so small
Old 23-11-2005 | 04:51 PM
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Really good topic this!

Any pictures of the rear stuff?

Especially the tie bars.
Old 23-11-2005 | 04:55 PM
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BROM@ZOO


You got a price on this set up
Old 23-11-2005 | 04:55 PM
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Old 23-11-2005 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Freddy_mercury_magic
BROM@ZOO


You got a price on this set up

tie bar kit £350
tcas £200
if ya buy the pair u get it for £450
Old 23-11-2005 | 05:01 PM
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Old 23-11-2005 | 05:04 PM
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Looks very interesting...

Brom, What coilovers do you recommend?
Old 23-11-2005 | 05:14 PM
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and what about getting this lot set up after its bn fitted? i live in the southen region 2hrs west of london!! could always go to kwickfit
Old 23-11-2005 | 06:55 PM
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i'm intrested in the setup fee aswell
Old 23-11-2005 | 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by BROM@ZOO
Originally Posted by Freddy_mercury_magic
BROM@ZOO


You got a price on this set up

tie bar kit £350
tcas £200
if ya buy the pair u get it for £450
hmmmmmmmm
Old 23-11-2005 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by mrviper
i'm intrested in the setup fee aswell
fit and set up fee is £150
if you got coil overs add £150 to that aswell
Old 23-11-2005 | 08:23 PM
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seems well worth it

how much for a pair of adjustable lower arms
Old 23-11-2005 | 09:36 PM
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Default Re: RS Turbo Suspenion/Handling Advice

Originally Posted by John Laverick
How will the car handle? How much difference will I notice? Will it transform the car? Is it worth the expense? [or should I just buy a car that handles well in the first place
John, To answer that it fully relies on the geometery set up that you specify. Get it wrong and you will hate it, get it right and you will be blown away.

Don't ask me (or anyone) what's right or wrong setting wise - We are not you, and might have a completely different driving style. We can of course offer advice, but its down to you to progress it further on or off track.

With fully adjustable arms thats all easily possible.

Your more than welcome to have a test drive of a car with it fitted on to see what you think

Brom I think you will be busy
Old 23-11-2005 | 09:44 PM
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thats wot am doin to mine next i think coz iv got enuff power just now and with only havin a full G-Max lowerin kit dropppin the car bout 60mm i suffer from quite a bit of understeer off throttle. but its gettin someone up in scotland to set it up??? coz itll prob drink bout 450 in petrol to get down and back lol esp wi my drivin and tendency to race
Old 23-11-2005 | 11:32 PM
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In answer to John's original question of whether it will transform the car or not.... the answer is a resounding YES!

Until you drive a properly sorted Mk3 / 4 escort, you really dont know how bad the standard one is (and you might think its bad at the mo, but when you drive a properly sorted one, you realise its even worse than you thought!!!)

I've had the pleasure of 2 track days at Donington in Tony's RS1600i, and after the 1st time, the thought of tracking my S2 was a a little depressing to say the least as proper handling is what you want!

And like Tony says, the setup is personal preference to how you like it to behave!
Old 23-11-2005 | 11:36 PM
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Sorry to sound a little "sad", but that's one of the sexiest things I've ever seen on an RS Turbo!
Old 24-11-2005 | 07:35 AM
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So the general feeling is thats its worth every penny

I knew that was going to be the case, going to be an expensive month by the looks of it

Tony...I'll deffo make time to have a test drive at the next track day [if I've not already bought the lot ]

How important is the rear end adjustable kit?, alot of people above seem to just focus on the front end kit.

I assume the best thing to do is get it professionally set-up to some kind of neutral settings and then tailor it yourself as suits
Old 24-11-2005 | 10:52 AM
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Front end will aid with traction, rear end will aid with cornering / understeer and stability. Depends on what you want to improve first.
Old 24-11-2005 | 10:59 AM
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them kits from zoo look


looks like im gonna have to start saving?
Old 24-11-2005 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by NUTS RuS
Front end will aid with traction, rear end will aid with cornering / understeer and stability. Depends on what you want to improve first.
Both

I want more traction to try and reduce understeer [as its very easy to reach the limit of traction on the front end],

A bit more initial turn in response would be nice as well

I want to make the damping/suspension less Crashy as at the moment on high speed sweeping bumpy bends it skips round. + Any kind of bump is quite crashy.

I would also like to make the car a little bit more lively at the rear [I.E. lift-off oversteer when provoked]

Old 24-11-2005 | 11:28 AM
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Have you tried different tyres for better grip ?

With rear arms adjusted you could effectivly make your car drive like a Mk2 round corners if you wanted to
Old 24-11-2005 | 11:31 AM
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These are also woth the money for those wanting to keep the standard rear end setup. combined with polybushes they should sort out the sloppy rear end.

http://www.hrsprings.com/site/products/triplec.html

Old 24-11-2005 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by ON-UJAH
These are also woth the money for those wanting to keep the standard rear end setup. combined with polybushes they should sort out the sloppy rear end.

http://www.hrsprings.com/site/products/triplec.html

Very interesting.....simple but effective
Old 24-11-2005 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by NUTS RuS
Have you tried different tyres for better grip ?

With rear arms adjusted you could effectivly make your car drive like a Mk2 round corners if you wanted to
I've tried a few different tyres....I'm on Toyo Proxes at the mo which I rate quite highly but I may try F1's next.

To be honest it doesn't feel like its the tyres lack of grip but more like they are being forced into understeer due to poor geometry.
Old 24-11-2005 | 07:05 PM
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So your still on road tyres John? Get them off and take another positive step forward. I know it will mean another set of wheels but again you will find big gains to be had.

Camber adjustment bolts are standard on a lot of cars now. You can save lots of cash on them by visiting a local scrapyard
Old 25-11-2005 | 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by NUTS RuS
So your still on road tyres John? Get them off and take another positive step forward. I know it will mean another set of wheels but again you will find big gains to be had.

Camber adjustment bolts are standard on a lot of cars now. You can save lots of cash on them by visiting a local scrapyard
Yeah still on Road tyres....but don't forget I use it alot on the road as well. I really want to spend money that will improve it both on AND off track.

Maybe some road legal slicks?

Can you suggest any cars which have camber bolts? Or it a case of me going down there and just hunting around?

Old 25-11-2005 | 04:53 PM
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Subaru's will give you a good start John, and its satisfying stripping them

Get hold of a cheap set of rims and try some different rubber if you can
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