320 suspension height/ride quality

[kipsy]

Hi. I've recently purchased a really nice 320 which was lowered on worn out shocks. The springs are spax springs which look quite new. I would of thought it was 60mm lowered as it sat right down. As the shocks were worn I purchased a Bilstein b12 kit that came with eibach springs that was fitted to a 318. (Small body struts 45 mm same as mine) I changed over the springs and shocks and it raised the back a little (which I wanted) but it looks like the front has stayed the same. (I wanted it to raise a little) I'm guessing that as the 318 is lighter than the 320 that's the reason it's dropped a little more.I tried the car earlier and the ride on the front is quite hard and crap basically. has anyone got a picture of a 320/325 lowered 40mm so if I buy some front springs to gain a bit more travel it will also suit the rear height? Would you say my car looks lowered by 60mm. The two photos are the different heights

Above is the original with spax

Above is the bikstein b12 kit

[rotta]

i think it looks nice now if the front came up you would have some reverse rake going on

[kipsy]

I prefer the back end lower to be honest (from my escort rally days) the ride is quite crap and choppy now. I think raising it about 20mm should give a bit more travel and ride quality. (Hopefully)

[rotta]

its not an escort.... ;) can you not remove the rear spring hats or swap out for a thinner one to drop the back slightly?

failing that remove it all and buy some 6cyl dampers and springs that will fit your needs?

[kipsy]

Yeah I know it's not an escort (it starts in the mornings haha) I'd just like to raise the front to match. Maybe someone would like to swap springs etc? Both my sets of springs are new. For eibach springs it's about £170 which is a bit more than I want to pay a˜a

[kipsy]

I might try putting the spax springs back on in the morning to see how it rides then. Hopefully will get it done in 3 hours? Fingers crossed. I prefers the look with the spax. It might be slightly higher on front too?

[Jona1971]

I have Eibach springs and they were offered in 2 types: 6 pot and 4 pot. It could be your engine is too heavy for the lighter spring and is sitting lower/ handling badly?

[kipsy]

Yeah the springs were from the 318 4 cylinder engine. Thought I'd give them a go. Cheers for replies

[kipsy]

After riding around for a week or so I've decided that the ride/handling of the car is quite crap. Yes the car corners quite flat but it bounces off the bump stops on the front under compressions quite easily and gradually it starts to understeer due to the rear camber being excessive and gripping a lot in the dry. I have bought h&r -35mm sport springs with the correct 6 cylinder weight springs. I will be fitting them tomorrow/Thursday and hopefully there will be more travel and better ride over bumps. With the extra ride height I'm hoping to reduce the rear camber for cornering/reduced tyre wear. My plan is hopefully then to add more camber to the front with offset polybushes in the lollipops to help with the turn in. I'll post a picture and give my opinion on the handling when they are fitted. (The shocks will be Bilstein b8 front n rear with standard top mounts)

[kipsy]

In case anyone is interested ive fitted the h&r lowering springs for the 6 cylinder car. I'd say the car is raised up about 10-15mm at a guess but as the springs are harder now they are the correct ones the ride is far better and doesn't bottom out everywhere like before. I've yet to give it a good blast but initial impressions are very good ride quality with suspension travel for the bumps!
Cheers

[jimbom30cab]

You car looks great by the way, i think i saw that for sale, looked in mint condition.

[kipsy]

Cheers mate!