moodoo Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Hi folks, Curious as to what people would recommend for suspension on an A-series, shocks and springs, either standard, or slightly lowered. Koni, Spax, KYB, others? Thanks, Finian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEPETE Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Hi Fin. if you are not aware, Manta A Suspension was fitted to the early Lotus Esprits, so may help with your upgrade.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutts Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Top new metal bush replaces the middle pic rubber bush to fit arms in bottom picture. Removes roll bar completely. I run 600lbs springs on front with koni adjustable set in middle setting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 5 hours ago, rutts said: Top new metal bush replaces the middle pic rubber bush to fit arms in bottom picture. Removes roll bar completely. I run 600lbs springs on front with koni adjustable set in middle setting. Hmm, interesting. That must make it so much easier to get a nice big exhaust on with no roll bar at the back as that was always the issue with with the A. Is it a kit you can buy? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutts Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 I have a 2.4 cast manifold with a modified manta GTE long large bore down pipes. Fits easily as you say no roll bar in way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Would have been much easier to get my 2 1/2" system in without the roll bar in the way 🙂 but getting back to suspension Fin. Koni sport adjustables with Koni sport springs, except i had the front made to the same rating as the koni but shorter to drop the front a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moodoo Posted September 6, 2022 Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 Thanks guys . That’s an interesting looking front suspension mod…any more info? Andy, so you have Koni springs on the rear, and custom made ones on the front? Sorry for the stupid question, but did you have to buy a set of koni front springs, for someone then to match the custom rate to? Where did you buy your dampers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 45 minutes ago, moodoo said: Thanks guys . That’s an interesting looking front suspension mod…any more info? Andy, so you have Koni springs on the rear, and custom made ones on the front? Sorry for the stupid question, but did you have to buy a set of koni front springs, for someone then to match the custom rate to? Where did you buy your dampers? Hey Fin That setup is quite interesting. I wonder what it handles like compared to standard?? I already had the front springs but they made it sit too high, so i worked out the hight of the spring so it would sit just right (i cant remember exactly how i calculated it as it was years ago!!) then sent the spring off to Coil Spring ( i think) and they made the new spring the right height and rate for it to all work and they are spot on. There are a few places selling the shocks again as Koni started to make them again. These are the numbers for the A KONI 82-1739SPORT Shock Absorber Front Koni Shock Absorber Manta A/Kadett C-Rear (82-1740SPORT), Yellow KONI Mine are set to the lowest setting for the road as the roads are so crap these days! But did wind them up years ago for a track outing! I had Koni's before the rebuild and just replaced then for new when i did the build. I think you can get rebuild kits for them. I have the old rear ones sat in the loft and you can have them for the cost of delivery if you can get a rebuild kit for them. Think the fronts went with some of the stuff i was selling off a while back. Andy https://www.autodoc.co.uk/koni/7279254 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted September 8, 2022 Share Posted September 8, 2022 I run GAZ on my grey A series with C20xe set of lowered springs and cut lowered ont he rear also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moodoo Posted September 15, 2022 Author Share Posted September 15, 2022 Thanks guys. For road driving, do you think will I ever notice the difference between say, Gaz, Koni, KYB etc? I can see that something adjustable will be better than non-adjustable, I don't want to end up with something that rattles my teeth out every time I drive it. Is there any way to tell how the settings on one companies dampers compare to anothers though? For example Andy, you say you've the Konis on the softest setting, but if I buy Spax/Gaz whatever, might all their settings be harder than the softest setting on a Koni? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Hey Fin The Yellow adjustable Koni's are quite hard. I know i also have uprated springs but its quite a harsh ride. I thought the red Koni's were suppose to be softer but im not sure if they are adjustable. I was looking for a stiffer ride as the old A did you to roll a fair but on the standard stup! You just have to pick your route based on the smoothest roads 🙂 which is getting harder as in the UK they just bodge the roads as they think everyone now drives big willowy 4x4's 🙂 I have never used anything else so im not sure. A friend ran Bilstein's and i thought they were a bit softer but i dont know what spring setup he had. Andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 All depends on springs rates too. I run the GAZ so I had the option to soften them up 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 37 minutes ago, Paul Barrett said: All depends on springs rates too. I run the GAZ so I had the option to soften them up Think my springs are quite hard and i could probably go softer and get a better ride on our roads but then it does corner nice like it is 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted September 16, 2022 Share Posted September 16, 2022 It’s a tough isn’t it andy, nothing worse than a wallowy car imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 ive had people ride in mine and say how smooth and comfy it is .probably expecting an old car to be all creaky and uncomfortable.(cav / std spec in every way). then ive driven my mates mx5 with rock hard suspension that drives like a brick but goes round corners like a gokart. its all down to what you personally prefer.i know what i like best ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 On 16/09/2022 at 07:21, Paul Barrett said: It’s a tough isn’t it andy, nothing worse than a wallowy car imo Paul, if i drove it every day i would probably go softer but when its just used on sunny days for having a bit of fun or for the odd trip out then i can live with the harder ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted September 18, 2022 Share Posted September 18, 2022 that makes sense. mine are all daily drivers so keep the suspension standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moodoo Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 Yeh, good points guys. I suppose it's a bit of 'try it and see'...par for the course when playing with cars eh?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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