£500-£700 Track Suspension!

[RickP]

As above, whats the best setup for the money. The car is a VTS Track ONLY car and will be trailered to track days, so does not need to be good road setup. I've been looking at the Kam track suspension and GMC track suspension, both use group n dampers and stiffer front springs. Then perhaps a rear anti roll bar? Are there any other/better options for similar money or am I going along the right lines with those mentioned?
Thanks in advance

[RickP]

I have done a search on this (before anyone tells me to) but it's always good to get fresh opinions!

[harry289]

What tyres do you use?

Bilstein Group N dampers
Faulkner custom springs
Polyrace bushes all round
New top mounts if needed
21mm torsion bars
25mm rear ARB

I'm sure others will come up with other ideas

[RickP]

I'll be using 195/50/15 toyo R888 tyres. The kam racing setup uses Faulkner springs or do they need to be stiffer?

[AlexB]

if your using it just for track go stiffer than the 155lbs

id say go for 180lb and standard bars with a 24mm arb for a start and a load of bushes lol

[RickP]

Where would I get the 180lb springs from?

[AlexB]

direct from faulkner is probably easiest

[harry289]

My ideal set up would be:

Bilstein Group N fronts
Bilstein B8 rears
New top mounts
Polyrace bushes all round
GMC 40mm 160lb springs
New drop links
New wishbones

[RickP]

Thanks, I've been on their website and to be honest I wouldn't have a clue how to order them! Would they know what I wanted if I rang them and asked for 180lb springs for a saxo with approx 40mm drop? Or do I need to know the exact spec?

[AlexB]

my ideal setup is slightly more hard

bilstien inverted dampers and cup hubs
285lb front springs
solid topmounts
23mm torsion bars
24mm rear arb
powerflex black front wishbone bushes
vibratechnics rear bushes
polyrace rear beam mounts
gaz gold rear dampers

i just need dampers and i can fit my torsion bars and swap springs im there haha

[AlexB]

Thanks, I've been on their website and to be honest I wouldn't have a clue how to order them! Would they know what I wanted if I rang them and asked for 180lb springs for a saxo with approx 40mm drop? Or do I need to know the exact spec?

they should do quite a few people have had them

[marinemackay2003]

Sorry to jump in but wheres the best place to get polyrace bushes from as in the next couple of weeks I will be doing a few jobs to the car.

[RickP]

my ideal setup is slightly more hard

bilstien inverted dampers and cup hubs
285lb front springs
solid topmounts
23mm torsion bars
24mm rear arb
powerflex black front wishbone bushes
vibratechnics rear bushes
polyrace rear beam mounts
gaz gold rear dampers

i just need dampers and i can fit my torsion bars and swap springs im there haha

Sounds a bit beyond my budget!

[AlexB]

if you shop around and buy second hand its not
i managed to find the cup hubs and dampers for free haha!

tbh though buying new it might be a stretch but if your a jammy sod it could be done

[RickP]

if you shop around and buy second hand its not
i managed to find the cup hubs and dampers for free haha!

tbh though buying new it might be a stretch but if your a jammy sod it could be done

Tbh I think I'll go for something like your first suggestion, 180lb springs, group n dampers and rear anti roll bar. Perhaps change to stiffer springs and thicker torsion bars at a later date, when funds allow!

[AlexB]

yea thats not a bad choice will take all the abuse you can throw at it and can allways convert legs to coils to go harder up front on the group n dampers so reduces the cost down the line if you go that route

[AndySAXO]

If it mainly track car and trailered I would say an even heavier spring lb, I had a 225 lb front springs and was still a bit to soft, too much body roll, changed to a heavier lb spring seem to help, car felt like it had more grip at both the tracks after the changed. Just my experienced. Of few different setup I have used. But this was a coilover setup,

[Dave_P]

You need to spend more money than £500-£700 for a decent track only set up.

Dampers & torsion bars are the expensive bits that are required & sadly expensive.

Go for 23-25mm bars & 6" 300lb springs + helper springs (coilover conversion) as a minimum.

[RickP]

You need to spend more money than £500-£700 for a decent track only set up.

Dampers & torsion bars are the expensive bits that are required & sadly expensive.

Go for 23-25mm bars & 6" 300lb springs + helper springs (coilover conversion) as a minimum.

Yeah I get what your saying, but it's a track day car not a race/competition car. Just wanted to know what was the best I could get for the money I have. I can always upgrade to stiffer springs and heavier torsion bars at a later date. At this point I've also got brakes, wheels, tyres, seats, cage etc to shell out for. So I have to limit my budget a bit or I'll never get it on track!

[KamRacing]

Then save the £700. Put it into a fund for proper dedicated suspension, then use the car as standard and just have fun...

For a trackday car, gut the car of any excess weight, get a good pad material, get a seat and harnesses in so you are in tune with the chassis and get out on track.

To be honest you could just buy a dedicated trackday car or a stock hatch for the money you are thinking of spending overall especially when you work out the price of fitting a proper cage.

[01amatti]

What tyres do you use?

Bilstein Group N dampers
Faulkner custom springs
Polyrace bushes all round
New top mounts if needed
21mm torsion bars
25mm rear ARB

I'm sure others will come up with other ideas

Mines almost identical!

Bi stein group N dampers
Faulkner 180lbs springs
21mm torsion bars
24mm rear arm
Poly bushes


Sent from my saxo using Tapatalk HD

[harry289]

^^ :)

If its not for competition then there's no need to spend loads of money on a track car.

Get a full set of polyrace bushes:
- 4 x Rear beam
- 2 x front wishbone
- 2 x rear wishbone
- 2 x ARB

Also make sure your rear beam and ball joints have no play.

Re new drop links and top mounts if needs be.

Group N front dampers
B8 rear dampers
GMC/Faulkner springs 160-180lb

That should be a decent enough set up for some good cornering/handling action on track and I'm sure you will have lots of fun.

Its a good reliable set up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also other things to consider to improve the feel/drivability of the car:

- Racing wheel makes the car feel tighter for some reason...330mm OMP/Sparco felt just right for me.

- Good hugging FIA (doesn't have to be in date) bucket seat and a 3 inch 4 point harness to make yourself feel in tune with the car when cornering.

- Heavy weighted gear knob makes the gear change easier and feel more slick.

[RickP]

Then save the £700. Put it into a fund for proper dedicated suspension, then use the car as standard and just have fun...

For a trackday car, gut the car of any excess weight, get a good pad material, get a seat and harnesses in so you are in tune with the chassis and get out on track.

To be honest you could just buy a dedicated trackday car or a stock hatch for the money you are thinking of spending overall especially when you work out the price of fitting a proper cage.

I've already completely gutted the car including removal of dash, heater + matrix, washer bottle cut out door skins etc etc. This has left the car sitting VERY high and feeling very soft as its still on the original suspension. I realise now that I could have bought a car already done, but it's a bit late now as I've already spent money on bits for it (including a nice racing exhaust from yourselves) and to be honest half of the enjoyment for me is watching the car develop.
At this stage I just want to get the suspension something like sorted, new brake pads and get using it! The cage, engine tuning etc can come at a later date when funds allow.

[RickP]

^^ :)

If its not for competition then there's no need to spend loads of money on a track car.

Get a full set of polyrace bushes:
- 4 x Rear beam
- 2 x front wishbone
- 2 x rear wishbone
- 2 x ARB

Also make sure your rear beam and ball joints have no play.

Re new drop links and top mounts if needs be.

Group N front dampers
B8 rear dampers
GMC/Faulkner springs 160-180lb

That should be a decent enough set up for some good cornering/handling action on track and I'm sure you will have lots of fun.

Its a good reliable set up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also other things to consider to improve the feel/drivability of the car:

- Racing wheel makes the car feel tighter for some reason...330mm OMP/Sparco felt just right for me.

- Good hugging FIA (doesn't have to be in date) bucket seat and a 3 inch 4 point harness to make yourself feel in tune with the car when cornering.

- Heavy weighted gear knob makes the gear change easier and feel more slick.

Thanks mate, sounds something along the lines I was thinking of.

[axsaxoman]

my ideal setup is slightly more hard

bilstien inverted dampers and cup hubs
285lb front springs
solid topmounts
23mm torsion bars
24mm rear arb
powerflex black front wishbone bushes
vibratechnics rear bushes
polyrace rear beam mounts
gaz gold rear dampers

i just need dampers and i can fit my torsion bars and swap springs im there haha



he have blown over the £700 just on the inverted damper inserts+ strut casings to go with them
you looking at about £1000 for front struts +dampers +coil overs to suit before you start on the rest
I can get complete struts made to what ever spec you want,
once you start using 300lbs springs you must be going to rose jointed top mounts and re-enforcing the strut tops or they will bend with that spring rate .
no point in going 300lbs springs if you don,t have good cage either as shell will flex
the track day kit we suggest is the best compromiseyou can get at the price - no one beats me on bilstein prices when comparing the EXACT same inserts and rear dampers + they are in stock

[RickP]

he have blown over the £700 just on the inverted damper inserts+ strut casings to go with them
you looking at about £1000 for front struts +dampers +coil overs to suit before you start on the rest
I can get complete struts made to what ever spec you want,
once you start using 300lbs springs you must be going to rose jointed top mounts and re-enforcing the strut tops or they will bend with that spring rate .
no point in going 300lbs springs if you don,t have good cage either as shell will flex
the track day kit we suggest is the best compromiseyou can get at the price - no one beats me on bilstein prices when comparing the EXACT same inserts and rear dampers + they are in stock

What sort of rate are the springs that come with your kit?

[scottie_436]

I believe gmc springs to be 160lb ish....john?? :y: :n:

I have gmc's fast road kit.. Groupn fronts, b8 rears and -40springs. Along with group n top mounts, poly bushes from and rear plus solid alloy wishbone rear bushes

Was a good setup... Until i fitted a quaife atb diff. Now FAR to soft :panic:

Going with some faulkner 180lb springs, 21mm tb's and group n rears ...but this may still prove to soft :geek:

[thecorporatemachine]

my ideal setup is slightly more hard

gaz gold rear dampers


I run a set of these, well worth the money!!!!!