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#1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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Hi guys, is it worth doing suspension on an AU Falcon?
I don't want track suspension, but I'm considering giving er a new set of legs. Just couple extra mm on the swaybars, Koni Shocks and King SSL. Most likely have to get her cambered too. But I wanna know if it's worth it? After doing all this, will she still handle like a 1800KG monster? For my spirited drives. I want a 'racey' feel, but not track. So if I have my girlfriend in the car, shes not getting evultions from the hard bumps. The things I hate about my handling at the moment are: 1. Shakey Movement 2. Taking a corner, any bump causes the car to bounce around while turning, making corners house 3. 'airyness' at high speed 4. BODYROLL. I swear, taking a roundabout I feel like im falling out the window. Has anyone actually done the suspension on there AU? Can I get general comments please. Thanks Last edited by Moya; 03-08-2005 at 01:56 PM. |
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#2 | ||
they call me Tibbo
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 6,163
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I am 1/2 thru fitting your 'package' to your my AUII.. XR front sway bar, a few nylon bushes here and there, Konis on the front, and King SSL's.. I'll have it all installed by Saturday arvo to comment further.. I know the travel on the shocks is important to the ride quality, although on my EL I have the exact same set-up and of all of the variables the thing that made the car more rigid on the road was upgrading to 18*235*40 series tyres..
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#3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,761
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when changing the shocks to suit lowered springs,,, how would you go about it on an AU XR.. i had a look at the monroe book and it lists the same shocks for the lowered falcons and standard xr's.. does that mean if u have an xr u dont need to change the shocks to suit!!
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#4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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Moya,
If your AU feels like a "1800kg monster" then yes, most certainly get the suspension done. My AUXR6 feels more like a "1200kg nipper" than a monster. Its the most direct and pointable Falcon I have ever driven (thats from the Xy through to the BA with very few exceptions). Thats on 100% factory Tickford suspension too. The AU is well known for haveing a very balanced ride and excellent "point and shoot" drivability. If it feels like a monster, it needs work.
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Older, wiser, poorer. Now in Euro-Trash. VW Coupe V6 4motion.
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#5 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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Quote:
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Older, wiser, poorer. Now in Euro-Trash. VW Coupe V6 4motion.
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#6 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: The Hawkesbury
Posts: 226
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I love the handling on my standard XR6. I would just lower it for aesthetic reasons.
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#7 | ||
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kenthurst
Posts: 40,394
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I'll be lowering mine after i get the kit installed ... I'd love to deck the ute like my previous car ... but i need it for work ... so i can't go extreme on it.
So far my increase in wheel/tyre size to 235/45R17 made a nice difference in handling ... giving it a more surefooted (best way i can explain it) feel on the road. Eventually I'll get rid of the body roll ... and give more rigidity in the handling as well. Plus I'd like to be a little lower to the ground.
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The Current Stable 2016 SZII TS Territory RWD Petrol The Evolution of the EGA54D utes AU Workshop Build thread of EGA54D B-Series Workshop Build thread of EGA54D 2004 SX TX Territory AWD - Gone but not forgotten 2010 FG XT "The ex-rental" - Moved onto a new home Mechan1k's Flickr Page |
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#8 | ||
XB in parts...
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,890
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I reckon I might need different shocks as the ride is definately rougher since the lowering (king lows).
What shocks have people fitted to their cars ?
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Daily Driver 2019 Ford Escape...looking for XR6T's. |
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#9 | ||
T3/Sprint8
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,352
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If your AU is over the magic 100,000k mark the shocks are stooofed !
Majority of shocks are on the decline of working correctly from 70000k's. Ofcourse she will perform much better with renewed suspension but the mix is all important. You want handling but still a cushy ride when the g/f is in the car, the perfect comprimise is hard to find. Most aftermarket coils are up to 25% firmer than standard Then add Larger sway bars to the firmness Poly Urethane bushes add again Then the shocks. I have run many combinations in my AU, never again am I going to use urethane. Get the low coils and konis and you will already get 100% improvement in handling. If you require more then go the sway bars.
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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#10 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 2,434
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Quote:
Don't forget camber kit too.
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AUIII Falcon Forte, with SIX Appeal |
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#11 | |||
T3/Sprint8
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,352
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Quote:
Pedders Gabriel Monroe Koni What budget are you looking to spend ? Thats the question ?
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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#12 | ||
XB in parts...
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,890
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So if you have an XR already what do you ask for at the suspension place ?
What should you upgrade ?
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Daily Driver 2019 Ford Escape...looking for XR6T's. |
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#13 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Being nimple is fine and well, but you still need to accept that these cars weight a good 1700KG+, so they aren't light, and definately went designed to be flung around tracks. |
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#14 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Yeh it is actually. 150K's actually :o Well, I don't want the ride to be "soft' - I accept it will be hard, and don't mind it riding hard. But, when I do take corners slow, and drive around my parents or my girlfriend (rare) - I don't want it to feel extremely hard. I don't know if this will make sense though ![]() |
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#15 | |||
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kenthurst
Posts: 40,394
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Quote:
Yeah it was stiff ... but everything was perfectly controlled. I enjoyed taking the 25km/h hairpins at close to 100km/h (top of 2nd gear) ... used to be great ... would have loved to have G-meter in the car to see how many Gs I was pulling laterally.
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The Current Stable 2016 SZII TS Territory RWD Petrol The Evolution of the EGA54D utes AU Workshop Build thread of EGA54D B-Series Workshop Build thread of EGA54D 2004 SX TX Territory AWD - Gone but not forgotten 2010 FG XT "The ex-rental" - Moved onto a new home Mechan1k's Flickr Page |
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#16 | |||
T3/Sprint8
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,352
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Quote:
I do a few cruises with the 3fb guys and its all about handling when going on runs. I'm running Pedders lowered coils all round with the Comfort Gas range of shocks they sell. Not too hard not too soft. I went through a National Park run with the guys recently, it handled fantastic ! for me but we all have different tastes.
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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#17 | |||
T3/Sprint8
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,352
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Quote:
All the research can be done here, as I said it comes down to budget and how long you intend keeping the car.
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Tickfords T3/TS50 '02 Sprint8 manual Sept 24 '16 Daily Macan GTS "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Abraham Lincoln" |
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#18 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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Quote:
Things like the CRX, WRX and 3 seriesBMW's certainly have the handling and even the go, but the vast majority of cars sold as "sporty" compacts are anything but.
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Older, wiser, poorer. Now in Euro-Trash. VW Coupe V6 4motion.
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#19 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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Quote:
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#20 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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Quote:
Other thing I have is the AU IRS which, much to a lot of peoples objection, makes a huge difference on the patchwork we call roads. Nearly everyone who has owned an IRS AU find it hard to drive a live axle one again, the difference is that much. Bump steer... doesnt exist.
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Older, wiser, poorer. Now in Euro-Trash. VW Coupe V6 4motion.
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#21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 2,434
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If you've got the money, get the konis.
There are two types. "Red" & "Yellow". Both types are adjustable, meaning you can adjust the firmness of the ride to a degree. You cannot adjust the height, just the amount or firmness of how quick/strong the shock expands, after it's been compressed by the bump. Now the "Red" koni shocks, need to be taken off the car to be adjusted, whereas the "Yellow" (Sport), can be adjusted in their position, and is only a matter of turning a knob. So around town, have it about medium. Track or drags, make it hard. Country/Cruising make it soft. The Rears are easy too adjust, the front's are a bit harder, as there is a bit of stuff in the way. They're just very flexible that's all. 2 Year warranty on Koni's as well. Otherwise, Pedder's Comfort option sounds good.
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AUIII Falcon Forte, with SIX Appeal |
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#22 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Sport sounds like what I want. And i'd like to stay with Koni if only for the good comments I've read about there stuff. Any able to comment specifically on how an AU2 Forte will handle if upgrading with the following: 1. King SSL all round. 2. Whiteline Polyeutherane (sp?) Swaybars +2mm front and rear 3. Koni Sports, front and rear. 4. Camber kit to fix lowering and possible negative camber it couple mm's. Thanks once again. |
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#23 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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Quote:
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#24 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 2,434
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I have Koni Sport, with King L, and a Whiteline Swaybar up front, and camber kit. I'll soon be putting a Swaybar in the rear, and replacing the bushes in the rear too. Handling is unbelievable, also due to my 18" wheels and wider and grippier tyres, but i can take round-abouts and corners so much smoother and faster. Banking/Rolling is a thing of the past. I always leave cars behind through corners or round-a-abouts. Smart **** p-platers that try to tail gate me, get left behind.
The thing with SSL, or UL, is that the lower you go, the more bouncier, and harder it will be. Plus if your thinking of a bodykit later, SL would look fine. Can't tell you per corner, as fronts are more expensive than the rears. But for a set of 4, i was quoted $780 (About $195). Not too bad, when Monroe's are around $80/ea or whatever.
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AUIII Falcon Forte, with SIX Appeal |
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#25 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 128
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I thought the lower you go, the less bouncy it is due to the less travel the shock has?
Also, what size swaybar did you get up front, and what do you plan on getting on the rear? |
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#26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 2,434
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I'm pretty sure there is only one part number for the front Whiteline Swaybar, for AUII/III. I think it's 28mm, from memory.
I'm only gonna get my rear done, when i get some spare cash. As the steering is in the front, i've got everything done on the front so far, as that's where i wanted the results.
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AUIII Falcon Forte, with SIX Appeal |
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#27 | |||
Back on the road
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Posts: 3,205
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Quote:
The shock absorber "dampens" the bounce of the spring. If there is not enough stroke in the shock absorber (because your car is on its guts), then your suspension will bottom out and your car will become skittish/loose on the road.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------- AU XR8 Ute 13.90 @ 100mph - http://www.aufalcon.com/xr8ute 5L Windsor, GT40X heads, Crane 2030, Pacey 4-1s, Lukey 3", 3.91:1, auto. Tuned by me w/Quarterhorse and BinaryEditor. Coming Soon: Ported lower intake, Tickford "Premium" Brakes, and a good wash. |
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#28 | |||
LIFELONG DJR SUPPORTER
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Posts: 5,324
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Quote:
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