Ford Falcon BA-FG Coilovers - Page 7

gtxxr6 · 06-09-2014, 10:23 AM

Shameless plug for Shockworks again. After purchasing a set of shockworks coilovers for my FG sedan around 2 months ago, I have been more than impressed as most already know, but around 2 weeks ago Brett messaged me saying he has found a new way to get a bit more grip in the rear end by adjusting the valving in the rear shocks, so I dropped them in with him, and got them back 3 days later with the modifications done and a complete check over to make sure everything was how it should be.
The reason I recommend them so highly, isnt just because they perform so well, its that after sales support that no other brand offers. What you pay for when you buy your kit is a wealth of experience which will be on hand to help you along the way with any after sales support. I've not seen another company look after people so well after they already have your money.

graphicgoose · 06-09-2014, 10:30 AM

I haven't even had my coilovers fitted yet and already I have to agree with gtxxr6 regarding Brett's customer service. I don't think I've ever had such a positive customer service experience in my life. Brett genuinely seems to care about his customers and really wants them to have the best experience with his product possible. I even had Brett emailing me asking excitedly if I'd had the coilovers fitted yet and that he was hoping I was loving the new feel of the car, how good is that?! My kit is getting fitted on the 12th, so I'll be sure to post up my thoughts and impressions afterwards. If the coilovers are anything like the guy designing and tuning them I have no doubts they'll be amazing.

Also, Brett, this adjustment to the valving to increase rear end grip that gtxxr6 has mentioned above, is this something you're doing with all new kits that you're sending out (i.e. did you manage to do this adjustment to my kit before it was sent out?).

Cheers,
Dan

gtxxr6 · 06-09-2014, 10:38 AM

i'm pretty sure it was more aimed for big power cars going to the drags, im making around 450rwkw so we are trying to see how well we can get the car out of the hole.
plenty of people in the past have written off coilovers for the drags because they think they are too stiff, but they are just buying the wrong brand!

Shockworks · 06-09-2014, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

I haven't even had my coilovers fitted yet and already I have to agree with gtxxr6 regarding Brett's customer service. I don't think I've ever had such a positive customer service experience in my life. Brett genuinely seems to care about his customers and really wants them to have the best experience with his product possible. I even had Brett emailing me asking excitedly if I'd had the coilovers fitted yet and that he was hoping I was loving the new feel of the car, how good is that?! My kit is getting fitted on the 12th, so I'll be sure to post up my thoughts and impressions afterwards. If the coilovers are anything like the guy designing and tuning them I have no doubts they'll be amazing.

Also, Brett, this adjustment to the valving to increase rear end grip that gtxxr6 has mentioned above, is this something you're doing with all new kits that you're sending out (i.e. did you manage to do this adjustment to my kit before it was sent out?).

Cheers,
Dan

I want to get it on a couple of customers who are local to me for their feedback. The customers car we just did, has a good steerer and does some drags as well, so wanting to see if he is totally happy before we make any changes to the production set. As always if we find a clear improvement we will introduce into production and revalve any customers cars for free but testing first:-)
Cheers
Brett

raband · 06-09-2014, 04:20 PM

Haha - just responded in another forum to a question as to how I was finding the Shockworks at the strip. Reposting here because it's relevant to the above

Rears are still on full soft from when they were fitted - have played with the fronts but not the rears yet. Will do that shortly.

So yeah, full soft at the rears, full hard at the front for the drags.

8 runs last night - all in the 1.9's for the 60' and a 1.8. Previously on stock springs 2.2 was the norm. (doesn't take into account that I'm slowly improving myself as well, but does show a definite difference)

Definitely give more grip that the stock setup, but also gives back fantastic feedback when on the road. Under acceleration you can feel where the tyres are getting to their limit of traction and keep a nice balance with them at that limit. Would be expecting even greater control once I do find the proper firmness to dial the rears in at too. I think the fact that they're non-progressive gives them a huge advantage in that regard - constant spring rate the whole way through the load.

gtxxr6 · 06-09-2014, 08:28 PM

didn't realise that was you at calder last night
what was your best time in the end?

raband · 06-09-2014, 10:26 PM

Ah - which one was me? Was a few FG's :P
(Silver one, COMPEX numberplate was me)

ended up 12.15 - seems about where the car and me are stuck at the moment. Am now happy with it off the line, but doesn't seem to matter what I do down the track - doesn't make much difference. 12.3 for a bad run, 12.1 for a good one - about ready to give up on the magical 11.9 run.

Pretty happy with that for an LPG family taxi, but will be speaking with Mick during the week towards eeking the little bit more from the tune to get the barge an 11.

Which one were you in? Did we have a chat?

gtxxr6 · 07-09-2014, 04:04 PM

yeah compex, guessing company car haha, me and a mate loved it, drive it for a work car every day then take it to the track and smash all the ls1's
nah i was only spectating
this is mine

raband · 07-09-2014, 05:02 PM

That's it ;)

egoxr6 · 09-09-2014, 08:47 PM

I want

naddis01 · 09-09-2014, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtxxr6

yeah compex, guessing company car haha, me and a mate loved it, drive it for a work car every day then take it to the track and smash all the ls1's
nah i was only spectating
this is mine image

What are those wheels mate?

gtxxr6 · 10-09-2014, 06:03 PM

concave concept cc02 in 18x9.5 +22 all round

gtxxr6 · 10-09-2014, 06:04 PM

rear fitment is good with a 235 on it, they poke perfect, fronts sit in a touch, would need a 10mm spacer to be perfect

rab · 10-09-2014, 06:21 PM

Haven't trawled through 7 pages (sorry), do these help or negate axle tramp ?

gtxxr6 · 10-09-2014, 08:37 PM

i have no tramp. but i had none before i got my set so i dunno if that counts

natedog · 10-09-2014, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dl86

Here is a video of me running 1m 13.0s at Wakefield Park. First time on a race track.

Second lap there is my quickest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShYr...jhQcxg9YTHO6dQ

I will probably go a fair bit quicker next time with -3 camber on the fronts as my outside edges are heavily worn from running only -0.5 camber. Turn in at speed was a big issue for me aka under steer as I just couldn't get enough rubber on the ground on the front due to the rubbish front camber. Also will have 376rwkw instead of 296rwkw under the belt with the new tune!

The Shockworks brake rotors were excellent by the way. ZERO fade from multiple brakes above 160kmh and 190kmh down the straights over 15 min sessions. The rotors still look fresh even with the aggressive Project Mu HC+ pads lol. I'll up the ante with some true race level pads next time to give them a real work out haha

Good to hear some real track feedback on the brake kit, i'll be giving them a good test at Phillip island in October, looking forward to seeing how the brakes, coilovers and pilot super sports combine together!!!

graphicgoose · 14-09-2014, 07:30 PM

I played with the settings on my Shockworks today. First chance I've had to really give them a good test since having them fitted. I had to take the rear wheel off first to see where the adjuster for the rear dampener was, but now I know where it is it's easy enough to reach from under the car.

Definitely a night and day improvement in handling! The floaty boat characteristics are gone and the car feels much more composed. Grip feels to have increased and to be much more progressive and predictable.

There's also a much more noticeable difference between fully hard and fully soft than I found with the Teins in my old car. Fully soft with the Shockworks is great for just cruising around on, still has great handling but maintains almost OEM type levels of comfort. Fully hard is ridiculous! It's not painful, but it's uncomfortable. The car transmits every bump and bounces around heaps if there's bumps through a corner. Brett's recommendation of 3 on the front and 4 on the back (0 being the softest and 10 being the hardest) seems like a great compromise for spirited street driving. The suspension soaks up the bumps without unsettling the car and allows a heap of grip. The car also sits flats though the turns and doesn't jump around when you're on the limits of grip.

I'm pretty happy so far.

I should add too that a mate of mine had a drive this arvo. He'd driven it stock before and at the time thought it didn't inspire confidence through the twisties at all. He jumped in it today and his comment was "I'm actually really enjoying driving your car now, this is much better!" Just as a comparison, he's got Teins in his Monaro, so he's used to somewhat similar cars handling.

natedog · 15-09-2014, 08:24 AM

Quality of tyres make a massive difference!

The old rears I had would struggle round corners if I went 4/12 clicks!

With the pilots on I am 8/12 at front and 8/12 rear and it still feels pretty sticky and balanced not too bouncy through corners I go through regularly to test.

It's trial and error, and good fun learning as you go!!

**Polyal** · 15-09-2014, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockworks

During the development of the dampers, we tested on so many different surfaces and conditions, including badly rutted dirt roads so hope you like them as well. We stuck to many of the normal testing procedures I had learned working (couldn't really call it work haha) at the Ford PG. One guy in particular, (Robert Hall) I was so lucky to work with, as he is the master of feeling what is going on with all four wheels and took me quite some time before I was even close to feeling what he did.

Cheers
Brett

Brett...was browsing through the thread and saw this name...I too had the pleasure of working with/around Rob and it was always a pleasure to talk to him.

From all the talk here it seems you guys are doing some good stuff!

marcyeo · 15-09-2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

I played with the settings on my Shockworks today. First chance I've had to really give them a good test since having them fitted. I had to take the rear wheel off first to see where the adjuster for the rear dampener was, but now I know where it is it's easy enough to reach from under the car.

Definitely a night and day improvement in handling! The floaty boat characteristics are gone and the car feels much more composed. Grip feels to have increased and to be much more progressive and predictable.

There's also a much more noticeable difference between fully hard and fully soft than I found with the Teins in my old car. Fully soft with the Shockworks is great for just cruising around on, still has great handling but maintains almost OEM type levels of comfort. Fully hard is ridiculous! It's not painful, but it's uncomfortable. The car transmits every bump and bounces around heaps if there's bumps through a corner. Brett's recommendation of 3 on the front and 4 on the back (0 being the softest and 10 being the hardest) seems like a great compromise for spirited street driving. The suspension soaks up the bumps without unsettling the car and allows a heap of grip. The car also sits flats though the turns and doesn't jump around when you're on the limits of grip.

I'm pretty happy so far.

I should add too that a mate of mine had a drive this arvo. He'd driven it stock before and at the time thought it didn't inspire confidence through the twisties at all. He jumped in it today and his comment was "I'm actually really enjoying driving your car now, this is much better!" Just as a comparison, he's got Teins in his Monaro, so he's used to somewhat similar cars handling.

Great writeup Goose. Would you say on full soft the Shockworks are still softer a ride than the Teins would be? I've been thinking of getting a set of these, or some Bilsteins with H&R springs.

Shockworks only problem is they don't have anyone in Brisbane yet to install these, otherwise would have gotten a set long ago..

graphicgoose · 15-09-2014, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcyeo

Great writeup Goose. Would you say on full soft the Shockworks are still softer a ride than the Teins would be? I've been thinking of getting a set of these, or some Bilsteins with H&R springs.

Shockworks only problem is they don't have anyone in Brisbane yet to install these, otherwise would have gotten a set long ago..

I find them more enjoyable than my Teins were, in that they feel like they work with the chassis better...unless you have them on full hard, then they're not pleasant on the road haha. I've only done a quick test on fully soft and it was comfortable. Might be stretching a little bit to compare the same exact setting on my Teins but I can tell you that even driving around on 3 front and 4 rear isn't uncomfortable for a daily and is great if you feel the need to throw it through some corners. Body roll is no longer an issue. These things keep surprising me and get better and better the more I drive with them.

Also, doesn't matter that they don't have someone in QLD to fit them mate. Ask around on here and other forums to get some insight into a good suspension workshop in your area and then speak to Brett. In my case I went to a shop he hadn't dealt with before, so Brett gave them a call to talk about the install and some things they like done during fitting. Brett had a positive experience dealing with the workshop and so did I (Brett, I'll email you with a proper write up/impressions soon I promise).

Buttnekid · 16-09-2014, 03:41 PM

Brett

Can you please send me a PM with pricing for a set for my new GTF? I am in Perth.

Can you please set them up for firmish street driving. Car will be mainly street driven, might see the occasional drags and even more occasional twisty track work. I should add that I will be running 20 x 8.5, 245's on the front and 20x10.5, 275's on the rear.

Do you sell/recommend any other suspension parts - bushes/sway bars etc?

thanks in advance

Simon

dl86 · 16-09-2014, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

unless you have them on full hard, then they're not pleasant on the road haha.

I have my fronts cranked up to the highest settings and rears at 3 clicks up from soft and don't find it uncomfortable at all. Just handles super sharp.

But then again my rims weigh nothing compared to the stockers and I'm running 18" rubber with a larger profile.

kanos.79 · 07-10-2014, 02:10 PM

well just got the GTE booked in . 8 days and counting . Cant wait .

Buttnekid · 22-10-2014, 04:54 PM

Can I just say that I have become increasingly disillusioned with customer service (or the non-existence of it) in Australia over the past decade..... until today. I would like to give a massive massive acknowledgment to both Brett at Shockworks and Tom at Malaga Suspension Centre.

They have gone above and beyond to set up my GTF. Restored some faith in the service industry in Australia!!!

I cannot recommend these two businesses highly enough to anyone wanting coilovers or suspension work done in WA.

Thanks guys!

shaine71 · 25-11-2014, 07:35 PM

What height are you guys running on the rear with these shockworks coilovers?

shaine71 · 25-11-2014, 09:34 PM

mine is at 350mm bottom of guard/ centre of hub and that is as low as it will go, does that sound right?

see photo below.

shaine71 · 25-11-2014, 09:35 PM

Shockworks · 26-11-2014, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaine71

What height are you guys running on the rear with these shockworks coilovers?

Hi,
We like to run the car around the 355mm from hub to guard. we find this to be better height for normal daily driving and better for driveways. We also find it a good compromise between the ride and handling.

Cheers
Brett

Shockworks · 26-11-2014, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaine71

mine is at 350mm bottom of guard/ centre of hub and that is as low as it will go, does that sound right?

see photo below.

We do restrict how low the car does go our it just sits on the bumper and kicks off over most bumps. If you like you can remove the lock nut and screw the spring seat to the end of the thread and lock it tight which will give you another 10-12mm.
Cheers
Brett