Which set up? Billies or FK Coilovers?

1. Tricky_VTS Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Chesterfield Posts: 458 Wicked Red VTS

   #1 3rd March 2008, 16:39

   Before going to the Ring in July I want to get my suspension set up sorted out. Im on standard shockers at the moment and they're crap!
   
   I cant decide which kit to go for, Billies or FK Coilovers. What would you recommend? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each kit?
   
   Thanks for any help/advice in advance
   
   Chris
   
   
   Billies
   www.kam-racing.com/pro...cts_id/977
   
   FK Coilovers
   www.kam-racing.com/pro..._id/100168
2. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

   #2 3rd March 2008, 16:47

   billies
   
   coilovers are only for the front on a saxo unless proper conversion for £££ done, billies and a decent set of springs will handle better and last longer than FK imo.
3. Sean Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2005 St Andrews United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 7384 Green mk1 vtr/s and Focus zetec

   #3 3rd March 2008, 16:48

   FK's too harsh and more for show, although you could buy custom springs and have the shocks revalved to suit but by the time you pay for that you could have had the better billies set up. Coilovers are only really for the adjustability, but realistically how many times are you going to change the ride height? Billies are a lot better in terms of handling.
   Personally for a decent set-up i'd be looking at a minimum of billies, thicker rear anti-roll bar and decent springs (no more than 50mm drop, you don't say which ones you have currently?) Then if you want to go further you're looking at thicker torsion bars but you need to equalise the thickness with the front spring rate to maximise handling.
4. andywiddss1 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2007 skipton northyorks Posts: 5275 clio 172 exclusive track toy

   #4 3rd March 2008, 16:48

   im running group n billies an gmc 40mm springs was running avo.s before an the difference is amazing
5. andywiddss1 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2007 skipton northyorks Posts: 5275 clio 172 exclusive track toy

   #5 3rd March 2008, 16:50

   http://www.gmcmotorsport.co.uk/catalog/shock.php
6. Tricky_VTS Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Chesterfield Posts: 458 Wicked Red VTS

   #6 3rd March 2008, 16:51

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Sean FK's too harsh and more for show, although you could buy custom springs and have the shocks revalved to suit but by the time you pay for that you could have had the better billies set up. Coilovers are only really for the adjustability, but realistically how many times are you going to change the ride height? Billies are a lot better in terms of handling. Personally for a decent set-up i'd be looking at a minimum of billies, thicker rear anti-roll bar and decent springs (no more than 50mm drop, you don't say which ones you have currently?) Then if you want to go further you're looking at thicker torsion bars but you need to equalise the thickness with the front spring rate to maximise handling.

   
   Im running Eibach 30mm at the moment.
   
   Thats top information, thanks
7. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

   #7 3rd March 2008, 16:53

   eiback springs are very very soft!
8. Tricky_VTS Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Chesterfield Posts: 458 Wicked Red VTS

   #8 3rd March 2008, 16:53

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by andywiddss1 im running group n billies an gmc 40mm springs was running avo.s before an the difference is amazing

   How much did you pay for them and where from? Are they easy to fit or is it a garage job?
   
   That looks like a v.good kit in the link
9. Tricky_VTS Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Chesterfield Posts: 458 Wicked Red VTS

   #9 3rd March 2008, 16:54

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by andywiddss1 http://www.gmcmotorsport.co.uk/catalog/shock.php

   Thats a good read! Cheers
10. andywiddss1 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2007 skipton northyorks Posts: 5275 clio 172 exclusive track toy

    #10 3rd March 2008, 17:00

    no worries mate first time iv been out in the car yesterday in the dry with the billies on an the cornering an grip is amazing need to book another track day soon ha ha
11. Sean Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2005 St Andrews United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 7384 Green mk1 vtr/s and Focus zetec

    #11 3rd March 2008, 17:01

    gmc 40mm springs will be harder than your 30mm eibachs so the ride height probably wont look any different
12. andywiddss1 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2007 skipton northyorks Posts: 5275 clio 172 exclusive track toy

    #12 3rd March 2008, 17:03

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Sean gmc 40mm springs will be harder than your 30mm eibachs so the ride height probably wont look any different

    thats true yes
13. Tricky_VTS Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Chesterfield Posts: 458 Wicked Red VTS

    #13 3rd March 2008, 17:05

    Thanks for the help, its pretty conclusive! Billies here we come!