H&R or Pink Springs - Bilstein Set up

[DMGT]

3 weeks ago I upgraded my 05 GT wagon with billies from wheelpower + a set of STI pinks and am very hapy with the result. The original suspension had about 160,000kms on it, the front was ok but the rears were completely shot (sagging badly and had very poor dampening, handling was really bad particulaly when weight shifted changing direction).

Initially Eibachs were recommended to me but neither I or my mechanic could get hold of them so I went with STI pinks. I haven't had any experience with H&R springs so I can't make any comparison there.

The result was excellent. The new springs actually raised the rear of the car (only due to the old springs sagging so badly) and dropped the front by what looks to be pretty close to the advertised 15mm. The car now sits nice and flat, I could probably handle it being a little bit lower but don't know if I'd want to go too much more than it is now (I did load it up with 5 people + bikes + gear for a long weekend and it was sitting pretty low). I find the 15mm drop a good comprimise, it feels great to drive, looks good and I haven't scraped it on anything as yet.

The ride height now sits at 360mm front and 340mm rear measured vertically to the guard. The ride is firmer (but in no way harsh - I commute in it every day) and the car handles much better (probably helped by a new rear swaybar and anti-lift kit done at the same time). The weight now transfer much more consistently when changing direction, it doesn't pitch so much during braking and over bumps and the body roll is signifcantly reduced.

[dle]

hey mate,

thanks for your response.

where did you get your STI pinks from and how much? were they new?

Eibach no longer makes springs for the BL/BP Liberty so thats why they can't be sourced. I've seen some for sale online but you'd question how long they have been there for and whether you'd want them on your car.

sway bars and ALK most likely contributed to the weight transfer ability.

since theres a difference in weight on the sedan and wagons, im curious to see what the height differences would be. are you able to post a photo of what it looks like anyway?

cheers,
dave

[DMGT]

There's a set of STI springs for sale on the forum, I'll post a pick of mine in the next few days.

[markii]

So I'm getting S-Techs

Unless you wants a hard riding bum dragging Liberty, I recommend you first consider Swift Springs.

I've been told they are very good by a member or two, and had I tried them and liked them ,I would not be planning to go down the (quality) coilover route that I am now.

I've been thinking the same thing, Got a link where i can purchase swift springs.
Some of the Teins look really bad and some not so.. :/

[bigBADbenny]

I'm after the rear top mounts off a set of stock shocks if anyone kept their knackered old set.

[swingn]

I've always been a fan of Eibach, so if they aren't available anymore, H&R are going to be the next best thing.

S-Techs are also a very good option & have known many fellow forum members who have run them & been very happy... Many of which actually swapped out the STI Pinks for them. Their ride is damn near identical to Eibach & H&R for the record.

King Springs seem to have improved a far bit over the last few years - Get to hear about them a lot on the Holden Forums. There's nothing wrong with them obviously, but can't comment about how well they ride etc... Just keep in mind, a lot of people who go for the King Springs often go for their "Super Low" type options which is never going to give you a good ride, especially on Sydney roads

[Monkey]

So I'm getting S-Techs

Unless you wants a hard riding bum dragging Liberty, I recommend you first consider Swift Springs.

I've been told they are very good by a member or two, and had I tried them and liked them ,I would not be planning to go down the (quality) coilover route that I am now.

I've been thinking the same thing, Got a link where i can purchase swift springs.
Some of the Teins look really bad and some not so.. :/

I have the stock STI suspension (pink springs, etc) and stock wheels (Enkei 18s) running on Pirelli P-Zero tyres. The car has done ~70ks, so presumably the suspension is still in good shape.
I don't have experience with other suspension set-ups in the Liberty, but I disagree with a lot of reports that the ride is bumpy; it's smoother than I anticipated and a LOT less bumpy than some of the other sports cars we've had:
1989 Honda Prelude on 17s;
1994 Toyota Supra on 18s;
1997 MR2 Bathurst on 18s (the MR2 was the worst!!)

This is the only one of the 4 abovementioned cars which doesn't give me the shits when driving on a poorly-maintained busy road with tram tracks (ie. much of inner-city Melbourne), and doesn't "smash" everytime you go over a speedhump.

[bigBADbenny]

FYI: There's an Epic springs GB happening on LGT right now.

[jax0n]

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