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unrise_lyrical
11-12-2005, 01:18 PM
Hey all

Im trying to work out a decent suspension setup for my car (1992 Ford Laser TX3 4wd Turbo). Its my daily, so it cant rattle me to death, but I want a pretty low, stiff ride height which gives excellent handling. Coil-overs are out of the qestion as they are out of my realistic budget.

Originally I was looking at the full whiteline kit for my car, but after talking to several other TX3 owners, Ive been told there are a few things that may not really be that suited to what I want from the kit. It has progressive rate springs, and I was more hoping for linear rate for a slightly firmer ride with less initial roll, and I was told the struts probably werent as stiff as I wanted. The rest of the kit (all nolethane bushings, rear swaybar, rear strutbrace, anti-lift/castor kit) along with a different brand of springs and a different brand of shock would probably give me the sort of ride im after I guess. I am trying to track down some koni adjustables (reds) for my car, but even though many of my friends have them (I KNOW they were made for my car) NOONE can tell me where to get them. I know the rears are just inserts for the stock struts, but the fronts could either be a full replacement unit, or just a replacement insert, Im not too sure. As for springs, I was told Lovells make decent custom linear rate springs (Something like 200lb at the front and 180-190lb at the rear, depending on swaybar setup).

Would a setup like the whiteline kit, but with Koni adjustables and some lovells be pretty good for handling? Would I need to get the shocks re-valved? Or would the fullwhiteline kit be all I need? Do whiteline make linear rate springs? I love the idea of simply buying one kit thats designed to all work together, but I really dont want to cash out heaps of the green stuff, only to find my car doesnt sit as low as I want (around 13 - 15cms above the blacktop would be nice), or the ride isnt as stiff as I'd like (which is the reason im looking at the koni adjustable units, with their dampening adjustments).

Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated, I need to get this fairlly urgently as my car is currently off the road waiting for its new legs, and I have no way of getting to work :(

Thanks heaps guys, and sorry for the long winded explanation :P

Wojtek
12-12-2005, 10:27 AM
Hi,

What spring rates ARE you looking for?
What ride height do you want your car to be at, measured from centre of wheel to guard?

Please advise.
With the above, I'll reply with more details.

Regards,
Wojtek.

unrise_lyrical
14-12-2005, 05:56 PM
I was told 200lb at the front, and 180 - 190 in the rear (depending on swaybar setup) would probably suit what Im looking for? Or would that be too stiff?

At the moment, teh front guards sit around 33cm above the middle of the wheel (roughly). I wouldnt mind having it sit at around 28-29cms...

Is it true the whiteline kit now comes with koni inserts instead of kyb shocks? if thats the case, id be much more inclined to just go the full whiteline kit...

Wojtek
15-12-2005, 10:44 AM
Hi,

You may be intereted in the specs for our Control springs for your car (Ford Laser KF-KF 91-93 AWD turbo);
front - 74601A - progressive rate 165>215 lbs/in, CWTG ~ 330mm
rear - 73143 - progressive rate 75>160 lbs/in, CWTG ~ 300mm
Shocks as used in the car kit are based on KYB.
The above has been developed to work together as a package.

Linear rate spring of the rates that you are after, even at a moderate 30mm drop, will not be captive at full suspension travel if using standard shocks.

Standard ride height is about 360mm (front). Our Control springs reduce ride height to about 330mm (front), as there is limited suspension travel for any further lowering.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Regards,
Wojtek.