[s-cars] Correct Bilstein / Eibach Suspension Availability

[Doug Landaeta]

Larry,

Wonderful insight, as in I'm still wondering...

I have HDs now, Can I just change the springs to Eibachs, add ECS or
2Bennett, or Igor-mod plates and achieve my goals of lowering and removing
the awful dive and roll I have?
Next question is to decide what malignment specs to dial in?

Doug L 
94 S4 (RS2'd, CRB, etc., but mostly a street car) 

-----Original Message-----
From: LL - NY [mailto:larrycleung at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 10:45 AM
To: Doug Landaeta
Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Correct Bilstein / Eibach Suspension Availability

Doug, 

You have decisions to make w/rt to the springs. I have Eibachs now, and now
that I'm upstate on relatively untravelled roads (i.e. smooth) I kind of
wish that I went with S6+ H&R's. There is much more front end motion than I
find desirable when being "sprited" although I've never bottomed. But, since
strut Audi's don't exactly have the best roll camber gain, front end motion
tends to lead to more understeer than desirable. True at the limit, a
stiffer front end will push, but I have found (in my old SCCA days with my
A2 GTi) roll camber gain is more of a problem than front to rear roll
stiffness balance, at least until you have all of the tires working
properly. + a better controlled front end just "feels" better. Note, I'm
entirely happy with the rears. I'm likely to consider having my Bilsteins
revalved for probably around 20% more jounce (no change in rebound) to help
out.

HOWEVER, the ride quality is VERY close to stock, which was refreshing
compared to my H&R's in my 200Q which are just too stiff. No jiggles,
generally not harsh at all. It (S6 Eibach/Bilstein)still does hammer me when
hitting ridged pavement (which is just about every side road around here,
they chip+tar on dirt, but smooth the dirt with a lugged tired tractor) but
is otherwise perfect with respect to ride quality.

As for camber plates, personally, I'd try Igor's mod first. It may not have
enough adjustment (it didn't for me and my car was relatively low milage at
80K miles when bought and modded) but it's "cheap" and within your
abilities. Plus it'll add adjustment range if you end up getting plates.
Don't know much about the ECS plates, but the 2-bennets (got on the GB) have
both caster and camber adjustment, which can be extended using the Igor mod.
So you can get some extra caster (improving on center feel and centering)
while getting the camber correct. They're beautifully made, machined
aluminum pieces.
SOOOO pretty, I'm tempted to leave them uncovered JUST to look at them. BUT,
now that the GB is long gone, they're pricey.

Just my $0.02,

LL - NY