2Bennet Coilover

[Ramana Lagemann <elmool@tiac.net>]

Sorry to take so long to process the requests... here's the skinny on my
2Bennet COnversion:

I am using Bilstein "Short" Strut inserts... the shorter, stiffer of the
two available.
I bought the 2Bennet kit for $525, plus $200 for the front Delrin
bushings, of which Rick Zehr has previously thrown all of his weight
behind.

I was running H&R springs that I bought two years ago from TAP. They
were not the actual Coupe Q springs, but the springs for the 85 UR Q. At
the time, CQ springs were in development, and the URQ springs were being
sold off by TAP, (with the knowledge of H&R) as CQ Springs.
They fit perfectly and had a rate that suited the Coupe Q well. These
springs, I am told, are not as stiff as the "real" CQ Springs currently
available from H&R.

Anyway, the H&R/Bilstein setup was not stiff enough for me, and I
suspect the "real" H&Rs wouldn't be stiff enough for me, either. After
talking with several suspension and Audi authorities including Dialynx,
Carrera, 2Bennet, Todd Candey and Leda Suspension in England, I decided
on a rate of 400lbs/inch front and 350lbs/inch rear. I drive about 15000
miles a year, and I drive hard whenever it is remotely sane to do so...
on and off the track.

While everyone who does the H&R upgrade is extremely impressed with the
results and will swear that there is "no body roll" (heck, I claimed the
same when I first got the H&Rs) there infact is still a good deal of 
roll, although it is a great improvement over stock. Let me say: with
the car lowered some 2.5-3 inches in front an 3.5 inches in back, in
conjunction with the relatively stiff springs and dampers, body roll is
as eliminated as you can get for street use. (Keep in mind I do not have
the swaybar that came stock on the later-build Coupes)
Even though the car is so stiffly suspended, the real weight of the
Coupes still shines through in hard cornering and weight transfer
situations, such as in an Autocross.
	
Yes, the suspension is very stiff, especially on the rather large
Massachusetts frost heaves and the infamous road conditions in Boston
city. While low speed cornering has improved noticeably over the H&R
setup, high speed cornering is phenominal... the reserves of grip are
absolutely amazing. With the bushings and the suspension as is, turn-in
is instantaneous. The the high negative camber I have dialed into the
front (~2 degrees over spec) handling in a straight line is admittedly
twitchy, but not overbearing... (I can still steer with my knees when
finding change for a toll-booth, etc...)   

As far as the 2Bennet kit goes, it's parts are sourced from Ground
Control (http://www.ground-control.com/) and are well machined pieces.
The ride height adjustment relies on the stroke of the damper and the
threaded body/coller that loads the spring, thereby extending or
retracting the damper. 

One fallacy of thi kit is that it takes 1 eight-hour day to complete the
conversion, which from experience, is complete bullsh*t. To do it right,
(grinding and sandine the original perch COMPLETELY off, then repainting
the strut) expect 3-4 days of work. 

Adjusting the ride height is very easy, and takes all of a few minutes,
you will, however most likely need to take the wheel off of the
repective corner you are raising or lowering. If you have scales, wieght
jacking for the driver is also very easy.

If I have left anything out, please email me with further questions...
I am not on the Q	list, so email me directly.

-- 
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* Ramana Lagemann							
* Cohasset, MA												     
* 1990 CoupeQ20V                  
* http://www.20v.net		       
* mailto:elmool@tiac.net            
* mailto:elmool@20v.net       
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