New Wheels and Suspension (BWW)
07-14-2004, 10:28 AM
#1
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New Wheels and Suspension (BWW)
Before: (98.5 fronttrac non-sport)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/macy_front.jpg">
After:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/driversidehigh.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/passengerrear3q.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/passengerfront.jpg">
Wheels:
Enkei RPM2 Silver; 18 x 8 et35
Tires:
Falken GRB-FK 451 225/40R18
Wheels are pretty light at just under 20lb. Tires are pretty heavy at 25lb! Road noise is the same as the SP8000 that they replace. Not near as loud as the Azenis sport I have run on my Miata. Grip is much better than the Dunlops, but not near as good as the Azenis. Seems to be a great daily driver tire.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/frontcoilover.jpg">
I also did the suspension. I put together some coilovers using a set of Bilstein sports, generic Ground Control Perches, and some 2.5" race springs that I purchased from Dave Turner here in San Diego. Front is 8" long 325lb/in and rear is 10" long 275 lb/in. Rates seems pretty neutral on this 98 Fronttrac. Might increase front rate a bit more. Ride is stiff, but great on the freeway. Large bumps are definitely felt due mostly to the larger wheels! However, the new wheels and tires do not rub even with front at 25-3/4" ground to fender and rear 26" ground to fender.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/frontpasscornerinstalled.jpg">
Front Installed
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/rearpasscornerinstalled.jpg">
Rear Installed
Also decided to switch over to Mintex pads to reduce dusting. When I went to pressure bleed the system, the f*#k#n master cylinder reservoir cracked at only 4psi. Had to spend another $60 at Audi for a new one. Arrgh!
Painted calipers while I was at it too.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/paintedcaliper.jpg">
Next exterior project is to find some one piece projectors out of an 00+
Just turned 61K miles this week. I have all the timing belt parts in my garage, time to tackle that project.
Suppose I should get around to making a sig someday too....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/macy_front.jpg">
After:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/driversidehigh.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/passengerrear3q.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/passengerfront.jpg">
Wheels:
Enkei RPM2 Silver; 18 x 8 et35
Tires:
Falken GRB-FK 451 225/40R18
Wheels are pretty light at just under 20lb. Tires are pretty heavy at 25lb! Road noise is the same as the SP8000 that they replace. Not near as loud as the Azenis sport I have run on my Miata. Grip is much better than the Dunlops, but not near as good as the Azenis. Seems to be a great daily driver tire.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/frontcoilover.jpg">
I also did the suspension. I put together some coilovers using a set of Bilstein sports, generic Ground Control Perches, and some 2.5" race springs that I purchased from Dave Turner here in San Diego. Front is 8" long 325lb/in and rear is 10" long 275 lb/in. Rates seems pretty neutral on this 98 Fronttrac. Might increase front rate a bit more. Ride is stiff, but great on the freeway. Large bumps are definitely felt due mostly to the larger wheels! However, the new wheels and tires do not rub even with front at 25-3/4" ground to fender and rear 26" ground to fender.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/frontpasscornerinstalled.jpg">
Front Installed
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/rearpasscornerinstalled.jpg">
Rear Installed
Also decided to switch over to Mintex pads to reduce dusting. When I went to pressure bleed the system, the f*#k#n master cylinder reservoir cracked at only 4psi. Had to spend another $60 at Audi for a new one. Arrgh!
Painted calipers while I was at it too.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12867/paintedcaliper.jpg">
Next exterior project is to find some one piece projectors out of an 00+
Just turned 61K miles this week. I have all the timing belt parts in my garage, time to tackle that project.
Suppose I should get around to making a sig someday too....
07-14-2004, 10:34 AM
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A lot of people are going to want info on those perches/springs.
Up until now, there really haven't been many options for those that want linear rate springs (not without spending crazy money). That's a pretty nice set up!
07-14-2004, 11:03 AM
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It was actually pretty easy to put together....
The shocks are just standard non-adjustable bilstein sports that you can find anywhere pretty reasonably.
The springs are just 2.5" I.D. race springs. Eibach and H&R will sell you springs like this in just about any length and in any rate. These particular springs I found on the shelf at Dave Turner Motorsports. They were sold under the brand name Blue Coil. Dave Turner Motorsports can also get just about any length and rate combinations for about $50 a spring.
The perches were the real steal. A friend of mine found some Ground Controls that are sold under the name Importech for about $70. They were originally sold as a kit for the Honda CRX. FYI, MMRUSA.com sells these types of kits. The perches are designed like most coil-over kits to accept any 2.5" I.D. spring. The only tricky part was choosing the spring rate, and then once the rate was chosen, calculating the spring length.(including sag and preload) Oh, and the perches didn't just instantly fit onto the bilsteins. Some special aluminum spacers were turned on a lathe to set the coilover to the shock. You can see them in the pics, they are the raw aluminum colored pieces at the bottom of the treads.
The springs are just 2.5" I.D. race springs. Eibach and H&R will sell you springs like this in just about any length and in any rate. These particular springs I found on the shelf at Dave Turner Motorsports. They were sold under the brand name Blue Coil. Dave Turner Motorsports can also get just about any length and rate combinations for about $50 a spring.
The perches were the real steal. A friend of mine found some Ground Controls that are sold under the name Importech for about $70. They were originally sold as a kit for the Honda CRX. FYI, MMRUSA.com sells these types of kits. The perches are designed like most coil-over kits to accept any 2.5" I.D. spring. The only tricky part was choosing the spring rate, and then once the rate was chosen, calculating the spring length.(including sag and preload) Oh, and the perches didn't just instantly fit onto the bilsteins. Some special aluminum spacers were turned on a lathe to set the coilover to the shock. You can see them in the pics, they are the raw aluminum colored pieces at the bottom of the treads.
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07-14-2004, 11:15 AM
#9
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your azenis were loud?
i had the falkens GRB's and they were very loud. i spoke with a wheel/tire shop and they recomended the st115's, said they'd be quieter, but still well performing tire. road noise was loud with those?