Tarmac Rallying Suspension

[jimmi 0 1 Cars]

Any recommendations for optimum suspension ( dampers /spring rates etc) for bumpy irish tarmac roads/jumps ?... Stick with Bilsteins ..or try Gaz...Spax.. Reiger etc ??

I want to minimise the rear-end 'kick up' 205's are prone to ....

Edited July 26, 2014 by jimmi

[Batfink 201]

Spend as much money as you can. Gaz don't recommend their dampers for rally use, Spax will be road focused so will suffer same issues. On a budget then bilsteins but three ways will give the best damping control

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

Completely agree with batfink, on a budget Bilsteins are the only thing that will last. If money allows 3 ways on the rear would be the next step

[welshpug 1,655]

do your regs allow a rear coilover?

[jimmi 0 1 Cars]

do your regs allow a rear coilover?

Not sure if MSA Grp.N regs permit rear coil-overs.... Anyone got a set of homologation papers to check this ? Another lad over here does gravel rallies.. he fitted Reiger rear/adjustable shocks which are awsome...but so is the cost of them .Heard they are around £1500 a set !

Edited July 28, 2014 by jimmi

[Biggles 65]

Grp.N regs mean you're stuck with the OE setup so no coilovers. Vertical coilovers under MSA Category 2 regs may be acceptable (adding the turrets is the limiting factor) but I see no reason why a Satchell type horiz coilover setup that retains the OE torsion bars and doesn't require any structural mods wouldn't be acceptable.

[welshpug 1,655]

they dont do one for a 205 unfortunately.

[Mad Scientist 106]

I asked the msa that. They haven't got back to me yet. I was thinking of adapting a 106 setup.

 

The reality is, with the time and cost involved, you'd be better off with some 3 ways anyhow. Plus, they will hold their value second hand.

 

A full set of front and rear Reigers will stand you £3600. Rears alone about £1200.

 

Proflex rears are £1400. Their fronts are a crazy £1800 each!

[Biggles 65]

Might be worth a chat with Nigel at Avo.

[Mad Scientist 106]

2 way adjustable remote reservoir avos are about £700 a pair on the back. Nigel will tell you they are as good as proflex 3 ways. I'm not convinced.

[welshpug 1,655]

course he'll say that, he's got to pay for his mk2 escort somehow

 

all the leaks and servicing pay for the tyres and fuel bill I bet!

 

garrys old saxo had avo 3 ways, fronts leaked twice in two years, proflex on the new car, no issues other than needing a service as they were ten years old.

[Mad Scientist 106]

The beauty with a proper damper is serviceability. They do go wrong, but generally it's just a rose joint now and again in the decent options.

 

I've heard so many people complaining about leaking avos around service areas. I think you do get what you pay for.

 

Speak to either Gordon at proflex or Zoltan (yes really) at reiger.

 

I'll be putting 3 ways on my new shell.

[welshpug 1,655]

I have heard zoltans name mentioned yes Don't know anyone willing to spend reiger money though, most I know are on bilstein ast or proflex.

[Mad Scientist 106]

Reiger are cheaper than Proflex though, as long as you don't pay AB tax. Don't let anyone tell you they aren't valved the same unless you get them from AB either, as Zoltan has confirmed that all customers get the same settings, regardless who did the development with them.

 

The only issue is the fronts need holes cutting in the bonnet due to oil pipe union location.

 

I have seen that Ohlin now do a 2 or 3 way inverted 40mm insert, which should fit a pug sport billie leg. These are £700 each in 2 way remote and £900 each in 3 way.

 

Since the msa don't like Colin's work (although I don't think its personal), the new shell will get 3 ways. It also means brakes, bones, beam etc are easier to replace, and can be transferred from my outgoing car.

 

Back to the thread specifically:

 

Unless you have the money for proflex or rieger, I would recommend the adjustable platform billies and tarmac spec rears.

 

Next step up for better control at the back is to add a 3 way, but on flat circuit/airfield events you will notice little difference. Anywhere with jumps and yumps you certainly will notice.

[Biggles 65]

I've heard so many people complaining about leaking avos around service areas. I think you do get what you pay for.

That's interesting. I had Avos on the old car for 5 years with no issues. I have them on the new car and after 18 months, no issues. I know a couple of people who've run Avos for a number of years and they've not had any problems either.

[Mad Scientist 106]

Well they can't all be bad, or Nigel wouldn't be able to afford that escort!

[jorg 11]

the AVOs on the front of my 306 rally car have never leaked but then again the car hasn't actually made it out through the garage doors yet i couldn't afford the big name brands when i was buying my suspension back in 2012 so went with single adjustable setup they offer as it was within my budget. the next step up (AST) would of been £500 dearer and that was after Curtis lowered the spec for me. the AVOs will soon be replaced by some 3 way ohlins which i picked up for a crazy price no way could i afford them new!

 

as the guys above have said, it all comes down to your budget and what you can afford. what setup do you currently have on the car?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

I'm often tempted by the 2way avo rears but I'm yet to actually speak to someone who's used them?

 

 

Pete, re the reigers. If they only sell one setting do you know if the rears would hypothetically speaking be adjustable enough to suit 21 and 25mm bars? They'd be fairly appealing if I could use them on two of my cars

[Mad Scientist 106]

I'm pretty sure they are infinitely adjustable Al, so should work on both cars with different settings, but you are best of asking them, or someone like Brumster.

[Biggles 65]

infinitely adjustable

Infinitely ? Really ....

 

My Avo's have sufficient adjustment to allow me to double the spring rate they were built for. By the figures I've got, a 25mm bar gives twice the spring rate to a 21mm ...

[Mad Scientist 106]

Yeah, maybe I just made that up! Doesn't make sense when I think about it!