Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

This is for all you AutoX and rally types. We all know you love your suspension hacks so here is a place to talk about them.

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fredges
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What year is your cabby?: 1987
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes

Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by fredges »

So my stock '87 is gettin' soggy in the rear in her old age (kinda like me!) and I'm thinking I'd like to pt something a bit more firm underneath her. I don't want "stance", but I wouldn't mind going a little bit lower, just for aesthetics. I never drive the car over 80....

I'm not opposed to used gear off, be it off a wreck or what not, so long as it's safe. And money is definitely an issue, so cheap is good!

What should I put on there that fits my criteria? (Not radical, just a bit more firm, not super low, just a little perhaps, and not expensive).

Thanks for your advice/links/photos/what have you!
1987 VW Cabriolet - stock, auto
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Briano1234
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Re: Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by Briano1234 »

New springs from GermanAutoparts.com aren't that expensive.
Briano

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fredges
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What year is your cabby?: 1987
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Re: Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by fredges »

But which set? Do I need certain shocks? I'm clueless! :D
1987 VW Cabriolet - stock, auto
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Briano1234
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Re: Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by Briano1234 »

fredges wrote:But which set? Do I need certain shocks? I'm clueless! :D
OEM springs are avail, and you would use them on oem struts.

mk1 cabriolet
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kamzcab86
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Re: Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by kamzcab86 »

If you want a firmer ride and lowering just a bit, H&R/Bilstein Sport combo is nice. That's what I put on my "going to stay stock!" '86. There are other brands/options out there though.

Before (stock):
Image

After (Sportified):
Image

You may not be able to easily see, but the car has been lowered about 1½". However, the Sport set-up isn't exactly cheap.

Lowering the car isn't just for aesthetics, the performance is going to be affected too. You feel the road more with a firmer ride, but the car handles cornering better slightly lowered.

The most inexpensive route is simply replacing stock for stock. If you want the car lowered (even mildly), in most applications, lowering springs cannot be used with stock struts/shocks... so, keep that in mind.
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fredges
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Re: Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by fredges »

Thanks to both of you! This is just the kind of input I'm looking for. I'd like a firm ride, and maybe a little lower, but I'm so poor I can't afford to pay attention! :D we'll see what I can find...
1987 VW Cabriolet - stock, auto
marius12
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Re: Stock susp. gettin' squishy, what are my options?

Post by marius12 »

The bilstein shocks are really worth the price. I can say that they are one of the best upgrades I did on my car. Firmer ride and not too bouncy. They can absorb bumps and other road imperfections very well.
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