40 replies to this topic

[rmorse]

As title reads, I'm looking into suspension options for my R. I plan on doing IPDs lowering springs, and then some good shocks. One question: how do I know if my brick has the self leveling shocks or not? If it doesn't, which shocks would you go for and why?

I've never bought performance shocks before, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

[MrLorence]

Look at them and if they look like this:

Then you have them..

Shocks are all personal preference, but you want to try and get a HD Spring if you will be having large amounts of weight in the back..

[rmorse]

Thanks for the fast reply. Is this something I can just glance at, or will I have to check it out next time I have it jacked up? I have never done rear suspension work before, only front...

[beewerks]

You can usually see the shocks from behind the rear wheel looking up slightly. You shouldn't need to jack it up to see weather they are standard or self leveling models.

IMO the rear suspension is really easy to work on compared to the front.

I used Koni FSD shocks on my 850 and I was really happy with them.

[the underlørd]

96 R's don't have Nivomat.

[r850glt]

Just got a 1996 855R and it has Nivomats, must have a special order ?

[blazen244]

Just my .02, I have the Bilstien Touring shocks in the rear along with Voght springs and they are great. In my trunk I have two 12"s two 10"s and three amps they still give a good ride firm when I need it and comfortable all the time. Also what crotch rocket do you have?

[Darth R]

My R had nivomats, infact it is on the original window sticker. Just buy the standard rear shock mounts from IPD and you are good to go. My buddy and I have identical 96 855-R he has the FSD and I have the tourings, his is much nicer all around, firm when you want and soft on the freeway. We both have ipd springs and sways.

[c70pete]

I think with your "R" your stock springs should be ok.... I went with KONI FSD on my 98 c70 and stayed with stock springs... I had the IPD sway bar installed from before and the combination really gives you a ride that is comfy and handles really well in the corners... my goal was not to sacrifice comfort for a performance shock setup and the FSD + stock springs did just that... if you don't have the IPD sway bars you *must* get these... huge difference....

the FSD specifically helped bump steer and made the car feel more neutral... also in corners I was able to apply more power since the shocks have such high pressure they keep the wheels glued to the road...

I'm curious how low the IPD springs will make the car and if they are even a match for the FSD.... I think the R springs you have are already low and you should stick with them... just go for shocks and sways and you'll be smiling!

[Deimos]

I adore my set up, ipd and bilstein. I mixed HD rears with touring fronts, 25/22 sways.

[bob850]

I just had IPD sways and Koni FSD struts/shocks installed in my '96 turbo wagon (kept stock springs). I'm extremely happy with the setup. Softer over bumps, yet tighter around corners.

We have the same setup on my wife's '97 glt wagon. It rides even nicer due to the 15" wheels (as opposed to 16" on my car).

I've heard before that part of the reason the IPD sways ride better over bumps is due to the free floating bushings, as opposed to the bushings on the stock sway that are molded to the bar. Both our cars became better over bumps after the installation, but I'm not for sure which component did it, since the Koni FSD and IPD sways were installed at the same time.

[c70pete]

bob850, on 10 February 2012 - 08:04 PM, said:

I just had IPD sways and Koni FSD struts/shocks installed in my '96 turbo wagon (kept stock springs). I'm extremely happy with the setup. Softer over bumps, yet tighter around corners.

We have the same setup on my wife's '97 glt wagon. It rides even nicer due to the 15" wheels (as opposed to 16" on my car).

I've heard before that part of the reason the IPD sways ride better over bumps is due to the free floating bushings, as opposed to the bushings on the stock sway that are molded to the bar. Both our cars became better over bumps after the installation, but I'm not for sure which component did it, since the Koni FSD and IPD sways were installed at the same time.

I agree! sticking to stock springs and adding IPD sway bar is the way to go...

I actually had IPD sways on my car way before installing the KONI FSD so I can tell you that it's not the sway bar that improves your ride... it's definitely the FSD. The ride on stock shocks with stock sway bar was the same as when I installed IPD sway bars... corner and stability improved... the IPD sway bars did not degrade the ride one bit.

when I installed FSD's.. the ride became much more controlled... harsh bumps are handled in a "rubbery" quick bounce and much less is transmitted to the cabin... potholes that would peviously destroy your front end are still felt with impact... but muffled and controlled and without the explo$ive crash that the stock shocks displayed.

Going FSD shocks and stock springs will better preserve your front end suspension components because the FSD's really do soak up a lot of the harshness out there... so you know they are doing their job!

[bob850]

I agree with the "rubbery quick bounce" description for the FSD. Good way of describing it. You still feel the bumps, but they are less harsh.

[c70pete]

+1 much less harsh... controlled and muffled.... what I really like is the power delivery around corners and how the tires now stay planted.... definitely a function of FSDs...

I'm on michlien pilot alpin snow tires right now...can't wait until summer comes round so I can install some Pilot Super Sport... that should really be amazing with this setup...

[Jardim]

How is the handling on FSD's?

Do they go from "comfort" to "sport" depending on the situation?

[c70pete]

combined with IPD Sway bars (which are a *must* in my opinion) the FSD's make a for a great handling car without killing you over bumps and road irregularities....

they firm up the corners when you really push the car... and control body movements under hard braking and acceleration...

if your trying to build more of a "track" car that will see 50% track time and 50% street time you should go with KONI YELLOW + lowering springs - this is the better track setup but you will lose much comfort on the street...

the setup I have is definitely trackable but it's not adjustable... its comfy and performs well... just the way I wanted it....

[Jardim]

Im debating between these, the yellows or the new strt (street) shock with either eibach's or ipd's im not sure.

[c70pete]

The FSD won't work that well with the eibach pro spring kit... they are not properly matched and the FSD were designed for stock springs...

the yellows or new street shock from koni (non adjustable) is better suited to the eibachs or IPDs

I would contact both IPD and Koni and see what they have to say...

do you value ride comfort?

[Jardim]

Not really, i live for this stuff.

[c70pete]

then go KONI yellow and a good lowering spring... you should also do IPD sway bars and IPD Heavy Duty endlinks together... they will definitely add to the fund factor...

I would do the IPD sways and endlinks first just so you can appreciate the effect.