Ford Falcon BA-FG Coilovers - Page 5

marcyeo · 14-06-2014, 06:40 PM

Do you have any workshop in Brisbane that can fit your coilovers Brett?

Shockworks · 16-06-2014, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcyeo

Do you have any workshop in Brisbane that can fit your coilovers Brett?

Hi Marcyeo,

We don't have a dealer in Brisbane yet mate, sorry. We will be travelling up North in the next few months to find some good companies to support the fitting and sales for the Shockworks dampers.
If you do decide to install our dampers, would be much better to remove the heavy bars and install the factory bars as they will not be required with our kit and will only reduce the grip mate.
Cheers
Brett

marcyeo · 09-07-2014, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockworks

Hi Marcyeo,

We don't have a dealer in Brisbane yet mate, sorry. We will be travelling up North in the next few months to find some good companies to support the fitting and sales for the Shockworks dampers.
If you do decide to install our dampers, would be much better to remove the heavy bars and install the factory bars as they will not be required with our kit and will only reduce the grip mate.
Cheers
Brett

Hey Brett - by heavier bars did you mean the front & rear Whiteline swaybars? If so unfortunately that was on the old F6 which has gone to car heaven and I'm currently in the GT.

I was thinking of upgrading the front swaybar's to Whiteline again as a cheapo upgrade before getting the coin for your coilovers, but you reckon don't bother with the swaybars as they interfere with grip?

Shockworks · 11-07-2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcyeo

Hey Brett - by heavier bars did you mean the front & rear Whiteline swaybars? If so unfortunately that was on the old F6 which has gone to car heaven and I'm currently in the GT.

I was thinking of upgrading the front swaybar's to Whiteline again as a cheapo upgrade before getting the coin for your coilovers, but you reckon don't bother with the swaybars as they interfere with grip?

Hi Marcyeo,
From our experience, we have found that when we have install our kit in cars with the bigger bars, the balance and corner response is reduced. We performed all the mid corner balance work with the springs and find on our bad roads, the big bars reduce the suppleness and pull the car around too much. The bars by themselves may be OK but with our kit load the tyre too quickly.
Cheers
Brett

Struggo · 08-07-2014, 12:25 AM

Installed Shockworks Coilovers in my G6ET.

One word "WOW"

Struggo · 08-07-2014, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Struggo

Installed Shockworks Coilovers in my G6ET.

One word "WOW"

Here are a couple of shots I took with my mobile, please forgive the dirty girl

Hub to guard = 360mm

kanos.79 · 09-07-2014, 06:39 PM

She looks good mate. Im thinking of getting these coilovers for my GTE. They look great . Also some really good reviews of this product.

raband · 08-07-2014, 10:54 PM

Had a set installed at Pitlane today and thought I'd share my first impressions.

Would first like to thank Brett for both his product, and also for his knowledge and customer support/feedback. Not only did he hand deliver the kit to Mick last week (who also has my thanks for his unending support and help) but also visited them again this morning prior to my installation to ensure it all went smoothly. (he probably left knowing his product was already in great hands, but glad he made the visit

)

(I've copied this post from the other forum I frequent - I figure Brett and Shockworks are a bit more visible here)

.............

Well.... Just back from a cruise down the Peninsula - This setup should come stock - or at least as a factory option on our cars.

It took the roads out the back of Dromana, Red Hill, Balnarring etc as if they were freshly laid, not potholed, lumpy bits or tar.

I swear - they have also straightened and smoothed out the corners up Arthurs Seat since I was there last - the car now just steers through them and stays flat the whole way.

The extra grip coming out of corners I've now got isn't small either - couple of roundabouts that used to give my tail a decent kick out are now just taken smoothly with the same power down.

Ride isn't any less comfortable than stock - just a little different. Found myself flinching/clenching like I usually do when going over the usual railway tracks but they may as well have not been there. You still feel the bumps, but the car doesn’t.

Haven't played with the dampening at all yet – still on the soft settings setup/recommended by Brett – even on soft – wow – light and day difference in the handling from stock.

Gone is the wallow.
Steering - it no longer feels as if the rear is trailing the front with a bit of lag - feels as if the gap between the front and rear wheels has been shortened
Braking into a corner - so much more balanced - so much less weight transfer. Like the railway crossings - I'd be prepared/waiting for the cars usual behavior - it didn't do it, just stayed flat and composed. the dropping of the front/loading on the inner tyre wasn't there.

Note - I wasn't driving at 10/10ths, just having a bit of a spurt over different conditions - getting a feel of the differences the new coilovers have made. Call it 6 or 7/10ths, but with the old shocks/springs it a few of the corners would have felt more like a high 8/10ths ;)

Am so glad to have found this product at the right time - I was probably 60% headed towards getting a "best bang for the buck" set of shocks for the car, 20% headed towards higher level shocks/spring setup and 20% towards a set of coilovers (probably Tein). I stumbled across some reviews and posts of Brett's a few weeks ago that probably sent me thinking 60% shocks only, 40% Shockworks Coilovers. A quick chat with Mick a few weeks ago (and him suggesting Shockworks) flipped it to 60/40 in favour of Bretts product. Speaking to Brett sealed it at 100% last thursday. Today they are on the car and I'm a very happy customer

raband · 10-07-2014, 11:41 PM

Brett

Mate

Any chance of a discount on a second set of coilovers?

I want the one set on the car and another set to cuddle at night.
I swear - if these things could brew hot coffee in the morning I'd marry them.

As good as they were on my first impression - tonight I was blown away again.

Had to take the kids up to Yea from Frankston - up through Toolangi etc (not the best/smoothest road at the best of times) - and the conditions were totally horrendous. We're talking wipers on max constantly, large puddles of standing water, rivers flowing across the road, maybe 10-20m visibility at times and rain covering the road so the surface was a mystery - that sort of stuff.

Hit my first "water hazard" just after Yarra Glen - one of those puddles that cover about half the road - only the left hand tyre track ones. Mate - the car reacted about as much as a Sherman Tank would have. Seriously - I was expecting the usual "grab" and steering response from the LH front but there was ABSOLUTELY nothing. I'm not talking "ooh - that was heaps better than before". I'm saying ZERO effect on the car, the steering or the handling.

This continued the whole way there and back.

Next one that opened my eyes was a part where 2 roads and a side road meet. Imagine a 10m stretch where 3 different layers of asphalt (1 from each road) meet, never smoothed down, potholes, divots, lines scored in the road etc. This part has always unsettled the car - even at 80km/h in the dry. Tonght, at 100km/h and in the wet (same standing water as mentioned above) it may as well have been freshly paved. I felt the surface changes - my passengers felt the surface changes, but the car just laughed at them and shrugged them off.

With those mentioned I thought I was done with being impressed for the night.

Nup - not at all.

On the way back (after dropping the kids off) there's a nice, 2 lane roundabout where I often use the outside lane to sneak past some slower moving vehicles when turning right (both lanes can turn right - the last roundabout on the Yarra Glenn bypass for those who know the area). You sort of hook left then sweep right to get through this roundabout - ideally with a bit more speed than the cars in the inside lane, so you can exit the roundabout ahead of them where the lanes merge.
Here I was, waiting for the body roll and awkwardness on the change of direction from the left hook and into the right sweep as it's always given me..... Nup. Not tonight. There was no body roll, no shifting of weight and absolutely no awkwardness - this was like going through the "S"'s in a go-kart instead of a rollercoaster in a boat compared to how it was before. I almost turned around and did it again it was such a different experience.

Shortly after this roundabout you get the sharp left over train tracks - even at 20km/h the rear would jump around, chatter and argue over them. Tonight it was as if there wasn't even 2 rear wheels on the car. Not only did the car not react at all to the tracks - I didn't even feel the slightest bump.

The confidence these coilover give me and the car is unbelievable. I'm not talking "Awesome, I can take this corner 20km/h faster than I could before" gusto type confidence. I'm talking one hand on the wheel, relaxed, enjoying the drive rather than two hand gripping, white knuckles, bloodshot eyes peering into the pelting rain trying to see what the roads like ahead type confidence. 2 hours up, 2 hours back in some really terrible driving conditions and stepping out of the car feeling rested type confidence.

AAA+++ would buy again type confidence ;)

All that said - I will disclose that I'm coming from a stock suspension setup with no experience of any other solutions that are out there, but I can honestly say I'd be very surprised if any other combination of shocks, swaybars, springs, bushes etc could possibly have been a better setup for me. I am blown away by how stiff and flat my car now handles, yet how compliant and comfortable the suspension is. On absolutely everything that's been thrown at it so far.

And I've only done 300km's on them between picking the car up, my 1st impression cruise and getting home tonight - could not have imagined a better, short test if I'd been asked to.

Am still hoping to see how they go on a couple of dirt roads with different surfaces and also after I've had a play with the dampening and found a few places to attack with a bit of anger, but they have already paid for themselves with the differences I've noticed in even this short time. Hopefully I can get to the other environments while the stock setup is still fresh in my mind so the comparisons will be apparent.

Again Brett - can I have another set. Preferably in a nice sheer teddy? :P

Shockworks · 11-07-2014, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raband

Brett

Mate

Any chance of a discount on a second set of coilovers?

I want the one set on the car and another set to cuddle at night.
I swear - if these things could brew hot coffee in the morning I'd marry them.

As good as they were on my first impression - tonight I was blown away again.

Had to take the kids up to Yea from Frankston - up through Toolangi etc (not the best/smoothest road at the best of times) - and the conditions were totally horrendous. We're talking wipers on max constantly, large puddles of standing water, rivers flowing across the road, maybe 10-20m visibility at times and rain covering the road so the surface was a mystery - that sort of stuff.

Hit my first "water hazard" just after Yarra Glen - one of those puddles that cover about half the road - only the left hand tyre track ones. Mate - the car reacted about as much as a Sherman Tank would have. Seriously - I was expecting the usual "grab" and steering response from the LH front but there was ABSOLUTELY nothing. I'm not talking "ooh - that was heaps better than before". I'm saying ZERO effect on the car, the steering or the handling.

This continued the whole way there and back.

Next one that opened my eyes was a part where 2 roads and a side road meet. Imagine a 10m stretch where 3 different layers of asphalt (1 from each road) meet, never smoothed down, potholes, divots, lines scored in the road etc. This part has always unsettled the car - even at 80km/h in the dry. Tonght, at 100km/h and in the wet (same standing water as mentioned above) it may as well have been freshly paved. I felt the surface changes - my passengers felt the surface changes, but the car just laughed at them and shrugged them off.

With those mentioned I thought I was done with being impressed for the night.

Nup - not at all.

On the way back (after dropping the kids off) there's a nice, 2 lane roundabout where I often use the outside lane to sneak past some slower moving vehicles when turning right (both lanes can turn right - the last roundabout on the Yarra Glenn bypass for those who know the area). You sort of hook left then sweep right to get through this roundabout - ideally with a bit more speed than the cars in the inside lane, so you can exit the roundabout ahead of them where the lanes merge.
Here I was, waiting for the body roll and awkwardness on the change of direction from the left hook and into the right sweep as it's always given me..... Nup. Not tonight. There was no body roll, no shifting of weight and absolutely no awkwardness - this was like going through the "S"'s in a go-kart instead of a rollercoaster in a boat compared to how it was before. I almost turned around and did it again it was such a different experience.

Shortly after this roundabout you get the sharp left over train tracks - even at 20km/h the rear would jump around, chatter and argue over them. Tonight it was as if there wasn't even 2 rear wheels on the car. Not only did the car not react at all to the tracks - I didn't even feel the slightest bump.

The confidence these coilover give me and the car is unbelievable. I'm not talking "Awesome, I can take this corner 20km/h faster than I could before" gusto type confidence. I'm talking one hand on the wheel, relaxed, enjoying the drive rather than two hand gripping, white knuckles, bloodshot eyes peering into the pelting rain trying to see what the roads like ahead type confidence. 2 hours up, 2 hours back in some really terrible driving conditions and stepping out of the car feeling rested type confidence.

AAA+++ would buy again type confidence ;)

All that said - I will disclose that I'm coming from a stock suspension setup with no experience of any other solutions that are out there, but I can honestly say I'd be very surprised if any other combination of shocks, swaybars, springs, bushes etc could possibly have been a better setup for me. I am blown away by how stiff and flat my car now handles, yet how compliant and comfortable the suspension is. On absolutely everything that's been thrown at it so far.

And I've only done 300km's on them between picking the car up, my 1st impression cruise and getting home tonight - could not have imagined a better, short test if I'd been asked to.

Am still hoping to see how they go on a couple of dirt roads with different surfaces and also after I've had a play with the dampening and found a few places to attack with a bit of anger, but they have already paid for themselves with the differences I've noticed in even this short time. Hopefully I can get to the other environments while the stock setup is still fresh in my mind so the comparisons will be apparent.

Again Brett - can I have another set. Preferably in a nice sheer teddy? :P

Hey Raband,
You should be writing for Motor!! You crack me up with all the funny stuff but very much appreciate the detailed feedback. I will try to arrange a Shockworks teddy for you haha.
During the development of the dampers, we tested on so many different surfaces and conditions, including badly rutted dirt roads so hope you like them as well. We stuck to many of the normal testing procedures I had learned working (couldn't really call it work haha) at the Ford PG. One guy in particular, (Robert Hall) I was so lucky to work with, as he is the master of feeling what is going on with all four wheels and took me quite some time before I was even close to feeling what he did. I love the Ford product and also going back now and sell the R34 and get back into a FG XR6 as I get too sad when I test drive a customers car.
Thanks again for all the great feedback.

Cheers
Brett

raband · 11-07-2014, 01:23 PM

Nah - am usually pretty blunt and answer with yes/no or "it's pretty good" type responses.

It's just the differences in this case being so apparent and easy to describe while the stock setup is still fresh in my memory that causes me to be a bit more verbose. It's easy to write stuff down when it's pretty much the exact thoughts that are occurring in your head.

The fact that the changes it brought to the vehicle are relatable/describable (even poorly) by a plonker like me says a lot more for it than any words I could use.

gtxxr6 · 11-07-2014, 09:26 PM

another great review from me, i agree completely with raband
putting around on normal roads you easily forget the car isnt using stock suspension
hit rough roads with speed where you normally would cringe or grimace coming into a bumpy section, you are met with relief, it honestly feels like you are driving down the freeway.
100% transforms the car completely for the better, i have done around 500km now and 350km of that is in the hills and i cannot complain about 1 single thing. the kit was easy to install, came preset to the perfect height and for the first time in ages wasnt left thinking, "gee i wish i got more product for my $2k ive just handed over" and was left completley satisfied. so much so that after the first drive with the shocks i bought the brake kit aswell (installing it tomorrow morning will report back)

Whitey-AMG · 11-07-2014, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockworks

During the development of the dampers, we tested on so many different surfaces and conditions, including badly rutted dirt roads

You talking about your driveway Brett ...

Still have that memory the day I had them fitted in your workshop and then getting out of your driveway for a test drive. Was scared I'd leave the front bar of the GT behind.

That 1st drive was magic hey. Even with the bald sport maxx in the wet , the car behaved and changed direction beautifully.

Shockworks · 12-07-2014, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluey-GT

You talking about your driveway Brett ...

Still have that memory the day I had them fitted in your workshop and then getting out of your driveway for a test drive. Was scared I'd leave the front bar of the GT behind.

That 1st drive was magic hey. Even with the bald sport maxx in the wet , the car behaved and changed direction beautifully.

Hey Bluey,
The drive way just got worse with all the rain and very slippery so great for front end throws to turn around for a while haha!
Can't wait to now get me an FG XR6T. It's too much driving customers cars and not have one. It will also help us with much quicker development of new parts and improvements for the Ford's
Cheers mate!!

**Polyal** · 15-09-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockworks

During the development of the dampers, we tested on so many different surfaces and conditions, including badly rutted dirt roads so hope you like them as well. We stuck to many of the normal testing procedures I had learned working (couldn't really call it work haha) at the Ford PG. One guy in particular, (Robert Hall) I was so lucky to work with, as he is the master of feeling what is going on with all four wheels and took me quite some time before I was even close to feeling what he did.

Cheers
Brett

Brett...was browsing through the thread and saw this name...I too had the pleasure of working with/around Rob and it was always a pleasure to talk to him.

From all the talk here it seems you guys are doing some good stuff!

raband · 11-07-2014, 12:13 AM

edit (too late to do it in the post): ooh - forgot to mention. Gave the car a wash (touchfree pressure washer) when I got back to Frankston tonight. Without fail - when leaving the traction control light goes crazy as the wet tyres argue with grip on the exit road. Not tonight - not a murmur of complaint - either I took off a lot slower than I normally do or the rear end is grippier than it used to be. Add the strip to another environment for me to try the new setup at. I know around where I was losing traction off the line last time - will be interesting next time.

raband · 12-07-2014, 12:44 AM

What you remember of that day is what I'm experiencing now Bluey

Well said gtxxr6 - am waiting for the rears to be released for the brake set and will probably jump on the full set. Might make a time to drop into Monbulk to confirm the kit will fit my with my rims before I get my hopes up though. Want to keep the 19's the car came with (LE rims) - main reason I haven't looked at Brembo's.

gtxxr6 · 12-07-2014, 12:57 AM

what car? can test one of your wheels on mine if you want. im installing them around 9 tomorrow morning, ill be getting my guards rolled in langy around 6ish? if you have a full size spare will only take 2 seconds to check.. ill bring a 10mm spacer with me to see if you only need a small spacer to make them fit

gtxxr6 · 12-07-2014, 12:59 AM

oh you're the dude who got em done at pitlane? my car will be at aps on tuesday getting retuned also if thats any help i can swing past pitlane at some point around 5-530

raband · 12-07-2014, 12:03 PM

Ah cheers,

Thanks heaps for the offer, but am tied up tuesday. No rush to see if they fit - need to wait for both the rears to hit market and for the wallet to rebound from the coilovers ;)

Good luck with your install - looking forward to your comments.

raband · 12-07-2014, 05:20 PM

Good to hear Brett

Looking at a tune after you fit the coilovers?

Shockworks · 12-07-2014, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raband

Good to hear Brett

Looking at a tune after you fit the coilovers?

We will be always seeing what we can do to improve the kit as we have done but now, will be a little more efficient. I will be able to live with the test parts.
We should also develop a tuning for the 295 rear and 255 front. When we tried for an FPV product, we were limited with available parts and rates. Too much understeer. We have more options now:-)
Cheers

graphicgoose · 12-07-2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockworks

Hey Bluey,
The drive way just got worse with all the rain and very slippery so great for front end throws to turn around for a while haha!
Can't wait to now get me an FG XR6T. It's too much driving customers cars and not have one. It will also help us with much quicker development of new parts and improvements for the Ford's
Cheers mate!!

Like testing and tuning with 255/35/19 front and 295/30/19 rear tyres with your coilover kit for the FG? ;)

graphicgoose · 12-07-2014, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockworks

We should also develop a tuning for the 295 rear and 255 front. When we tried for an FPV product, we were limited with available parts and rates. Too much understeer. We have more options now:-)
Cheers

Awesome stuff Brett! I'll be super keen on the results of your testing/tuning with this setup and your coilovers. Is this something you could foresee happening in the near future, or somewhat further down the track?

dl86 · 12-07-2014, 08:32 PM

No under steer here! You need to set the wheel alignment properly. I got mine set to 3mm toe in rear and 2mm toe out front with as much neg camber as possible although I'll be after more on the front by drilling out my control arm mounts.

Got my first track day on the 28th at Wakefield park with Trackschool.com.au and i'll be getting lap times so will be interesting.

furiousgibbon · 12-07-2014, 09:09 PM

is there a suggested setting for track driving? My F6 is completely stock except for these coilovers, Sport Maxx with around 10,000km on them. I've settled on 4 clicks from full hard at the front, 5 clicks at the rear for daily driving.

I did try 2 at the front, 3 at the rear for a couple of weeks, but it was a little firm for the commute to work. I also tried some 'spirited' driving at this setting and found mid corner understeer. Is that normal for these tyres, or is it a sign that the front end is too stiff, or that the rear end should be stiffened more?

I'm driving in an event next week which is a point to point course with very little room for error, so I'd like to err on the side of understeer, but not plough understeer.

btw 5,000km in and I still love these coilovers. Great ride quality, rapidly adjustable, perfect drop. From the discussions here and on other forums they seem to be selling well too, great to see a good product achieve such popularity through word of mouth.

dl86 · 12-07-2014, 09:35 PM

No particular settings. Although a good set of guidelines can be found here.

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl...ion-Guide.aspx

Generally -2.5 to -3 neg camber front, -1 to -2 neg rear and the toe angles I suggested would work well from what I gathered. Front toe out for better turn in and slightly more rear toe in than front toe out to help keep the car steady in a turn. I found running zero rear toe caused the car to snap over-steer mid corner with too much throttle which was a scary experience to say the least.

When I had sportmaxx I used to understeer very easily almost having to come to a full stop to do a sharp turn. A rubbish tyre. Then moved to the Bridgestone RE11's in the stock size which helped a lot now I'm running a smaller light weight 18" rim in a custom size with even stickier rubber and the car snaps into place where ever you aim. Don't waste your time with normal performance street tyres for track work. Look at any of the extreme performance summer tyres for a dual duty street/track set up a couple that come to mind

Bridgestone RE11
Hankook RS3
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36
Yokohama Advan AD08R

furiousgibbon · 12-07-2014, 10:47 PM

thanks, I was actually just curious about ideal stiffness of the coilovers, but your post is helpful. I suppose camber plates would be necessary and based on the fact I can't even get a decent wheel alignment (even from reputed suspension shops), I don't think I'd bother getting the toe adjusted for this event. I'll check the print out I was given after alignment post coilover install. Will definitely keep in mind for future events.

Wheels and tyres (18" R888s) are on the list but the street tyres will have to do the job this time, I don't enter to win or place anywhere near the top half, not really possible with a street car, I just wanna get out there and have fun safely! I've done this event twice before on KU31s, can't get much more average than that...

in regards to my original question though, given an otherwise standard car with coilovers, is there such a thing as 'too stiff'? I haven't had adjustable suspension before (other than anti roll bars), so it's new to me. I would think that if the car is too rigid, the outside tyre may not get loaded enough to achieve its full grip level.

gtxxr6 · 13-07-2014, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by furiousgibbon

thanks, I was actually just curious about ideal stiffness of the coilovers, but your post is helpful. I suppose camber plates would be necessary and based on the fact I can't even get a decent wheel alignment (even from reputed suspension shops), I don't think I'd bother getting the toe adjusted for this event. I'll check the print out I was given after alignment post coilover install. Will definitely keep in mind for future events.

Wheels and tyres (18" R888s) are on the list but the street tyres will have to do the job this time, I don't enter to win or place anywhere near the top half, not really possible with a street car, I just wanna get out there and have fun safely! I've done this event twice before on KU31s, can't get much more average than that...

in regards to my original question though, given an otherwise standard car with coilovers, is there such a thing as 'too stiff'? I haven't had adjustable suspension before (other than anti roll bars), so it's new to me. I would think that if the car is too rigid, the outside tyre may not get loaded enough to achieve its full grip level.

only way you will know what works for your car with your tyres is by playing with the setup
start at full soft and slowly stiffen it up til it feels grippy. keep going til it starts giving trouble then go back. can easily find ideal settings within a few hours of driving on a weekend. the more you know about how the car reacts to adjustment the easier it is to adjust it to different types of roads etc

gtxxr6 · 13-07-2014, 08:34 PM

i run max soft rear and 4 clicks up at front, but i have cheap tyres on the car at the moment so i need it soft for grip
when i get better tyres ill start to play with the setup a bit more.
brakes went on, and other than me not being able to bleed them right the first time (only had black hose so couldnt see if bubbles were coming out still)
i finally got them bled up and heated right up and very impressed. hard to tell on the street cos again, i have cheap tyres and on my ute i have semi's but these bite nearly as good as the 6pot brembos i had with endless pads (again, id say they only feel a touch better due to much better tyres)
once i get good tyres it will be easier to feel what the brakes are doing