COs to OEM sport shocks and springs a.k.a. real s-line suspension

[airbornerifleman]

This summer I will be taking out my Vmaxx COs and instilling OEM Sport shocks and springs (s-line). Has anyone actually gone from COs back to OEM? I really don't want to loose the "on rails" like handling. I can't stand driving anything that is not lowered or doesn't have some sort of sport suspension, I loose significant amount of confidence during high-speed turns, it feels like I'm gonna flip over before I over or under steer (highway on and off ramps) and quick lane changes on the HWY. The OEM kit came of a 3.2 and I have a 2.0. Will I have any issues with the front height since the 3.2 weighs more? Can anyone comment on the differences in the performance aspect of COs vs OEM S-Line?

[wildbill]

spring rates are different. they make sport shocks for stock height. look at bilsteins

[mr shickadance]

^^ springs rates are different for the 2.0 vs the 3.2

you will surely have the same exact problem once you go back to the OEM suspension as the problem you are having lies within the sway bars

[airbornerifleman]

I don't have any problems with the COs, they preform to my liking. My question is will I loose handling performance if I go from the the COs to s-line? If the spring ratings are different, does that mean my 2.0T front will sit higher vice the same suspension on a 3.2? If yes, can I just install B5 lowering caps to lower the front a bit?

[jimrobbington]

If you are so worried about this, why are you downgrading?

JR

[mr shickadance]

I don't have any problems with the COs, they preform to my liking. My question is will I loose handling performance if I go from the the COs to s-line? If the spring ratings are different, does that mean my 2.0T front will sit higher vice the same suspension on a 3.2? If yes, can I just install B5 lowering caps to lower the front a bit?

by raising the height of your car and ultimately the center of gravity you will no doubt change the way the car behaves, how much? idk will it be noticeable? not sure will your car sit higher and react improperly due to the fact that you are using a suspension that's built for a different weight? absolutely


if anything, keep the springs from your vmaxx and just use the 3.2 struts, that way you will be using the correct spring rate.


as far as losing handling performance? i never really thought of my vmaxx's as a performance coil over....they dropped my old car for sure, however they provided a ride very similar to stock, which i would not say was 'on rails' but certainly not your grandaddy's old 72 caddy

[rongeur]

You will have a larger wheel gap in front giving it the reverse rake look, the sport shocks perform well and i am happy with them but I will be moving to CO at some point. Why are you moving in the opposite direction? Other than proving to a dealer / warenty concerns I am at a loss...

[CorneliusRox]

You will have a larger wheel gap in front giving it the reverse rake look, the sport shocks perform well and i am happy with them but I will be moving to CO at some point. Why are you moving in the opposite direction? Other than proving to a dealer / warenty concerns I am at a loss...

you guys should trade

[airbornerifleman]

I am changing them:

-Before they fail in the middle of winter or in an remote location, not that they are on their way to failing.
-Cant use a regular jack or a hoist with driving on some wood planks.
-Cant go through a moving car wash (the one where you drive on a rail and the car is moved forward) without ripping the belly pan out
-Speed pumps at the mall parking lot are a nightmare, yes I do the diagonal one wheel at a time manoeuvre, I get weird looks and honked at. I live at an apartment which has 2 speed bumps....
-The lot I park my car at daily to go to work is gravel and has huge pot wholes, I hit the bottom if I am not careful, I have to drive so slow that I actually keep the brake applied while in drive to ensure I am dodging all the wholes.
-I don't want my interior to fall apart

All these happen with just me in the car. I could just "adjust the height" but that will not prevent future failure.
I can go on and on. I am a family man now and use the car daily. I need something more practical, but I still like to have fun so I'm not getting a mini van.

[airbornerifleman]

by raising the height of your car and ultimately the center of gravity you will no doubt change the way the car behaves, how much? idk will it be noticeable? not sure will your car sit higher and react improperly due to the fact that you are using a suspension that's built for a different weight? absolutely


if anything, keep the springs from your vmaxx and just use the 3.2 struts, that way you will be using the correct spring rate.


as far as losing handling performance? i never really thought of my vmaxx's as a performance coil over....they dropped my old car for sure, however they provided a ride very similar to stock, which i would not say was 'on rails' but certainly not your grandaddy's old 72 caddy

By no means are Vmaxx performance COs, I got them just for the drop, the handling was a bonus. But I got so used to the handling, now I want to keep similar handling with out being so low. I know I cannot have 100% same handling due the the differences in the centre of gravity.

[airbornerifleman]

You will have a larger wheel gap in front giving it the reverse rake look, the sport shocks perform well and i am happy with them but I will be moving to CO at some point. Why are you moving in the opposite direction? Other than proving to a dealer / warenty concerns I am at a loss...

Will the front and rear gaps be significantly different even after I install B5 lowering caps on the front? I don't mind the front being a bit higher than the rear.

[mr shickadance]

I am changing them:

-Before they fail in the middle of winter or in an remote location, not that they are on their way to failing. if they fail they will not bottom out your suspension, the spring keeps the car up, the strut makes the ride comfy
-Cant use a regular jack or a hoist with driving on some wood planks. how often do you lift your car/get a new jack from harbor freight
-Cant go through a moving car wash (the one where you drive on a rail and the car is moved forward) without ripping the belly pan out lift up your car using the coil over's ajustability? also, wash your car by hand
-Speed pumps at the mall parking lot are a nightmare, yes I do the diagonal one wheel at a time manoeuvre, I get weird looks and honked at. I live at an apartment which has 2 speed bumps.... same as above
-The lot I park my car at daily to go to work is gravel and has huge pot wholes, I hit the bottom if I am not careful, I have to drive so slow that I actually keep the brake applied while in drive to ensure I am dodging all the wholes. same as above
-I don't want my interior to fall apart i dont either

All these happen with just me in the car. I could just "adjust the height" but that will not prevent future failure.
I can go on and on. I am a family man now and use the car daily. I need something more practical, but I still like to have fun so I'm not getting a mini van.

just lift up your car, thats the great thing about coils, you can raise it if you really need it to be higher....i'm not sure how you think the coil's will fail on you....the only thing that can happen....well i guess the spring could crack on you, but thats unlikely, what i meant to say was most probobly, the strut will go on you....the ride height will stay the same, but your car will ride more rough...you will know when you blow a strut for sure.



i don't see the need for a new suspension unless moms and pops found out you lowered your car and need you to return it to stock and you are hiding that fact.

[airbornerifleman]

"Mom and Pops" lol. I am a pops myself and paid for my own car(s). If I raise the height, keep the Vmaxx springs and swap the struts with the s-line, I should achieve my goal?

[mr shickadance]

"Mom and Pops" lol. I am a pops myself and paid for my own car(s). If I raise the height, keep the Vmaxx springs and swap the struts with the s-line, I should achieve my goal?

you could only do that in the rear as the threads to raise and lower the fronts are attached to the struts themselves....i think you may be a pinch confused

the cheapest, and best option for your is this

1) go to the shop
2) have them raise your car
3) done


the more expense i-can't-believe-why-he-would-consider-this-when-his-reasoning-to-dump-coils-is-because-he-wants-a-higher-height option would be this
1)go to the shop
2) uninstall height adjustable suspension
3)install non-height-adjustable suspension
4)spend much monies

[kaklexicon]

Will the front and rear gaps be significantly different even after I install B5 lowering caps on the front? I don't mind the front being a bit higher than the rear.

It's my understanding that the b5 lowering caps only lower the front about 1/2 inch, so it will look better but still be higher than the rear. I believe there are some pics on here of people that have done it. Definitely looks better.

[abzoni]

Soooo I'm looking to go CO and I have sport suspension on my car (2.0T)...and I'm in Mississauga. Perfect timing? haha

[airbornerifleman]

^I sent you a PM

[mr shickadance]

^I sent you a PM



[facepalm]


i give up

[yayjohnny]

I honestly don't understand why you won't just raise your car to a more practical height.
COs are MADE to be HEIGHT adjustable.
Raising the height on the COs will probably improve driveability as the lowest settings usually drive like shit.

????

[doublezero30]

To put it simply:

You're running VMAXX coil overs. They are TERRIBLE in terms of handling(only good to slam the shit out of your car, that's why theyre so cheap). My s-line suspension is FAR better than my VMAXX were in my B6.

[doublezero30]

Btw I'm a 2.0t and taking off my S-line suspension in a few weeks for coilovers. Let me know if you're interested.

[mr shickadance]

To put it simply:

You're running VMAXX coil overs. They are TERRIBLE in terms of handling(only good to slam the shit out of your car, that's why theyre so cheap). My s-line suspension is FAR better than my VMAXX were in my B6.


meh, ^ difference of opinion, my experience with vmaxx was great, others however, not so great

[airbornerifleman]

[facepalm]


i give up
Not for his suspension lol

[airbornerifleman]

This.
I don't track my car and I'm not super slammed .



meh, ^ difference of opinion, my experience with vmaxx was great, others however, not so great

[mr shickadance]

oh hahahaha i was like you have got to be kidding me!!

[tankdeer]

This thread is stupid. Just adjust your coilovers to the height you prefer. It'll take you less than an hour and cost zero monies.

[doublezero30]

This.
I don't track my car and I'm not super slammed .

And? I never tracked my car either. I had 4 different suspension setups on my b6 before buying the VMAXX for adjustability and I wish I NEVER switched to the VMAXX. They're terrible.

[abzoni]

meh, ^ difference of opinion, my experience with vmaxx was great, others however, not so great

Since you've said you would've rather gone with just springs and struts instead of COs, what springs would you recommend to pair with sport suspension? Not looking to be slammed, just looking to not look retarded when I get 19s. Thanks!

[mr shickadance]

well frankly since i have sold the car i have not put much thought into it, but i think there is an eibach prokit with koni FSD struts....i like both companies....i would have gone with that

[abzoni]

well frankly since i have sold the car i have not put much thought into it, but i think there is an eibach prokit with koni FSD struts....i like both companies....i would have gone with that

Ok thanks!

[airbornerifleman]

This thread is stupid. Just adjust your coilovers to the height you prefer. It'll take you less than an hour and cost zero monies.

If the thread is "stupid", what is one for posting in it? I did't ask "how to adjust ride height with COs".

[tankdeer]

If the thread is "stupid", what is one for posting in it? I did't ask "how to adjust ride height with COs".

Because based on your complaints with your coilovers, which are largely based on ride height, which is easily adjusted with a little garage time instead of spending money. (except for the unexplainable fear that they're going to suddenly fail and leave you stranded somewhere)

[mr shickadance]

tankdeer is correct.....sort of, he is missing the fact that if you did wrench your own hieght, you need an alignment ASAP or else your tires would be shot

but it does seem like for a minute you forgot that your coils in addition to lowering.....could also raise

[airbornerifleman]

Because based on your complaints with your coilovers, which are largely based on ride height, which is easily adjusted with a little garage time instead of spending money. (except for the unexplainable fear that they're going to suddenly fail and leave you stranded somewhere)




Thats exacetly my thinking. Vmaxx COs are cheap to begin with, one cannot expect them to last as long as OEM keeping in mind, driving habits, road ect... If I go back to OEM, I can have a peace of mind knowing I am using OEM parts. I know for a fact that OEM suspension parts are built quit solid, hence no recalls, TSB or warranty extensions lol. If I take the effort to adjust my height and it takes a shit in 6 months what do I do? Plus I was going to have the spring n shocks installed during my brake job, to save on labour. I am getting the s-line suspension for free also. Money is not the issue, practicality is.

My mechanic/friend and I have tried to adjust the front a few mounts back with the car raised and the wheels off but it didn't move. Friend told me just wait until I need brakes (free also) done to adjust the height (save on time and labour, 2 jobs in one) and that's what I was going to do until I came across a set of S-lines. But now after knowing that the spring rate is different between 3.2 and 2.0 and the general conscience steering me away from going back to OEM, I will raise the height. I'm just afraid that if the Vmaxx takes a shit I will have to fork out for an entire suspension and lobar to install and perhaps even a tow. Crossing my fingers.

Thanks for the info everyone.

[mr shickadance]

ahh....well, now that the truth comes out here is a better more practical approch

1) take the s line suspension you are getting for free
2) hold onto it
3) adjust your coils to a higher hieght (use PB Blaster very generously for a few days prior to adjustment)
4) wait for coils to shit the bed
5) use the struts (NOT THE SPRINGS) from the s line suspension you have laying around
6) re install s line suspension with the springs from the vmaxx coils
7) done



first adjust the coils, sounds like your vmaxx's have not pooped themselves yet so why spend the extra $$ now for a suspension swap when you don't have to

as myself and tankdeer are trying to get into your head is that if your suspension was to fail (even on a highway) it's not like you would be traveling on your axle....your springs would still very very very much hold up your car, only your ride would become more bouncy (as the damper=strut has no oil left in it it would bounce like a normal spring mattress would)


so first try and raise your car up with the coils, then if the suspension breaks.....it breaks....but im willing to bet that if it's good now, and adjustment won't kill it .....unless theres more information you are withholding

[tankdeer]

^ bingo. Shocks don't just explode leaving you stranded. Even if one catastrophically fails (which is a rare occurring, usually they just slowly degrade), you would not be left stranded anywhere. You'd just have diminished ride quality (even then, the odds of all 4 catastrophically failing at once is damn near impossible). How many miles are on the VMAXX?

[doublezero30]

holy shit please dont listen to these fucking people. you CAN NOT use coilover springs with any other shocks than the ones that come with the coilovers!! this forum leaves me dumbfounded more often than not.

the coilover springs are skinnier than OEM springs, or even aftermarket springs that are meant for a sping/shock setup. This means the coilover springs WILL NOT sit correctly on the front strut perch. if you use coilover springs with normal shocks, there is a huge safety risk. you technically COULD run the rears with OEM shocks...but that is stupid also. Running any sort of lowering spring with OEM shocks leaves you more apt to blow your shocks and have to spend more money on new shocks.

bottem line is YOU CAN NOT CHEAP OUT ON SUSPENSION OR INEVITABLY YOU WILL END UP PAYING SOME WAY OR ANOTHER!!!


jesus christ. comon sense is few and far between in the b7 forum. i cant believe some of the shit people openly suggest to others without knowing correct information/safety consequences.

[mr shickadance]

haha how badly did your vmaxx's burn you to be this upset about it??

[airbornerifleman]

holy shit please dont listen to these fucking people. you CAN NOT use coilover springs with any other shocks than the ones that come with the coilovers!! this forum leaves me dumbfounded more often than not.

the coilover springs are skinnier than OEM springs, or even aftermarket springs that are meant for a sping/shock setup. This means the coilover springs WILL NOT sit correctly on the front strut perch. if you use coilover springs with normal shocks, there is a huge safety risk. you technically COULD run the rears with OEM shocks...but that is stupid also. Running any sort of lowering spring with OEM shocks leaves you more apt to blow your shocks and have to spend more money on new shocks.

bottem line is YOU CAN NOT CHEAP OUT ON SUSPENSION OR INEVITABLY YOU WILL END UP PAYING SOME WAY OR ANOTHER!!!


jesus christ. comon sense is few and far between in the b7 forum. i cant believe some of the shit people openly suggest to others without knowing correct information/safety consequences.

Thanks for the passionate response, much obliged.

[airbornerifleman]

ahh....well, now that the truth comes out here is a better more practical approch

1) take the s line suspension you are getting for free
2) hold onto it
3) adjust your coils to a higher hieght (use PB Blaster very generously for a few days prior to adjustment)
4) wait for coils to shit the bed
5) use the struts (NOT THE SPRINGS) from the s line suspension you have laying around
6) re install s line suspension with the springs from the vmaxx coils
7) done



first adjust the coils, sounds like your vmaxx's have not pooped themselves yet so why spend the extra $$ now for a suspension swap when you don't have to

as myself and tankdeer are trying to get into your head is that if your suspension was to fail (even on a highway) it's not like you would be traveling on your axle....your springs would still very very very much hold up your car, only your ride would become more bouncy (as the damper=strut has no oil left in it it would bounce like a normal spring mattress would)


so first try and raise your car up with the coils, then if the suspension breaks.....it breaks....but im willing to bet that if it's good now, and adjustment won't kill it .....unless theres more information you are withholding

Thanks Scott. I'm not withholding anything lol.

[GarrettReid]

With all of the other catastrophic failures that could happen (i.e. cam follower), you are that worried about your CO's you're going to spend money fixing something that isn't broke, just in case something hypothetically goes wrong with them?

lollllllllllllllllll

[doublezero30]

haha how badly did your vmaxx's burn you to be this upset about it??

its not even that im upset about buying vmaxxs, purchasing them was a mistake that i learned from and moved on and will share my experience about when needed...its the fact that someone could be dumb enough to openly suggest using two INCOMPATABLE suspension pieces to someone else, without even thinking twice, or actually knowing what the fuck theyre talking about. how would you feel if this guy took your advice, and used the vmaxx springs with his oem shocks and something happened to him because of it? seriously...

[mr shickadance]

i would hope that he would have figured it out when the spring did not fit over the strut number 1, and number 2, do you know exactly that they won't work together? have you done this to a b7 before? have you seen a vmaxx spring for a b7 up close compared to an s line spring? they are more similar then you think.


there are threads where people have used the vmaxx spring on a different coil set up because they liked the vmaxx spring over the one that came with thier coilovers.....


...no need for the salty attitude nathaniel

[NorcalPB]

hahahaha no let's see what happens if you try to use springs from coils with oem shocks. OEM ride quality with height adjustability! You might need to use the spring perches from the new RS4...the car isn't out yet but it's the only way to safely run them I hear.

To the OP, sounds like you should not have gone with coilovers, but since you already have them you might as well raise them which will in no way cause them the shocks to blow faster. Just for future reference...coilovers are made for track use. Sure they work on public roads but a static spring/shock combo is the way to go on a daily driver IMO.

[doublezero30]

i would hope that he would have figured it out when the spring did not fit over the strut number 1, and number 2, do you know exactly that they won't work together? have you done this to a b7 before? have you seen a vmaxx spring for a b7 up close compared to an s line spring? they are more similar then you think.

have you? i really highly doubt it with the shit your saying. theyre really not as similar as you think. i went through 4 sets of suspension on my b6, installed all myself(3 shock/spring setups and then my vmaxx coils). installed a friends stasis coilovers as well on his car. and have my votgland coilovers sitting next to me which will be going on my b7 in a couple weeks. so to answer your question, yes i have seen the difference, multiple times. im not pulling shit out of my ass like you.




there are threads where people have used the vmaxx spring on a different coil set up because they liked the vmaxx spring over the one that came with thier coilovers.....

...no need for the salty attitude nathaniel

[headbang] youre comparing coilover to coilovers here dude. you clearly are not getting it. COILOVER SPRINGS ARE SKINNIER THAN SPRINGS MEANT FOR A SHOCK AND SPRING SETUP. ONE WILL NOT WORK WITH THE OTHER!!! try to put a s-line sping (or even a neuspeed, H&R, Tien, ect spring meant to be a shock/spring setup and not a coilover setup) on a coilover perch, it will just slide right over. try to put a coilover spring on an OEM shock perch, and it wont seat right on the perch.

and fyi, b6/b7 suspensions are completely identical due to both cars having the exact same chasis. which is why all coilovers/springs/struts are all advertised as "fits B6/B7 a4" not just "b6a4" or "b7a4" alone.

again you need to know what youre talking about before posting shit that could be potentially dangerous.

[mr shickadance]

have you? i really highly doubt it with the shit your saying. theyre really not as similar as you think. i went through 4 sets of suspension on my b6, installed all myself(3 shock/spring setups and then my vmaxx coils). installed a friends stasis coilovers as well on his car. and have my votgland coilovers sitting next to me which will be going on my b7 in a couple weeks. so to answer your question, yes i have seen the difference, multiple times. im not pulling shit out of my ass like you.



[headbang] youre comparing coilover to coilovers here dude. you clearly are not getting it. COILOVER SPRINGS ARE SKINNIER THAN SPRINGS MEANT FOR A SHOCK AND SPRING SETUP. ONE WILL NOT WORK WITH THE OTHER!!! try to put a s-line sping (or even a neuspeed, H&R, Tien, ect spring meant to be a shock/spring setup and not a coilover setup) on a coilover perch, it will just slide right over. try to put a coilover spring on an OEM shock perch, and it wont seat right on the perch.

and fyi, b6/b7 suspensions are completely identical due to both cars having the exact same chasis. which is why all coilovers/springs/struts are all advertised as "fits B6/B7 a4" not just "b6a4" or "b7a4" alone.

again you need to know what youre talking about before posting shit that could be potentially dangerous.


i am not talking about putting a lowering spring on a coil over strut, i am talking about putting the coil over spring, on an OEM strut, i get that they are skinnier, you made that point abundantly clear but if it fits, and it seats properly, there is no reason why you could not run it

[airbornerifleman]

With all of the other catastrophic failures that could happen (i.e. cam follower), you are that worried about your CO's you're going to spend money fixing something that isn't broke, just in case something hypothetically goes wrong with them?

lollllllllllllllllll

You did not read the whole thread.

[doublezero30]

i am not talking about putting a lowering spring on a coil over strut, i am talking about putting the coil over spring, on an OEM strut, i get that they are skinnier, you made that point abundantly clear but if it fits, and it seats properly, there is no reason why you could not run it

no shit?!?! dude, they WONT SEAT ON THE OEM STRUT PERCH PROPERLY. i dont know how to make this any more clear for you.

regardless, here is THE ONLY ways that will work:

1) Coilover spring + coilover shock/perch

OR

2) OEM/Lowering spring + OEM/aftermarket strut/perch


putting a lowering spring on an OEM shock is doable because they are compatable, but your shocks are more apt to blow due to them having to compress more. however you can NOT combine any coilover piece with any piece not made for coilovers. THEY ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

[mr shickadance]

umad?

[tankdeer]

umad?

He very mad. He's literally angry with rage

[camoto]

He might be mad, but he's right. IMO it's in bad taste to give someone advice like that --even though it happens a lot on the interwebz doesn't make it right.

The root issue here is that it seems to have become acceptable to cheap out on doing things right on these cars and cobbling together band-aid solutions to a problem. Yeah, the VMAXX suspension is crap. Lesson learned. Now the advice should be "you learned your lesson. Now do it right." instead of offering another cheap solution.

my $0.02

[jimrobbington]

He very mad. He's literally angry with rage

Lulz!

JR

[airbornerifleman]

There is nothing wrong with my Vmaxx suspension. Just couldn't stand all the BS associated with daily driving a lowered car. The amount of times my wife hit the curb when she opened the passenger door, because the car is so low the bottom of the door doest clear the curb. I try my best to remind her, but I forget myself sometimes. That's just one scenario. Anyways I'l just raise my car and hope to circumvent some of my issues.

I KNOW I can ADJUST the HEIGHT of my car.