Posted By: charlie_croker
How to improve the handling on your coupe - 24/03/2013 00:13
My coupe is a 20VT6.
Originally wearing a W plate.
Like many I had bought a coupe and never driven one when it was fresh from the factory so I had no real idea how one could or even should handle.
I know that big lump of iron and aluminium sits out at the front and drives the front wheels. I also thought the under steer was understandable and acceptable.
I wasn't so enamoured of the torque steer when under boost.
I budgeted to improve the suspension as part of the yearly maintenance budget.
I used the forum search engine and voraciously read as many posts on handling as I could. It became apparent that as a car that I use most days coilovers would not really suit, I was also unhappy with the procedure for using Koni shocks on the front, why have to saw the top off of the old strut? It quickly became apparent that the Bilstein B6 shock and Eibach springs seemed to be both popular and offer the right level of compromise in terms aesthetics, handling and comfort. Luckily I had fitted eibach springs last year so that was around £200 I wouldn't have to find.
I was intrigued by the comments regarding an uprated rear anti-roll bar and added the cost of that to my refresh.
The refresh was done in stages (for cost purposes, over three weeks) and here's what I found:
Stage 1 General maintenance
Replacement drop links and wishbones. Torque steer was reduced, but no real, measurable effect on handling.
I still found myself turning the wheel to get the angle right for sharp bends then having to turn it further, body roll was fairly well controlled but understeer was there in droves.
Stage 2 Rear Anti-Roll bar
The 22mm whiteline rear anti-roll bar. A couple of weeks later, this was fitted and it has been the modification that has made the most difference. Fitting it was a "mare", according to the garage that did the work. In the end they bit the bullet and made new brackets as they weren't happy with the idea of re-using the original ones.
On the drive back, I turned right at a big roundabout, classic under steer expected but no, I entered and discovered I could tighten or loosen my line purely on the throttle. It was a revelation. Suddenly the coupe felt less like a heavy GT style car and more like a nimble sports car. Every corner became a new challenge. Cornering is far improved. I had had an EVO6 FMIC and Pro-alloy SIP fitted at the same time, and remembered the ARB had been fitted only when steering and I remember thinking "shit, thats tightened that up".
Stage 3 New Tyres
I could feel myself needing to take the next step in the improved handling challenge and decided to go for new shocks, someone kindly posted an ebay link to a pair of new front Bilstein B6s (from Alternative Autos, who have told me they will not be stocking Bilsteins for the coupe in future).
Whiile I waited for these to arrive and for my garage to have time to fit them, I decided to change the tyres, (I had Pirellis on front and one Federal and a Kumho on the rear (inherited from when I bought the coupe). Initially I had set my heart on Toyo R1-1R tyres in the 225/45x16 fitment.
But then I read a post where someone recommended Event-Tyres, who could supply and fit tyres at your place of work. They didn't have R1Rs though only T1Rs, with the weather being cold, and having read warnings about using and even storing the R1Rs in low temperatures, I decided to go for the T1-Rs (£90 each fitted). A well equipped van turned up at work, with a pair of air jacks the fitter soon had the wheels off and tyres changed, he was an ex Coupe owner, and even used a torque wrench to tighten the nuts. Overall a very good service and one I would recommend. He did mention that changing the top mount bearings would make sense.
After a hundred miles or so, the T1Rs have lost their mould release gel and are offering a good level of grip. It's too early to say if they are a massive improvement, but they needed changing anyway
Stage 4 - The front brakes
The car had originally came with OE front pads and I had put new M-Tec discs on all 4 corners together with OMP fast road pads at the front. I had never really felt that the braking was as good as it should be. Sometimes the OMP seemed wooden and seemed to me to lose grip/retardation, especially when you needed them suddenly.
So I added a set of Carbotech XP8s to the list of stuff that would be fitted at my local garage. These were supplied by Ian from Carbotech Carbotech ( 01768 885000) for £200 delivered as part of an ongoing Group buy.
Stage 5 - Bilstein Front Shocks
When I collected the Coupe, the new yellow B6s front legs could be seen if I crouched down low, the B6 shocks at the front have made a big difference, the nose of the car dips less under braking, even with the XP8s fitted, bumps in the road no longer feel so severe, that crashiness has gone.
Stage 6 - Rear Shocks
I was that impressed that I have now ordered Bilstein B6 for the rear of the car. And they are due to be fitted on 2nd April at which point the refresh will be complete.
So the finished item how does she handle?
Understeer? Whats that then? since the above, she corners like on rails and I have had a few other cars struggle to keep up round the twisty bits.
It really is like night and day, torque steer just no longer exists and under braking she just stays straight and true. When I collected her after the B6, top mounts and XP8s were fitted, the steering tracked and with the mechanic's warning to "read the bedding in instructions" for the XP8s ringing in my ears, I ventured out onto the nearest dual carriageway.
A few high speed to 10MPH stops later and it's fair to say I love the XP8s, they have immense stopping power, they have great grip from cold but when warm, well lets just say I have felt ABS kicking in on a dry road. They grip immensely well, even from cold, if you are unhappy with your Coupe's braking try these or the XP10s.
The Coupe feels far more modern in terms of handling, cornering can be controlled on the throttle and the XP8s can kill your speed far faster than you would ever believe. I think I achieved all that I hoped to when starting this journey. I find myself far happier with the handling and road holding of my coupe.
Rear Anti-Roll Bar an essential upgrade?
While all the items listed have made a difference, the one real stand out item is the rear ARB. It totally alters the Coupe's handling in corners, understeer is largely eradicated, my confidence in the car's grip has improved. For £130, it is a bargain.
Sorry if I have droned on, but I thought that any other owner in the same boat may find my experience useful.
So to reiterate:
New Droplinks
New front arms/wishbonaes
New top mount bearings
New front shock absorbers
Eibach springs
22mm Whiteline rear ARB
Rear shocks and ARB from Julian at Balance Motorsport a very helpful man.
Tyres from Event Tyres
Work on car completed at A&R motors the standard of workmanship is very high, and they have not been at all phased by the Coupe, I guess when you drive a car like this and are restoring a Model A Ford, then you can tackle the Coupe. If you're local I would definitely recommend them.
Now would anyone like to hear about the Evo 6 FMIC and Pro _alloy SIP?
Originally wearing a W plate.
Like many I had bought a coupe and never driven one when it was fresh from the factory so I had no real idea how one could or even should handle.
I know that big lump of iron and aluminium sits out at the front and drives the front wheels. I also thought the under steer was understandable and acceptable.
I wasn't so enamoured of the torque steer when under boost.
I budgeted to improve the suspension as part of the yearly maintenance budget.
I used the forum search engine and voraciously read as many posts on handling as I could. It became apparent that as a car that I use most days coilovers would not really suit, I was also unhappy with the procedure for using Koni shocks on the front, why have to saw the top off of the old strut? It quickly became apparent that the Bilstein B6 shock and Eibach springs seemed to be both popular and offer the right level of compromise in terms aesthetics, handling and comfort. Luckily I had fitted eibach springs last year so that was around £200 I wouldn't have to find.
I was intrigued by the comments regarding an uprated rear anti-roll bar and added the cost of that to my refresh.
The refresh was done in stages (for cost purposes, over three weeks) and here's what I found:
Stage 1 General maintenance
Replacement drop links and wishbones. Torque steer was reduced, but no real, measurable effect on handling.
I still found myself turning the wheel to get the angle right for sharp bends then having to turn it further, body roll was fairly well controlled but understeer was there in droves.
Stage 2 Rear Anti-Roll bar
The 22mm whiteline rear anti-roll bar. A couple of weeks later, this was fitted and it has been the modification that has made the most difference. Fitting it was a "mare", according to the garage that did the work. In the end they bit the bullet and made new brackets as they weren't happy with the idea of re-using the original ones.
On the drive back, I turned right at a big roundabout, classic under steer expected but no, I entered and discovered I could tighten or loosen my line purely on the throttle. It was a revelation. Suddenly the coupe felt less like a heavy GT style car and more like a nimble sports car. Every corner became a new challenge. Cornering is far improved. I had had an EVO6 FMIC and Pro-alloy SIP fitted at the same time, and remembered the ARB had been fitted only when steering and I remember thinking "shit, thats tightened that up".
Stage 3 New Tyres
I could feel myself needing to take the next step in the improved handling challenge and decided to go for new shocks, someone kindly posted an ebay link to a pair of new front Bilstein B6s (from Alternative Autos, who have told me they will not be stocking Bilsteins for the coupe in future).
Whiile I waited for these to arrive and for my garage to have time to fit them, I decided to change the tyres, (I had Pirellis on front and one Federal and a Kumho on the rear (inherited from when I bought the coupe). Initially I had set my heart on Toyo R1-1R tyres in the 225/45x16 fitment.
But then I read a post where someone recommended Event-Tyres, who could supply and fit tyres at your place of work. They didn't have R1Rs though only T1Rs, with the weather being cold, and having read warnings about using and even storing the R1Rs in low temperatures, I decided to go for the T1-Rs (£90 each fitted). A well equipped van turned up at work, with a pair of air jacks the fitter soon had the wheels off and tyres changed, he was an ex Coupe owner, and even used a torque wrench to tighten the nuts. Overall a very good service and one I would recommend. He did mention that changing the top mount bearings would make sense.
After a hundred miles or so, the T1Rs have lost their mould release gel and are offering a good level of grip. It's too early to say if they are a massive improvement, but they needed changing anyway
Stage 4 - The front brakes
The car had originally came with OE front pads and I had put new M-Tec discs on all 4 corners together with OMP fast road pads at the front. I had never really felt that the braking was as good as it should be. Sometimes the OMP seemed wooden and seemed to me to lose grip/retardation, especially when you needed them suddenly.
So I added a set of Carbotech XP8s to the list of stuff that would be fitted at my local garage. These were supplied by Ian from Carbotech Carbotech ( 01768 885000) for £200 delivered as part of an ongoing Group buy.
Stage 5 - Bilstein Front Shocks
When I collected the Coupe, the new yellow B6s front legs could be seen if I crouched down low, the B6 shocks at the front have made a big difference, the nose of the car dips less under braking, even with the XP8s fitted, bumps in the road no longer feel so severe, that crashiness has gone.
Stage 6 - Rear Shocks
I was that impressed that I have now ordered Bilstein B6 for the rear of the car. And they are due to be fitted on 2nd April at which point the refresh will be complete.
So the finished item how does she handle?
Understeer? Whats that then? since the above, she corners like on rails and I have had a few other cars struggle to keep up round the twisty bits.
It really is like night and day, torque steer just no longer exists and under braking she just stays straight and true. When I collected her after the B6, top mounts and XP8s were fitted, the steering tracked and with the mechanic's warning to "read the bedding in instructions" for the XP8s ringing in my ears, I ventured out onto the nearest dual carriageway.
A few high speed to 10MPH stops later and it's fair to say I love the XP8s, they have immense stopping power, they have great grip from cold but when warm, well lets just say I have felt ABS kicking in on a dry road. They grip immensely well, even from cold, if you are unhappy with your Coupe's braking try these or the XP10s.
The Coupe feels far more modern in terms of handling, cornering can be controlled on the throttle and the XP8s can kill your speed far faster than you would ever believe. I think I achieved all that I hoped to when starting this journey. I find myself far happier with the handling and road holding of my coupe.
Rear Anti-Roll Bar an essential upgrade?
While all the items listed have made a difference, the one real stand out item is the rear ARB. It totally alters the Coupe's handling in corners, understeer is largely eradicated, my confidence in the car's grip has improved. For £130, it is a bargain.
Sorry if I have droned on, but I thought that any other owner in the same boat may find my experience useful.
So to reiterate:
New Droplinks
New front arms/wishbonaes
New top mount bearings
New front shock absorbers
Eibach springs
22mm Whiteline rear ARB
Rear shocks and ARB from Julian at Balance Motorsport a very helpful man.
Tyres from Event Tyres
Work on car completed at A&R motors the standard of workmanship is very high, and they have not been at all phased by the Coupe, I guess when you drive a car like this and are restoring a Model A Ford, then you can tackle the Coupe. If you're local I would definitely recommend them.
Now would anyone like to hear about the Evo 6 FMIC and Pro _alloy SIP?
