djwozza Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Where do I start ? The day started fairly early yesterday, empty the boot, get some petrol, then of to WIM. After the usual battle around the M25, I arrived at WIM, warmly welcomed as always by the WIM Team Rabster (LOC) turned up for his (virgin) WIM Geo on his newly lowered IS200 SC, whilst I awaited the man from Arch Enemy. They needed doing, as I run IS250 18" Sport Rims, with 255/40 tyres, they fit inside the arches only just, but today I had other things planned, and rolling the arches was the way to go. After explaining thoroughly the process that was being undertaken ( & the risks involved), Phil got set up and quickly got underway... The arches were gently heated and then teased with the roller/press moving back & forth into the desired shape, eventually bending the metal arch lip up inside itself, so it was virtually flat against the outer wing. This is then very thoroughly sealed. I just made it sound about a million times easier than it looks, especially as there was no paint cracking whatsoever. I was very impresed with the technique, and the results (excuse the video brightness, it was very sunny today in Chesham) Top job Phil !! He even offered an extra discount if Rabster got his arches rolled at the same time Now of course there was a reason I needed the arches rolling, several months ago Dave (W481 ggc) decided to upgrade his Eibach Lowering Spring/Tokico Adjustable Damper combination that he had only had on his car for a few months, and he offered them for sale at a bargain price. I had been in Dave's Mini-Monster previously when it had this set-up fitted, and I felt it was a really good compromise between comfort & road holding, and it was certainlya massive improvement from the OE Lexus set-up. I have had to wait a fair while to save up the pennies as... A: I knew I would need the arches rolling to fit lowering springs as I run big rims on the rear B: I needed the Springs/Dampers fitting as I havent got a garage at home to do it (I don't even have a driveway) So after the arches were now fully modded, time for the new (well nearly new) suspension to get fitted. I was in the capable hands of Tony Barber. Along with Rabsters help, most of my boot install was removed, so access for the top of rear suspension was now easy, Tony got the car up un the ramp and clock started. The suspension damping settings were left exactly as set on Daves car (softest setting of 5) It didn't take Tony long to get the rears fitted In fact it didn't take Tony long to get the fronts fitted either The entire job finished within the hour !! The man really does know his stuff. It was his second full suspension swap of the day. Many thanks mate, a top job Then my car had a recalibration of the Chasis Geo by Tony Bones, bringing everything back into correct order now the car was sitting some 20mm lower at the back, & 10mm lower at the front. My car hadn't been on the ramp @ WIM for over a year, yet it is testament to the previous set-up how perfectly evenly my rear Dunlop's had worn over the last 16,000 miles since fitted @ WIM. There were some adjustments needed, as the camber adjusters had been disturbed during the suspension fitting, plus of course lowering the suspension will make some of the green bits red, so Tony worked his chassis magic and everything was sorted in next to no time. After carefull replacement of my boot install, & myself & Rabster were off on the road to enjoy our new set-up's on the road trip back to Essex. The drive for myself was in interesting one, mostly M25 and some dual carriageway, and not nearly enough corners, but the initial impressions were of less weight transference under hard acceleration and braking (due to the stiffer springs), and a taughter feel to the suspension all round. This was just about what I had expected having ridden in an IS200 with this combination before. I did however notice that the rear was slighty wayward at motorway cruising speeds when encountering undulations, in a similar way the standard OE set up feels when attacking 50-60 bends. This lead me to believe I would need to turn up the adjustable damping, but for some reason only on the rear, as the front seems to still have the nice ride quality, but with a tighter feel. I will come back to this.... After a brief stop at Hellfrauds on the way, once we arrived at Rabster's, the next job we had was to fit Aztecbandit's Carbon Fibre Spoiler to my car. This was a tricky task with layers of dynamat in the bootlid etc, but with some minor trial & error, the Rabster/Wozza combination again proved victorious What do you think ? I really love the way the end curves around to join the swage line... Here is another pic showing the cars stance on the new suspension, with the new spoiler (with Rabster hiding ) I have to say a big thank you firsty to Phil from ArchEnemy, then of course to Tony Barber for fitting the suspension in just under 1 hour, and to Tony for his setup Geometry of my new suspension. I also have to say a mahooosive thanks to Rabster for all his help (& on his Birthday too !!) Tony pointed out my rear tyres need replacing soon, and once this is done I will start pushing the handling envelope a little further. I will need to turn the rear damping up to 2 or possibly even 3 (of 5), the reason for this was puzzling, until I called Tony last night, and he hit the button straight away. The extra weight of my ICE boot install compared to Dave's donor car means the rear is wallowing slightly under the extra suspension load. I am expecting that one or maybe two clicks up on the damping should hopefully cure this. I will keep you posted how this progresses once the new tyres are on shortly. P.S remember when having fun working (or having work done) on your car, wear suitable protection in the sun. I have a beetroot head this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazz33 Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Niceone Wozza looks really smart....love the rear spoiler.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Superb blog wozza..... I'm loving the spoiler, it looks like it should have always been there it's going to be cosmetic because the last thing you need at the rear is downforce As for Tony the "blur" barber i have to reminding him we charge by the hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwozza Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I thought of another reason the rear damping might be under strain yesterday.... I had my OE Suspension in a box on the rear seat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 that and manumission in the boot will do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Next time I'm going to WIM when I say I am...would like to have seen him roll the arches, done a brilliant job from the photos Saw a motor the other day and they were creased/dented from someone trying to roll them! Car is looking nice and low now...can't believe Tony changed them in an hour Try that on the mondeo though! Loving the spoiler as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Tony can fit a full lowering kit on a Mazda MK3 in 40min..... I think i'm going to hide his spanners or we're never make any money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Tony can fit a full lowering kit on a Mazda MK3 in 40min..... I think i'm going to hide his spanners or we're never make any money I'm assuming they have pinch bolts with nuts on then, not threaded into the knuckle!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Tony can fit a full lowering kit on a Mazda MK3 in 40min..... I think i'm going to hide his spanners or we're never make any money I'm assuming they have pinch bolts with nuts on then, not threaded into the knuckle!! Nope..... Multi-link and all the other satellite components. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Nice one Wozza, i know you have been waiting long time to have this done looks sweet now mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Looking good Wozza, great blog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorps Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Great write up Wozza and the car is looking sweet m8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwozza Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Thanks guys, I'm getting used to the car again now, and am very happy New rear tyres in the next week or so, then one click on the rear damping and fun fun fun !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yemgi Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Looks good Wozza, the carbon spoiler suits it well with the lowered suspension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwozza Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Hmmm new tyres this week will mean cornering fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Hmmm new tyres this week will mean cornering fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztecbandit1 Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Looking good matey that spoiler looks pretty cool on the plat ice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwozza Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 New Falken FK-452's 255/35ZR18 fitted today (replacing 255/40ZR18 Dunlops) as I have FK-452's on the front already, a slight difference on the profile, but Falken don't make a 255/40R18 in the 452's. Here is the old picture (40 profile Dunlops) before lowering Here is the new picture with the Falkens all round (255/35 Rear 225/40 Front) Looking forwards to getting a hundred miles or so on them, then a test down some quick twisties Upping the damping a touch on the rear is still a possibility, but I need to see how the lower profile rear tyres has affected the suspension first (if at all). One of my Dunlop SP9090's as it was removed from the car after approx 16,000 miles, perfectly even tyre wear A real testament to WIM's Geometry set up, and also to a night spent in communication with Tony regarding the requires Tyre pressures. These wheels are designed to go on the IS250, not the IS200. I sat with a calculator working out the difference in weight for an IS250 (Tango provided me with vital data) on these rims, as to my own IS200 S/C with a heavy ICE install in the boot. I not only had the all up weight, but also corner weighting data to help me come to the correct pressure. I also had Dunlop's own recommendations for these tyres for the IS250 Sport, plus Lexus own recommended tyre pressure (differing from Dunlops I might add). My solution was initially 37psi front/37psi rear which after explaining to Tony on the phone how I had come the result, he agreed with. After an initial drive felt very good, but slightly reluctant to turn in at the front, so I upped it by just 1psi. The very minor difference in pressure makes a big difference behind the wheel. My tyre wear has been even ever since using these new pressures (38psi Front/37psi Rear), which just goes to show a little experimentation with tyre pressures pays off. Everyone has a different driving style, but for these rims on an IS200 I have found a set of pressures that work for the life of the tyres. Job done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 The car is looking great wozza, looks low but not too low! Excellent wear on the tyres and nice write up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 I'm glad you have new rubber mate Your example shows how the modified chassis needs unique attention, right from the calibration to the dampening to the pressures, and why one owners set-up will not work for another owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anees Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Well Done Wozza! Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztecbandit1 Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Nice one matey your motor looks just right now and well balanced how you finding the Falken 452's mate? might try a pair on the rear of the skyline next but in a 265/35/18? Mines got Michelin pilot sports on at the moment and there very grippy in the dry but lose traction in 3rd in the wet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djwozza Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Admit it Chris, now you have some power your just a power devil !! Gimme 2 weeks to get em bed in and I'll let you know. They are good on the front, very communicative, and quite grippy, but a small observation...under braking they can follow uneven road surfaces at low speeds rather than track pefectly true. From high speed no problems at all, just when your speed drops to less than 30mph they track the bumps a bit, and you need to keep your hand on the wheel. On flat roads they are perfect. I am used to their behaviour now so I don't need to be careful at all. I hope that doesn't sound negative, as I do really like them or I wouldn't have bought 2x new rears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztecbandit1 Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Admit it Chris, now you have some power your just a power devil !! yeh i'm more like SmokinBandit now Hopefully it'll have a bit more power soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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