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Strutmaster

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Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

Ok I need to hear from all you who have the strutmaster conversion-hows the ride-I am looking for a bit softer-somthing that will eat up the bumps and such better and still handle well-I am not going with the lowered version because of the wide rims and tires(rubbing).Please no flame war about air verse's coil-I just need honest feed back from those in the know thanks

Posted by: Dern Humpus

The springs are definitely stiffer than bags. The lowered kit is definitely really low, but I wouldnt want go with the stock kit either. I'll probably get some spring spacers and raise my lowered kit a touch.

Posted by: mespock

I have both the Standard and the lowered kits plus one Mark still with air ride.

Lower is stiffer and handles well. Cost about $50 to $100 more than standard height

Standard height to me rides very nice and you don't feel the bumps like you do with the lowered kit.

I like the conversions... if you are looking for and air ride repair I'd go with the conversions. If you want a ride close to the air ride you won't be disappointed by the standard height conversion.

Personally I buy from Eddie at American Air Suspension as Eddie gives you better service. They sell the same conversion kits, but Eddie buys back your compressor, and air bags if they are damaged which makes his prices lower. Also Eddie give you a better warranted.

Posted by: Dern Humpus

I image that the difference between the two heights of kits considering ride quality can be traced to the change in camber angle. When I aligned my car after installing the lowered kit, the least amount of negative camber I could get was -1.5*(this is in the front, I havent aligned the rear, but it checked out okay).

Ideally, I believe the mark likes to be around 0* of camber, and the more positive camber the better it will ride. This is due to how the road forces are transmitted into the wheel bearing. The more positive camber the smoother they are transmitted.

I would assume that the spring rates on the two sets of springs are the same, but it is possible that they are not.

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

ordered today-so whats the year thunderbird I use to get a-arms-figure might as well while am at

Posted by: MarkOfDeath

did you get the lowering springs, theres a guy with the lowering springs and 18 steeda speedster wheels on his black mk8 around town i talked to him about a month ago

Posted by: poniesviii

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dern Humpus

I image that the difference between the two heights of kits considering ride quality can be traced to the change in camber angle. When I aligned my car after installing the lowered kit, the least amount of negative camber I could get was -1.5*(this is in the front, I havent aligned the rear, but it checked out okay).

Ideally, I believe the mark likes to be around 0* of camber, and the more positive camber the better it will ride. This is due to how the road forces are transmitted into the wheel bearing. The more positive camber the smoother they are transmitted.

I would assume that the spring rates on the two sets of springs are the same, but it is possible that they are not.

You should always have your camber and alignment adjusted after changing height.. .

I slammed mine so you can't see the tops of my tires and I got all four wheels within spec on factory unmodified eccentrics, but every car is a bit different.

About the rear checking out ok, not to be a grump... but there's no way. The alignment might have been ok but the camber changes drastically with lowering or raising the rear. I thought mine was ok also, until I had time to take the time to really check it. I moved it ALOT, I was seriously surprised how much it was out.

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

Yep they came today-missing a rear top plate

but its on its way.-I picked up new a-arms today also,but didnt feel like dicking with it today-I found that enlarging the hole on the drivers side made getting that bolt simple.So its all ready to install,all the old stuff is out.I got the regular height kit and they are the red ones

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

Ok all done-ya know the backs were a bitch to get slid in-Glad I got the standard height as it sits perfect for me

Posted by: Dern Humpus

Do you think it sits any lower than stock?

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

A little from wher I had it pumped up to

Posted by: ONEBADMK8

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9_8_L_S_C

Ok all done-ya know the backs were a bitch to get slid in-Glad I got the standard height as it sits perfect for me

I did the Arnott kit on the Wife's Mark and the back sits like a 70's Shackle Wagon!! High as hell, HATE IT!! Front is dead perfect and the back is sky high!

I'll heat them up and drop it a bit after the holidays, the RIDE is terrible compared to the bags but its a good solid fix, her air ride ws terminal.

Posted by: rmac694203

Why not just cut the coils a bit. I heard heating them makes them ride like ass.

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

I will shoot some pics later today after it settles some more

Posted by: ONEBADMK8

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmac694203

Why not just cut the coils a bit. I heard heating them makes them ride like ass.

Not in my experiences. Theres a key to doing it right.

Posted by: rmac694203

Fair enough. I bought the lowered kit and I think the stance is pretty close to perfect.

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

Ok sorry for the delay,here are the pics

Posted by: JC1994

looks pretty 4x4 too me. I went with the 1.5 inch drop kit. love it NO regrets.

Posted by: 9_8_L_S_C

My tires/rims are too wide-cruising on the expressway and hit a dip and you hear the crunch sound from the tire hitting the black plastic protector.All good now

Posted by: JC1994

by the way that is a nice looking gen 2. white looks very good on the gen 2. it took about 2000 miles for mine to fully settle.

Posted by: rmac694203

Here is my 1.5" drop kit about 3 weeks after the install. It has sat for most of that time so I haven't driven it that much.

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