Mark Edwards Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Hi all, new to these cars, came from a 400hp mr2 which i unfortunately recently wrote off. Soon to be the (hopefully) happy owner of a '97 sportif with a few mods already on it, but i'd like to take it further. Now i appreciate the n/a isn't ever going to set the road alight, but io also know they can be made to handle like nothing else. So my first (probably of many) question is, what is the best choice of suspension for these cars? I'm after the works, springs, shocks, roll bars, strut braces, the whole lot really.Many thanks for any help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blue Icarian Wings Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 To lazy to write it all upLook Here for a nice list of goodies, check the classified section there also for bargain bits (here too) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jozinobi Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Hi Mark Welcome to UKSCYou will find this >>Suspension Access<< more helpful rather than a range of products just thrown in your face as it relates to your question.Some useful hands on information there...Im glad you are starting the journey to make your sportif a handling freak.It really is a decent thing to do if you can get all the parts, you will be grinning uncontrollably afterwards.Im on the same journey as you and am almost at the end of it with most of the parts u mentioned currently on my ep91 project, feel free to ask anything as I would be happy to help Happy reading and talk soon.Feel free to send a personal message.Joz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paul w Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Thats a bit of step down ain't it? Regarding suspension it'll depend on how deep your pockets can go dependin on what you're after! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ecksjay Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Hi all, new to these cars, came from a 400hp mr2 which i unfortunately recently wrote off. Soon to be the (hopefully) happy owner of a '97 sportif with a few mods already on it, but i'd like to take it further. Now i appreciate the n/a isn't ever going to set the road alight, but io also know they can be made to handle like nothing else. So my first (probably of many) question is, what is the best choice of suspension for these cars? I'm after the works, springs, shocks, roll bars, strut braces, the whole lot really.Many thanks for any help.bahahaha, handle like nothing else?the starlet has an apalling chassis to begin with. ALL of the suspension mods on the planet will only do so much. yes it'll handle much better (not saying much though ) but it'll always play second fiddle to other naturally good handling hatches, the likes of clio's / 106's etc, which with a fraction of the work can become classes above handling wise.you can improve on things but the chassis/setup as a core system on the starlet is flawed unfortunately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lobotomy Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Mine handles ok for the speeds I go round corners at -- I'm no loon, but I do know how to drive when it's needed, not like the wee corsa nobs I've seen landed in fields recently who lower their cars on Gmax springs and just chuck their cars round corners.Can't beat the CRX for FWD handling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mart Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I'd recommend trying to save for collies bro if you can. Even If if you picked up a second hand set. Once you have them, your handling set-up will be nearly there...Mart... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jozinobi Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 The man is right I have 2nd hand coilovers at the moment and they work a treat.You don't have to have turbo power just to have fun... Joz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paul w Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 You don't have to have turbo power just to have fun... JozTrue but it helps! A well sorted N/A can be plenty fun though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey Jay Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Well, I find my stock n/a to be fun but that's just me probably Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jozinobi Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 A well sorted N/A can be plenty fun tho!Bingo!Joz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jozinobi Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Well, I find my stock n/a to be fun but that's just me probably Think its just you MJ Joz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey Jay Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Oh well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jozinobi Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 You got til the end of July 2007 bub so better make it count hehe Joz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ecksjay Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 Mine handles ok for the speeds I go round corners at -- I'm no loon, but I do know how to drive when it's needed, not like the wee corsa nobs I've seen landed in fields recently who lower their cars on Gmax springs and just chuck their cars round corners.Can't beat the CRX for FWD handling!same here mate, it does just about enough not to be shameful, but it really is borderline. compared to many MANY other hatchbacks they're just not upto the job really, but thats just due to inherent design flaws. they can be made adequate but will never be perfect unfortunately.mine's 'acceptable' even without coilovers, but i've made my choice in wheel/tyre sizes and compounds etc to balance that out, so that it aint a total heap of shit in comparison to other capable hatches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blue Icarian Wings Posted December 19, 2006 Share Posted December 19, 2006 I've a front upper strut bar, I feel it keeps the front planted a bit better, (feel like the wheel going into the corner is being pushed down and not lifting up) but I love my body-roll, the real fun is driving on that knife-edge where you can just handle it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Edwards Posted December 20, 2006 Author Share Posted December 20, 2006 Cheers for the welcome guys. It is a step down yes, but i really don't want to pile that much money into a car again. I chose the n/a option as i knew if i went turbo again then i'd just go stupid with it again and build a monster. The problem with too much power is you have to concentrate too much on driving it and not actully enjoying it so much. I wanted a small cheap car that i could actually have some fun in again.I'll probably still do the basic engine mods to it and although it's way overkill, i've still got the motec M4 from the mr2, so i'll be putting that on it to help with fuel economy and to gain whatever power i can with it.Cheers for the advise on the suspension, just need to pick up the car now (hopefully this weekend) and then i can start playing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey Jay Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Groovy, keep us updated with your plans Mark Once you've picked it up and got it home would be a good idea putting up some pics and info in the extreem ep rides section - is a good place to document your progress and plans.Starlet's are good fun so enjoy ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Edwards Posted December 20, 2006 Author Share Posted December 20, 2006 Groovy, keep us updated with your plans Mark Once you've picked it up and got it home would be a good idea putting up some pics and info in the extreem ep rides section - is a good place to document your progress and plans.Starlet's are good fun so enjoy ! It's already a member on here's car. It belongs to Earl at the moment, but yes, i'll take some pics and post them up. And i shall keep you all up to date with it's progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EarL Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Yes. My good mate Mr Edwards, decided that a more normal manner of direction wasn't good enough, and decided that his wonderful MR2 would be more suited to driving backwards at 60mph, when this happened...It did look like this...But, as they say, all good things... come to a crunching, splintering, back aching, head banging, end.So he's buying my Starlet off me. ...and I'm buying another one. When I've finished running my MR2 in. EarL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Edwards Posted December 20, 2006 Author Share Posted December 20, 2006 LOL, nice choice of photo's my friend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mart Posted December 20, 2006 Share Posted December 20, 2006 Haha. Man Thats come collision on the back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Edwards Posted December 20, 2006 Author Share Posted December 20, 2006 Haha. Man Thats come collision on the back.Yeah, it wasn't pleasant. I should have come out of it a lot worse at that speed though, all i got was aching neck muscles 2 days later and a small graze on the back of my head. My saving grace was the newly fitted corbeau pro series seats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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