Thoughts on suspension.

[Azman]

Guys,

As you know I now have a set of 18" on the car. As it is a CQ20 not an S2 does anyone know a safe lowering height, also I thought that the CQ had thinner dampers than the S2 but alot of place's keep saying that they are the same kits for both cars????????? Strange.

Anythoughts or experience on this guys.

Cheers

Aaron

[Jamo]

CQ front dampers are M52 and S2 are M55 so they are smaller.

The rears are the same although according to family album S2 had uprated shocks but as MikeS2 pointed out it seems the U.K CQ range all got the uprated rear shocks.

[BRY]

I have new S2 front struts if you want them.

[Paulgo]

Anythoughts or experience on this guys.

Hi Aaron

Yep - I found this out the hard way when we swapped my cq20v suspension to S2 and found the slightly beefier S2 dampers wouldn’t fit on the front – so S2 front struts were also needed (fortunately some were on hand!) Straight replacement fitment wise. Rears tho are the same size wise and it was a straight swap for me. Stock S2 springs went on no probs, dropping the ride slightly (Ive got aircon tho and Im not sure if this helped) and made a very positive improvement to handling!

cheers

Paul

[Azman]

So changing to S2 dampers and springs will reduce the ride height slightly. Due to the wheels I am only after a slight drop anyway so it looks this is probably the best way to go.

Cheers guys

[mcandmar]

S2 springs will lower the car a little bit, and firm it up a bit too. I ran ABY springs in mine for a while, nice setup with ARBS. I was wary at first with 18's making the car any lower but i soon gave in and fitted H&R's, just felt too soft when i got used to it.

[Azman]

Guys. The question is then Can I fit standard S2 springs on my car. If yes what do I need to change to do so?

I take it the top seat will need changing.

If I do that I can get some sport dampers for a good pice that have that are OE type.

[Azman]

Or a stupid one. Could I chop down the springs????

[s2driveruk]

i have a set of 3b (with aircon) springs sat in the garage gathering dust - PM me if you are interested, i'd be happy for any extra space in my garage these days
Cheers,
David

[Paulgo]

Guys. The question is then Can I fit standard S2 springs on my car. If yes what do I need to change to do so?

I take it the top seat will need changing.

If I do that I can get some sport dampers for a good pice that have that are OE type.

Hi Aaron

IIRC the springs went onto my cq20v as a straight swap - dont think anything was replaced, other than needing the s2 front struts for the dampers. I’d already got alloy rose-jointed top mounts on but I don’t think that effected anything in that respect. Rears was a straight dampers / springs swap and they all came from an ABY S2 lowering and firming up the ride just nicely - tho I feel a I'd like it a little lower now and possibly Konis now Ive got used to it! Think the only thing to look out for is if your car has air con or not presumably for front weight, other than that no worries!

HTH

Paul

[mcandmar]

Yes springs are interchangeable, if you want to be really fussy S2 springs are 5mm wider and have a difference top perch, they fit fine but can make a boing noise when winding on full lock. Obviously the cure is to use the S2 top perches which interestingly are the same as the top perches in the rear suspension. BTDT

Shocks are irrelevant; they are bigger diameter but dont effect ride height or fitment of springs. So yes S2 springs just fit in.

For the shocks you can buy top adjustable Koni Sports for the CQ20v as thats what i'm using, i actually whish i changed to the larger S2 struts before i bought some konis but its too late now. If your buying shocks & thinking of putting more weight in the nose (i.e. engine conversion) I would change to the S2 struts now.

[Paulgo]

if you want to be really fussy S2 springs are 5mm wider and have a difference top perch, they fit fine but can make a boing noise when winding on full lock. Obviously the cure is to use the S2 top perches which interestingly are the same as the top perches in the rear suspension.

Aha!!! didnt realise that! I now know why my left front springs make that odd boinging noise occaisionally - tho its usually over speed bumps!! cheers! never did figure that one out, just thought it hadnt seated properly!! (tho the lower seat had been flattened at some stage so it still mgiht be that) I probablly change to the S2 perches when I swap the hubs over finally to cure it!

If your buying shocks & thinking of putting more weight in the nose (i.e. engine conversion) I would change to the S2 struts now

I'd second that - its s straight swap and in the end I'm glad I had to swap struts! even tho not a huge difference the beefier S2 struts have helped the cq20v ride and that would no doubt transfer into other damper options such as Koni too which I'll be considering for the future!

cheers

Paul

[Azman]

So a shopping list would be -

S2 Springs
S2 Dampers - or equivalent (sports dampers)
S2 Strut legs (front only)
S2 Top seat for the front springs

Is there anything else to add to this?

[mcandmar]

FYI From previous posts,

Perches,
893 412 113, (AAH,NG,ABC,7A) 120mm x 120mm x 40mm
857 412 111 B, (3B,ABY) 125mm x 110mm x 40mm

Prices new are:
893 412 113 £9.19+vat
857 412 111 B £18.97+vat each.

And here for spring types, AC models are slightly firmer on the front.

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5076&highlight=spring+colour

[Azman]

Cheers mca, I might just go the second hand route for now as buying a load of new bits then 6mnths down the line wanting to change will be expensive.

I would be after without aircon though as I don't have it currently. correct?

Couldn't I just use my original set and change the springs. Do I really have to change to the thicker dampers when I could just change to a sports set????