Lowering the VR6

[ScienceVR6]

i belive mine to be on Pedders springs, lowered aprox 2" but it still has standard shocks. Its also very bouncy, as the stiff spring is too hard for the shock to deal with. im told other golfs do the same thing when lowered. Anyone confirm this?

[D.I.T]

i belive mine to be on Pedders springs, lowered aprox 2" but it still has standard shocks

Just got back from Pedders when i put this topic up and was told they only make rear springs for the golf vr6

[sukebe]

If you want a more "cost efficient" spring (Pedders etc), one suggestion is Lovells springs. GT Suspension in Flemington stocks them. They also sell KYB Excel-G dampers which are pretty good for the price. I think Munroe make dampers for a VR6 too.

Do you want to lower the car for the "look" or for handling? If just for the look then you could get away with springs only, but if you want it to handle better you really need to upgrade the dampers too. Also, if handling is important then I suggest getting a rear swaybar. Some members here reckon the Nuespeed one is the duks nuts, but you can get a Whiteline one for about half the price (~$210). A rear swaybar is the best (low budget) suspension mod you can do on a VR6.

[D.I.T]

If you want a more "cost efficient" spring (Pedders etc), one suggestion is Lovells springs

The local Pedders dealer checked and also told me Lovells dont make them either.

Do you want to lower the car for the "look" or for handling? If just for the look then you could get away with springs only, but if you want it to handle better you really need to upgrade the dampers too. Also, if handling is important then I suggest getting a rear swaybar. Some members here reckon the Nuespeed one is the duks nuts, but you can get a Whiteline one for about half the price (~$210). A rear swaybar is the best (low budget) suspension mod you can do on a VR6.

Well its mainly for the look, but i dont want it to then handle like a sack of spuds once its been lowered. What do the dampers do exacty?

[rayray086]

My suggestion is if you're gonna do it, might as well spend the extra bucks and do it properly, i.e. do the shocks + springs combo. The factory shocks were only made to handle the factory springs, which are softer and wound higher than "lowering"/sport springs. Though you can still use your factory shocks with lowering springs, it won't be too long until they'll give out and just sag, which you'll end up forking more money out anyway.

I got myself Koni springs with Koni Special shocks (Reds) and they're much better than any combo with a factory shock. The Koni springs give me a 40mm drop (written on paper - I didn't actually end up measuring the difference, but the difference was definitely noticeable). The Koni Reds give me different dampening settings, ranging from "soft" (which felt just slightly harder than OEM) and "hard" (which gave a harsher ride). This set me back just a tad over $1000, and I did the install at home with some help from friends. I ended up buying some new parts like bumpstops and mounts, and that set me back roughly an extra $150, all up bringing the total to ~$1200. The ride is definitely many times better, with body roll less evident and the car wanting to just keep gripping onto the road (I did a wheel/tyre upgrade at the same time so that may have increased that feeling ).

It's good money spent - I bought the springs + shocks as a combo and so I ended up getting a discount + free shipping from Melbourne. You definitely won't receive deals if you buy items separately months apart.

Oh, and the stance is much better now too

Before:


After:


That's a listed 40mm drop (less than 2 inches).

I've taken the VR6 arches off too, which makes it look lower at the guards hehe.

[gldgti]

please please steer clear of KYB/monroe shocks. they are total crap. KYB/monroe are made in the same factory to anyone who doesnt know.

the monroes give out after a short while compared to a german made shock and always seem to be built for ride over handling. my lowered mk1 wiht monroe gt gas in the front is bouncy as heck.

if you cant afford bilsteins or koni's, go for SACHS super tourers or even BOGE turbo.

they will be lightyears better than any crappy aussie made shock.

[rayray086]

One little other thing - I was flicking through the latest Autosalon magazine and came across these new springs offered by Tein, the "S-Tech". They're meant to be compatible with factory shocks, yet still deliver the handling and stance (30mm drop) for your car offered by your typical sport springs. Listed price was "from 375", so it doesn't seem all that expensive. However, I've always associated Tein suspension bits with Japanese cars, so I don't know if they would offer it for Volkswagens, let alone the Mk3.



Edit: Gave the Tein website a visit and seems like they don't do it for European cars, not the Australian stockists anyway...

[syncro]

please please steer clear of KYB/monroe shocks. they are total crap. KYB/monroe are made in the same factory to anyone who doesnt know.

the monroes give out after a short while compared to a german made shock and always seem to be built for ride over handling. my lowered mk1 wiht monroe gt gas in the front is bouncy as heck.

if you cant afford bilsteins or koni's, go for SACHS super tourers or even BOGE turbo.

they will be lightyears better than any crappy aussie made shock.

I think KYB are made in Japan.

Boge turbo are great, and they're cheap.

[sukebe]

Dampers are the same thing as shock adsorbers, just a different name. I am used to calling them dampers from living in Japan (thats what they call them).

Check out GT Suspensions website. I didn't end up buying from them as I got a sweet deal on a slightly used kit, but they were very helpful when I spoke to them. Ask them what possibilities they have for VR6s. Personally, I reckon the above advice is very good. If you are not willing to spend $1000 on your suspension, then its not really worth doing.

[rayray086]

Check out GT Suspensions website. I didn't end up buying from them as I got a sweet deal on a slightly used kit, but they were very helpful when I spoke to them. Ask them what possibilities they have for VR6s. Personally, I reckon the above advice is very good. If you are not willing to spend $1000 on your suspension, then its not really worth doing.

That's exactly where I got my Koni shocks and springs from! Living in Sydney, I was only able to communicate by phone, but that was more than enough as they were very patient and helpful. They have special offers once in a while, so worth checking from time to time.