What now?

Author
Discussion

throwyourbike

Original Poster:

704 posts

150 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
My Monaro just passed its MOT with no advisories so I feel like treating it to some sort of upgrade.

At the minute it's a standard LS2 VXR with a Wortec cat-back.

I spoke to the guy who looks after the car for me, who also has one of his own, and he said that probably the best two mods he ever did were fitting new suspension and a ripshifter.

I don't think I can afford to do both at once so I was wondering what you guys reckon?

I'm kind of leaning towards new suspension because I've always thought the car could do with being lowered a tad. Its between the Pedders Xa coilovers and the Pedders replacement dampers and springs either low or super low.

I've never had coilovers before but I hear that they can be a bit harsh and creaky which I really don't want, plus I'm unlikely to ever adjust them.
If I was to go down the replacement springs and dampers route I can't decide between low and super low. I've heard people say the low springs leave the car at pretty much the same height as standard but the super lows are very low.
One of my main reasons for changing the suspension would be to make it look lower though, so I'd be disappointed if I paid £1000 and the ride height didn't change.

Thoughts?

maccavvy

660 posts

163 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Ive only ever had a ripshifter fitted..so cant comment on that,but have been told they are so much better with it fitted.

but as far as suspension is concerned. see if theres a member not too far away that will give you a quick spin.
its a lot of money to spend and find out your not happy..

jameshsv

5,844 posts

159 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
maccavvy said:
Ive only ever had a ripshifter fitted..so cant comment on that,but have been told they are so much better with it fitted.

but as far as suspension is concerned. see if theres a member not too far away that will give you a quick spin.
its a lot of money to spend and find out your not happy..
+1on any upgrade before you do it try and get a ride or drive in someone elses car we are all very abliging

throwyourbike

Original Poster:

704 posts

150 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
I'm in Northern Ireland so that might be a bit of a problem laugh

jameshsv

5,844 posts

159 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
throwyourbike said:
I'm in Northern Ireland so that might be a bit of a problem laugh
OH lol

Mud_

2,924 posts

155 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Get the plain low springs unless you really want very very low!

The cheap Chinese ripshifter knock-off I am running is good and...cheap. It doesn't automatically centre the stick (springs too weak), but otherwise I think it was money well spent. I think I'll open it up and remove the springs altogether next time I'm doing bits to the car. Even if you don't like it it's a cheap way of finding out if you want to spend lots of money on the real deal.

TonyTwoTribes

356 posts

115 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Sell it and get a VXR8.

throwyourbike

Original Poster:

704 posts

150 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
TonyTwoTribes said:
Sell it and get a VXR8.
I'm 29 not 49... hehe

throwyourbike

Original Poster:

704 posts

150 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Mud_ said:
Get the plain low springs unless you really want very very low!

The cheap Chinese ripshifter knock-off I am running is good and...cheap. It doesn't automatically centre the stick (springs too weak), but otherwise I think it was money well spent. I think I'll open it up and remove the springs altogether next time I'm doing bits to the car. Even if you don't like it it's a cheap way of finding out if you want to spend lots of money on the real deal.
Do the low springs look any lower than standard though?

My mechanic has a CV8 with a ripshifter and coilovers (I think), but his car isn't on the road right now so I can't get a drive.

Is that the Cube shifter? Was wondering about that one but I wasn't sure if it was any good.

Mud_

2,924 posts

155 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
throwyourbike said:
Do the low springs look any lower than standard though?

My mechanic has a CV8 with a ripshifter and coilovers (I think), but his car isn't on the road right now so I can't get a drive.

Is that the Cube shifter? Was wondering about that one but I wasn't sure if it was any good.
I think the pedders low is appreciably lower than standard, but hopefully someone can show a photo - it's a common choice so many (most?) lowered monaros will be just that, but I've got king springs which I guess fall between the pedders options (quite stiff!).

Yes it's the cube branded one, with the optional brass sleeve. I don't much like recommending things, but I think it's good...and low risk given the price.

MedwayMonaro

1,888 posts

137 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
I've had both on a Monaro vxr. Pedders shocks and standard springs gives a good ride quality and decent handling. Coil overs (my current car has Pedders xa) are great for handling however when I got my car the ride quality was terrible. A bit of adjustment though and it's much better. Still firm but bearable. Ride height is low but adjustable and can go up to almost standard height. Currently it's too low really but OK for now. I'm told pedders low springs reduce the height by about 20mm

ArnieVXR

2,449 posts

182 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
I bought most of the Monkfish upgrades for my VXR. The Ripshifter was good, but only because the existing shifter was pants. If yours 'feels' good enough then leave it alone. I had the Pedders adjustables and was never that convinced by them. You don't want to drop the height by much, as your bumpers will suffer and jacking it becomes a pain. A cheaper option for lowering is to drive around with lots of fat mates.

I quite liked the quick rack (CV8 ratio?) and the Poly bushes myself.

You couldn't stretch to a twin turbo then...idea

MedwayMonaro

1,888 posts

137 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
Actual I also had the poly bush kit front and rear on my last monaro and this helped. Current one has the quick rack and so far I'm not convinced by it.

rytaylor

254 posts

188 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
I've had a monaro with and without a ripshifter and can't really say I'm sold on it.

It's a much shorter throw but to me feels notchier and like you're rushing the box. Many prefer it though. So it's probably worth trying one out.

I do have a transmission fluid change lined up soon, so may change my mind...

Mud_

2,924 posts

155 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
The notchiness can also be addressed through the 'anti venom' mod.

rytaylor

254 posts

188 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
quotequote all
MedwayMonaro said:
Actual I also had the poly bush kit front and rear on my last monaro and this helped. Current one has the quick rack and so far I'm not convinced by it.
Handy to know Vince. I was considering the quick rack to speed things up a bit but may hold off until I can see a car with it fitted.

I've got the road response and rear end pack and it makes a big difference over the standard. Would recommend that OP if you're looking to sharpen it up.

throwyourbike

Original Poster:

704 posts

150 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for all the feedback guys, helpful as always.

I drive an Insignia as my daily, obviously its a completely different car in every measurable way but when I take the Monaro out at the weekends I just cant help but think that its starting to feel its age.

It's only to be expected at almost 12 years old and 58k miles but I guess I just want to do something that'll make it feel a bit fresher.
Don't get me wrong though, I love its character and don't want to lose that either!

MedwayMonaro

1,888 posts

137 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
quotequote all
rytaylor said:
Handy to know Vince. I was considering the quick rack to speed things up a bit but may hold off until I can see a car with it fitted.

I've got the road response and rear end pack and it makes a big difference over the standard. Would recommend that OP if you're looking to sharpen it up.
Ok so if your steering rack starts to weep then I'd replace it with the quick rack but I wouldn't do it for the sake of it. The front end pack makes the car much better and is what I'd do.

V88Dicky

7,302 posts

182 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
quotequote all
throwyourbike said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys, helpful as always.

I drive an Insignia as my daily, obviously its a completely different car in every measurable way but when I take the Monaro out at the weekends I just cant help but think that its starting to feel its age.

It's only to be expected at almost 12 years old and 58k miles but I guess I just want to do something that'll make it feel a bit fresher.
Don't get me wrong though, I love its character and don't want to lose that either!
Don't forget, the Monaro shape was designed upon an already existing platform back in the late 90's, and saw the light of day (in 2002/3) in Australia. Not that it was an old chassis, it was actually quite modern with its IRS etc.

I personally love the muscle car feel. The rawness, the shaking from side to side at the lights, the coughing and spitting on start up. The fact that it's not very refined until you're cruising at 70, there's loads of other things too, but they're all a big bonus IMHO smile



Rich NI

91 posts

134 months

Sunday 12th June 2016
quotequote all
Did u ever fit a rippy or springs etc. I put a B&M short shifter on mine couple years back, I like it made a gud difference going through the box.Get the headers & high flow cats upgrade next u will like it.