G Turbo Lowering?
G Turbo Lowering?
Author
Discussion

yardelli

Original Poster:

90 posts

268 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
OK I know its been talked about before but I'm looking to lower my 87 Turbo HC Giugiaro as I want it to look more like my mates Essex i.e. no gap between tyre and wheel-arch!
Can anyone give me more info on what is needed to do / costs involved etc?
Not sure why they changed the set-ups but the early Turbos' definatley sit lower than the later 'G's?
Do not want to compromise the ride but to just lose the gap to further improve the looks.....

lotusguy

1,798 posts

280 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
yardelli said:
OK I know its been talked about before but I'm looking to lower my 87 Turbo HC Giugiaro as I want it to look more like my mates Essex i.e. no gap between tyre and wheel-arch!
Can anyone give me more info on what is needed to do / costs involved etc?
Not sure why they changed the set-ups but the early Turbos' definatley sit lower than the later 'G's?
Do not want to compromise the ride but to just lose the gap to further improve the looks.....


Hi,

First off, realize that you have a Turbo and not an Essex, pretty inherent differences.

The best and easiest way to lower it some (approx. 0.5" is to remove the rubber insulators at the top of the shocks. Not too great a change, so handling will not be severly effected, but best of all, it's free!

But, if you want more change, it's gonna cost you in ride/handling quality as well as cash. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

yardelli

Original Poster:

90 posts

268 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
lotusguy said:

First off, realize that you have a Turbo and not an Essex, pretty inherent differences.



Isn't the Essex a Turbo still with a posh paint job then?

PatHeald

8,058 posts

279 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
The early Essex Turbos are dry sumped.

They have 4 bolt hubs and significantly different front suspension from the later Turbos, such as the HC.

Wheels are Compromotive split rims and not the BBS spokers that you should have.

Beyond Jim's suggestion, the only way properly to lower the chassis is to buy a set of dampers with adjustable spring seats.

SJ Sportscars will sell you a car set, but I can't tell you what type they are without searching their site.

Spax also made a damper with adjustable seats. My thirteen year old Spax parts list quotes G353-AS for the front and G354-AS for the rear for the 1985 to 1987 Turbos.

Note that different part numbers are quoted for the NA S3 which are different again from the S1/S2 part numbers.....

Spax has been bought and sold a couple of times since my parts catalogue was procured and has shifted their manufacturing plant.

Spax quality also was pretty variable last time I had any dealings with them....

Cheers

Pat.



yardelli

Original Poster:

90 posts

268 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
Don't worry Pat - I know all about Essex's!
Just not sure as to why they changed the setup to make the later G Turbos' sit so much higher than the early cars? I know the Toyota suspension bits were added but I still think the early Turbo ride height looks more dynamic.

yardelli

Original Poster:

90 posts

268 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
Guys - SJ sportscars have:

Competition, Modification & Accessories | Suspension & brakes
ADJUSTABLE DAMPER/SPRING 1985 to vin 3582 A top quality adjustable damper, all units are dyno tested and guaranteed for two years. Supplied with parallel spring for lower or standard heights. SJ082C0003 £95.50

but also these:

Competition, Modification & Accessories | Suspension & brakes
FULLY ADJUSTABLE REAR DAMPER SJ082D0003 EACH 75.50 ...........what about the fronts?

reckon they might do the trick?

PatHeald

8,058 posts

279 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
My ride height.....

1987 Turbo HC, totally standard.



Pat.

>> Edited by PatHeald on Monday 5th April 19:42

wedg1e

27,011 posts

288 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
My S3 has the ex-SJ rear dampers with adjustable platforms (part number ends in 0001 rather than 0003 bu the price was the same two years ago) - they are AVOs, which I've heard conflicting reports on. Can't comment on ride quality as 'obviously' I haven't driven it yet...

Ian

yardelli

Original Poster:

90 posts

268 months

Sunday 21st March 2004
quotequote all
Yes Pat - Thats looks just like mine - the higher ride height looks more noticable however on the rear setup?

f1karting

124 posts

266 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2004
quotequote all

PatHeald

8,058 posts

279 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2004
quotequote all
yardelli said:
Yes Pat - Thats looks just like mine - the higher ride height looks more noticable however on the rear setup?


Dunno, rear looks about right to me....

You going to Donington?

Should be plenty to measure up there...

Pat.

kevin-84turbo

30 posts

264 months

Saturday 27th March 2004
quotequote all
After many different springs I finally arrived at a front and rear spring combo that works even with 225/50-16's on the front, it is not quite as low as the ESSEX which seems unworkable!

I also stiffened the rate. My car can be viewed at invenair.com

Cheers
Kevin