Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:04:32 -0500
Reply-To: Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
Subject: Re: Purple springs from H&R
In-Reply-To: <00a301c96081$cb60b490$6701a8c0@PROSPERITY>
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Since this is the only Vanagon I've driven I don't have anything to
compare this ride to. However it does seem stiff to me. When I pull
into my driveway there is a dip and then it goes uphill slightly.
Unless I hit it at a 45 degree angle, I always the plastic dam on the
front. I've also noticed that on several occasions while pulling into
the drive, again at an angle, one of my back tires will lose traction
and spin, like its not making contact.
You mentioned wheel/tire combo as important. That's why I've been
looking for something to replace the stock set on my van. What I think
is strange is that someone would go to the trouble of installing these
springs and have stock 14" wheels and tires.
-Mark K
On Dec 17, 2008, at 2:58 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> Hi Mark, 'stiffer than stock' springs are definitely very desirable.
> they considerably help handing as far as turn-in and corning ability
> go.
> I kinda hate stockers for having just too low a spring rate for any
> performance corning abilities on pavement.
>
> What I want is 'same ride height' just stiffer by 30 % or so.
> I haven't heard of any of those for sale.........I get the
> impression that
> what you have is 'stiffer and lower' which is not what I want.
> but if you're selling that set .........maybe I'd be interested.
>
> I put Syncro.org springs, with Old Man Emu shocks, bigger brakes,
> and 15
> inch wheels with Michelin Agilles tires on an SVX syncro westy I
> built for
> a guy......
> I have raced cars, I've raced off road in Baja, I've raced
> motorcycles, and
> have driven over a million miles in many kinds of cars.......so I
> have 'some
> experience's and I have to say, that syncro westy with that set up
> on it
> handling fantastically on pavement. Like I couldn't have asked for
> any more
> out of it.
> Running those same tires and wheels on my current 2WD vanagon I can
> say
> some of that was those tires.........awesome pavement summer tire
> for a
> vanagon ......205/65 R15 C ..........but I hate my stock-soft spring
> rates -
> thing still mushes out easily into hopeless understeer if you push
> it hard
> into a corner........
> primarily due to too soft spring rates.
> Bottom line is, you want something other than stock springs,
> but what you want is 'taller and stiffer' ......which is what
> syncro.org
> springs are for syncro's....
> another well-known company makes their version,
> and I have not tried Van Cafe 2WD springs......but I believe those are
> taller and stiffer too, for 2WD.
> Ideal to me for pavement is close to stock height........and about
> 30 %
> stiffer, and just guessing on that figure.
> I don't want or like the 'slammed' look, like 'quite lowered' and I
> don't
> need the '2 inches taller thing' either ..........personally, I just
> want
> somewhat stiffer.
>
> ( my performance personal car, a turbo volvo sedan.........is almost
> 'unreasonably' too stiff in the ride department..........but that
> car NEVER
> mushes out or lets you down in a corner. It's brilliant that way,
> and I'll
> gladly live with a little stiffness to get handling prowess. What
> tire you
> run matters a LOT too. Stock on my volvo are H speed rated tires,
> which are
> very harsh riding, but 'T' speed rated tires are perfectly supple
> and sweet
> on it, and handling is still 'right there.' )
>
> And you gotta have 15 inch wheels on a vanagon too ( or
> 16's ) ....... 14's
> can't really cut it at all, not for any well-developed properly
> sorted-out
> serious vanagon.
> The difference on my personal 2WD vangon between any kind of 14 inch
> tire I
> could find, and 15 inch Michelin agilles tires is night and day, not
> even
> comparable, the van is so much 'more' in every way with 15's and
> really good
> tires on it. Let me know if you want to sell those springs you
> have, I
> might be interested in them.
> or trade for other vanagon or SUBARU-Vanagon parts.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark A Kippert" <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:31 AM
> Subject: Purple springs from H&R
>
>
>> While crawling under my van cleaning the tranny to body ground I
>> noticed that I had purple springs. They are on all 4 corners. I
>> finally got around to checking them out further. They appear to by by
>> H&R. I took some pictures and on the passenger side saw what I think
>> is a model number (29 951 VA). My research indicates they lower the
>> van 1.5 inches. I'm not sure I want my van lowered, I kinda like a
>> taller ride.
>>
>> Does anybody have any experience with them? Are they something I want
>> on my Vanagon. A previous owner must have wanted them but is it
>> something I will find beneficial?
>>
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