Gmax or PI or?

[samg1988]

I know I've asked this before but I'm after 55mm susp kit (shocks and springs) for a 1996 RT. - 54mm spacing.

Basically im not interested in coilovers etc. because they are out of my price range.

Can anyone help me with which is generally the better out of the lower market kits such as PI or Gmax? (around £200)

*please no hilariously witty comments like get some bubble wrap for your ass*

 

[Martin_172]

in my opinion none of them.

how much is apex for the mk1?

 

[samg1988]

APEX ones are £200 aswell, although they lower the car 60mm not 55mm.... would this not make them worse?

 

[samg1988]

bump

 

[terribleclio]

not really. the fact that the apex kit is going to be miles better than both the gmax and pi is enough reason to take the extra 5mm drop, it isn't going to make much difference, just the apex will give a much much better ride.

 

[White16valver]

Are the Apex constant rate springs? (i.e. wound at equal intervals all the way along) rather than having varying rate? (where the spring gets wound 'tighter' towards each/one end, to firm up the ride as it compresses further?

If they're varying rate then they will be more comfy than constant rate

(and yes, I know they aren't technical terms, but I hope you get what I mean lol)

 

[samg1988]

emmm.... ill have a look to try and figure out...

 

[samg1988]

evening bumpage.. i cant figure out about the constant rate thing... although from looking at pictures PI springs look like theyr varying rate?

either that or i'm an idiot.

 

[donsrno1]

Using white16valvers terminology:

the one on the left in this phot would be "varying rate" as you can see the coils become closer to each other near the bottom.

In the photo below you can see a "constant rate" spring as the coils have the same seperation the whole way down:

Pictures on the website you would be buying from wouldn't tell you much though as the pictures are just standard ones that they use for all kits usually. I would imagine it would be "varying rate" for the ones you are looking at anyway though.

 

[samg1988]

thought so!

 

[edde]

I wouldn't recomend either spend some decient amount of money IMO or not at all.

 

[samg1988]

I wouldn't recomend either spend some decient amount of money IMO or not at all.

what makes it worth spending half the value of the car on it though?

 

[steviet]

Well the £200 you spend on those springs will increase when your dampers give up the ghost. To be honest, if its a cheap first car and moneys an issue (i know it is for me!!!) id concentrate on keeping it well maintained, something youll get a benefit from, as opposed to wearing out other bits of your car quicker all for the sake of having a hard ride and supposedly better handling. Not that im trying to p1ss on your bonfire or anything:rasp:

 

[samg1988]

just want it to be nice and low

 

[donsrno1]

Well the £200 you spend on those springs will increase when your dampers give up the ghost. To be honest, if its a cheap first car and moneys an issue (i know it is for me!!!) id concentrate on keeping it well maintained, something youll get a benefit from, as opposed to wearing out other bits of your car quicker all for the sake of having a hard ride and supposedly better handling. Not that im trying to p1ss on your bonfire or anything:rasp:

It's not £200 for springs, it's £200 for springs and shocks.

Personally I don't know what is best, but as Sam has said for many people it's not cost effective to go buying coilovers for a 1.4 Clio that would cost about 60% of the price of the car.

Surely theres some people with experience of these kits who can give their opinions?

 

[Vincec79]

I wouldn't bother doing either for that kind of money, because they are gonna be shite, with a very harsh & crashy ride. Also the be budget quality construction so the shocks may leak/fail

End of the day you get what you pay for

 

[steviet]

Fair enough, i stand corrected Have to say though, i really used to enjoy thrashing the t1ts off my old 1.2, more fun than my current motor!!!!! And it was standard........

 

[samg1988]

from what i can tell, PI, spax and gmax are all constant rate.

out of those three are there any favourites anyone has?

 

[edde]

I wouldn't recomend either spend some decient amount of money IMO or not at all.

what makes it worth spending half the value of the car on it though?

Why spend any money then?

 

[Geddes]

I use to work in A1 Motor Stores for 9 years, personaly i wouldnt go for gmax or pi, spax is ok Apex is a good brand to go for