Koni/BMR Springs Installed!
05-30-2016, 01:35 PM
#1
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Koni/BMR Springs Installed! Finally installed my Koni/BMR combo along with a J&M rod/rod panhard after I've had the parts sitting in my room for about 2 years, and just wanted to share my experience with the install.
If there was one thing I could go back and do differently, it would be to buy new mounts before hand. We wasted a good hour or so attempting to get the driver-side mount off and it wouldn't budge. We actually had zero trouble getting the rusted top nut off (thanks to coke and wd40) but the real problem was that the shaft of the shock was rusted inside the mount, so I just ended up buying a new mount anyway. Another set back was that we had to dremel the passenger rear top nut off, after about 30-45 minutes of trying to get it off with out the shaft spinning, it just wasnt happening.
Other then those two set back and a trip to Autozone it was a smooth install. After driving it for the first time I experienced some roughness and clunking which was worrisome, but it turns out the clunking was because we didn't fully torque the lugs, and one of my rears was on full hard instead of soft
. After fixing that the car drives beautifully, it's firm without being harsh and the car doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart when you hit a bump. In the corners she's planted with almost no body roll, she really bites into turns and goes where you want her to. It's really an odd feeling cornering in this car after driving it on stock suspension for 6 years. Anyway, here are the pics.
Before
15 years and 104k miles lafter...The DeCarbons where they belong!
After
Attachment 721400
Attachment 721401
Attachment 721402
If there was one thing I could go back and do differently, it would be to buy new mounts before hand. We wasted a good hour or so attempting to get the driver-side mount off and it wouldn't budge. We actually had zero trouble getting the rusted top nut off (thanks to coke and wd40) but the real problem was that the shaft of the shock was rusted inside the mount, so I just ended up buying a new mount anyway. Another set back was that we had to dremel the passenger rear top nut off, after about 30-45 minutes of trying to get it off with out the shaft spinning, it just wasnt happening.
Other then those two set back and a trip to Autozone it was a smooth install. After driving it for the first time I experienced some roughness and clunking which was worrisome, but it turns out the clunking was because we didn't fully torque the lugs, and one of my rears was on full hard instead of soft
. After fixing that the car drives beautifully, it's firm without being harsh and the car doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart when you hit a bump. In the corners she's planted with almost no body roll, she really bites into turns and goes where you want her to. It's really an odd feeling cornering in this car after driving it on stock suspension for 6 years. Anyway, here are the pics.Before
15 years and 104k miles lafter...The DeCarbons where they belong!
After
Attachment 721400
Attachment 721401
Attachment 721402
Last edited by CoreyD; 05-31-2016 at 02:02 PM.
05-30-2016, 01:48 PM
#2
Looks sharp! Nice grass btw 
05-30-2016, 06:26 PM
#4
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I just did the exact same combo install not too long ago. my experience was the same as yours(ended up getting new mounts) I always tell everyone to just make sure you keep them faced forward so that your able to make sweeps with them installed on the car. I see you've placed those decarbons exactly where they belong haha nice. Car looks great btw. it's amazing that lowering these cars a little will change how they look and handle
05-30-2016, 08:51 PM
#7
TECH Apprentice
Wow that grass is amazing!!!
But seriously I rock the same combo. Works great on ideal pavement. Still trying to figure out the shock setting I like best. Right now I'm at 4 sweeps up front and 1/8 turn on the rears. It works pretty well.
But seriously I rock the same combo. Works great on ideal pavement. Still trying to figure out the shock setting I like best. Right now I'm at 4 sweeps up front and 1/8 turn on the rears. It works pretty well.
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05-31-2016, 06:26 AM
#10
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I just completed my suspension project as well. All except taking the car to the alignment shop anyhow. It feels great doesn't it? It took me months to get the new parts gathered and eventually installed onto the car. I'm starting to get space back in my garage. 
Congrats on completing your project. The car looks great.
Congrats on completing your project. The car looks great. 
05-31-2016, 02:01 PM
#12
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IIRC I think there's like 9.5
I'm still in need of an alignment as well. It's weird not seeing them sitting in my room after all that time!
You won't regret it!
I just completed my suspension project as well. All except taking the car to the alignment shop anyhow. It feels great doesn't it? It took me months to get the new parts gathered and eventually installed onto the car. I'm starting to get space back in my garage. Congrats on completing your project. The car looks great.
Congrats on completing your project. The car looks great.You won't regret it!
06-07-2016, 09:00 AM
#13
it's amazing how much difference that 1.25" makes on the whole attitude of the car.
Looks good though, I think you will be very pleased with how that setup drives!
Looks good though, I think you will be very pleased with how that setup drives!
__________________
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
06-25-2016, 02:15 PM
#19
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Little follow up after driving it around for a month and with everything settled in...
After the install my ride height was all over the place, the passenger side was a good half-inch to an inch higher than the driver, and each corner had a different height. But as of today everything seemed to even out, both rears are at 26.5" and the fronts are at about 26.25" from the ground.
I do scrape a whole lot more, as expected, mostly my y-pipe though, at its lowest point the ORY is about 3 inches off the ground, but I've really only scraped when I wasn't too careful. A fender rolling is also in order, if I hit a big dip on the interstate at speed it will most definitely rub. I'd also say that the rod ends on the PHB are a little too noisy for my liking.
With that said I'm still very happy with everything. One of the things I noticed was how much more stable at interstate speed the car is. My brother even commented on how he thought we were going 65-70 when we were actually going 80-85.
I've been itching to do some autox, as an interstate loop is probably the most handling intensive thing I've done, but all in good time!
After the install my ride height was all over the place, the passenger side was a good half-inch to an inch higher than the driver, and each corner had a different height. But as of today everything seemed to even out, both rears are at 26.5" and the fronts are at about 26.25" from the ground.
I do scrape a whole lot more, as expected, mostly my y-pipe though, at its lowest point the ORY is about 3 inches off the ground, but I've really only scraped when I wasn't too careful. A fender rolling is also in order, if I hit a big dip on the interstate at speed it will most definitely rub. I'd also say that the rod ends on the PHB are a little too noisy for my liking.
With that said I'm still very happy with everything. One of the things I noticed was how much more stable at interstate speed the car is. My brother even commented on how he thought we were going 65-70 when we were actually going 80-85.
I've been itching to do some autox, as an interstate loop is probably the most handling intensive thing I've done, but all in good time!
