Full Suspension Rebuild

[fabian855]

Hello!!

First time post so i beg your pardon if i do any wrong!!

I`m just about to start rebuilding the suspension and brakes on the front end of my Calibra 16v and i`m looking for a bit of guidance.

My first task is compiling a shopping list of "goodies". I have a few things scribbled down on a bit of paper that of compiled from the demon tweeks catalog, but can`t find listing for things like non-standard droplinks, plus i`m probably missing a few other things too.

I`m also looking to get some more stopping power upfront, so i can do away with the ABS!!!

Firstly, if you guys had a gold card in someone elses name, what would your shopping lists consist of? (as far as this topic is concerned, not for everything!!). Secondly, what are my options for brake upgrades besides the V6/Turbo discs??

Thanks in advance

[Rusty_CallyT]

doing away with the ABS? why?

would be a mistake IMO

[EY]

There is a 308mm brake upgrade available, i think it's about £350 from LMF. You will need at least 17" wheels to fit these beasts though.
Also i see no advantage of doing away with the ABS, why remove an effective safety feature?

[fabian855]

Not such a fan of drivers "aids" as it were. Just a personal preference thing.

Is the 308mm a copy of a standard setup, such as the Zafira/New Astra Turbo?!?!?

Would something like that fit or be worthwile?!

[EY]

Here is the link, i expect they will stop you pretty damn quick. <a href="http://www.lmfvauxhall.com/prodCatalog/default.aspx?prodId=715&deptId=186&catId=&catIndex=&deptIndex=1" target="_blank">http://www.lmfvauxhall.com/prodCatalog/def...ex=&deptIndex=1</a>

[BlackKnight]

movit brakes - you can choose from a couple of dimensions depending if you have 4 or 5 stud hubs. you can get 342mm 4pots front and a bit smaller 4 pots back for around 4500-5000 euros. now that's stopping power, but expensive.

[BlackKnight]

regarding suspension

-powerflex bushes, all 12 of them, get the rears with the MLK in the catalogue number - the eccentric ones for fixing rear camber
-a set of shocks(30-40mm lowering) and springs or coilovers. bilestein or konis are always pretty good.
-at least a top front strut bar

i got a k-mac front camber/castor kit. but i can only get a bit more than 3 castor with it. is way better than 1 30' i used to have. but i'll probably be modifying wishbones to get 7 castor. im sure noone has done this yet so it'll be fun for me to see how the car will behave with BMW-like castor. im sure the CV joints wont like it, but i just replaced them so they'll last a while.

also, there's a high probability you have at least a little play in the steering rack. which is annoying at high speeds. that's on my list on to-dos regarding suspension.
i still haven't found anyone that makes replacement quick racks for cavs/callys, i would like that very much :/

[fabian855]

More than helpfull Mr Black Knight Ihave already fitted and bedded in a stop set of Koni sporttop adjustable. I do believe there on 60mm drop which is what is causing me to chew through droplinks. Hence why im stripping the whole suspension new everyting Its just trying to find all the parts before i start it. Thanks for the thoughts and good luck with the anti cv joint friendly mods cheers fabian

[BlackKnight]

60mm i kinda too much for a road calibra imo. mine has a 40mm drop and i must admit - rolls more than i'd like to - but is kinda on the limit of what i'd consider a comfortable ride so no further drops.
ill try fixing body roll with stiffer anti-roll bars in the future :/ tell you how it goes. it shouldnt affect ride comfort as much as dropping the car further and it should reduce body roll :/