DigitalSynthesis

Hey guys, I'm seriously considering a major reworking of my S5 'verts suspension. I have been told that my springs don't need replacing unless I want to lower the car (which I don't, particularly) but the shocks, sway bars, and bushings are all original. Furthermore, the sway bars and bushings are in sucky condition (rusted to hell) and the shocks seem really soft (e.g. I can push the car with my hands -- I assume this is bad).

I've heard excellent stuff and also crappy stuff about the Tokiko Illuminas for other models of these cars, but nothing about how they work with the heavier 'verts. It seems to me the choices are as one person had in a poll, KYB AGX, Koni yellows, or Tokiko Illuminas. Please give me some insight here on what might work well for a 'vert.

Also, are any brands of sway bars significantly better than others, and is there a known good place to buy them?

One final Q: I'm looking at engine-bay strut tower and torque braces. I'm thinking the kind with the removable crossmember are most useful for fiddling with the stuff in the engine bay (which I'm sure I'll be doing on a regular basis), but I can't find any that also go to the firewall. Is the firewall a strongly recommended brace point or is that just for serious racers? My intended use for this car is street driving and autocross, and yes, I plan to get a roll bar when I start autocrossing it. Also if anyone has strong recommendations on strut braces please let me know. Its a 'vert so I don't know if I have the option of a rear strut brace with the top and all, so I think unless otherwise noted, that I'll have to stick with fronts only.

Thanks much, I'm totally new to suspension theory.

TPDNRX7

What I would do:

Suspension Bushings (Energy makes a great kit) And Verts are known to squeak more.

Racing Beat or Elbach for Sway Bars. I don’t have these on my car so I really cant comment.

Adjustable Camber Bar (This can be helpful if you plan to road race) This helps plant the *** end around corners if adjusted properly. I have driven a friends car with one, and improves drivability and suspension behavior substantially.

Mazdatrix Tri Point Strut Tower Bar. (This can be used with the engine brace kit. CP Racing, http://cpracing.ca makes a great Triangulated strut bar, but does not include a motor brace. I would recommend mazdatrix if you can afford it.

Shocks struts: KYB, GAB, Koni, are all good. Coilovers if you can afford them. I believe the Tokicos require modification of the spring perch for installation.

Suspension is quite subjective when it comes to mods. Research spring rates, sway bars ect.

DigitalSynthesis

Good stuff TPDNRX7... after a little personal research of my own before I came back to this thread I had pretty much decided on the following:

- Koni Sport shocks
- Energy Suspension bushing set
- Racing Beat sway bars + rear camber adjustment
- Mazdatrix sway bar endlinks

Seems like you and I think a lot alike...

The strut tower brace is still out... I like mazdatrix's, but I DON'T like how its all one piece and the cross member cannot be removed. I will be doing all sorts of stuff to the engine I am sure and having that in place will just frustrate me. I may just end up with the Racing Beat torque brace and the Cusco strut bar. Would this be a pitiful substitute for a full three-point brace or is it a reasonable alternative given the added access?

Also, does this setup sound complete or am I missing something important?

Thanks!

DigitalSynthesis

Oh. I don't think I can get coilovers for the 'vert, can I?