Shockworks Coilover Suspension Upgrades

Coilover suspension upgrades was always on the cards. It is something I would eventually want so I can fine tune to (hopefully) go that bit faster, but more importantly would allow for wider (9" wide) wheels to be fitted to the car so that I can run a wider 245 width tyre for more grip.

Despite the stock suspension still doing its job, the opportunity to grab a set of used Shockworks suspension came up when BRZ-mate decided part out and to go become a Honda-family-car-mate. His loss, my gain? Haha JK! A new Civic Type R is a fair upgrade... (To some people 😜)

Back on topic, the Shockwork specs:

• Shockworks ~V4 (2017)
• 12 stage adjustable with ride comfort in mind on full soft.
• Class leading stability on bumpy circuits
• 45mm digressive monotube piston.
• Base height adjustable
• Aluminium top mounts
• Spring rates:
• Front: 6 kg/mm
• Rear: 5 kg/mm

There was a lot of deliberation if I wanted to buy these because the new spec from Shockworks is at Version 5 or 6, and all the guys that are a lot faster than myself are running the newer spec. The new spec from what I have heard is mostly updates to the rear, mostly in spring rates bringing it either square or 1 or even 2 kg/mm higher than the fronts.

In the end I decided to bite the bullet on these because mate rates, excellent condition and I have no aspirations to be as competitive as the faster guys. As long as it is better than stock in terms of handling characteristics & adjustability, lets me drive faster around the track and slap on 17x9 rims, I'm good, and this suits me just fine.

Test drive impression: The car feels so much more compliant over bumps and pot holes. It glides over bumps smoothly without any jarring or bouncing. Very luxurious! Corners wise the car feels more responsive and flatter, and inspires more confidence.

When invited to inspect the new Civic Type R, I was told to check out the boot space, and this was sitting inside! Thanks for the surprise folks! Much love was felt beside being trolled again!

Contents of the box. I didn't realise them C-spanners where different sizes until install

6kg/mm fronts and 5kg/mm rears. If there's a need or want, I could always put stiffer springs in. Maybe when I get promoted to semi slicks.

Wrong car...? Close enough! 

(Left) Rear dampers are adjusted from the top

Adjustable top mounts on the fronts for max camber

Damper rate adjuster is at the bottom for the fronts, a little tricky to get to compared being at the top...

Fronts: OEM vs Shockworks. Just by looking at it, I think it is going to way too low for my set up.

Install was straight forward. Got a little stuck when the camber bolt wedge itself and required to be rotated so it was lined up to slide out.

Rears: OEM vs Shockworks. Dumped bro! This is going to look interesting...

Wriggling the OEM strut out was a challenge just given the length, but got there in the end without unbolting the lower control arms.

Removed the trims from the side of the boot that cover the suspension towers from the boot for easy access to the damper adjusters for now.

 

Much easier to get to than the fronts for now

Measuring the rears with my height measuring SST! 100mm silicon coupler. Barely legal is still legal some would say 

Up front it is less than 100mm. Coupler is touching the splash guard.

What it looks like from the outside

Rears before and after height adjustment raised it considerably.

More homemade SSTs to measure the height between the centre of the hub to the guard. (Label tape and BluTak of course)

It look just as long to set up the height as it did to fit the things. Got it within a few mm on each corner and calling it done.

At Ray's for a trusty alignment. 

Final alignment specs. We were aiming for camber 3 degs front and 2 degs rear. Zero toe up front and 1mm in for a bit of stability.

Admiring the other twins at Raceline. This is Alan's 86, the SubiNats street class winner

Loving how it sits under the guards

PeterF's new wheels. These 57CRs seem to be a popular choice with these fast drivers.

Another excellent fitment.

My super tucked stockies for comparison...

Need to find a spot to put this sometime.

Rotated the tyres when the wheel were off and checked the tread. 2+ years in and nearing 10 events I'll and still a bit of life left.

Great value tyres

After the brake issues at Sandown, I should check the brake pads more thoroughly. The fronts have plenty of meat, but whats that flakey stuff?..

Rears are looking almost new!