Before I get into the install I would like to know a couple things. First, the LG website is the only source for instructions, however, what is posted there is not up-to-date....what they show is for the older G2 version. So, are there any tips/advice for installing the newer GT2 version?

I would like to know at what point in time do you attach the remote cable for the ride setting in the rear. Does a pre-attached cable **** clear the small opening they talk about, or do you have to squeeze it through the hole then attach it to the coilover?

Also, there are 12 settings for ride quality end-to-end...what is a good setting to start out with? Out of the box, one pair was set at 2 away from dead soft, and the other pair was set to 2 away from dead hard...is this a normal arrangement? Seems all should be in the middle somewhere.

Will I have to remove a wheel/tire to make the adjustments later?

Does anyone have a quick summary of the torques for the myriad of fasteners involved in this chore? I can look them up one at a time, but thought perhaps someone has made a handy list.

Also, I like where I have the c5 ride height set right now, and I want to duplicate it with the coilovers. How do I predetermine the number of turns on the large adjustment nuts to get the coilovers close to what I want?

Once installed how difficult is it to turn those adjusters? Does the suspension have to be unloaded or the wheels off the ground?

While the suspension is apart are there any maintenance items I should do?

thanks

 

Cheese and Rice Jerry!



Here's good instructions w/Torque specs;

http://mysite.verizon.net/res0aae8/coilover.html

I have mine set to 8 front and 7 rear as suggested by WKMCD, it seems like a good, firm setting for the street but didn't cut it for the Track.

Install the rear adjustment cable before you begin the install, it'll snake through the opening in the bracket just fine... I haven't adjusted em yet but it looks to me like you just have to jack the car up and snake your bare forearm over the top of your dirty tire to adjust em.

The height adjustment spanner nuts are pretty easy to turn even with the suspension loaded... My ride height out of the box was appro. an inch higher then lowered all the way on stock bolts. For mine, 4 thread equaled 1/4" in ride heigth. I don't have a starting point however...

Other maintenance items... check your bearing, balljoint, tie-rod ends and install those Lambo hinges you've been hiding in the closet!

HTH

 

haha Tim...you know how this lefthanded brain of mine works You've taken care of a few of my concerns...thanks. I plan to change all 4 wheel bearings while everything is apart...one is chirping now. Have you gotten an alignment yet?

 

Yes aligned and ride heigth finalized, my driveway isn't the flatest place on earth!

I went to the Track the morning after getting aligned and all was good! I went with 04 Z06 Specs to give me a little more negative chamber for the Track without scrubbing the tires on the street...

Now the real beauty of the system comes into play as I can crank the dampening up for the Track and then soften it for the street...

Tim

 

Hey Tim, do the coilovers make you go faster? Not sure if you are aware but Firestone offers a lifetime alignment as long as you own the car. I got mine last week for $139 here in the Detroit area. According to the salesman I can get an alignment anytime I want....lots cheaper overall than the dealership, and since I am keeping the car forever this should be great for playing with ride heights etc over time. Of course, all-knowing esquire that you are you already knew this!

 

Geez, no one else has jumped in with any advice huh? Odd... PM Toque and WKMCD as they are very knowledgeable on these too.

Actually it did improve my Track time! I was bottoming out the stock shocks and bouncing off the stops in a few spots and had to slow down due to it... Not anymore!

I did NOT know this about Firestone! But I don't have a Firestone store anywhere near me... To be honest my Dealer is the only shop in town that can align my car without having to take the airdam off.

I'm VERY blessed with an excellent Dealer as a matter of fact and all the Techs really get a kick out of the fact that I run the crap out of my Vette, they only charged me $45 for the ride heigth adjustement and alignement.

When are you starting your install? OH! One thing I did do was use teflon tape (the stuff plumbers use) to mark the shock body at the lower spanner nut for reference for the final adjustment, also made a mark with a silver Sharpie on the lower cup and spanner nut so I knew when I had one full turn...

Tim

 

That's a nice procedure...

 

You did a fantastic job...don't you think it's a little odd that LG hasn't contacted you for permission to use your instructions? I plan to print yours out and work with it while I do the job...waiting for the weather to get back in the 70s and I need to pick up some rear wheel bearings.

Jerry

 

Excellent! This is the kind of stuff the manufacturers leave out, then they have to answer hundreds of calls from folks in a tight spot...I will do as you suggest.

 

I got a question... .. whats that?

 

This is actually from another thread but I was wondering if you could comment once you get yours installed since you had the same question as I did? I would be interested in your opinion to help me make my decision...thanks in advance!

 

Jerry:

Thanks... but remember. It was the FIRST (and only) time I have ever done a coil over install. Take it for what its worth... a guy in is garage scratching his head and putting it together. Take your time and make sure it makes sense to you. . Also... LG's ships there coil overs set to a specific starting point. I would use that starting point... I had a lot of adjusting to do once I installed mine. I was not at LG's recommended starting point. I plan to delete that part of my procedure.

LG's (Anthony) asked me if they could have the original pictures, and the procedure I wrote. They have been super good to me over the years with various things. I have no problem helping them out in return. The suspension on my car looks like its brand new, so it looks better for procedure pictures.

Toque

 

The change in the ride is unbelievable. There is NO body sway, NO dip when hitting the brakes, NO hops in the rear end when going around turns and hitting a bump. The car feels SO much more planted and connected to the road. I have gone around turns much quicker than I ever have before and it felt effortless.

Overall its a much smoother ride. My car is slammed and it still rides VERY nice. It just "glides" over bumps now in comparison to before. With the LG GT2's you can adjust it to a Cadilac ride, or a C6R ride... And you can adjust it in only a few mins by just reaching up to adjust the shock dampen from 1-12. 1 being super soft, and 12 being super hard.

Toque

 

Politcally correct version of "Jesus Christ"....

 

Thanx for jumping in Toque! Excellent write-up!

I'll echo your observations also, I set mine up higher as I like an "asymeterical" look ie. the same gap all around the tire... The ride is vastly improved over the stock setup for sure! My wheel hop is gone too...

I have mine set to 8/7 and it's firmer then the stock Coupe setup but feels more forgiving in bumps and ruts, especially in corners. I'm not articulating it very well I'm afraid... I'm going to soften them up here pretty soon to see how that feels on the street. 8/7 was too soft for the Track though...

Where do you set your's for a "soft cushy" ride Toque?

Tim

 

Tim, I have mine set to 9/9. I'm really low, and I noticed a little "scrape" mark on the inner black fender well when I had it set to 8/8. It still feels like a Cadillac to me though. (compared to being slammed on C6 bolts). One of these days when I get older I might lift it a little and smooth-en out the ride more. For now its an absolute rocket in the twisties...
I'm more of a Twisties kinda guy vs top speed guy.

Toque

 

Great stuff Tim and Toque. From an engineering standpoint I think the vast improvement has to do with this. The coilovers give you true 'independent' suspension...the wheels aren't talking to their mates on the other side of the car. Whereas, with the leaf spring there isn't true independence....yes, the spring is acting as a spring, but also like a sway bar in that it is connected to both sides, not isolated as with the coilovers. This huge difference accounts for all the great benefits you mentioned...I think I am going to love this mod...

 

Appreciate the comments guys This should help me convince myself, its just a serious investment so I wanted to make sure it would help out on every day driving as well as 'sport' driving. Thanks again...

 

Well I went ahead and ordered....now I can't wait

I will be using your instruction, thanks for posting them!

 

The extension do not work good. What I did was cut 2 a 3-1/2" HOLES IN THE DECK ABOVE EACH REAR SHOCK. 9" FROM THE BACK CARPET WALL, AND 1" IN FROM THE WHEEL WELL. tHIS WILL EXPOSE THE ADJUSTMENT DIAL. gO TO A BOAT SUPPLY AND GET A 6 " ACCESS COVER. sEND ME YOUR EMAIL TO JEFFWILKINSON2@AOL.COM AND i WILL SEND YOU PHOTOS OF MINE. iT WORKED OUT GREAT.