Uprating brakes and suspension

[dnyberg]

Well here's the story.

Some time ago, must be about 2 years now, my dad crashed his rover 200 head first into a tree . Didn't really do it much good and it's been sitting on the drive way since then.

He gave it to me after getting fed up with trying to get parts for it and not having the time to fix it. I'm almost done repairing it now and we've decided to uprate the breaks and the suspension to avoid anything similar happening in the future

What would you guys suggest? I've had a look in a couple of mags (demon tweeks mainly) but wouldn't know where to begin

It's a rover 200, 1.6. 1996 model I believe (R plate)

I'll try and find the exact specs of it now.

Edit: Specs http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/...px?deriv=11101

Thanks.

[kalniel]

we've decided to uprate the breaks and the suspension to avoid anything similar happening in the future

I'd suggest uprating the driver. Especially if he's relying on equipment working 100% (or more) to spec to avoid crashing

[dnyberg]

I'd suggest uprating the driver. Especially if he's relying on equipment working 100% (or more) to spec to avoid crashing

lol, the drivers long gone now he said he'd never get in it again

Gives me something to get some mechanical experience on though

[kalniel]

*chuckles*

Be careful, especially with the suspension. I think you can probably get away with uprating brakes without upsetting too much about the car, but changing the suspension would surely require a lot of detailed setup work to get something that's safe for that particular cars characteristics? I don't know anything about that kind of thing though so maybe I'm wrong. I've just heard horror stories about the effect even changing the profile of types can have on handling.

[MaddAussie]

Check out www.leda.com

They make suspension for fast road, rally and race cars, top people who are very friendly and helpful. Give them a call on 01376 326531.

Ive done some work for them

Oh and tell them I sent you

[dnyberg]

Cool, thanks. I'll check them out

Any advice on what to get though?

I was looking at these http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/produc...ode=DIAKBD165G
with these
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/produc...code=EBCDP2128

I've heard that the cross drilled ones can crack.

And this for suspension
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/produc...e=KON1130-1400

I'm pretty much clue-less when it comes to suspension lol

Edit: Looks like I can't even get that one for my car lol

[MaddAussie]

Ok leda kit inst the cheaper end of the market but its bullet proof. solid and reliable and all their units are fully upgradable/ serviceable. They know the Rover 200 (and 25/ZR) well, having supplied and developed the units in the MG ZR works rally cars.

Phone and ask for Beverley or Andy, they also will point you towards the person that can sort th brakes for you

[schmunk]

You do realise that this car is worth about £1,000 undamaged, and you are looking to spend the best part of half of that (plus fitting costs!) on brakes and suspension for it...

[dnyberg]

You do realise that this car is worth about £1,000 undamaged, and you are looking to spend the best part of half of that (plus fitting costs!) on brakes and suspension for it...

Yes but it's more the experience that I'm looking for, and the fact that the cars been given to me and I haven't had to pay much to sort it (about £200 for the panels and various bits).

I also quite like this car and it's a big step up from what I have at the moment. We all have to start somewhere and this is going to be my starting point

[dnyberg]

http://www.leda.com/

They've gone out of business

Any other suggestions for suspension?

[mycarsavw]

Stick to OEM discs and add performance pads - I'm not too au fait with Rover but I used EBC greenstuff pads on my Passat.

Suspension - Koni, Bilstein, Eibach etc are the big boys in the VW world.

You'll need a spring compressor to get the shocks/springs out and an alignment after you stiffen/lower it.

[MaddAussie]

http://www.leda.com/

They've gone out of business

Any other suggestions for suspension?

Yeah so I found out yesterday a lot of very upset rally teams out there