[javadoc]

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on increasing the highspeed stability of an 854. If you'd experienced Combat Salmon Fishing on the Kenai Penninsula, you'd understand the need (and would refrain from flames about driving too fast, lol).

What I notice on my 854t is that at speeds over say 110mph, the front feels light, as though the factory bumper/spoiler isn't creating sufficient downforce. It's not *even* fun above 130. Would an R-bumper make any difference? Are there other methods of making the car stick better? I've thought of something for under the car to clean up the air going beneath it, but just dunno. What about toe settings on the front wheels? Suggestions?

tia folks!

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Do you have a strut tie bar? I know what you mean about the disconnected feel of the front end in high speed sweepers. The strut tie bar made a huge difference on my 854 R. Way more road feel. It feels more planted. I'm not sure how light yours feels since its not an R but the 185 I spent for the bar was worth it.

Rich S
97 850R

 

[javadoc]

Rich,

Thx, I recently did purchase and install a TME bar. The roads being what they are here (read: snow/ice) I haven't been able to notice any differences yet, but I'm sure this will help. The sensation I feel when traveling at triple digit speeds is one of floatiness, if that's not too vague.

thx,

 

[Simon Linton]

The deeper spoiler on the R certainly will help front end stability - when I got mine up to 130 there was no apparent weave or lightness, but of course I had the strut brace as well, which might have helped.

It will not be cheap, however - but if you want durability at speed, I'd definitely go for the best quality you can afford and fit it securely.

Remember to get your tyre pressures and tracking properly set if you're in the habit of going fast - it'll preserve your expensive rubber as well as being safer.

 

[mrmandmman]

My car moves around a lot going fast...i have an omp strut brace...its an 850 turbo... do you think that the bumper would help that much? wouldn't stiffer springs ans shocks be more beneficial???

Pete

 

[javadoc]

Well, that's why I asked the question. The car basically felt "floaty" at those high speeds, which I don't drive but on rare occasions. When I had a MkI GTI (gawd I miss that little rocket), it would generate some good front-end lift and feel unstable above 100 (no, it didn't go much faster...) but when I put a more agressive Kamei air dam on the car it settled down substantially. It settled down even more w/ a skid plate and some cleaning of the air underneath, like around the fuel tank/spare tire well. I was running Konis, Neuspeed springs and bars on that car. Granted, they're really different cars, esp aerodynamically, but I wasn't sure if folks noticed a difference w/ a different front bumper.

I would agree, conceptually, shocks/springs would settle the front down, but I'd rather go w/ something that didn't harshen the ride such as springs. I am thinking of installing some Bilsteins this summer though, as well as ipd bars as soon as they're available again.

thx,

/Scott

[This message has been edited by javadoc (edited 03-27-2002).]

 

[LoSeR_5150]

I would recommend getting new springs if you would like to get rid of the "floaty" feeling. I have a 97 850 T-5 and I just put H&R Sport Springs, and the TME Front Tie Bar, as well as new Yoko Parada Spec-2 Tires. My car Feels ROCK solid at speeds up to about 120-130. But Jesus, at those speeds who cares how solid it feels, its just scary =P. Good luck. Also My Friend has a 850R and his Front as well as rear bumpers didnt seem to do nearly as much difference as when he put his IPD springs on.