Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tgm147 on 30 November 2011, 18:26:23
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Hi guys.
I've been looking into lowering the Omega. At the moment it always sits weird because of the gas tank in the boot. Always lower at the back. I'm after a 40mm front 30mm rear springs - I think Apex make them but I'm concerned about the ride comfort. It has relatively new GM shocks on all round but I really don't want it to become a rough ride. My old Vectra was as stiff as hell and I really don't want that.
Anyone able to give some details on how the lowered Omegas feel? A slight increase in stiffness is fine but if it's like driving with no springs at all, then not for me!
Cheers.
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The lowered MV6's set up doesn't do a bad job if Im honest, not too stiff and not spongy.
Chris.
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Irmscher springs, bilstein B4 (for comfort) or B6/8 (sport) shocks. In particular the Irmscher springs/B4 shocks is tried and tested.
No particular problems with grounding, unless fully laden - then you have to be careful with speed bumps. No issues with long motorway journeys.
Personally, I use Irmscher springs, Irmscher shocks. Similar handling and comfort to Irmscher/B4 combo.
Irmscher is a 30mm drop, which is about the most I'd want to go, and is already approaching the realms of compromising between handling and tyre wear (running 1'35 camber)
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The lowered MV6's set up doesn't do a bad job if Im honest, not too stiff and not spongy.
Chris.
Indeed - its a good setup, but the springs are expensive (GM only). The drop is about 15mm, I think OP wants the lowered look more than practicality?
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Anyone able to give some details on how the lowered Omegas feel? A slight increase in stiffness is fine but if it's like driving with no springs at all, then not for me!
Cheers.
there is a slight stiffness compered to a elite but i find it not to bad,goes well round roundabouts no massive body roll.
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KW / Weitech front springs and dampers, same brand rear just dampers, and leave the back height as it is.
You won't be disappointed.
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As with any car don't overdo it, it'll be godawful. My MV6 had (or still has) been gently lowered at the rear, handles spot on & would still tow The Boy's favourite home from home!!!!
I believe them to be red irmy's but Hotel 21 who i bought the car from may be able to enlighten you. Guy. :y
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I have had my lowered on apex springs. Have a look in the omega gallery at the photos. The rear drop was about 25-30mm but the front was a good 40mm. The ride really is good and not too bouncy at all. Dan
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By definition, lowering means stiffer. If the same soft spring rate is kept on a shorter suspension stroke it will bottom out under compression. Elite ride on lowered springs is going to be elusive.
Its a personal thing, Elite is way too soft with body roll hindering progress. You cant input the controls until the damn thing stops wobbling around, and the wobble is very easily set off by corners, wumps and elevation changes etc.
If a comfy ride is number one priority, but your prepared to compromise that a little, mv6 is the way, but must be lowered sports chassis from face lift mv6 if you want it lower, but only by 15 mill. High frequency/smaller bumps are also more affected by tyres and pressures, so keep a higher profile for comfy ride.
Irmscher springs and B4 shocks here, and i love it. But my tastes are differant to yours by the sound of it. Imo only lower to the performance required. Lowering for appearance only is daft imo (sorry). But each to thier own.
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As with any car don't overdo it, it'll be godawful. My MV6 had (or still has) been gently lowered at the rear, handles spot on & would still tow The Boy's favourite home from home!!!!
I believe them to be red irmy's but Hotel 21 who i bought the car from may be able to enlighten you. Guy. :y
Irmscher rear, std front. Does cause some, errr, "interesting" handling as it has a tendency to understeer on high speed sweepers - more than once I've lost a few lbs instantly, along with words along the lines of "oh, I wasn't expecting that" ::)
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I actually quite liked the handling of TBBB....... ;D
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I actually quite liked the handling of TBBB....... ;D
Keeps your reactions quick :P
My bullet is the other way, as I like mine quite 'pointy', so Irmschered at the front, std springs at back. The back always eventually follows the front ;D
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As others have said, depends on your aims and preferences. My standard MV6 suspension felt like a boat to me, im not running coilovers (not sure how much im lowered, but a fair bit!) and the handling is vastly improved, looks also. I had to raist it slightly originally because of clearance issues. Wouldnt say my coilovers are overly bumpy either - ive had standard cars that ride alot rougher!
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As others have said, depends on your aims and preferences. My standard MV6 suspension felt like a boat to me, im not running coilovers (not sure how much im lowered, but a fair bit!) and the handling is vastly improved, looks also. I had to raist it slightly originally because of clearance issues. Wouldnt say my coilovers are overly bumpy either - ive had standard cars that ride alot rougher!
indeed, most German cars are stiffer than a very stiff omega. All things are relative. If a person is used to and is happy with Elite suspension, that person will not like a b4/irmscher set up... Until you press on, then a whole new envelope opens up. BMW msport suspension is way stiffer. "Crashy" even.
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The worst i found was my leon cupra R... was a really bumpy ride as standard, felt everything, to the point where even a small hole felt like you had just demolished an alloy lol
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omega for the shopping, golf for the fun stuff. :D
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Cheers for the help guys.
I've got it down to either look for some MV6 springs or 30mm springs with Bilstein B4's. It has standard shocks for a CD on at the moment. Are these the same as the Elite ones? 15mm drop would be fine thinking about it. It seems to corner ok, just seems to wallow about a lot. The tyre profiles are standard but the width has changed. 245/45/17 on the back (Goodyear Efficient Grip 2) and 235/45/17 on the front (Dunlop SP Sport Max 9090 - would recommend these every time, a little noisy though). Has got MV6 wheels on.
Would MV6 springs be ok on the 2.2 with it being lighter or just go on with the standard shocks?
Thanks
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omega for the shopping, golf for the fun stuff. :D
Well i'd say the opposite in my case.
:D
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Just for illustration purposes, this is how much im down by... didnt measure before and after, but my finger just fits between the arch and tyre on the front
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/26825_406358548409_502738409_5106726_5674674_n.jpg)
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Just for illustration purposes, this is how much im down by... didnt measure before and after, but my finger just fits between the arch and tyre on the front
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/26825_406358548409_502738409_5106726_5674674_n.jpg)
Love that car :-* :-* :-*
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nightrider
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Cheers for the help guys.
I've got it down to either look for some MV6 springs or 30mm springs with Bilstein B4's. It has standard shocks for a CD on at the moment. Are these the same as the Elite ones? 15mm drop would be fine thinking about it. It seems to corner ok, just seems to wallow about a lot. The tyre profiles are standard but the width has changed. 245/45/17 on the back (Goodyear Efficient Grip 2) and 235/45/17 on the front (Dunlop SP Sport Max 9090 - would recommend these every time, a little noisy though). Has got MV6 wheels on.
Would MV6 springs be ok on the 2.2 with it being lighter or just go on with the standard shocks?
Thanks
No longer available in that size :(, used to be my favourite Omega tyre. I now use Sport Maxx TT, grips better, but you'll pay for that with wear
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I can’t understand how they don’t grind over every bump when lowered?
Mine rubbed over a speed bump a couple of weeks ago in a hotel car park (I was at a crawling speed). Standard Elite setup - Only 3 Adults in the car and a nearly empty tank of petrol too... Had the car been fully laden... Yikes!
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I can’t understand how they don’t grind over every bump when lowered?
Mine rubbed over a speed bump a couple of weeks ago in a hotel car park (I was at a crawling speed). Standard Elite setup - Only 3 Adults in the car and a nearly empty tank of petrol too... Had the car been fully laden... Yikes!
failed self levelling...?
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I can’t understand how they don’t grind over every bump when lowered?
Mine rubbed over a speed bump a couple of weeks ago in a hotel car park (I was at a crawling speed). Standard Elite setup - Only 3 Adults in the car and a nearly empty tank of petrol too... Had the car been fully laden... Yikes!
That was my concern but a certain Admin type bloke pointed out that the main reason the Elite's bottom out is because of the "Dip" whenever you come off a speed hump, even at low speed.
I'm planning to go down the Eibach/B4 route on mine :y
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Well honestly cats and central boxes hang pretty low even from stock.
But i don't mind hearing some rubbing from under the car sometimes, as long as nothing breaks.
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I can’t understand how they don’t grind over every bump when lowered?
Mine rubbed over a speed bump a couple of weeks ago in a hotel car park (I was at a crawling speed). Standard Elite setup - Only 3 Adults in the car and a nearly empty tank of petrol too... Had the car been fully laden... Yikes!
Usually a sign of tired shocks TBH, or a broken spring.
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I can’t understand how they don’t grind over every bump when lowered?
Mine rubbed over a speed bump a couple of weeks ago in a hotel car park (I was at a crawling speed). Standard Elite setup - Only 3 Adults in the car and a nearly empty tank of petrol too... Had the car been fully laden... Yikes!
That was my concern but a certain Admin type bloke pointed out that the main reason the Elite's bottom out is because of the "Dip" whenever you come off a speed hump, even at low speed.
I'm planning to go down the Eibach/B4 route on mine :y
Never thought of that actually! Makes sense as mine only rubbed for a fraction of a second.
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Been interesting reading over this thread! Have finally decided what to do - because I don't want to lose the comfort too much, I'm going to go with MV6 springs. Just a couple more questions though. Are these okay to fit with standard shocks? It's got GM ones on it at the moment designed for the correct springs but will I need to change them if I'm fitting MV6 springs? And finally the car is only a 2.2, obviously a bit lighter up front than the proper MV6, will this have much of an effect on the ride height or feel? I've done some searching but can't find anyone with a 2.2 that has fitted MV6 springs straight to it.
Thanks guys. Await the post starting with Vauxhall charge HOW MUCH?! for springs. :D
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Been interesting reading over this thread! Have finally decided what to do - because I don't want to lose the comfort too much, I'm going to go with MV6 springs. Just a couple more questions though. Are these okay to fit with standard shocks? It's got GM ones on it at the moment designed for the correct springs but will I need to change them if I'm fitting MV6 springs? And finally the car is only a 2.2, obviously a bit lighter up front than the proper MV6, will this have much of an effect on the ride height or feel? I've done some searching but can't find anyone with a 2.2 that has fitted MV6 springs straight to it.
Thanks guys. Await the post starting with Vauxhall charge HOW MUCH?! for springs. :D
Vauxhall did an 'Omega Sport' which was a 2.2 with MV6-esque styling, so there may be a genuine LSC setup for 2.2
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Off to hunt the part numbers!
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Got the part numbers of the EPC but can I find anywhere that sells them? Can I hell. Does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere to find these springs? I've even tried the local breakers yards but would rather not fit second hand springs.
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For std factory stuff, dealers can order them. Not cheap for springs though!
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You want "sport" for 2.2. I would think either Andyc on here can get them at tc price mail ordered to you. But might be worth a chat with allgerman parts to be sure.
Tc listings are a bit confusing so Andyc would be best bet I would think. Double check your part numbers though.
So...Only available from dealer, or possibly via allgerman parts.
Trade club halfs the dealer price for springs, but still expensive.
You'll need the lsc shocks too don't forget.
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All lowering on hard now seen as the head gasket is on its way out. :(
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All lowering on hard now seen as the head gasket is on its way out. :(
Water in oil/sump?
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Sorry for the late reply. No oil in the water or water in the sump but the level is dropping in the bottle at the rate of about a full bottle in a week. Even after a hard drive on LPG or petrol there's still steam from the exhaust too. Not as much as after just starting when it's warming up but it's there. Can't find any obvious leaks and the HBV was done recently too. Need to get a sniff test done on the coolant bottle. See if there's any exhaust gas in it.
If it hasn't gone though, it's a leak and I'll just keep on top of that until it becomes more obvious where it's coming from.
Back to lowering! After some 2.2 Sport or possible MV6 rear springs (if they're for the same axle weight) to drop the back 15mm. Does anyone have any going spare or know of somewhere that sells them? I don't trust my local dealer after last time and having done some ringing round, can't find any either. :( Will be ordering 30mm Weitec springs for the front and keeping with the standard shocks for now. Will replace them with KW ones when they go in the future.
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Try a PM to andyc - he works in a parts dept of a dealer, but despite that (:P) is knowledgable :y
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Yep andyc is your man. You'll probably get "oh no, we cant find anything without a reg no. sir" from any other parts man.
Tc prices too where possible. Or if you check his profile he displays his dealer phone no. Just ask for Andy Clere.
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Cheers guys. I'll give him a ring when everywhere starts to open again. Depending on the price I may be replacing the front shocks too. DC Performance will have Koni STR.T shocks in that will fit the Omega soon and I'd rather do the lot in one go to be honest. Will be leaving the back ones as they are though. Just do the fronts. They're apparently an over engineered OEM shock and have got some pretty good reviews. They're really quite cheap too. http://www.koni.com/54.html
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I have vx irmscher springs all round lowered by 20mm, cost was 1k fitted, handling is fine as I am sure MarksDTM can confirm, since his little sprint in it at the lakes a couple of years ago!!!!. These were fitted back in December 04 by Vx.
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Parts ordered!
The back is staying the same height as standard but the shocks are being replaced all round with Koni Sport adjustable ones, Weitec 30mm lowering springs are going on the front with Eibach wheel alignment adjusters. Should be here early next week. Ordered the whole lot from a company called DC Performance. What a great bunch they are, always keeping in touch and answering emails. Would recommend them every time.
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Parts ordered!
The back is staying the same height as standard but the shocks are being replaced all round with Koni Sport adjustable ones, Weitec 30mm lowering springs are going on the front with Eibach wheel alignment adjusters. Should be here early next week. Ordered the whole lot from a company called DC Performance. What a great bunch they are, always keeping in touch and answering emails. Would recommend them every time.
What are these T ?
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Eibach alignment adjusters (http://www.venommotorsport.com/eibach-alignment.html)
Part linky (http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/428947/vauxhall/eibach-wheel-alignment-adjusters/5-81250k.html)