HELP how can i increase ride handling and drive ?

[Itteh]

iv got a 8v, at moment its got winter wheels on it longbeach 15", usually i have my bbs's on it 205/40/17 brand new tyres i put em last month, and a new coilovers all way round. drive isnt wow, isit only the coilovers that affect the ride and handling, or can i change other things with the car to make my ride smoother ? and less stiffer on little stupid bumps in the road ? no idea how to go about this, i want overall ride to be slightly better with the bbs; wheels on it.... 

[spikenipple]

What make are the coilovers you've fitted? Are they wound all the way down?
If they aren't adjustable the damping increases as you go lower, which will translate to a bumpier ride. You could go for higher profile tyres to soak up more of the bumps.

[Itteh]

hmmm they arent wind fully down i bought some budget ones, tuninart i think, and dampers i dno about all that my mechanic put em in ..... the cars on its arse tho, they still have plenty thread to go down, and with the tyres, dont really wna change them as i wna keep lowest profile. so i guess i cant have both - good handling and looks.. its either 1 right ? cant i change anything else thatl gv me a good ride,

[spikenipple]

The damper is an integral part of the shock (coilover). So basically as you go lower the ability to absorb and smooth out smaller bumps is decreased. Also thinking about it, as the coilovers are wound down, the preload is higher so the initial force needed to begin compressing the spring is higher, again making the ride bumpier.
Basically the only things you'll be able to do to make the ride smoother is one or all of:

• Heightening your coilovers
• Fitting higher profile tyres
• Fitting springs to your coilovers which have a lower spring rate

or

• Fitting and adjusting coilovers with adjustable damping rates

HTH!

[tweed]

I'm confused when you say improve the handling?

do you want it comfortable?
do you want it to stick to the road like a track car?

 

[whileoceanasleeps]

wind em higher if you want smoother!

[Itteh]

Bollac*s lol i want it to be low as it goes, so i guess theres not much i can do then right ?

[Itteh]

wt about a strut brace thingy majiggy ? will that help ? 

[whileoceanasleeps]

that will make it stiffer, not smoother. i just fitted one to mine, i'm thinking you wanna go anti-roll bar first though before strut braces. also polybushes maybe? all this stuff won't make it smoother though methinks. better though!

[Itteh]

ermmmm i think that will be too intense for me, i was just wondering little tweeks, dont have that sort of money to splash just yet....