RE: Suspension Options (long)

["FlyinVR6" <FlyinVR6@li.net>]

I've had the Shine suspension for almost a year now and I love it. I have a
'96 Jetta GLX VR6 and it is a daily driver for me here on Long Island. I
bought the 300/200 lb. springs from Shine, along with the Bilstein Sports
that they reccomend for the match. I also purchased the Shine rear sway bar.
I absolutely love this car as a street set-up. I feel this is the way VW
should be selling Jetta's in the first place. There's no more nose diving
under braking and the rear end really digs in under heavy cornering thanks
to the rear sway bar. The car is slightly lower than stock, but like you,
looks don't matter to me. I also take my car to Lime Rock whenever I get the
chance. I ran it with the current set-up and it was fine for the day. My
buddy Kevin Ng was at the track too and was running his H&R coilovers with a
higher spring rate and he was definitely getting through the turns faster
and more stable. If you own a VR6, there is little you can do to get rid of
understeer, but there are ways to help improve countering understeer. The
first is you MUST get a rear sway. Of course a higher spring rate will
always help. I've had no problems with Shine's linear springs on the
street....I'm actually going to be ordering 500f/300r springs within the
next couple weeks in preparation for a few more Lime Rock days coming up
over the next few months. I have nothing but positive things to say about
the Shine set-up. I have also experienced KONI/Eibach, H&R/Neuspeed, H&R
coilover and SPAX/Neuspeed. They are all good in their own way, it just
depends on what you're going to be using them for and how much you want to
spend. If you're going for looks for your daily driver and a solid, refined
ride, then the H&R coilovers are the best set-up I've experienced. If looks
aren't important to you, but you still want a solid ride, then I'd say
Shine. If money is an issue, then I'd find any other combination of
struts/springs you can find.
take care,
-FlyinVR6
AIM: SwiftVR6
ICQ: 8994103
LI Rep ClubH2O
http://members.aol.com/qwikvr6/index.html


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-jettaglx@igtc.com [mailto:owner-jettaglx@igtc.com]On Behalf
> Of Rosh Jaffe
> Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2000 4:14 PM
> To: jettaglx@igtc.com
> Subject: Suspension Options
>
>
> Whats going on? I have a few questions concerning suspension
> options. First
> does anyone have or have been in/driven a jetta with the shine suspension
> kit, if so do you feel its too harsh being that they are linear springs?
> Next question if one were to get coilovers does one also need a rear sway
> bar, or would the coilovers (properly adjusted ) make a rear sway bar a
> redundancy. And, in getting separate components, shocks, springs, f.strut
> tower bar, is it possible to get rid of the understeer and create more
> oversteer with out a rear sway bar or is it a better idea to get
> one. Heres
> what im looking for, better handling not looks, a minimal drop of
> 3/4" to 1
> 1/4" drop, eliminate excessive understeer and create more oversteer, and
> lastly for a minimal cost ( college student i.e. limited, very limited,
> budget). In conclusion, does anyone know of or have a suspension set up
> that might meet those needs. The reason I am asking the list is because to
> many tuners and performance shops, i feel, are just trying to sell  me
> their products rather than just give me the set up i desire or need.
> Thanks A lot
> Rosh
>