This is kind of a broad check my setup question.
Going to be installing my coilovers in a week and looking on some feedback on this setup.
2005 ap2
Bilstein PSS
Lower 0.5" (Maybe 0.75" if that is better)
Eibach Sways Front/Stiff Rear/Soft
PF01 17x8 +50/17x9 +60
BFG Comp2 215/245 (These seems to run big like a 225/255)
32psi cold

Planned Alignment
-1 Camber F
6 Caster
0 Toe

-2 Camber R
0.16 total toe

I do not track/autox. The car is not a DD. I live in California and roads are not too bad. I mainly use this to drive the twisty back roads. While do value performance over tire life, I do not need pointless tire wear for an alignment which is too aggressive for my uses. The faster I use up these tires though, the faster I can put some real tires on

I'm looking for any opinion on my setup, both positive or negative. Will it under steer too much? I based the alignment off the UK spec.

Also with this setup, will fender mods be necessary? Will a fender tab relocation be enough?
Thanks for looking.

 

Sounds really good to me. I don't think you will need any fender work with just a subtle drop. The rear is almost a stock fitment and should be no issue with -2 camber, probably don't even have to relocate the fender tab. If you do rub it will be minor and you can address as necessary.

With the stiffer front bar, you might want a little more negative camber in the front. I'd probably go -1.5 to -2. Nice to see someone do research and pick quality parts that are a nice upgrade over stock.

 

I'd go with 225/255 tires on 8"/9" wheels. The Comp2's *seem* to have wide "tread width" specs for their size designation, but section widths are in line at 8.4"/9.8" = 213mm/249mm.

 

If you get the stock rates on the Bilsteins, coupled with that front sway, you're going to see more understeer than factory, so be ready for that. The components are good, wheels shouldn't rub, especially with minimal drop.

 

TY. I will be getting 225/255 rs3 or starspecs most likely when it's time for a tire change. I don't mind a little understeer right now since this is my first real RWD car. Do anyone else agree with running more front camber with this setup? -1.5F/-2.0R?

 

The additional front camber will be beneficial, I run -1.7 and -2.6 f/r on the street currently, The -1.5 should be fine and still give you plenty of front tire life.

 

TY for the recommendations. Coils coming in tomorrow. Will post pics once I get this all set up! Need to take a few more drives through the hills before I install over the weekend so I can appreciate the changes. Maybe when my tires wear out, I'll get another set of the PF01 17x9 for the front and run square 255s. I think I'll have to roll my fenders to be safe by then.


1 more question. I have a friend who suggested me to look into running some toe out in the front but I have not found anyone on this forum that agrees with that. Is there a reason to this? He said it can help under braking? (If this thread is moving more towards suspension, please move to that forum)

 

Toe out in the front will help with turn in and help lessen understeer to a degree. This will make the unstable in a straight line; the steering will feel twitchy. In most cases I would suggest zero toe in the front, especially on the street.

 

+1 I had too much toe out in front and the car felt like it was going to fly off the road all the time. got it reduced and it was much better. but i can definitely feel the lack of turn in now.

 

Everything installed. Alignment scheduled for next week. Lazy man measurement puts the car at 25 1/4" from ground to fenders. Here's a typical "artistic cellphone pic"
Need to redo my bumper fitment though.. it's slightly off. Thx for the advice people!