Whiteline products for the BA, extensive

[skippy]

I sent this to whiteline Australia,

Hi,
-
-I am looking at getting a Rear sway bar or strut brace for my
-96 V6 Hardtop Astina (BA astina =94 to 98)
-
-It did come with a stock front strut brace and I was told
-doing something to stiffen up the rear is advisable if I
-change my tire size or lower the car (Both I plan on doing,
-FYI I am changing from 205/16/50 to 215/17/40). So I was
-wondering what products you have and would recommend.
-
-I have seen the following products of interest, But believe
-you would have more in your range.
-
-BMR53 Rear Sway Bar - 20mm for $156 is it for the Hatch,
-hardtop or both?
-
-You some Heavy duty Items listed (KSB518) but they are for
-Hatch only is there a equivalent for the Hardtop.
-
-Do you offer packages with front and rear at a reduced price?
-Do you offer a package with Front and Rear strut/sway and
-Lowering springs?
-
-I got the above details from a Forum for Astina Owners
-(AstinaGT.com) so please advise if the prices are correct, if
-not I will update the prices in the parts listing on the site.
-I have actually attached a list of all the Whiteline Products (FOR THE BA)
-we have listed on the site, if you wish to make any
-corrections please let me know and I will update the site.
-
-Lastly do you offer group buy discounts?
-
-Sorry for all the questions, I will certainly post your
-response on the website for the use of other Astina owners.
-
-Thanks and Regards

[skippy]

They replied with This


Thanks for your e-mail.

I have attached your spreadsheet with a few additions. I have also
changed the prices to current Rec Retail (excluding GST)

OK. Back to your car. Our philosophy is different to most.....
You do not have to lower your car to make it handle. Fitting a rear
swaybar, the Front Caster kit and, if necessary, the front and rear
camber kits will do the job. A good wheel alignment is essential. Our
Website has a lot of info on this but in general terms our Wheel
alignment spec for Front wheel drive cars will make the most out of the
above parts and will give you maximum benefit.

If you want to lower the car for cosmetic reasons, the above Parts will
still work just as well. BUT we recommend that you fit new shocks when
you fit the new coils. The OE shocks will not be able to control the new
coils and the car will handle worse if appropriate shocks are not
fitted. We do sell a variety of shocks. The price is normally dependant
on the quality of the unit. If you drive "hard" or go onto the track at
all, it is worth spending a bit more and getting a better shock. We can
help you choose if you want.

Strut braces are good. There is never such a thing as too much chassis
stiffness. The rear strut brace will tighten the rear end and assist in
turn-in ect. But we can not over emphasis the important of a GOOD wheel
alignment. Check our Website and specifically ask for the specs that we
list. If they can not comply, don't waste your money. Go elsewhere. We
can guide you on this if we know where you are located.

I think that about covers it all.
Pls advise if more info is required.

Good luck.
Regards

Bob
www.whiteline.com.au

[mrpayner]

Hey Skippy,

That's good feedback from Bob at Whiteline. Wayne Cunningham [who i've dealt with in the past] has been extremely helpful to me too.

I got your PM, to which i am now replying.. I'll upload it again when i get the new spreadsheet from you..

Regards
Adam

[Rupewrecht]

hmm it'd be interesting to see if the rear strut brace would fit, as the rear of Hatch and Hardtop are different spacewise (but not geometrywise)...probably just a case of hacking some of the lining away.

[Dogo]

CUT IT !! CUT EEEEEET !!!

[skippy]

I then replied with this

Bob,
-Thank you for your in depth response.
-
-I am still interested in lowering the car as the Mazda's of
-that era had a very high ride height, also if you have seen
-the gap between the guards you can fit a fist thru without
-touching the guards, it just don't look right.
-
-I am planning on lowering it between 1" and 2" front and
-back. So I believe the control springs would be best but I
-believe you do not make them for the V6 is that correct?
-
-Also what does the measurement 25-40mm mean is that how much
-it will lower the car under no load (25mm) and then max load
-(40mm) or something else?
-
-Please advise what springs you would recommend and what shocks
-would suit them.
-
-I have no track plans and don't drive that hard (try not to)
-so cost is a major factor along with product life, quality of
-build and benefits gained. If possible please add any products
-that are BA Astina Suitable to the attached spread sheet, once
-again I will update the site with this new info. Please note
-if you are a stockist of these parts or not.
-
-I will be doing light engine mods but this car will probably
-never receive a large number of upgrades, so output will never
-increase more than 30% (104 KW at factory, if it does I will
-be very cheered and very surprised).
-
-And Finally do you install any of these products? If not do
-you have recommended fitters and a price guide for this?
-
-I hope you don't mind all the questions.
-
-FYI I have already posted your response and price.
-In fact a number of auto suppliers have joined our site and
-answer questions in forums. If you wish to do so please let me
-know and I will forward links etc, your knowledge of this area
-will be most welcome.
-
-Thanks and Regards

[skippy]

To which he replied with,


I will try to answer your questions in order.

Control coils for the BA V6
Front = 70338
Rear = 70070
The drop is about 35mm. We quote 25-40mm as some cars are already quite
low (like the WRX) and we can not lower those car more than about 25mm.
And some cars (like your Astina) can handle a lot more.

The best value for money shock for your application is a KYB
These will cost you $1100.00 for the set of 4.

We are manufacturers and make most of what we sell. So if we do not have
stock on the shelf, we make it.

I have already updated the spreadsheet. The only thing to add is Shocks,
but as this varies depending on the application and customer's budget.

We do have a workshop BUT this is mainly for R&D use. We are at Minto.
If you want to come here we can do the job for you. Otherwise let me
know where you are and I can see if there is someone more convenient for
you.


Yes, we are interested in contributing to the forum. Pls advise links
ect.

IO hope that I have covered everything for you.

Cheers
Bob
www.whiteline.com.au

[pr1mo]

$1100 for KYB is a rort....mine were $800 installed :P

$1100 is about a koni yellow fitted price yeh dan?

cheers mike

[Cosmo Dude]

Depending on what you want from your shocks I've found KYB to be quality although a bit of the hard side but they are cheaper then Koni which you can adjust to suit your preference.
I would tend to think that Whiteline didn't read that you have the hardtop and meant for the rear strut brace in the hatch, the structure between the strut tops on the hardtop is way more substantial.

This is a public forum so you should feel free to point them to this thread, I'm sure we could benefit from their expertise.

[Rupewrecht]

Originally Posted by MOOCHER

$1100 for KYB is a rort....mine were $800 installed :P

$1100 is about a koni yellow fitted price yeh dan?

cheers mike

nah, $1165 *was* retail on Koni yellows a few years ago (not that i paid that), but don't forget that Konis still have to be inserted into the standard struts, while the KYBs are a full replacement

[boostedbatman]

Originally Posted by Rupewrecht

hmm it'd be interesting to see if the rear strut brace would fit, as the rear of Hatch and Hardtop are different spacewise (but not geometrywise)...probably just a case of hacking some of the lining away.

spoke to Peter at Whiteline and he said that its not really a point of concern as the rear parcel shelf adds rigidity. Id just like to know how high the rear strut brace will go as the towers are sunken below the shelf and you may be able to fit below the shelf although the rear speakers may cause a problem
I have just ordered the front strut brace, rear swaybar, caster adustable rear control arm and poly bushes all round which includes caster adjustment at front control arm also. wii decide whether I feel the rear strut brace is worth a try once the handling has been fully tested, have a funny feeling though that I wont care

[BigMal]

Just for a price comparison Autobarn do the KYB struts for $150 each
so $600 all up you then just get them fitted and wheel align.