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Ordered a set from Scanwest. Put them in my 88 900T over the weekend. This is my first experience with anything remotely performance related in the suspension area. Having never really looked at the stock springs in my car, when the box of Kilen springs arrived, nothing looked out of the ordinary. It wasn't until the car was on the lift and one front spring removed with the help of a friend that I realized how different the Kilen's are. Side by side (outside of the car), the stock spring was 4.5 inches taller than the Kilen. My friend produced a spare SPG spring (Saab Roadhandling Kit). Even compared to this spring, the Kilen was about 2-3 inches shorter. The new spring was made out of significantly thicker wire/steel compared to both stock and SPG springs. You almost didn't need the compressor tool to install the Kilens. Once installed (with the car still on the lift), the front springs sat very, very loosely in position.
The rear springs did not have the dramatic difference that the fronts did when comparing them side by side. The Kilen was approximately 1-2 inches shorter.
With the car back on the ground, the car sat 1/2 inch lower all around. (I measured from the top of the wheel (not the tire) to the top of the fender arch). After an afternoon a driving, they settled another 1/2 inch. I was told to expect them to settle a little more as I put a few more miles on them.
Midway through the project (which took about 90 minutes start to finish) I began picturing myself losing all my fillings and having all those annoying dash rattles become really pronounced as I drove with the new springs. Fortunately, while the car is stiffer it does not feel harsh driving around town. I seem to notice it more while driving on the freeway. Of course, spirited driving on a twisty road feels very different. The car is much more fun in this environment.
Having done all this, I'm wondering now if the KYBs (yes, yes, I know. . .) are a good match or if Bilsteins or Konis would enhance the springs.
posted by 207.173.174...
, Tue, 3 Sep 2002 09:14:57
, Tue, 3 Sep 2002 14:42:34, Tue, 3 Sep 2002 16:55:19
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