TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:41 pm

I recommend NOT using those EMPI coilovers. They are crappy shock absorbers. And the coils add stiffness to the ride, making the shocks that much worse, which MAY be a help in SOME cars, but if it IS a help, then adjusting the rear torsions is a better way to do it than adding a bandaid.

Mon Mar 30, 2020 7:26 am

dustymojave wrote: I recommend NOT using those EMPI coilovers. They are crappy shock absorbers. And the coils add stiffness to the ride, making the shocks that much worse, which MAY be a help in SOME cars, but if it IS a help, then adjusting the rear torsions is a better way to do it than adding a bandaid.

I second that motion!!

Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:01 pm

I get what you guys are saying. I have heard many times they are crap. But they are cheap and this was built on an extremely tight budget. One day down the road if he has extra money he can buy better ones. He has enjoyed the car for over a year now and I have not heard any complaints from him. He drives it 2-3 times a week to go into town.

Tue Mar 31, 2020 7:31 pm

ConcreteAce wrote: I get what you guys are saying. I have heard many times they are crap. But they are cheap and this was built on an extremely tight budget. One day down the road if he has extra money he can buy better ones. He has enjoyed the car for over a year now and I have not heard any complaints from him. He drives it 2-3 times a week to go into town.

Appletree says $121 for a pair of EMPI coilovers as on your Dad's Bug.

https://www.appletreeauto.com/KING-PIN-and-IRS-COIL-SHOCKS-CH-17-2815-8/

Or Auto Parts Warehouse has KYB Excel G, which is a gas charged shock FAR better than stock OR the EMPIs for under $70.

https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Volkswagen/...43144.html

Yeah, the EMPIs are "cheap". But there are other options easy to find that are much less expensive and work better. Too late now... But for reference for others.

The EMPI coilovers WILL raise the ride height a LITTLE.

Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:11 am

I guess I should have elaborated a little better they were cheap for us, we paid 50 bucks for all four. The good part of knowing a ton of people with parts laying around. I really do not know why they get such a bad name, I have heard many times that they are crap, but I have a set on the back of my own Baja (it came with them) and I have had no issues with them for the past 5 years.