[Pico42]

I was giving it some serious consideration until I found this thread on zukiworld. Have now decided to wait a while and see what further discourse there is after more real world use.

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=38320.0

[97EK1]

Yeah pretty horrible thread, pretty sure I'll be going the k-fab air coilover setup instead

[suzukiboy]

I found the thread yesterday as well after reading I will give it a miss posted a question on fitting but no answer on there.

[97EK1]

Looks like you need to cut space from the body to fit the bracket in and go from there

[Rhinoman]

There are a number of Calmini bashers on Zukiworld. I think the problem with the EDSES is that people want more flex and you won't get that if you have the stock driveshafts which is what the Calmini set up is designed to run. With the wheel running straight up and down there is more extension on the shafts at the extents of travel so extra travel isn't possible.

[suzukiboy]

I really like the Calmini products, but there are a couple of questions that need to be answered before I will buy this kit.

The top bracket is a simple but big question, I am not cutting the shock tower cover off to fit in the brackets.

[Gwagensteve]

I don't understand the point of this kit.

Steve.

[Chop]

suzukiboy wrote:

The top bracket is a simple but big question, I am not cutting the shock tower cover off to fit in the brackets.

The difference between us and them, they get away with anything on the road!

[Gwagensteve]

No they don't. That's a myth.
Some US states are tighter on mods than anywhere in Aus. Some states are crazy loose. You can't generalise.

Steve.

[hackd]

Well I guess there is only one way to really find out what it is like..... Ordered mine today

[suzukiboy]

hackd wrote:

Well I guess there is only one way to really find out what it is like..... Ordered mine today

When you fit it PICS, PICS and more PICS please.

[hackd]

Yeah for sure.. It won't be straight away as the kits are currently in production and I need to finish transferring all my gear into the new shell.. But i'm keen as..!

[Gwagensteve]

Why? What do you see this kit improving?

I'm genuinely interested.

[fordem]

This is what Calmini claims ...

Quote:

Addition of this add-on system allows for more total caster for better on road feel, drastically improved camber curve throughout the entire range of wheel travel, and less bump steer than stock. The new conventional shock is mounted to the new upper control arm, and allows you to run any type of shock valving available. With this, a blown shock may need to be replaced, but it will never end your trip or ability to get off the trail. It is fully bolt-on, no welding required.

[christover1]

I can see those things being a plus, and though I like the idea,
it will never happen financially, struts are cheap enough to replace regularly.

[Gwagensteve]

What is wrong with the stock camber curve? What is wrong with stock caster?

[fordem]

I'm not aware that there is anything wrong with the stock caster, but on what is essentially a MacPherson strut front end, there is a fair bit of lateral scrub & camber change as the suspension travels up & down - on a sports car, I think it would make for a more predictable vehicle - but - then - if I wanted a sports car, I would buy one.

[christover1]

May be an advantage for go fast off roading?

[Gwagensteve]

I've never been faster offroad in a car than a vitara with Calmini arms and ome struts. As the upper wishbone doesn't add travel and the supplied shock is a low quality foam cell thing, I can't see improved camber curve making any substantial difference to off road pace. After all, ford ttb front ends are capable of huge speed on rough terrain and they have NO camber curve- they are a single arm.

I think this is a complex and expensive way of rectifying poor camber control and strut life with Calmini suspension. How many people on here are running a Calmini kit with no camber bolts and Calmini supplied struts though?

Steve.

[got_bar_work]

When kreator finishes his camber adjusting strut plates it solves most of the problems of the front end. Except for cv strength
Hell widen it to gv width like his car and u can get 10in of wheel travel. That's makes it even with the back

[hackd]

I ordered them because I was in need of some new struts so I decided to give this set up a go instead. There really is only one way to find out if it is any good I guess plus it might be a good base for a long travel kit...?

[Gwagensteve]

Nope, it's a terrible base for a long travel kit, because the "improved" camber curve will actually reduce total wheel travel available due to increased angle at the outside CV. The way to build travel is to widen the track/narrow the axle housing, not increase angle on CV's that are already prone to falling apart.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you, but I don't believe this kit is superior to a stock Vitara with quality struts and camber bolts.

STeve.

[hackd]

Oh well, I will get to see for sure when it turns up! The way I see it at the moment everyone is just taking guess' as to if it works or not... Extending the length of the a arms won't put increased angle on the cv's, infact you could put less angle on the cv's and still have more travel..

[Gwagensteve]

Correct, but the Calmini upper arm kit doesn't increase track. Re read my post. Longer driveshafts are the only way to increase travel, so that's more track width and/or a narrower axle housing. The upper arm design will increase operating angle on the outside CV at full droop so it might actually reduce available travel.

It's not a guess whether it will work. I'm sure it "works" (as in functions) but there nothing about it which will improve suspension function. IMHO it's just a workaround for the weaknesses of the Calmini strut and lack of camber correction.


Most importantly, you can see it. Calmini specialise in accessories with maximum visual impact. You can't see camber bolts.

Steve.

[hackd]

I totally understand what you are saying and I think we misunderstood what each other was saying - I am talking about modifying the kit at a later date to make it an increased track/long travel setup. (Widen arms and longer cv's) but this won't be happening in any hurry with the amount of projects on the go in my shed.

[Gwagensteve]

Fair enough, but why not start with a knuckle that was already designed for a top arm and will accept a uniball top like a Hilux IFS knuckle. Surely they are almost free, and you'll end up with bolt in hilux CV's, bigger brakes etc.

Steve.

[hackd]

All possible options that I will look at when the time comes..

[suzukiboy]

Wonder if these would be ok for replacement shocks for the Calmini 3" suspension lift?

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.ph ... strut.html

[Gwagensteve]

Make sure you pull the strut spacer out if you use extended struts with a calmini kit or the cvs will fall apart.

Steve.

[henno]

Calmini sure do like to flirt with coil bind. Regardless, here is a video of the EDSES system doing stuff and things: https://www.facebook.com/10179634319338 ... 206823419/