[W126 Coupe] lowering suspension

[Mike R.]

In a stock condition, the SEC is indeed pretty bad in a corner, but it is a
world class highway cruiser  that can be modified into a car that does just
fine on a track. Kirk Salvatore campaigned one in the Seattle area for
years.

 

For your purposes, put in a set of H&R lowering springs. That will stiffen
up the suspension and lower the car. New shocks will help and in your case
since it won't spend much time on city streets, the heavy duty Bilsteins
will do fine or a set of adjustable Koni's. H&R makes a set of springs for
an SEC with self-leveling suspension and a different set for a car without
the SLS. To keep the car balanced, put on all four springs from the lowering
kit.

 

Get a set of 17" or 18" rims, 8.5" wide on the front and 9.5" on the rear.
The front roll bar is VERY difficult to replace so it's pretty much what you
have to use. The back one isn't hard to replace but without changing the
front one at the same time, it will unbalance the car. I'd suggest at least
a set of ATE slotted rotors all around and some semi-metallic brake pads.
Larger rotors would be a good thing, but they're hard to find for an SEC
this old. Brand new brake fluid is a must. I didn't flush the system on my
SEC and after four laps on Laguna Seca track, my brakes had faded away
completely. It made the hairpin at the end of the front straight VERY
interesting!

 

You have a very heavy car that is very rarely put on a track in earnest. Not
much specialty technology out there that will assist you but the normal race
car prep will help. Lighter is faster, more power is faster, wider tires
help as well. A 500SEC is lighter than a 560SEC but the 560 has more power.
You might want to look into the differences to determine which one will give
you a quicker path to a faster car. FYI, an '86 and newer 560 engine won't
drop into an '85 or older SEC without a significant rewiring. 

 

Later,

Mike R.

  _____  

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Divov
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:41 AM
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: [W126 Coupe] lowering suspension

 

Hi,

I have embarked on racing my W126 500SEC in a standard production class of
Historic racing.

The car is absolutely stock standard and I would like to gradually improve
it for each race meet.

Of course the car is not ideally suited for racing, particularly on a tight
circuits - but boys will be boys...

After the first race I can report that she's a pig in the tight corners. (we
are on road tyres!)

Mercifully I kept her on the black stuff and didn't make too much of a fool
of myself!

I really had a lot of fun but I want to go faster next time out.

My car has always stood particularly high in the front.

The first thing I want to do before the next race is to lower the
suspension.

I see from the members cars that many are lowered so I hope to get some tips
from the guys who have done it.

 

How do you lower the rear suspension with all that self levelling kit?

Lowering the front, do you get shorter stiffer springs or lop a piece off
the standard springs?

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

 

Alec Divov

(Kyalami - South Africa)

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