This adapter plate allows you to bolt a HiRam style intercooler to your Edelbrock 7085/70855 intake. Made from a plate of billet aluminum. Both sides are sealed with an O-Ring(included) and includes 12pt alloy steel bolts to secure the plate to the intake.
First Impression:
The coilovers look nice in the box. Everything arrived in good shape. The full print carton is nice, however don't like it sitting on my front porch for long (everyone driving by can see what I ordered).
Instructions:
The instructions are decent, however some additional detail would be helpful. Not a big deal, but some info on the top strut mounts would be helpful (just remove everything that was on the car, nothing is re-used, as reassurance). I removed the top control arm mounts for both front and rear to get it done... Worked ok, however I think the rears I should have removed the lowers. Live and learn!
I also cheated and cut the leaf springs, so I didn't have to mess around. Won't be going back on, so to the landfill they go! RIP sawzall blades.
The description for how to drill/make the holes in carpet is good and was fully utilized.
The preload instructions are decently written as well, with the different spring rates measurements being greatly appreciated.
Setting Ride Height:
Had a couple up and downs to get the ride height pretty close. Not a horrible experience. Being able to turn the body by hand is nice. A call out on the instructions of 1 turn = so many millimeters would be nice, with a mm to inch conversion table. The silvers video appears to be accurate, at 2MM per revolution, but that is predicated on you finding the video, and knowing it exists.
Calculating a baseline ride height and providing, for instance, if you turn 10 turns from bottomed out in the lower mounts = x inches of ride height measured at x location, with stock wheel size, would be an amazing addition.
Opportunities:
The biggest pain was the rear bolt on the rear top strut mounts. I know this is called out.... We had 6-7 different sockets, ratchet wrenches, straight wrenches, crows feet etc... They all suck. Not sure what the exact correct tool to use or approach, but I didn't find it. A design change or inclusion of the tool (****, charge $20 for it), would make for a much improved user experience.
First drive:
I had a leaking front passenger side strut, car was lowered on Bilstein b8 in the rear and stock disabled mag ride in the front. What a night and day difference. I hesitated on pulling the trigger on the coilovers for some time, as I wasn't sure the juice was worth the squeeze.
Well, if you're on the fence, just buy them. It is 1000000% worth it. The initial drive was in the wet, so couldn't push much. The car is much more direct, when you turn the wheel, the car goes where I want it to. Previously there was a little push and almost a delay on initial turn in. This is completely gone. General road manners are nice 10/12k (Thanks Brian!). I had all set to 12 clicks from full soft. The interstate feels great. All bumps feel much better all around and the car just feels more planted.
Future:
I look forward to dialing in the dampening as I figure out what I like and what feels the best for certain scenarios, as well as actually pushing the car. I have some work to do on ride height, but will put some more miles on prior to final adjustment and alignment.