Blackline Air Suspension Thread

Blackline

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Now I know this can be a bit of a controversial topic but a well installed and designed air suspension setup can really make a car.

I'll aim to keep this updated with the installs we do here and I am happy to answer any questions you might have regarding the operation and general working of air ride.

To start with how about this brand new MK8 GTI?

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Starting with a completely standard car we supplied and fitted an ABP kit with Air Lift 3P management and dual ABP quiet compressors.

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We then fitted a set of the new Rotiform DTM wheels just for the Eoin Henry show as the customers own BBS wheels weren't ready in time.

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We think it looks fantastic and I hope you guys will agree too.

With regards to the ABP kit its based around custom Bilstein struts with a specially developed air spring. Easily the most comfortable kit out there and plenty of lift available for everyday driving.

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That ^^ isn't the exact kit we fitted to that car but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.
 

Blackline

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Blackline
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We also did these 3 BMWs recently.

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From these three pictures you can see the importance of wheel and tyre size when bagging a car.

The white F30 is on an ABP kit so has plenty of lift available but the standard size tyre is holding it up ever so slightly at the front. This customer is coming to collect it tomorrow and is bringing his 20" wheels with him so hopefully it has a nice low profile tyre to allow it to drop down those extra few mm.

The blue F32 is on an Air Lift kit and again, although he has aftermarket 20s on it, the tyre size on the front is stopping it from dropping right down and tucking the tyre inside the archline.

The grey F31 is on Air Lift aswell but with a better suited wheel and tyre size you can see it is able to sit completely on the floor.

To give you an idea of the drop on the blue one though this is how it arrived with us...

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And this is how it left...

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Drive height...

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Also on these we're able to hide the install completely if wanted meaning you can still have full use of the boot...

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I'll update tomorrow with more photos of the white one.

Thanks,

Aaron
 

Ian A

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Ballyclare
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VW Golf GTI
Would love if you guys could post the installs for your builds. Love seeing how neat you fit the compressors etc.

Remember being hugely impressed with the build in the boot's side storage of Gavin's red passat back in the day.
 

Blackline

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Would love if you guys could post the installs for your builds. Love seeing how neat you fit the compressors etc.

Remember being hugely impressed with the build in the boot's side storage of Gavin's red passat back in the day.

Great idea Ian.

I might actually start a separate thread for boot builds and audio installs but here's a few for now...

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This would be our basic air install in a Golf. Simple carpeted floor within the spare wheel well with everything bolted down neatly and safely.

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Similar sort of thing again but in a different car. Work in progress pic of course as the air lines aren't connected and run out through the grommet yet but you get the idea of everything being secure and neat.

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Something a bit nicer, this is the boot build of a tasty 7 series we did. Carpeted false back board to house the amps, carpet floor with window cut out, spare wheel well housing built and trimmed to suit the interior colour and then painted tank and copper hardlines.

We've also done externally mounted systems on vans before...

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It's a bit hard to see from the first photo but behind that Bilstein shock is the tank mounted up on the underside of the floor. The dual compressors were then mounted on a bracket hanging from the floor in another area of the chassis and of course attention was paid to where things were situated on full susupension compression to make sure nothing was going to get damaged. The controller was neatly mounted in the roof beside the interior lights.

We can also do full custom installs aswell like these...

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Cheers,

Aaron
 

Blackline

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So the BMW got collected on Friday and the I took a couple of pics with the 20s on that the owner brought up...

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...turned out alright on those wheels. The owner says he's planning on fitting an F80 kit next to freshen the bodywork up and improve the looks further.
 

Blackline

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We also finished up a boot build and audio upgrade on a certain green Scirocco...

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Nikita brought her car to us with most of the work already done but wanted the boot build updated to have a little more of a visual and audible impact to match the rest of this car.

We used Rockford Fosgate for the audio upgrades once again with front components, a Punch series sub and amp to bring the sound up to scratch.

Gary created a sunken boot floor trimmed in alcantara to house the Rockford Fosgate sub, amp, Air Lift valve block and green wrapped tank and came up with the idea of making a centre strip with the light up RF logo. We then had it and a few other parts, carbon dipped by EFS Hydro Dip to tie in with the theme already started in the car. He was also tasked with turning the roof lining into a star light roof with a fibre optic kit Nikita provided. A lot of work but he absolutely smashed it (as always) and it's turned out really well. Check out the pictures below...

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I know the car might not be to everyones taste but we're very proud of the interior build we've done and truth be told it kind of reminds us of the old Max Power days in a way.

Let us know what you think.

Cheers,

Aaron
 

Blackline

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Blackline
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Continuing the broken look @ossy2004 ;) we finished up this MK7 Golf last week.

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I find it really funny how far forward the rear wheel moves when these are aired out. It's only on the twistbeam cars this happens as the arm moves past it's roll centre, at drive height it sits back where it is meant to in the arch.

Simple but neat and tidy install on this one with everything hidden in the spare wheel well.

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Thanks for reading.

Aaron
 

Blackline

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Had this lovely Jetta back in for an annual inspection of the air suspension. Definitely recommended just to ensure everything is still grand.

We check airlines, condition of bags as well as the usual suspension components for any wear or deterioration and replace anything if required.
 

Blackline

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No big updates here as we have a few longer projects in at the minute but there is one I can post up and that's WrapHub NI's Audi RS5...

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We fitted an ABP kit with 3P management to this car giving it loads of lift available when needed and superior ride quality being based on Bilstein dampers.

A simple neat and tidy install in the spare wheel well and the tank mounted underneath the parcel shelf.
 

Blackline

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Another week and another Audi on the floor!

This time it's a 5dr A3 with an Air Lift Slam kit and 3P management.

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This one being a twistbeam rear suspension setup like the white MK7 golf a few posts above means it does the thing with the back wheel were it ends up sitting further forward in the arch line as the axle goes past it's roll centre when it's aired out. Some people aren't keen on that but I love it.
 

Blackline

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Rotiform's current range of single piece wheels is fantastic. Sit so well on that MK6 too.

Yeah they're doing some lovely wheels at the minute.

Those DTMs are 19x8.5j ET35 with a 215/35/19 for anyone wondering specs for future reference.

Needed some camber and a little bit of arch pulling to get that fitment.
 

Blackline

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Here's one that might upset a few of you....

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A MK4 (JZA80) Supra we fitted Prazis air suspension to! 😁

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The customer brought the car to us at a reasonable height on BC Racing coilovers but wanted to have air fitted to have it really low but still be able to raise it up and drive it hard when he feels like it.

It's got a full TRD widebody kit and some rare Veilside wheels with meaty tyres so in addition to the air we had to supply and fit some rear adjustable arms from Driftworks and Hardrace to get the fitment and alignment spot on.

While the car was here he also opted to upgrade the audio with a set of Rockford Fosgate coaxials and a Kenwood headunit.

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He now has plans to fit a big turbo lump to it along with a sequential gearbox too!

Cheers,

Aaron
 

Blackline

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Air is handy and has its place but I just hate seeing them parked up on the deck

I get that, it's not the look for everyone but I love them aired out and I particularly enjoy people who don't understand looking at it like you've just broken all your suspension lol
 

Blackline

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Another one we finished off just before Christmas.

This 2017 Transit Connect got a full ABP kit with 3P management and dual compressors. Whilst it was in the customer also asked us to fit an underglow kit he had bought already.

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Love how crazy this thing looks! Kind of reminds me a wee bit of the Max Power days with the M-Sport kit on it.

We're due to have it back in shortly for a little more custom suspension work to get the front end down that last wee bit though. 💜
 

Blackline

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Here's another A3 we did last week.

Simple install so no pictures of the boot but the difference in height before and after is class!

Air Lift Slam kit with 3P management and single ABP noise reduction compressor.

Before...

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After...

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Will have another A3 to post soon as well. These and Jettas seem to be super popular at the minute so expect to see loads at Dubshed this year.
 

Lyons

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X5 / 435D
Another one we finished off just before Christmas.

This 2017 Transit Connect got a full ABP kit with 3P management and dual compressors. Whilst it was in the customer also asked us to fit an underglow kit he had bought already.

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Love how crazy this thing looks! Kind of reminds me a wee bit of the Max Power days with the M-Sport kit on it.

We're due to have it back in shortly for a little more custom suspension work to get the front end down that last wee bit though. 💜

Not overly keen on the kit, but am loving seeing neons again! Pure NFSU!
 
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