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A little while ago I asked for people’s opinions on what to change my suspension for. I bought my R33 GTS-t with Tein HR coilovers in it which were far to harsh for regular street driving. I use the car mainly for city driving, with the occasional Sunday avo or Saturday night drive through the Adelaide hills (maybe every couple of months). Although most people were on the “go the SK Group Buy” bandwagon, I did not want to spend $1200+ on a suspension package for a car that I don’t drive hard that often. So I instead looked to the KYB Excel G shocks. I had little response about these, but decided to take the plunge anyway. As I was going from Coilovers, I needed to buy a set of springs as well, and bought (second hand) a set of progressive rate jap springs, which research has led me to believe they are HKS brand. Combining the Springs with the KYB excel shocks, I put them in with a set of top hats I also picked up from the same member. I have now had this setup in my car for just over a month, and I couldn’t be happier!! Over the roads I generally drive, with the Tein’s I would find the car skipping quite badly over the bumps and generally feeling unsettled. With the KYB’s I have full confidence in the car again. The car is still a reasonably firm ride, but without being uncomfortable, and over rough roads can handle bumps again without skipping. SO, what was the cost I hear people ask? Well I picked up the KYB shocks for $498 for a full set, and the springs and top hats cost me $100, so a total cost to me of $598. f I had bought new Whiteline springs, the total cost would have come to $793 (from Cartorque here in Adelaide). This represents a saving of $486 over the SK package of springs and Bilstein’s. So my summary is, if you use the car for majority of regular driving, with some spirited runs, this is a good alternative. I realise that the SK package would probably provide better handling, and unfortuantely I have not driven a car with this package to compare. However at around $600 still in my pocket still, Im VERY happy with the setup, and will happily recommend it to others. Hope this helps others in making their choice.

Oh yeah, also spotted yesterday a Silver S2 with plates DNW(??) at corner at Young Street Reynella. And earlier in the afternoon, Grey 32 2 door on south Rd near BP at OHallorin Hill.

Spotted Cara's (Miss34) 34 today, much cleaner than on Friday

Cubes, Thanks for the excellent explanation. I wasn't too sure about the timing, but just noticed that it seemed less at full throttle. It makes sense what you are saying now. With the injector ms, what would i look for? I have attached the plot of the injectors, and seems they aren't making a big jump either so I would say no R&R, I just didnt really understand what it was before As for the temp, it gets to about 70 within about 3-4 mins of driving. In the warmer weather however it did go up the guage more (didnt have consult then) and would guess it was more about the 80-85 mark I think. This is leading me to think the thermostat is a rather cold one. It definately has a thermostat, as when cold you can feel no flow (pressure) in the top hose, but once warm there is definately flow (and can see it with the cap off). For general running the O2 sensor fluctuates a lot, so I'm fairly certain that is operating as expected.

So is it correct in saying that the stock ECU will almost always go into Rich And Retardation (as mentioned above by RB Sandy) as the AFM volts go high? I presumed this is what is happening as it drops the timin back to 30 deg. BTDC? Oh yeh, temp is 70-75 deg whole time during this testing.

Have heard that airbags are anywhere up to $1000 a corner ($4k full car) So be VERY weary of that. Ring Lexus and ask how much to replace the airbag on the LS400 (same car) to get an accurate idea.

Thanks Madaz Skippy, don't wory you haven't missed out, its next sunday LOL

Guy: Andrew told me his rims are the same as mine, 17x8 and 17x9 Circlar's. I dont think his have polished lip though? here is a pic:

OK thanks for the help people.

What about the timing on the curves? At full revs, it seems to pull timing back to about 30 deg, is that normal too? I would have thought for a stock boosted car, 4.7 AFM Volts and the reduction in timing may be what is indicating its rich. I could understand these sorts of figures if I was running 10-12 psi, but its only stock 7psi?! Any other ideas what to look for as for reasons for running rich? Cheers

Sorry to dig up an old thread. I just got consult onto my car today, and in monitoring the values, at full throttle I noticed my AFM was reading about 4.7V!! I know the car is running stock boost, and therefore am amazed at the volts seeing the posts above. During this run the O2 sensor also showed a steady 0.9V (fluctuates from 0.3-0.7 during normal running) indicating it was very rich during this run. Cany anyone help as to why this might be? See the attached image for the Revs, Timing and AFM for a full throttle run. Cheers

OUCH Not good fella. Did the other driver (on the wrong side) stop at all? or did they just drive off wiping their hands clean of it?

LOL sounding good fishpaste - Pretty sure I met ya on that friday night cruise? Andrew/Andy?

Hey Pauly, Send me a PM and we'll catch up for coffee next week some time. Maybe Bean Bar just near Pultney, sounds like half way between (sorta) For us.

Well when I sort it out, see if I can find the cause. I don't know if I will fix it, but hopefully get an idea what is causing it.

Working tomorrow morning, trying to sort out the 33 running rich tomorrow afternoon, and food shopping and lazy sunday for me, woohoo!

I seriously doubt competition would be back anytime soon without the upgrade. 7+ years without competition cars will easily extend to 10 I reckon, as even Calder hasn't had competition meets for ages due to Bob f**king ANDRA around. But in the mean time I'll be happy just to get some 1/4 times for the '33 at street meets.

I was speaking to the guys in Outlaw speed shop the other day about this. They had been told the same thing, that street meets should be back come october. Here's hoping it happens because I will DEFINATELY be out there next summer if thats the case.

The only thing I think that would make the SA section go to shit is if everyone starts attacking other people. I have been reading the SAU forums for 3+ years, as well as ns.com, fordforums, ozmazdaclub. etc. etc. and the thing that kills a forum (like ns.com) is when people attack others for having an opinion. Sure discussion is great, but don't start making personal attacks, and saying that XX always posts shit etc. my 2c anyway.

Well I wasnt sure if I would. I know you would never find my car as its behind a 10 foot roller door and a 8 foot fence. As for lunch, I can go whenever I feel like it. I generally go some time between 12:30~1:30.

Pretty much any decent crash repairer will fit it for you. As for cost, no idea

LOL, Im going to have to go for a walk at lunch. I work at 300 Pirie St, and Wakefield hospital is just around the corner. Will have to see if I can find your car at lunch I think

MissR34: Do you park your car in the city? I work in the city but havent seen your car. Working in a hospital Im guessing RAH or Wakefield??

Like I posted in the first post, they will be out NEXT thursday just before the run on Sunday the 1st of July

I did this on my 33 a few weeks ago. I removed the coolant and oil lines as teh last thing you want to do is bend & pinch them. I left the oil drain connected, but loosened the bolts off. Apart from that, I didnt remove the dump pipe and had enough twist in the exhaust hangers