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alexk

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Posts posted by alexk

    Which Coilovers Would You Choose?

    in Suspension, braking and tyres

    Posted

    I completely dissagree, I did this for a magazine article some time ago, the editor hated it because it showed a lot of his advertisers in a bad light. The idea was to take a $1600 coil over kit (not for a Skyline) and break its retail price content down to show what you get for $400 each. Then compare it to a Bilstein, Koni, Whiteline, Kings, combination for $400 per corner

    Coil over kit retail price breakdown;

    Strut top $60

    Bump stop $15

    Dust cover $8

    Upper spring seat $20

    Lower spring seat $15

    Threaded sleave/case $30

    Spring $80

    Shock $172

    Total $400

    Bilstein, Koni, Whiteline, Kings;

    Bump stop $15

    Dust cover $8

    Spring $80

    Shock $297

    Total $400

    It's easy to see that you get a 75% superior shock value ($172 compared to $297). The cost in a shock is the type of materials used (fairly minor difference) and the valving sophistication (where the real money is spent).

    :D cheers :thumbsup:

    i don't disagree with you SK, however you do get more flexibility with jap coilovers especially when you are doing more track work and only have a $2000 budget. Yes the bilsteins have better valving etc, but its not neccesary for his application and more importantly thats not what he wants

    Which Coilovers Would You Choose?

    in Suspension, braking and tyres

    Posted

    I agree there are plenty of guys out there doing good things with Jap shocks.

    But calling the Bilsteins internals bottom of the barrel? The Bilstein shock itself is very good quality and offers good flexibility. There is nothing wrong with the shock itself. It’s just when ppl like me try to use off the shelf components for something they are not intended for. That said, speak to any person that has been involved with Nascar, Tourings Cars, Targa Cars, Porsches in their various categories....many have used and continue to use Bilsteins (Konis are another popular option). The Jap stuff is often cheaper so if it was really as good dont you think people would be running to use them? Hell even Japanese manufacturers turn to Bilsteins for the MR EVOs, STIs, R34 Nur etc. Sachs i think were used on the Z-Tune. So not wanting to start which is better, as i have no idea, but there are diffrences and i think its important to remember that the base Bilsten is a very good and flexible beast.

    The internals of what you get in the group buy are not that far detached from their premium Bilstein brothers. They are a lot closer then what an entry level Tein is compared to something like a Tein RS; which are worlds apart. So dont blame the shock if the owner doesnt have the right one for his application. But this isnt the point of the thread. The original post was regarding a choice of Japanese shocks, and in my eyes he has made a good decision.

    By my comment saying 'bottom of the barrel' i meant that there are alot better bilstein products out there (obviously for a higher price). If i had the choice (endless budget) i would choose bilstein or ohlins over jap coilovers anyday, however you're getting more for your money when you buy tein vs bilstein when you only have a $2000 budget. Also my comment only refers to what PSI-GTSII was looking for in the first place.

    i agree, good decision made.

    Which Coilovers Would You Choose?

    in Suspension, braking and tyres

    Posted

    But that costs more money. Plus how does he know what are the right spring rates to ask for?

    Why?

    The Group Buy kit seemed OK for the 2005 NSW State Speed Event Champion.

    So far my R32GTST has never been bettered by another Skyline (of any model) at an SAU event.

    An R33GTST with a Group Buy Kit won the first round of the AASA 2007 Championship for JDM cars at QIR.

    etc

    :D cheers :D

    What i meant was as a starting point, the 5/4 would be fine for ages, he would have to spend heaps of hours on the track to warrant an upgrade, and when he is ready for an upgrade he doesn't have to spend a sh#t load of cash.

    The bilsteins you use for your group buys are the 'bottom of the barrel' range, which you then revalve which is fine for some. There are plenty of quick guys here in vic that use jap coilovers, and im sure your r32 has had 'extra special' attention to the suspension setup

    Which Coilovers Would You Choose?

    in Suspension, braking and tyres

    Posted

    Get some tein super street aussie spec, 5kg front and 4 kg back. Also if your not happy, you can get pretty much any spring rate and have them revalved (and rebuilt) here in aus without a hassel. if your doing more track work, i would not recommend the group buy.

    EDIT: I saw the light and bought some bilsteins / eibach combo!

    Hks Or Trust-greddy?

    in Forced Induction Performance

    Posted

    yeah coating for sure. wrapping is ok, but you can get moisture trapped between the wrap and the pipe which is not good. also when you put it on, if you dont wear gloves, and then take a slash afterwards your nuts will be itchy for a fair while. this alone is reason enough to spend the dough on the coating (or wear gloves...lol) and yes I speak from experience on this.

    lol.. Worse than deep heat on (or near) the nuts? :ninja:

    What is the cost difference? and where would you get the ceramic coating done?

    Hit Speed Hump At 80km/h!

    in Suspension, braking and tyres

    Posted

    MANWHORE, I live in the middle of nowhere (50k's outside of Melb). This road has no speed limit and has this long sweeping corner with this dodgy home made speed hump in the middle of it!! I agree with speed limits (most).. they are there for a reason, but i don't speed in suburban areas, thats why i have a honda civic with a 4inch exhaust lol.

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