My Suspension Review

[Hotwire]

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.

[LoNg_ShaNks]

great feedback and guidance for future buyers trying to save a buck where possible

[skylinecouple]

Exactly as I did except I used king standard lows.Very happy with result.Had the bilstiens from whiteline and they were too short so would top out over bumps and too stiff so would rattle the dash over anything bigger than a match stick.Sway bars are much more important matched to as many urethane bushes as possible.Now it steers like a go cart.

[Hotwire]

Just an update:

Had my first "decent" flex through the Adelaide hills yesterday. Was amazed at the way the car handled! Some of the roads were rather rough, and the car gripped beautifuly. I never had any problems keeping with the group, and when I had the chance to lead for a while, well I didnt see them for a bit LOL VERY impressed when on roads that aren't perfectly smooth, and even those that are

[benl1981]

I have the excel G shocks also.

They are pretty good. I do get some body roll..on the skidpan it wasnt as flat as other cars. My car is the sedan so whether the spring rates are lower.

I wouldnt mind adding maybe a rear ajustable sway bar to tighten it up a little when required.

But for my car 95% street driven this is pretty good. hopefully they will be ok with 240rwkw.

I paid $99 each for the rear and $120 each for the fronts. I bought the rears at PEP's gladesville and the fronts at TLC mona vale. So all up $440. I used steering rack boots as dust boots.

[Hotwire]

Good to get some other feedback Ben. I would agree that on the track they may not be the best as they would probably be a little soft for the best track handling, but for a car that never/rarely sees the track I think they are great.

I too intend to get some whiteline front and rear swaybars, and with these in place I think it will just complete the package

[Rekin]

not bad,

I purchased a set of 2nd hand kyb SR special shocks with HKS springs.

Sits about 340mm from centre to guard.

Suspension is a bit more stiff than normal but very comfortable on daily.

dips in road, i get tyre scrubbing but that could be due to old shocks/springs/wheel offset etc

[MANWHORE]

Ben, did you notice any differenec when still running the standard springs with new shocks?

I've always only upgraded springs and shocks at the same time. Wondering what the actual real life difference is if the shocks are not totally stuffed - whetehr you can actually notice anything.

[/2on]

Great review, ive been thinking about changing my shocks and springs to something a little less harsh (Tein HA's) especially for when driving through the hills, cause my suspension is wayy too stiff for the terrible Adelaide hills roads