Halp! Need New Suspension Set Up

[r32woohoo]

Just got a suspension check done on my 32 today and the results weren't good

The valves in my front shocks are nearly dead coz the bump stops died and they've been bottoming out for who knows how long. The front shocks were replaced under a year ago too

The rear shocks are nearly at the end of their life too

Steering rack needs overhauling

Front upper control arm bushes are dead

Ive read through a few of the suspension threads but i'm by far an expert on it so i'm looking for some opinions on what other people are running and what you would recommend.

I'm considering getting a set of tein super streets or going with SK's bilsten shocks and springs. I like the Teins for their ease of damper and height adjustment but i suspect the bilstens are probably better gear

They're about the same price so i want to know which ones perform better?

The car is pretty much street driven but i'll get out on to the track sooner or later.

As for the upper c/arms i don't know whether i should get just the replacement bushes, or new camber adjustable arms.

I'm also wondering whether i should get whiteline or noltec?

Again similar prices but do they perform the same?

If there's other gear you're using that you could recommend then

Edited February 14, 2008 by r32woohoo

[ISC-Performance]

Hey mate obviously we can get you ISC coilovers, but also Bilstien,Tein,Greddy,Buddy-Club etc

www.isc-performance.com

[sav man]

My vote goes to Bilsteins. We have the same model bilteins on the Targa car as SK sells(but with a coil over kit and appropriat valving), and the ride quality is great for a nomal car, let alone a car with tarmac rally weighted springs on it (100x better than my R32 GT-R with tenebe shocks). IMO teins are too hard, and not very good.

[Mr. Keets]

I bought the full SK kit for my 32R and optioned upgraded springs (Eibach 275lb/225lb). SK spent some time macthing the componenets for this kit specifically the valving of the shocks. I thought it was pretty good value especially as its all matched and delivered.

The camber kit that comes with the SK setup is good for around one degree negative camber (-VE)...may be wrong. If you intend to do some track work you may want to go for some adjustable upper arms-more camber. The Noltec arms seem to have a good rep and they are the ones that i'm ordering...but they're a long lead item apparently. So if thats the way you want to go that way leave out the SK camber bushes and order the adjustable uppers from elsewhere. Expect to pay an extra $200 over the SK/Whiteline bush kit

There are more than a handful of guys on this forum that run stiffer setups but most of these Lines are more track than street, but I think the SK setup is a good compromise for the street and the odd track day.

[dangerous_daveo]

Go the SK option. You dont really need hight adjustment. I mean its nice and all, but if you pay to get a corner balance, there is no way in hell you are going to change the hight again.

The bilsteins are just a nicer shock. And if your THAT concerned about the track. Go do some sums on how many track kms a year you are likely to do, compaired to road driving.

[r32woohoo]

Well up to now ive done 0 track work. so its not really a major concern at the moment

i'm more worried about getting the car roadworthy again and since im going to be getting new stuff i might as well get the good stuff first go.

i'll probably go with the bilsteins since they've been valved and set up specifically for 32's

im still not sure whether to get the fully adjustable arms or just new bushes for now since it still doesn't look like i'll be doing any track work for a while.

[craked]

use k sport coil overs we set them for what you want not just pack 1000 boxes and send them on there way we want to make sure our custmor is happy with what they got check them out at aandbmotorsports.com or call me on 99059523 ask for paul

[vidospace]

Get the bushes shocks and springs first as they are the hardest to fit and easier (and cheaper) to get done at the same time. Then get the swaybars and do them yourself.

[Sydneykid]

If you want my opinions, PM me, I'll explain anything.

And I use the street kit in my R33 - no adjustable arms etc. I could easily put them in and, and a lot of people expect me to use them, but they just aren't required, nor suit daily driving. The daily driver street kit was developed to be just that - we have no "ties" with anone, we used the best of the best to achieve the best possible result.

Matt

[ak_stylez]

definitely go the SK bilstien/whiteline kit. i got full set up for my 33 and it really is amazing. completely transformed the car.

[nuffsaid]

definitely go the SK bilstien/whiteline kit. i got full set up for my 33 and it really is amazing. completely transformed the car.

What were you using before though?

[Sydneykid]

Should also be noted I can do Noltec gear as well

[ak_stylez]

What were you using before though?

i had the factory suspension, and the shockers were all but gone. regardless the bilstien/whiteline kit is superb. car handles very well.

[r32woohoo]

Well ive ended up with the noltec adjustable arms because for some reason the std arms with noltec bushes wont fit back in the car.

Despite being pressed in as far as they will go.

Looks like i'll be going with the bilstein/whiteline combo too

Edited December 15, 2007 by r32woohoo

[Mr. Keets]

You will be impressed mate. The difference between old tired gear and the SK spec is suprising-transforms the car

[sl33py]

I agree with talking to SK. I got springs/shocks and whiteline sways from him and they made the car handle insanely better. I had other issues which required swapping out all the bushes too though. I don't know the brand, but they are nolethane. The the ride is noticeably rougher than before but car handles even tighter, which is good. SK's stuff is good because it's all setup perfectly for the make and model of car, no bugg3ring about needed.

[r32woohoo]

Well I finally got around to getting my bilstein gear.

Just a question when you guys installed it,

When you assembled the shock and spring was the spring fully trapped?

Coz when i've put mine together at the recommended height the spring can still move around freely

I've already read that its ok for it to be a little loose but if i want to lower it at all then the spring doesnt even come close to the strut top

[Sydneykid]

Well I finally got around to getting my bilstein gear.

Just a question when you guys installed it,

When you assembled the shock and spring was the spring fully trapped?

Yes, both front and rearhoudl be well trapped.

I assume you have used the standard rubber spring seats, they are necessary.

Coz when i've put mine together at the recommended height the spring can still move around freely

Check the spring part numbers, 73175 (front pair) and 70191 (rear pair). The part numbers are on the boxes, plus each spring has it's part number on a tag on a coil, 23175 = 1 front spring and 20191 = 1 rear spring.

I've already read that its ok for it to be a little loose but if i want to lower it at all then the spring doesnt even come close to the strut top

You can come down 2 grooves (16mm) and still have a legal amount of trap.

Please PM Matt if you have any questions.

Cheers

Gary

[r32woohoo]

Heres what mine looks like assembled.

You can see the gap between the strut top and spring

And you can also see that the circlip is one higher then the yellow striped one. 2 clips down from the top

If i go any lower then that the spring just wobbles around

Ive checked the part numbers on the springs and everything matches up.

If i had used the rear springs on the front shocks then they would definately be trapped because they're longer then the fronts

I measured the uncompressed springs against the standard springs and the whiteline ones are about 28cm, whereas the standard ones are 39cm.

Edited February 14, 2008 by r32woohoo

[Sydneykid]

Heres what mine looks like assembled.

You can see the gap between the strut top and spring

And you can also see that the circlip is one higher then the yellow striped one. 2 clips down from the top

If i go any lower then that the spring just wobbles around

Ive checked the part numbers on the springs and everything matches up.

If i had used the rear springs on the front shocks then they would definately be trapped because they're longer then the fronts

I measured the uncompressed springs against the standard springs and the whiteline ones are about 28cm, whereas the standard ones are 39cm.

It's hard to see from the photo, but it looks like you haven't compressed the rubber bush between the pressed steel bump stop cover and the strut top enough. Tighten up the shock top nut. That should give you contact between the spring and the rubber seat. As you can see the centre of the strut top extends downwards inside the spring, this prevents the spring "falling out" if you use the lower circlip grooves.

Cheers

Gary