Coilover Advice

[Nic_A31]

Whats out there?

I've seen a few brands around, but dunno about how they'd go, I've never had coilovers and dunno what different spring rates feel like, but I've gathered Tein's SuperDrifts for the A31 (10KG front / 8KG rear) would feel more like replacing the suspension with a fixed iron rod than actual suspension

I've been advised to keep away from the cheaper D2s

Im able to get a full set of K-Sports for $1500 (trade price FTW), but haven't asked what the rates are yet.

Im a litle confused about what can be used from the S13 option board.

Ideally, I want something that is half comfortable on the street but I can knock around every now and then (....at a race track, of course).

Suggestions please ?

[Ceffy]

How much do you want to spend? f7kg-r5kg or f8kg-r6kg should be a good enough for the street with light track duties...

[Nic_A31]

Not fussed on price, as long as its a decent ride with alot of damper to play with.

D2s are about $1600 + shipping, about 7 kg both ends, and look like sex, but been told theyre shit, anyone care to back up or battle that claim ?

I'll check out what these K-Sports are like, I guess they're my fastest option already being in Perth.

Got your coilies yet dude?

[Ceffy]

Not yet aye, they are coming by sea from japan grrr, feels like its taking for ever. hopefully they should be soon. once i get them, ill do a full thread on them because not many ppl have heard much about silkroads. ive talked to a guy on another forum and he swears by them, so im hoping they are real good.

coilovers under $2000, you could try ISC or HSD. definitally better than D2 or G4...

[Nic_A31]

Thanks man, just checked both of those out.

HSD looks promising, know of anyone in Australia that sells them ?

Checked out ISC and they dont have a part number to match the A31s but the spring rates are 10 + 8, I dont think even 35+ dampening would make that very smooth?

[Ceffy]

Otomoto sells HSD stuff. http://www.otomoto.com.au/HDSystems/

S13 suspension is pretty much the same in most ceffys, if ur strut tower has 3 holes for suspenion tops its s13, if it has 2 then is r32 skyline. I can confirm this when i get my coilovers.

S13 coilovers will be the way to go, as its softer as sr20 are lighter than rbs so it doesnt need heavier spring rates.

At first i was going to get Greddy/Trust Performance Damper Type S for S13 directly from japan but was no stock in till early september so i went silkroads.

[Nic_A31]

Yeah, I've got three holes in each strut tower, haven't actually ever looked at the rears though.

Will S13 be ok to hold the extra weight ? I thought stiffer springs would be needed to hold up the RB motor and generally bigger body ? otherwise it would sag?

The reason Im fussy on the ride quality and height is that the car still isn't rego'd.

AWD models share the same suspension and drivetrain setup as GTS-4s and GTRs (R32) which would explain the 2 hole / 3 hole tower setup.

Dunno why, but maybe some morons, not realizing how rare AWD A31s are, convert them to RWD setups ?

[Ceffy]

all springs are goin to sag over time, thats why you get height adjustable coilovers, have it higher to get it on the road, then lower when you want...

[Nic_A31]

Well in that case, thank you very much

I've been cleaning sanding and painting the hard spots on my Ceffy, like inside the wheel wells, doors, front bar, etc, to reduce the cost of my paint job.

Seeing as I go overboard on perfectionism, I ended up taking ALL of the suspension on one side out, opened it up to take the spring out to clean it properly, and couldnt close it back down, so decided that's it, time for coilovers, paint can come later.

Stupid old springs, either their age or the fact theyre welded down to reduce ride height (again, guys, do not buy cars off eBay from Queensland....).

[international B]

S13 suspension is pretty much the same in most ceffys, if ur strut tower has 3 holes for suspenion tops its s13, if it has 2 then is r32 skyline. I can confirm this when i get my coilovers.

Confirmed. I am running a complete S13 suspension, top hats and all in my Cef.

I currently have 12kF/10kR

Way too stiff for almost anything.

[Nic_A31]

Im suprised the S13s come in a 12 / 10 setup, no S13 could surely need that stiff a setup, even track only drift cops .... that'd be a bitch to drive, like not having suspension at all ?

[Dan_J]

Im suprised the S13s come in a 12 / 10 setup, no S13 could surely need that stiff a setup, even track only drift cops .... that'd be a bitch to drive, like not having suspension at all ?

u can also get custom springs made up to any rate and size, try 4wd custom spring places etc

if you wanna test em out get soft springs say 7/5 and get the angle grinder out when u want harder springs

QUOTE(Dan_J @ 29 Apr 2008, 08:02 PM) *

Coil OD = 60/60 mm

Wire OD = 10 mm

# of Coils = 7.5 turns

a lil ruff but best i cud do at the time

thanks smile.gif

60 mm OD = 40 mm ID, I have never seen a spring that small.

If you meant 60 mm ID, then;

Spring rate = 290 lbs/inch (5 kg/mm)

(Dan_J @ 4 Aug 2009, 01:37 PM) *

after rates for these

Coil ID = 60/60 mm

Wire OD = 10 mm

# of Coils = 6.5 turns

thanks SK biggrin.gif

350 lbs/inch (6.3 kg/mm)

Edited September 18, 2009 by Dan_J

[Nic_A31]

Thanks Dan_J

Just worked out:

RWD Cefiro = S13 Suspension

3 hole at the fronts + 2 Hole at the rears

AWD Cefiro = R32 GST-4/GTR Suspension

2 Hole on all 4s

I'm ordering HSD TTs when I get paid again at the end of the month (yeah, monthly pay has its pro's and con's), getting A S13 set of 7KG with a proper plate for the rears on Cefiro's. Now before those arrive, I have to upgrade these shitty RB20DE brakes...old, rusted, half seized having not moved in a couple of months now.

[international B]

Im suprised the S13s come in a 12 / 10 setup, no S13 could surely need that stiff a setup, even track only drift cops .... that'd be a bitch to drive, like not having suspension at all ?

yeah, its pretty useless.

[Nic_A31]

Was going to order HSDs, buut i figured a couple hundred extra wont hurt, Tein's it is. Decent spring rates and enough damper to play with. Budgeted up my remaining shit the other night, only need another $3000 before she's on the road