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Coilover Suspension Question

playboi14
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playboi14 Collaborator

playboi14

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

Just a quick question.

I replaced my shocks and springs for my R32 GTR Skyline a few days ago, and replaced them with a very good pair of Apexi CoilOvers (they looked to be about 3 months old).

I compared the height of my old suspension units and adjusted the height accordingly (and it sits perfect in terms of heights, 2cm from the front, 3cm from the back on stock wheels)

However, it is the hardest ride I have ever ridden in. Its actually harder then super low cut springs I have used in other cars.

I know these are damper adjustable, so I got my alan key and started twisted the suspension counter-clockwise about 3 turns, but it stills feels the same.

How long do I need to keep turning until the suspension is super soft, also how soft is the softest setting? will it eventually feel like a normal car, only lowered?

Also, when I am turning the alan key, do I need to hold the nut below it so that it doesnt spin?

Im just a little confused on how exactly to adjust these

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.

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GTSBoy Grand Master

GTSBoy

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Posted

You do realise that if the spring rates are much higher than your old springs then it will be much stiffer, regardless of what you do with the damper settings. Do you know the spring rates of old and new?

And also, within reason, more damping stiffness usually feels a lot better with stiff springs than less. The whole point of springs and dampers is that the springs absorb the energy of impacts and motions, and the dampers control how fast that absorbtion is allowed to happen (as well as absorbing and dissipating some of the energy also).

playboi14 Collaborator

playboi14

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Posted

You do realise that if the spring rates are much higher than your old springs then it will be much stiffer, regardless of what you do with the damper settings. Do you know the spring rates of old and new?

And also, within reason, more damping stiffness usually feels a lot better with stiff springs than less. The whole point of springs and dampers is that the springs absorb the energy of impacts and motions, and the dampers control how fast that absorbtion is allowed to happen (as well as absorbing and dissipating some of the energy also).

Thanks for the reply,

I am not sure about the rates, I just know that the old back suspension was leaking and it felt rather like a boat to drive.

I am not sure about the CoilOvers either, I just thought that once you adjust them to be lower you could adjust the damper setting to make the ride more soft.

I expected the ride to be stiffer (because its closer to the ground), however it shouldnt be excessivly hard, its about 15cm away from the ground and on regular rims and tyres.

So what do I do to make the ride softer? Surley if I keep adjusting the damper setting it should be comfortable to drive.

Regards

Dohmar Grand Master

Dohmar

Posted
Posted

So what do I do to make the ride softer? Surley if I keep adjusting the damper setting it should be comfortable to drive.

Regards

The harsh ride is directly related to the springs. Damper is the oscillating you get on a bumpy road (ie if it bounces over bumps rather than absorbing bump). I have the nismo s tune shocks which are brilliant for street use, however in their case the damper adjustment gets softer as you rotate the lug clockwise (not sure if you have the manual for your suspension or know which way to turn it, just thought its worth mentioning).

Apexi make quality equipment but many of the JDM brands are biased towards the perfect surface of a race track or japanese roads, which are infinitely superior to our own. That said the S-Tune's are absolutely perfect for aussie roads... I can heartily recommend them to anyone with a streeted vehicle

-D

  • 2 weeks later...
luke gtr Grand Master

luke gtr

Posted
Posted

Coil overs=rough ride.

It's what they do. Transfer every little bump in the road to something you can feel.

I have tein ha in my 32gtr, on the softest setting.

Thought it was pretty stiff. One day I thought is give firming them up a go.

There were bumps in the road I had never felt before.

Couldn't believe the difference.

On rough suburban roads, you either put up with them, or start playing with spring rates.

For the track, I THINK mine would be great.

Good luck, which ever way you end up.

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