Lowering advice needed on an R33

[JD_R33]

Recently got some 18" rims and tyres put on my R33 S2, and now would really like the car to sit about an inch or so lower. I was thinking about putting some lowered coils on the factory shocks, but I know all the suspension places tell you that you MUST fit matching shocks or you will surely go to hell for all eternity.

Interested to hear from any SAUers who have just changed the coils and kept the factory shocks. What sort of springs would you recommend, and how do you find the ride is with just the shorter coils? Did you have any issues with wheel alignment?

The car is only street driven, and I may upgrade the shocks at a later date, but right now things like a decent exhaust and FMIC are more of a priority.

oops - just realised I probably posted this on the wrong forum. Can somebody move it to the Suspension section?

[The Dan]

When you are only lowering by an inch it won't matter.

You will only have to get short travel shocks if you put super lows in and they are 50mm drop.

You may suffer some driveability problems if the shocks are very old but if you are upgrading soon then it won't matter.

When you change the springs....just make sure you put new bump stops in (strut mates - available at any supercheap or repco) this will help to stop it from bottoming out if by any chance you suddenly get airborn for no reason.

18's will give you a stiffer ride by themselves which I'm sure you will have already noticed. The springs by themselves will increase your cornering ability and overall ride comfort. They will be roughly 30% heavier duty springs so even though they are lower, they still maintain the same, if not better, spring rate. However, laws of physics say that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. This means that if you stiffen the suspension, you are more likely to suffer tower flex or stress on the rear bushes. I would recommend fitting strut braces with the springs also.

[leech_]

yea john i am doing the same except on only 17's. Just ordered some "lows" made by king springs i think they are called which are meant to be like 25 or 30mm lower.

[Soppagas]

If u guys could give us some prices on your springs and stuff that would be sweet too thanks

[JD_R33]

Leigh,

Who did you order the Kings through? I was going to try and get out to Inline at Qbn or Revell at Tuggers, but I guess most suspension shops could order them in?

BTW - I have some spring compressors you are welcome to borrow if you plan on doing your own......

yea john i am doing the same except on only 17's. Just ordered some "lows" made by king springs i think they are called which are meant to be like 25 or 30mm lower.

[JD_R33]

Thanks for the tips Daniel.

Just wondering though, what's the difference between the standard bump stops and the Strut Mates?

When you are only lowering by an inch it won't matter.  

 

You will only have to get short travel shocks if you put super lows in and they are 50mm drop.  

You may suffer some driveability problems if the shocks are very old but if you are upgrading soon then it won't matter.

When you change the springs....just make sure you put new bump stops in (strut mates - available at any supercheap or repco) this will help to stop it from bottoming out if by any chance you suddenly get airborn for no reason.

 

18's will give you a stiffer ride by themselves which I'm sure you will have already noticed. The springs by themselves will increase your cornering ability and overall ride comfort. They will be roughly 30% heavier duty springs so even though they are lower, they still maintain the same, if not better, spring rate. However, laws of physics say that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. This means that if you stiffen the suspension, you are more likely to suffer tower flex or stress on the rear bushes. I would recommend fitting strut braces with the springs also.

[The Dan]

Nothing, you'll only need to replace them if the originals are shagged. Most people just throw them away when they are stuffed thinking that they are not important.

Even the boot that covers the shaft.. if that is torn, replace it. It prevents dirt from damaging the seal on the shaft. Generally if they are ok though you won't need to worry about it. It's one of those things that if it is not looking healthy, replace it coz otherwise you'll end up having to rip all the shocks out again to install a simple boot or bumpstop.