Standard Suspension - Lowering?

[Red Sky II]

Just wondering whether you can lower the standard suspension as it is and if so, how do you go about it?

OR

Do you need alternative springs, shocks, etc to lower the car. This is for a Series II Stagea that I am happy with the feel of the suspension just want it to be lower for pure visual reasons.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers, Al

[AlexCim]

Two dodgy-ass methods to drop the car

- Cut the springs

- Put a blow torch the springs and make them sag

I DO NOT reccomend either of these methods.

Theree are no other methods to do it properly without new springs and/or shocks.

[AMS]

Suspension is not something you want to muck around with - do it properly...

[Red Sky II]

Thanks for the replies and that is what I thought but figured, no harm in asking anyway

Have heard about cutting the springs bit - wouldn't even contemplate that one.

[AlexCim]

Result of blowtorch to spring method. This is muck's rear springs (now he has bilsteins)

[Sydneykid]

You can keep the standard springs, the rates are a pretty good compromise. Then use the adjustable circlip grooves on the Bilsteins to achieve the desired height. Mine was like that for some months until I engineered the Whiteline springs, it was quite good handling and ride. Be aware that there is a limit as to how low you can go with the standard springs, most particularly the rear as the bottom spring seat will touch the wheel. Refer to StageZilla's pictures.

cheers

[Tangles]

Can you lathe adjustable spring gruves into any (within reason) suspension strut?

Ive picked up some KYB items that I'd like to give it a go with........

[Sydneykid]

Can you lathe adjustable spring gruves into any (within reason) suspension strut?

Ive picked up some KYB items that I'd like to give it a go with........

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It depends on the wall thickness of the tube. Skyline Bilsteins are monotube design and they are engineered to have circlip grooves to retain the lower spring seats, so they have no problems. I wouldn't want to machine a twin tube KYB for example, I suspect the wall thickness wouldn't take a circlip groove.

cheers

[Tangles]

Thats what I was thinking..... probably hard to determine how thick the wall is as well. Cheers for the input. Dont know if I'll ever use the KYB's, got them to muck around with (one day).

Brendan

[StageZilla]

Just wondering whether you can lower the standard suspension as it is and if so, how do you go about it?

OR

Do you need alternative springs, shocks, etc to lower the car.  This is for a Series II Stagea that I am happy with the feel of the suspension just want it to be lower for pure visual reasons.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers, Al

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hey mate i just got a set of the whiteline/bilstein kits from SK and my stagea came with a set of lowered apexi springs/standard shocks, so i can sell ya the springs (shocks are stuffed) for $100 and im in perth, northern suburbs.

ill measure the length of em and you can compare to a set of factory springs for the height difference...

heres a pic of the stagea with the original stock shocks/apexi springs

cheers

Brad

[Red Sky II]

Does anyone know the measurements of the standard Stagea springs?

Plus whether there are any differences in springs and shocks between the Series I models and Series II models?

Cheers, Al

[Sydneykid]

Does anyone know the measurements of the standard Stagea springs?

Plus whether there are any differences in springs and shocks between the Series I models and Series II models?

Cheers, Al

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No difference between S1 and S2 springs that I have seen.

What "measurements" do you want?

The height of the car with standard coils in it?

Or the dimensions of the coils themselves?

You can't tell how much a spring will lower a car by its free height, you need to know the spring rates as well. A lowering spring is usually higher in rate, so the weight of the car doesn't compress it as far.

cheers

[Red Sky II]

No difference between S1 and S2 springs that I have seen.

What "measurements" do you want?

The height of the car with standard coils in it?

Or the dimensions of the coils themselves?

You can't tell how much a spring will lower a car by its free height, you need to know the spring rates as well.  A lowering spring is usually higher in rate, so the weight of the car doesn't compress it as far.

cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking of the dimensions of the coils themselves in response to Stagezilla's offer to purchase his old Apexi springs as I have the dimensions of those springs.

You answered the question though in a way with the bit about not being able to tell how much it will lower it by. Looking at pics of Stagezilla's car with those springs and standard shocks shows they should fit okay and reduce the height a fair bit but not too much.

Do you see any problems with just changing the springs whilst keeping the standard shocks as I am going to buy those springs off Stagezilla if they will do what I am looking for - ie lower the height properly.

Cheers, Al

[Sydneykid]

I was thinking of the dimensions of the coils themselves in response to Stagezilla's offer to purchase his old Apexi springs as I have the dimensions of those springs.

You answered the question though in a way with the bit about not being able to tell how much it will lower it by.  Looking at pics of Stagezilla's car with those springs and standard shocks shows they should fit okay and reduce the height a fair bit but not too much.

Do you see any problems with just changing the springs whilst keeping the standard shocks as I am going to buy those springs off Stagezilla if they will do what I am looking for - ie lower the height properly.

Cheers, Al

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Al, the standard shocks don't control the standard springs very well when they are new. Asking well used shocks to control lowered springs which are at least 25% higher in spring rate is a bit optimistic. To save duplicating the labour I would do both springs and shocks at the same time.

cheers

[Red Sky II]

Hi Al, the standard shocks don't control the standard springs very well when they are new.  Asking well used shocks to control lowered springs which are at least 25% higher in spring rate is a bit optimistic.  To save duplicating the labour I would do both springs and shocks at the same time.

cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks as always SK for your advice

[qikstagea]

if you want to lower it, id head to somewhere that does it professionally and has done it for a while. RSfours take (apparently) r33 gtr front and r33gtst rear suspension. if im wrong, please correct me! for the rear id probably go the 4doors settings, to cover the extra weight. stiffer again if you plan to carry weight, or have a stereo or something. If anyone knows of a crew that actually does stagea specific suspension, id love to hear from you. we could just about do with a group buy, hey.

[AlexCim]

The crew that does it is a member on these forums, username SydneyKid....

You just missed the bilstein/whiteline group buy

[Sydneykid]

The crew that does it is a member on these forums, username SydneyKid....

You just missed the bilstein/whiteline group buy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are still a couple of sets of Bilsteins left, so the Group Buy is open. But don't delay too long. Check out the Group Buy thread in the Stagea section or PM me for details.

cheers