Coilovers VS Eibach - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

S14lover · 05-29-2002, 08:05 PM

i want to lower my 240 but i ws wondering which is better also would i need a camber corrections kit with them etc please help out

Yoshi · 05-29-2002, 08:47 PM

"Better" is a subjective term.
I think coilovers are "Better" because they allow for corner weighing, adjustable ride height, and more tunability.

Springs are good becuase they are MUCH easier to install, and are more of a WYSIWYG-type mod.  They're also cheaper (I'm assuming you mean real coils, not crappy VIS/APC/Arospeed/etc type fodder).

as far as camber, I think it's if you go below 1.75 inches in the rear, you'll need to have an adjustment kit... but I'm not 100% on that... I'm sure someone with sportlines (2.2 inch drop) can verify.

Personally I have Ground control coilovers on KYB AGX shocks... they work well more me because the roads where I am are so bad that there are almost more trucks on the street than cars where I live, so I was able to keep my ride height higher, while getting the higher spring rates, as well as being able to drop the car down on track days.

Hope this info help you out <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>
May the rice NOT be with you <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

HippoSleek · 05-30-2002, 06:38 AM

I agree with Yoshi 100% - but I'll add this.  The most important thing in chosing a suspension is the car's anticipated use.  A spring like Eibach is great for crusing and "aggressive" street use.  You will appreciate the progressive spring rates when you hit bumps and have people in the car.  They are also much easier to deal with (no adjustments to be made, but a nice ride).

Keep in mind that going too low is usually a bad idea.  If you are low enough to need a camber kit, you need short stroke shocks too or you will wind up hitting bump stops and busting shocks.  That means that anything over about 1.75" lower and it gets expensive fast - unless you like riding in something that feels like a ragged 86 Camry.

Go with GC's or something similar and you have more options, but more restrictions.  Linear spring rates mean you trade a lot of comfort for performance or vice-versa.  Another thing is that while height adjustment may seem like a good idea, it is a quick way to eat tires!  Everytime you go up and down you should re-spec your alignment.  In other words, if you want the best performance from any adjustable height set up - set it, corner weight it (or even it as much as possible), align it, and leave it.

S14lover · 05-30-2002, 10:31 AM

So the sportlines would be the way to go then? ..cuz my brother in law has coilovers and the ride is awful! So help me out sportlines with tokico shocks and struts sound about right? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':huh:'>

geeaj · 05-30-2002, 10:47 AM

Sportline's spring rates aren't very stiff for such a short spring. The pro-kits are much better for the street/daily speed racer crowd. Definately go with a progressive, as opposed to linear rate spring if you want some comfort.

I have prokits with AGX and I am pretty happy. I have mine dialed to 2 on the front and 4 in the rear for daily duty. Handles really neutral and I can induce controllable oversteer by light brake stabbing or clutch stabs mid corner to upset  the balance. If I set the everything to full max, I can feel my kidneys jiggle...literally. Most people won't need more then a spring/shock combo for the street.

As other members have noted, the coilovers (all shock/spring combos are technically coilovers by the way) are much better for a full duty track car since they are really not plug and play.

Going too low on a 240 is not advisable, we don't have much ground clearance to start and lowering only makes it worse. I've seen many bapped oil pans from cars that have been lowered too much. Our oil pans on the KA sit really low and it doesn't take much to crack it.Other thing is suspension geometry, go over 1.5 inch and you will need a camber kit. The cheap method is to slot the shock mount holes, but it is a pretty ugly hack job.

HippoSleek · 05-30-2002, 03:34 PM

Yeah - Sportlines don't seem to be a very good product for our cars.  The rates aren't much higher than Pro Kits, despite the extra .5" drop.  You would be left w/ about 1" of susp. travel at the shock which isn't enough for a 200lb spring!  There is another post on  the chat board from someone who was NOT happly w/ his Sportlines.

Sick240 · 05-30-2002, 04:01 PM

I believe HippoSleek is talking about my topic... Here
You will have to scroll a little over half way down to get beyond the shit talking, and get to where you need to be, Lates!

05-29-2002, 08:05 PM	#1
S14lover Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colombus GA Posts: 162 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i want to lower my 240 but i ws wondering which is better also would i need a camber corrections kit with them etc please help out __________________ She ****ing hates me ....TRUST!

05-29-2002, 08:47 PM	#2
Yoshi Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Washington Age: 48 Posts: 3,003 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: Yoshi Feedback Score: 1 reviews	"Better" is a subjective term. I think coilovers are "Better" because they allow for corner weighing, adjustable ride height, and more tunability. Springs are good becuase they are MUCH easier to install, and are more of a WYSIWYG-type mod.  They're also cheaper (I'm assuming you mean real coils, not crappy VIS/APC/Arospeed/etc type fodder). as far as camber, I think it's if you go below 1.75 inches in the rear, you'll need to have an adjustment kit... but I'm not 100% on that... I'm sure someone with sportlines (2.2 inch drop) can verify. Personally I have Ground control coilovers on KYB AGX shocks... they work well more me because the roads where I am are so bad that there are almost more trucks on the street than cars where I live, so I was able to keep my ride height higher, while getting the higher spring rates, as well as being able to drop the car down on track days. Hope this info help you out <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> May the rice NOT be with you <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ www.360realms.com/S13-S15

05-30-2002, 10:31 AM	#4
S14lover Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colombus GA Posts: 162 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So the sportlines would be the way to go then? ..cuz my brother in law has coilovers and the ride is awful! So help me out sportlines with tokico shocks and struts sound about right? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':huh:'> __________________ She ****ing hates me ....TRUST!

05-30-2002, 10:47 AM	#5
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sportline's spring rates aren't very stiff for such a short spring. The pro-kits are much better for the street/daily speed racer crowd. Definately go with a progressive, as opposed to linear rate spring if you want some comfort. I have prokits with AGX and I am pretty happy. I have mine dialed to 2 on the front and 4 in the rear for daily duty. Handles really neutral and I can induce controllable oversteer by light brake stabbing or clutch stabs mid corner to upset  the balance. If I set the everything to full max, I can feel my kidneys jiggle...literally. Most people won't need more then a spring/shock combo for the street. As other members have noted, the coilovers (all shock/spring combos are technically coilovers by the way) are much better for a full duty track car since they are really not plug and play. Going too low on a 240 is not advisable, we don't have much ground clearance to start and lowering only makes it worse. I've seen many bapped oil pans from cars that have been lowered too much. Our oil pans on the KA sit really low and it doesn't take much to crack it.Other thing is suspension geometry, go over 1.5 inch and you will need a camber kit. The cheap method is to slot the shock mount holes, but it is a pretty ugly hack job. __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

05-30-2002, 04:01 PM	#7
Sick240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 114 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I believe HippoSleek is talking about my topic... Here You will have to scroll a little over half way down to get beyond the shit talking, and get to where you need to be, Lates! __________________ 90 240sx Coupe

05-30-2002, 06:38 AM	#3
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I agree with Yoshi 100% - but I'll add this.  The most important thing in chosing a suspension is the car's anticipated use.  A spring like Eibach is great for crusing and "aggressive" street use.  You will appreciate the progressive spring rates when you hit bumps and have people in the car.  They are also much easier to deal with (no adjustments to be made, but a nice ride). Keep in mind that going too low is usually a bad idea.  If you are low enough to need a camber kit, you need short stroke shocks too or you will wind up hitting bump stops and busting shocks.  That means that anything over about 1.75" lower and it gets expensive fast - unless you like riding in something that feels like a ragged 86 Camry. Go with GC's or something similar and you have more options, but more restrictions.  Linear spring rates mean you trade a lot of comfort for performance or vice-versa.  Another thing is that while height adjustment may seem like a good idea, it is a quick way to eat tires!  Everytime you go up and down you should re-spec your alignment.  In other words, if you want the best performance from any adjustable height set up - set it, corner weight it (or even it as much as possible), align it, and leave it.

05-30-2002, 03:34 PM	#6
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah - Sportlines don't seem to be a very good product for our cars.  The rates aren't much higher than Pro Kits, despite the extra .5" drop.  You would be left w/ about 1" of susp. travel at the shock which isn't enough for a 200lb spring!  There is another post on  the chat board from someone who was NOT happly w/ his Sportlines.