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

Tricky1980 · 02-07-2002, 09:51 PM

ok, for basic (aggressive)daily driving and HOPEFULLY autocross eventually, if it ever comes near iowa, what would be the best setup some like apexi ws dampeners for like 899 or some koni yellows with eibach sportlines on a 95.  here in iowa we get snow(duh) so i was kinda hoping for something i could change the height on rather easily? do dampeners let you do that or am i just confused?

White240sx · 02-07-2002, 11:19 PM

Shocks/dampers are friction devices that turn the harmonic motion of a working spring into heat, which is dissipated into the chassis and atmosphere.

"coilovers" implies that the spring perch is adjustable via threaded shock body. This is intended so that you may adjust the weight balance at all four wheels so that you don't have extreme unbalance when you are throwing back and forth in turns and during extreme braking and accelerating.

Not to add too much confusion, but the stock suspension is also a coilover set up in that the spring rides around the strut.

All of this said the WS don't have dampening (ride) adjustment, ability to use aftermarket upper mounts, and there have been a few documented cases where they have failed.

I don't hear good things about the Koni’s (inserts) so I would advise to stay away from them.

You may want to look into other set-ups farther. The WS aren't really for hard-core track racers or autocrossers (lack of critical adjustment), and the Koni inserts are more of a pain then they are worth. Some KG/MM springs and HTS or GAB struts would make a pretty good racing set-up that would probably be tolerable driving over crappy roads (but will come in at a little over $1K, more with camber plates).

HippoSleek · 02-08-2002, 04:02 PM

Whitie's <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> got you mostly taken care of up there...

I'd add that for most autox chores, a good adjustable shock will do wonders.  Actually, I've heard a lot of good about the Koni's performance, but personally, wouldn't get them b/c you must remove the rears to adjust (not that most peope would ever do that...).  Ditto w/ the HTS.  GABs (which are hard to find are the easiest adjusted, but get pricey).  

A coilover set up (threaded shockbody and matched spring set) is overkill unless you are a serious autoxer or lapper.  These have several drawbacks - too stiff, too low, what if you blow one?, etc.  But, if you want all out performance and will sacrifice daily driving, they are the way to go.  BTW: most coilovers can't be raised to stock heights anyway as they are more for corner weighting than road conditions, so that's not really an issue.

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02-07-2002, 09:51 PM	#1
Tricky1980 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa Age: 44 Posts: 236 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	ok, for basic (aggressive)daily driving and HOPEFULLY autocross eventually, if it ever comes near iowa, what would be the best setup some like apexi ws dampeners for like 899 or some koni yellows with eibach sportlines on a 95.  here in iowa we get snow(duh) so i was kinda hoping for something i could change the height on rather easily? do dampeners let you do that or am i just confused?

02-07-2002, 11:19 PM	#2
White240sx Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 219 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Shocks/dampers are friction devices that turn the harmonic motion of a working spring into heat, which is dissipated into the chassis and atmosphere. "coilovers" implies that the spring perch is adjustable via threaded shock body. This is intended so that you may adjust the weight balance at all four wheels so that you don't have extreme unbalance when you are throwing back and forth in turns and during extreme braking and accelerating. Not to add too much confusion, but the stock suspension is also a coilover set up in that the spring rides around the strut. All of this said the WS don't have dampening (ride) adjustment, ability to use aftermarket upper mounts, and there have been a few documented cases where they have failed. I don't hear good things about the Koni’s (inserts) so I would advise to stay away from them. You may want to look into other set-ups farther. The WS aren't really for hard-core track racers or autocrossers (lack of critical adjustment), and the Koni inserts are more of a pain then they are worth. Some KG/MM springs and HTS or GAB struts would make a pretty good racing set-up that would probably be tolerable driving over crappy roads (but will come in at a little over $1K, more with camber plates).

02-08-2002, 04:02 PM	#3
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Whitie's <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> got you mostly taken care of up there... I'd add that for most autox chores, a good adjustable shock will do wonders.  Actually, I've heard a lot of good about the Koni's performance, but personally, wouldn't get them b/c you must remove the rears to adjust (not that most peope would ever do that...).  Ditto w/ the HTS.  GABs (which are hard to find are the easiest adjusted, but get pricey).   A coilover set up (threaded shockbody and matched spring set) is overkill unless you are a serious autoxer or lapper.  These have several drawbacks - too stiff, too low, what if you blow one?, etc.  But, if you want all out performance and will sacrifice daily driving, they are the way to go.  BTW: most coilovers can't be raised to stock heights anyway as they are more for corner weighting than road conditions, so that's not really an issue.