Advice on Suspension upgrades

[Griffon2k]

Fellow drifters,

I just purchased my s13 240sx coupe last month, and I have already begun tweeking it. It has been my idea to begin tuning the engine first (expose the KA's full potential), then move to the hardest and maybe most expensive part, upgrading the suspension. Some of the fellas on my racing team, have suggested that I lower the car now with the OE shocks. I am throughly against that b/c 1. the OE struts were not made for that kind of drop. 2. I want to have the option of adjusting my ride height (in case my car gives one day, and I need the assistance of a tow truck) and 3. I think that it would be better for my car and my wallet to do springs, shocks and coil overs at the same damn time. I have repeated these opinions to my boys many times now, but they suggest that lowering the car now shouldn't be a big deal. Should I tell them to go to hell or is it okay to lower the car with the OE shocks?

[sil80]

Griffon -
Most people on this board will tell you to do your suspension first. Reason being that if you do your engine first your going to want to take it out and drive it hard. Well now imagin have this car with all this extra power but a chassie that is stock. Lets just say body roll heaven plus see some extra tire spin.
I would not suggest cutting your stock springs, that is a no-no. First your camber is going to go all to hell. So you will be buying tires right and left. The stiffness and height go hand in hand so you take one away and its going to affect a lot.
So to get to the point you should think about maybe start off with lowering spring and sway bars and then throw in some performance goodies like exhaust/intake/ca18det <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> . Might want to invest in some camber correction bolts.

Just a heads up there is going to be a group buy in may for tein coilover products.

[LanceS13]

I don't think he meant cutting the OE springs...just putting lowering springs on the OE shocks/struts. &nbsp;This usually causes shortened strut/shock life and may cause adverse handling characteristics.
Since you want height adjustability and better handling, I suggest getting true ride-adjustable coilovers...not coilover sleeves. &nbsp;

Out of curiosity, what is this "racing team" you mentioned?

[HippoSleek]

I'm going to be really nice to you and mention two things: 1) if your car is so low that it is incapable of being aided by a tow-truck, it is too low to handle properly; and 2) you can buy coilovers or springs and shocks - not all three. &nbsp;A sleeve (like GroundControl) is just that.

...being nice is not easy, so for future reference, please refrain from mention of "racing teams" and "boys" and referring to everyone here as a "drifter." &nbsp;Have a nice day &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'>

[HippoSleek]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (LanceS13 @ April 11 2002,1:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Since you want height adjustability and better handling, I suggest getting true ride-adjustable coilovers...not coilover sleeves. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Lance, I'm shocked... &nbsp;
I'll also add that suspensions capable of going up and down are not really meant to do that for ride height adjustment, per se. &nbsp;Coilovers (and sleeves) are designed to aid in cornerweighting your car, not to get you over speed bumps, to be used in snow, to drop when you are pimpin, etc.

I also disagree that a shock/spring/sleeve set up can't be as effective (or more so) than a "coilover." &nbsp;The sleeve replicates the threading on the shock body, a perch is a perch, and the only benefit to a threaded shock system is that they are usually short stroke and come with rates that some guy somewhere thought were matched to the shock. &nbsp;Once can certainly get these same benefits through careful selection of shocks and spring rates. &nbsp;(and be able to replace/revalve/repair w/o overseas shipping&#33<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

[bbp]

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

It is good to see some people that seem to understand what coilovers are really designed to do. &nbsp;I see that Lance and Hippo have some road couse track experience, this seems to be a rare &nbsp;commodity on this board. &nbsp;(Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with "drifting" or drag racing, just not my thing). &nbsp;

My suggestion for a street (everyday driver) car is to not to coilover, but some aftermarket springs with adjustable shocks. &nbsp;It's cheaper, your ride quality doesn't suffer as much and you probably will not have to deal with the neg. camber and alignment problems inherent with lowering these cars. &nbsp;If you really need that slammed look, &nbsp;actual handling performance/track use is probably not your bag, then go for the coilover and drag your floorpan over those speedbumps!!

If you are looking to do track events, then get yourself some double/triple adjustable Koni coilovers, swaybars, front camber plates, poly bushing kit, slap on some R1's, Hoosiers, or Ecsta's, bigger brakes, hawk or PFC pads and you are ready to have a blast at the track.

Do the suspension and brakes first. &nbsp;So when you finally get around to the motor, you will know what to do with the added power. &nbsp;Unless you are into the drag racing, then do the motor first. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[Yoshi]

OKay... "Fellow Drifters"....
this implies you consider yourself a "drifter"... with totally stock suspension. Umm... ok. &nbsp;I'm not gonna flame you with how wrong that is, it's beating a dead horse.

On the better side, I totally agree with your in your wanting to do all suspension at once, whether you go full coil, or new shock/spring setups. &nbsp;If people in your "team" are telling you to just drop it with stock springs, then I'd say they only care about looks, not performance. If you want to "Drift" you need a VERY stiff rear end, something not accomplished with lowering springs... u need adjustable dampening, STBs, sway bars, poly-bushings wouldn't hurt... and dont forget that dropping your car past 1.5 inches or so will have adverse effects on your camber, which is not bad for a dedicated drift car, but bad if you want your car to be streetable too.

"Drifting" with a stock setup (or even just springs) is dangerous and foolhearty, be careful!

[LanceS13]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (HippoSleek @ April 11 2002,3:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (LanceS13 @ April 11 2002,1:30)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Since you want height adjustability and better handling, I suggest getting true ride-adjustable coilovers...not coilover sleeves. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Lance, I'm shocked...
I'll also add that suspensions capable of going up and down are not really meant to do that for ride height adjustment, per se. Coilovers (and sleeves) are designed to aid in cornerweighting your car, not to get you over speed bumps, to be used in snow, to drop when you are pimpin, etc.

I also disagree that a shock/spring/sleeve set up can't be as effective (or more so) than a "coilover." The sleeve replicates the threading on the shock body, a perch is a perch, and the only benefit to a threaded shock system is that they are usually short stroke and come with rates that some guy somewhere thought were matched to the shock. Once can certainly get these same benefits through careful selection of shocks and spring rates. (and be able to replace/revalve/repair w/o overseas shipping&#33<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I know that's not what they are for. &nbsp;Although, I am shocked at myself that I didn't say that. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> &nbsp; I just explained the reason for the existance of coilovers--cornerweighting--to a friend just last week....me and my absent mind. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
I see where sleeves can be just as affective as coilovers, but I guess I was assuming he wasn't gonna take the time to match everything up for the best performance (assuming he cares about performance)...so I suggested a 'pre-made' true coilover setup. &nbsp;I dunno...I think I'm gonna feed some Pepto to this diarrhea mouth of mine since I have experience with neither.

[Griffon2k]

Thanks to a who offered advice. I am fairly new to the 240sx/silvia, like I said I just bought mine last month. I have been researching its potential for well over a year know however. To answer an questions about my racing team, it is a new team in Southeast VA (Hampton Roads) called S3Competition. The founding members which include myself have experience from running with another southeast VA team called Split Second Racing or SSR, we've hung with them for a bit, but have decided to strike and do our own thing. Beyond that, I hope I didn't upset any old heads with the "drifter" welcome, or the language in my question (trust me, i know that you can't have shocks, springs, and coil overs), but again, thanks.

[darklude]

i was wondering what the best suspension to get? price isn't a factor... i heard buddy club is pretty good, and they make dampers for the 240's...