BC Coilovers on 97 Touring

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BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

Finally got my BC's installed today. The KYB SR Specials front right was completely blown out on front left and rear right was also leaking. If only I had the KYB lifttime warranty access.

Anyhow, I raised the car by .5" inch. I would post pictures but photobucket sucks so bad now nothing will upload anymore. The car is SO MUCH MORE stiff at 50% stiffness then it was I need to go back and loosen it up. It handles much better than ever but a little too stiff. It hits bumps better than it did even with Tein and SR specials were new, but when you look at my original struts you can see they were pretty worn.

More as I drive, but so far very nice.


3Q Jay
Posts: 2545
Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:23 pm
Car: 94 Q45a
95 Q45a (sold)
97 Q45t (sold)
01 B15 Sentra (Daughter's)
Also Mine...
2010 A6 Avant
1977 F-150 (460!)
Location: Florida Coast

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yeah, Jeff-- let's see those bad boys.

try postimg.org quick upload, instant link for forums.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

3Q, thanks for the tip, I have no idea what is going on with Photobucket but I cannot upload anything to it anymore. I thought it was Comcast but couldn't do it at work either.

I will take some pics tomorrow...here is my radio install

http://postimg.org/image/75lf6kjcb/

Drove the car again today, man it is stiff even at 50%, I am reducing it by 1 more setting when I go back for a final alignment.

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

Post

I'm interested in seeing pics too haha, probably going to pick up a set of these soon. I also want to see how low they can get.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

they can go much lower than I have them, I will shoot pics today when I get it out of the garage. I opted for 1/2" inch higher than I had it before with Tein springs. While I loved riding that low it was horrible going over big speed bump when the cats shields would hit as you came down off the front tires. Also, I can approach directly into my garage without a scrape (which I learned quickly the right angle to avoid).

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

Here is a picture of it.

I am totally dumfounded but the car can still hit the inside right front into the wheel well, but only over a big bump while turning to the right. I can throw it into a right turn and it is steady as hell.

Image

After driving it again, I may actually go 1 click stiffer, it handles great but it is smooth as silk on the road and doesn't POUND like it did with the Tein/SR Specials setup over big expansion joints. You can completely feel that you have a brand new suspension under you

Fly_R_Die
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:36 am

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Looking good man :bigthumb: my BC's are on the way as we speak. How did the install go?

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

I wasn't there, they had a hiccup or two that they had to call BC to figure out the issues, but they got it all figured out. I am at the default height on the car which seems like it is going to work out, started off at 50% stiffness which I think I will go up a notch or two. Wish it was a little easier to get to the rear shocks to adjust, you have to remove the back trunk liner to get in there. Not a huge deal but a bunch of clips and screws...the front is uber simple. I was going to install the extensions but the guy didn't install them, he didn't want to cut up my trunk for something I wouldn't do very often.

I like the height and they are very stout!!

3Q Jay
Posts: 2545
Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:23 pm
Car: 94 Q45a
95 Q45a (sold)
97 Q45t (sold)
01 B15 Sentra (Daughter's)
Also Mine...
2010 A6 Avant
1977 F-150 (460!)
Location: Florida Coast

Post

Jeff that is one clean FGY33. Looks good, bruddah!

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

thanks and I was embarrassed as the car was filthy as hell when I took the picture. I had been waiting weeks to get it washed as I knew that the day at the shop would get it all dusty.

The car needs a full spa day and then I need to take it out and see what those coilovers can really do :)

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

pumping it up by 2 clicks on the fronts...if that is passable then I will do the rears. Reporting back soon.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

So overall I really like the way the car drives, but it is a night and day difference from the KYB/Tein or stock to these coilovers. I have them dialed in now so no hitting anymore and not too hard to knock your fillings out. But there is nothing "luxury" about the ride...but on the highway the car is solid as hell.

Surprise, after I got him to rebalance the tires and re-do the alignment, he told me "your tires are pretty bald" WHAT, I felt like they were new still, but near the wear bars on the Michelin Pilot Sports. Those do not last very long :(

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

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Badq45t Im in the bay area. Looking to get the BC setup as well on my 2000 AE/T . Which BC setup distinguishes non or touring? I seen plenty on ebay (1250) w/spindles . Just apprehensive about ordering it and finding out its the wrong kit. Any info or know of local vendor? thanks!

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

The touring model has a different size brake mount. I originally bought the Megan's and they are NOT designed for the touring model. Unfortunately my mechanic got everything installed and then at the very last step figured out my brakes wouldn't fit. The Touring models have a 14mm hole while the non-touring have a 12mm hole.

I am not sure that I should have gone through the expense of this whole thing, frankly if I had it to do over again I think I would have given up on the car and just driven my truck for the next few years. I had to install custom tension rods that are adjustable and now I cannot seem to get my car to have a good tire balance. My mechanic thinks that the new set of Michelin's I bought are no good, but I think that after all this work my wheel is going to shimmy at speed.

If you do this make sure you have a mechanic that knows how to do this and make sure you get the right brake mounts.

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

Post

Badq45t so you eventually installed BC though? They fit the touring model properly from what i have read in your post.
Regarding tension rods, I understand that the z32 adj ones aee compatible with our and i was co sideri g that if needed.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

Yes, I did get them installed successfully, however, I had to do the rods afterwards. The Z32 rod do NOT fit right off the shelf, they require modification, which is what I have (see posts). It is a lot of work, the car handles like a mad dog, unreal with the rods. Now if I can get a decent balance on my tires/rims I will be 100% happy. I put a new set of Michelin Pilot Sports on which ended up not being very good, in process of RMA on them with Tire Rack.

The handling with this setup makes this car handle better than any car I have ever driven, BMW's, MB, newer Infinitis nothing handles this hunkered down.

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

Post

So the BCs i see listed on BCs site i
Are 2 listings only 97-01 with or without spindles . Iwill order with spindles which is compatible with the T and Ae models.

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

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So I ordered the BCs from Enjuku they were 995 shipped with spindles free shipping ON SALE. SCORE!!! :cool:

I found two type of tension rods for z32 high angle and standard
High angle has the rod link point offcenter where as the standard is centered.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

That is a hell of a deal, I paid $1200. Not sure which rods will fit the best, if you find those fit directly I will be surprised but will want the part number. I am starting to wonder if my wheel shimmy is related to the rods.

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

Post

Maybe the shimmy is due to bearings , wheel balance (alloy 2 dynamic w/weights) or air pressure. Just guessing.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

We have balanced the hell out of the wheels. Thanks for the suggestion on bearings, I think that is the only thing we haven't tried, may just try that out to see if it does anything.

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

Post

I installed my BC couple of days ago.
It handles really well. Im "softening" the ride each day by 1 or 2 turns on the nob. Trying to fins that sweet spot. Suprisingly its is no where as stiff /harsh as i thought it would be.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

did you so tension rods at the same time? I have been playing with the dials, if I could only get the shimmy gone it is 95 gone after I sent the first set of Michelin's back. I am going to run the bearing suggestion by my mechanic...but the car handles like a motha' for sure with these.

low612
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:24 pm

Post

No i didnt do adj the tension rods after bc install. I did replace them previous with oem rods a couple of months ago. As far as vibration or shimmy i notice nothing. Road noise has increase though. Which is to expected. The does handle REALLY well. I have had a few short wheel base Nissans with coilovers and this car by far rides the best and handles just as good if not better.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

Weird I couldn't get the alignment correct without the adjustable bars. Well I guess each one is a little different. I agree the long wheel base handles really nice. My older 84' 300ZX has hardened KYB's and Eibach springs with thicker sway bars and it isn't nearly as nice.


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