Looking for input on wheel fitment and coilover options.

[nisrix]

Before I give out the details I'd like to say that I've spent a ton of time roaming the internet and forums researching this topic. I'd like some input from people here that have actually fitted wheels and have had experience with suspension components too help me get things right the first time without costly mistakes.

Ok, I have a 92 180sx, pretty much bone stock and finally have money coming in to throw at it. I want to get a nice set of wheels and coilovers to start out and wanted to make sure I've got it right. I want the bring the wheels out flush (or close to) with the fenders and drop the car down a bit, not slammed since it couldn't handle the roads here, and I don't want to run crazy camber or toe settings to get the wheels to fit the fenders. I don't mind rolling the fenders, rerouting the harness or even pulling the fender if I can get it done right. I'm also for the foreseeable future keeping the 4 bolt stock hubs and don't mind having to run spacers if I need too. Would any addition aftermarket suspension components be required to allow proper alignment once lowered a few inches?

The wheels I've found that come in 4 bolt that I like and can afford are a set of M2 Hanbai DT-05R or NC-10R from RHDJapan.com. I would like to go with a set of 17x8.5 all around if possible to get the results I want, most likely with a 225/45R17 tire. The NC-10R in that size come in either a +38 or +25 offset and the DT-05R come in +25 and +35. They also have a few other widths available if i needed to go with a staggered set. What offset should I go with to get what I'm after, I'm thinking that a +25 should work with either of those wheels.

My second question has to do with coilovers, I want to get a quality set right off the start and not mess around with a cheaper brand set. I want something that can hold up to everyday driving, occasional drifting and track days and would last better than cheaper brands through winter. That may be a lot to ask but I don't have a choice but to drive this car all year round, in winter on stock 15" with winter tires, so I would just adjust the coilovers up to stock ride height and set the dampening setting to something close to stock as well. Would a brand like Tein, JIC or Tanabe be a higher quality overall then say a set of ksports or megans? Or are there other quality coilover manufacturers I should also consider? Im asking since I have connections that would allow me access to ksport coilovers the easiest but I'm kind of on the fence as to how they would hold up over a long period of time.

I apolgize if that was long, I wanted to be as detailed as I could to allow those who actually read this to understand what I'm looking for. Thanks for any input you guys can give me.

[adrianfromthecastle]

lol... almost a whole year on nico and you barely have 9 posts... LOL. I was almost gonna welcome you to Nico.

anyways, good choice on wheels. Dt-05r's rock. I almost traded another member here my old mesh wheels for a set... unfortunately he decided to sell his whole car instead.

if you do decide to go with 8.5's all around I'd go with the lowest offset possible (Ideally, I'd go for anything close to a +10 or +15 for an 8.5"). Since the lowest they offer, +25 should suit your needs. Of course, with that you'll need a necessary roll in the fenders. I'd recommend 10 mm spacers for the sake of the aesthetic flushness.

as far as supporting suspension parts: personally I think you can get away with just rear upper control arms, rear toe arms, and front inner and outer tie rods for a decent alignment.

as far as coilovers, there are the OG reputable brands (tein, JIC, HKS, Tanabe, Cusco, ect.), and there are the not-so-reputable yet affordable (megan, k-sport, d2). The higher end brands have a reputation for a reason. They're backed up with years of experience with R&D, while most cheaper ones (megan, k-sport, d2) are just poor copies (in my honest opinion) and their ride feel shows (due to poor valving)...

there's a thread that Slappy made in regards to how K-sports "suck" and a representative of K-Sport actually saw the thread and replied, lol. You should search that and give it a good look, maybe even ask questions on it's ride.

Other companies that have a good reputation that you may want to research (and may not cost an arm and a leg) are companies like, KTS (from splparts.com), Stance, Function Form, Kbee (you can get them from Upgarage in Japan for about ~$700, make friends with a Japanese dude and have him send it to you, lol), Powered By Max, Apexi, and a few others.

[rbsileighty]

as far as coilovers, there are the OG reputable brands (tein, JIC, HKS, Tanabe, Cusco, ect.), and there are the not-so-reputable yet affordable (megan, k-sport, d2). The higher end brands have a reputation for a reason. They're backed up with years of experience with R&D, while most cheaper ones (megan, k-sport, d2) are just poor copies (in my honest opinion) and their ride feel shows (due to poor valving)...

Other companies that have a good reputation that you may want to research (and may not cost an arm and a leg) are companies like, KTS (from splparts.com), Stance, Function Form, Kbee (you can get them from Upgarage in Japan for about ~$700, make friends with a Japanese dude and have him send it to you, lol), Powered By Max, Apexi, and a few others.

100% agree on the ride/valving comment... you can even notice this between FLT-A2's and Kei Office... you get what you pay for 99% of the time with what I've noticed. I'd say for under 2k I've liked the Stance options... for the money I wasn't impressed with the JIC's... but it's really all opinions until you get in a car fitted with a set yourself. Kind of like some people don't notice/care the difference between Bud Light and Newcastle... in the end you're the one driving it so fit it to your needs.

I'd never EVER put a coilover through "the winter"... unless you live where it doesn't snow (I use to... and miss it a LOT) just swap out the stock suspension if you care about the car. I couldn't spend decent money on something I know would get ruined and why go through the hassle of changing your setup twice a year when you could just swap them out and preserve your coilovers...

Hope this helps!

[adrianfromthecastle]

I'd never EVER put a coilover through "the winter"... unless you live where it doesn't snow (I use to... and miss it a LOT) just swap out the stock suspension if you care about the car. I couldn't spend decent money on something I know would get ruined and why go through the hassle of changing your setup twice a year when you could just swap them out and preserve your coilovers...

+1

oh yeah, I forgot to comment on the OP's plan to raise and lower for winter...

it really doesn't sound like a good idea, and frankly, its just a pain in the arse. Whenever you raise or lower your car, you HAVE to get an alignment... you can't just plan to raise it and have it set for that season.

IMO, I'd just get another beater for the winter, lol.

[nisrix]

Thanks for actually reading through all that and giving some great input. I don't post a lot since I haven't had much to say or ask, I actually look first then when I still can't find something I'll ask, or pitch in on a thread when I have something constructive to add. Winters can get pretty ugly here, a few weeks back it got down to -40 something Celsius for a few days. Believe it or not but with just a new normal sized battery and an oil pan heater the sr worked just fine. So it looks like it would be best to buy a beater or swap out coilovers to stock suspension and get an alignment twice a year. Since I already have winter tires and winter lasts so long here I think swapping out suspension is my best bet, on the bright side I know that I'll always have perfect alignment. Then later on when I have more money and what not I'll park it for winter.

I did run across that Ksport thread and thats what got me wondering about their coilover kits. For a the extra price I think I would prefer going with a better brand coilover since I would be going to the trouble to swap them out for winter.

Thanks again for the help with wheel offsets and coilover brands, I was going in circles as I kept reading more and more and one thing contradicted the last. As it moves into spring I could see myself posting more as I build up my car and need help again. See you guys around.