My suspension plans: let me know what you think

[elvis240sx]

Ok, so here is a little background on the car. My first 240 was about 5 years ago, pignose s13 that was lowered on eibach sportlines with oem replacement struts when i bought it at age 16. the car rusted out and I bought a new s13.

this s13, same year 90 pignose. the suspension is currently all stock. I swapped in a redtop sr with front mount, 3inch exhaust, fuel pump, boost controller and all the other necessities. I have already upgraded the brakes to 300zx TT calipers w/ brembo crossdrilled/ slotted rotors and stainless braided lines on the front. I am running the stock teardrop wheels and had to space them 5mm to make it fit. I dont plan to buy new wheels anytime soon since I just put a nice set of tires on the stockers.

i run the car as a daily driver (except winter) and take it to the drag strip maybe once or twice a year. (13.4 @ 104 is my best time to date). I dont plan to run autocross or anything except for maybe once to see what it is like.

I want the car to be lower for performance and looks but i dont need it dumped to the ground so i rip off my front lip and dent my oil pan everytime i pull into a parking lot. I want to be able to set my alignment to stock specs so that Im not chewing up tires.

so here is what I am planning on buying:

Energy suspension master bushing setSPL subframe bushing collarsTein S -techsKYB GR2Megan adjustable RUCASSuspension techniques sway barsDC Sports solid carbon strut tower bars front and rearSpec EZ front camber kit

As far as the RUCAS go, yes they are cheap. that is why i am planning on those. What I really want are those bushings for the control arms that are offset so you can adjust alignment that way, but for some reason i cant find them anymore. anyone ever seen these?

Also, the front camber kit is a bolt with the lobe on it. is this safe? it is from Enjukus website. I also like the camber plates that SPL offers but would those work with kybs and just aftermarket springs? it says it fits most coilovers but anyone have any experience with them? I like the height adjustability of them, I figure this way I can have a softer spring but still lower it or raise it a little if I dont like the stance.

I am going to be tearing the suspension down this winter while the car is off the road and doing everything all at the same time. I would appreciate any criticism that you have to offer. which springs would you recommend for me? and how about the parts for alignment adjustment? I hope I gave enough information, let me know what you think! thanks

edit: forgot to mention I am not using power steering. and i like it that way

[94_240sx]

Sounds good to me. You definitely did your homework. I can tell. Some of those stuff that you listed are not TOP quality, but they'll do their job and hardly fail. How about this? Buy coilovers and RUCAs for now and upgrade others later. I'm asking you this because that's what I did. I'm saving up for others now. Well, if S-Tech and GR-2 will work for you then no need to get coilovers though.

[elvis240sx]

that is what I am least positive about is the spring and strut combo. im not really sure what spring / strut would be best for me. anyone have insight for me? I am trying to stay away from coilovers as all of these parts together is about $1400 and I dont want to dish out more than that. occasionally i see used coilovers on ebay for pretty cheap tho and wonder if thats a better way to go..

[94_240sx]

KYB AGX is very common choice. People think GR-2 is a stock replacement which won't improve handling much. On the other hand, AGX is considered as an upgrade. Common springs are RSR, Tanabe, Tein or Eibach springs...etc. It depends on your goal, budget, height drop and taste...etc.

So, you want the coilovers, huh? I almost bought AGX+Tanabe springs. Total came out about $650 including bump stops and boots which should be replaced at the same time. You can get Megan coilovers like $800 shipped. You see my point? Do some more research about entry level coilovers and see what you think. Coilover will be the backbone of your suspension upgrade, so think twice before you throw your money on stuff. I'm not saying that struts and springs are bad choice. What I'm saying is do it right in the first place for your goal, otherwise you have to spend money and time again to do it right. You don't have to get everything all at once. You can take your time and upgrade one by one. That's what's good about having a toy for yourself.

[(Yoshi)]

What about tension and tie rods? Don't realy know if you need new ones drag racing or not but they will help for when you go auto-xing and get adicted lol.

[adrianfromthecastle]

coilovers! [/thread]

[94_240sx]

What about tension and tie rods? Don't realy know if you need new ones drag racing or not but they will help for when you go auto-xing and get adicted lol.

Absolutely!They are fairly cheap upgrades compare to others, so you can do it whenever you can afford them. You can just replace bushings for the tension rods though. You will get a sharp handling, but feel more vibration through your steering wheel. Most 240s have busted bushings and boots, so they should be replaced.

[94_240sx]

coilovers! [/thread]

I'm telling you.

[elvis240sx]

i replaced my tension rod bushings with energy suspension about one year ago. they were so worn out the caster was off 1 degree. I dont plan on doing any drifting at all. i might throw it around a corner once in a while to show off but thats about it.

are coilovers really that much better? in what way? am i going to notice and enjoy it as a daily driver?

[elvis240sx]

sorry i am running the 7 - spokes not the teardrops. i guess it doesnt matter much though

[rb20det_pwr]

yes it will make it that much better. I dont know how the roads are where you live, but over here they are relatively bad. It is still worth it to me to have the coilovers even though everyone behind me gets aggravated, once I get to a smooth road its all worthwhile.

The adjustability of coilovers gives you no excuse not to get them. Unless you really do despise a stiff feel. If you plan on taking a fast turn "every once in a while" IMO they are for you. And after you put them on, the once in a while will increase.

[94_240sx]

^^^^ Couldn't have said better. I see you did a lot of research to come up with that list. Instead of getting all cheaper ones at once, get good ones slowly. Your list could be like this...

1. Stance/KTS coilovers2. SPL RUCAs3. Whiteline Swaybars4. SPL end links5. Cusco strut bars6. Nismo power brace...You know what I mean? I know some people considered springs and strut combo first and eventually went with coilovers. I was one of them. I've also seen people buy springs and struts, regret and sell them to get coliovers. Never seen someone who bought coilovers first and back to spring/struts later. Those people don't need 240s. If your 240 is a kepper then invest right. Don't cheap out.

[elvis240sx]

i guess that the main reason I wanted to go with a spring/strut combo was the cheapness of it. this way I could get the RUCAS immediately, as I want to be able to keep all of my stock alignment angles (maybe a little bit more negative camber) . KTS coilovers seem pretty popular, do you have experience with different brands or did you just pick them based on what other people said and you enjoy them?

[94_240sx]

this way I could get the RUCAS immediately, as I want to be able to keep all of my stock alignment angles (maybe a little bit more negative camber).

For the spring and strut combo, you don't need RUCAs. That's overkill. With those, dropping more than 2 inch or so is not recommended. This is how people usually do to correct cambers in the rear. You just slot the holes.

http://www.240sx.org/links/ins....html

I have Stance and love it. The best part is adjustbility and functionality. You can really take corners sharp. I also have RT-615 on all 4 corners, and you know what that means. KTS is as good as Stance.