New GKTech Front Uprights

[Hijacker]

http://www.gktech.com/index.php/s-chass ... price.html

Saw these today on FaceSpace. I love the idea honestly. Plus it's nice to see new products in a market that is generally flooded with the same China-crap in an era where it feels like everything is done to our cars.

I am curious to the durability of the units since they're not a full billet piece or cast iron like the stock units. Looking through the specs on their site, these are light! 24% reduction over the S13 stock unit and 31% over the S14/S15 unit. The combination of 7075 aluminum and chromoly makes me a very happy camper.

Good news is that it does correct roll center with a 40mm relocation of the hub. I'll have to run some numbers to see how much that will affect roll center.

[Hijacker]

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 304&type=3

Here's a bunch of pictures showing the design. I think I'm in love.

And my fear of eccentric bolts has been alleviated. They use offset inserts, so you don't get actual adjustment. You can just set it at 0, -1, and -2 degrees to get more.

[krash]

wow these are awesome. There is nothing like this on the market! It would be cool to use these up front and then z32 in the back

[Hijacker]

That's the plan . Gktech aluded to making these for the rear, but the design is taking longer since everything is more complex in the rear

[Razi]

These knuckles are mind blowing.
The price is pretty good for such an amazing piece too.
The caliper bracket can be unbolted, so they can probably make different brackets for different calipers. No more running adapters.
The presale is supposed to be $545 + shipping, but they're in Australia so it's gonna cost quite a bit.

In related news, PartsShopMax finished up their front forged knuckles.


Should be about the same price as their cut and welded knuckles, which are $400.

Once I do buy knuckles though, I'll probably purchase the PBM knuckles.
Even though the adjustability and lightness is amazing on the GKTech ones, I don't feel like coughing up over $600 for front knuckles.

[Hijacker]

From what I could tell via the GKTech rep on facebook said the knuckles will be available at Enjuku for $549. Granted, that will be after the pre-buy is finished.

[Razi]

Niiice.
Then shipping shouldn't be too crazy, since it'll be shipping inside the US.

Something nice about GKTech's rear knuckles (at least their sketch up) is that it has the hole for the Z32 e-brake anchor bolt.

I don't think any current rear drop knuckles have that.

[Hijacker]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =1&theater

They're getting the rear uprights finalized and ready for prototyping. Very nice!

[Razi]

So awesome.
If I were to get rear knuckles, I'd probably have to go with GKTechs, since they have space for the Z32 e-brake anchor bolt.

[Hijacker]

I wish they had left the anchor where it was supposed to be instead of 180 degrees down. That's going to move the e-brake cable further away, which will put strain on that cable as well as force it to contend with the suspension for existence.

[kouki munster]

This intrigues me, I must find out more and sell a testicle to afford them. So, if any one wants a working testicle email me and I will cut you a deal.

[Razi]

I wish they had left the anchor where it was supposed to be instead of 180 degrees down. That's going to move the e-brake cable further away, which will put strain on that cable as well as force it to contend with the suspension for existence.

I don't think that's possible, since the hub mounting area is higher up and no longer has space.
That's why most knuckles either remove the anchor bolt hole or move it to the bottom.

[OM3GA]

Very intertasting. I have always loved the GP Sports knuckles the most. The GKTech is a great design, they have finally put a product out that is THEIR own design, impressive.

When it comes down to it, it i am getting knuckles it will be the PBM ones.

[krash]

Hijacker u r a kewl d00d.

[Hijacker]

Hijacker u r a kewl d00d.

Aren't I, though?

I was thinking about this for making the cables work. If you can lengthen them by splicing a set together, they can make the run. Al, from Import Nut did this years ago with some spare Z32 cables; http://importnut.net/300zxbrakeswap-ebrake.htm A spare set of s-chassis cables, and Z cables could make the run to the new position. I mentioned to GKtech, they could make cables to fill the void, but given how niche the cables would be, they probably won't make them.

[jonny96]

What's up Hijacker. I think this is the knuckle review thread that you told me about.

I've been pretty set on getting PSM forged knux for my S14 and eventually building my S13 with GK Techs, but the Boss (read wife) says the S13 must go (it's ok though because she's letting me get an impreza GF8 wagon) . And my uncle just gave me his Triumph Spitfire, so I'll be in projects up to my eyeballs again soon enough.

Now that I'm only going to have one 240 I'm seriously reconsidering my knuckle choice for my S14. Since I'm currently in the process of building this car I'm in the market for GK Techs a lot sooner than I thought I would be. The GK Techs are more than twice the cost of PSM forged knux (stupid exchange rate, the US dollar used to be worth more than the Aus dollar, but not anymore), but so much more versatile.

Have you decided which steering arms you are going to go with? I've read that if you get the zero ackerman steering arms you can switch sides and get a little ackerman out of them, which helps with turn in. I know the MAX knux have some ackerman built into them.

I think it would be so bad as* to be able use the zero ackerman arms for drifting (trying them both ways), then be able to put on the extreme arms and do autocross. I think the GK Techs open up the possibility of having a dual purpose (or possibly triple purpose) car.

I've also read that the prototypes had some minor installation issues (the review didn't go into details). It will be interesting to know whether or not these issues were fully worked out.

Very much looking forward to updates.

[Hijacker]

This is not the review thread you are looking for. My uprights still haven't shipped. I've been informed it should be this week.

I'm not going to get into comparisons with PSM, but I will say that their units aren't that appealing to me. Something with the way it's cast I guess. Plus, they just look heavy and lack a lot of the customization allowed with GK's design.

I'm going with standard arms as I don't think any of the other arms are a benefit to my purpose for the car. The JP or zero ackermann might work for auto-x and track duty, but I think getting a shorter ratio rack is a better option there and leaving the ackermann where it is. Ackermann angle is really good at helping reduce turning radius when it's properly done. The other than stock arms GK offers are more for getting better drift angles (which is supported by the fact that GK sponsors multiple drifters and a lot of their field testing has been by drifters).

I really want to get these damned knuckles so i can finally write up my review.