s13 good coilovers for grip, auto-x ?

[TravisD]

I'm having trouble seperating information about suspesion setups for drift and grip. Most people that ask about grip also mention drifting, and the answers come mostly from drifters or folks that just seem to point them to the cheapest stuff to tear up until they learn more. I personally have nothing against drifting, it's cool as he11, but I don't want to participate. I do however want to get into auto-x and have a streetable setup. I drive on the canyon-like-expansion-gapped, potholed, uneven, bumpy Ohio roads, but it's not comfort I'm worried about as much as practicality. Something too agressive could be dangerous on my roads. I don't give two ****s about bling factor, and don't want to lower my car much if any. I want to get good parts, if not the uber-setup, from the start. I have heard good things about Buddy Club for grip, Tanabe, JIC. I have heard good things about Silk Road also, but from the same folks that rave about DD's (drift oriented, right?). What about NISMO? Does it even make a difference except for maybe spring rates designed to accentuate oversteer? Are there better or equal options than full coilovers if lowering is not a concern? Also, I'm thinking about the adjustable stuff from SPL so I can have the option to learn about camber/caster/toe. Thanks for reading all that.

[skydragoness]

People like the ones you mention also tend to write-off strut/spring combinations as useless when they are not. Its all about mating the right springs to the right shocks. I wouldn't look them over. Coilovers are great and its nice to have dampers matched to springs right out of the factory, but they weren't made w/ poorly maintained American roads in mind. Personally, a linear spring setup w/ Koni's would be ideal for the street.

I am not into drifting but I did go to the U.S. Drift Nationals in VA last month and the guy who 'won' the event had a S13 w/ nitrous (KA) and a shock/spring setup. While just about everyone else had a SR, RB, coilovers, and tons and tons of money put into their chassis. Just something to consider.

[240marcuSX]

I like my Koni/RSR setup, Im able to stay very competitive in NASA TTF, and SCCA DSP autox classes. And its definately not too stiff for the street.

[hannibal]

[threadjack]Did you get your Konis revalved or are they stock?I think Ive asked this before, but are the RSR Race springs linear?[/threadjack]

[Red coupe]

yeah the RSR race is liniar (99% certain)I think the RSR looks like a good setup...

I would just look for some of the softer sprung coilovers...I have KTS and while I like them alot, they are stiff enough to loose a little traction on uneven surfaces...I have heard that SPL can hook up KTS in 7/5 rather then 8/6 IMO that sounds like a good setup for grip, but its hard to say since I haven't really tried much but stock and the 8/6 setup but I get the feeling just a little bit softer would help...

[naed240sx]

yeah the RSR race is liniar (99% certain)I think the RSR looks like a good setup...

I would just look for some of the softer sprung coilovers...I have KTS and while I like them alot, they are stiff enough to loose a little traction on uneven surfaces...I have heard that SPL can hook up KTS in 7/5 rather then 8/6 IMO that sounds like a good setup for grip, but its hard to say since I haven't really tried much but stock and the 8/6 setup but I get the feeling just a little bit softer would help...

Werd. RSR is linear, just as all good springs are.

Werd to the rest of the information as well. KTS is a great budget setup.

[Exar-Kun]

That harsher the spring, thes less dynamic grip and the quicker load transfers.

You want the tire's to follow the ground, not skip over it for the sake of arbitratily using a stiffer spring, or getting .05 deg less body roll.

That being said,

I ran RS*R Down springs and KYB AGX shocks with a set of swaybars on my S13, and ther was nary a person whocould keep up with me on twisty roads, or otherwise. Even some die hard drift guys that I let ride with me applauded how ballaned and controllable the car was.

(Settings on the shocks were 3/6 F/R)

You also need to consider what tires you're using, the higher grip the tire, the more benefit the reduction in body/suspension movement and the easier the car will handle quick weight transfer. THis is why race cars run higher spring rates......and why most people shouldn't run spring rates anywhere NEAR what they do....

If you must use coilovers, I think GP sports has one thats 5/4 or something. THat'd be a good start, if you want it stiff (using DOT-R's or something) the KTS 7/5 or similar will be good. I wouldn't go stiffer than that.

-Chet

[TravisD]

People like the ones you mention also tend to write-off strut/spring combinations as useless when they are not.

See, that's exactly what I was wondering about. I was actually looking at the RS*R springs. They seem to be well made. I like the looks of the ExMag too. I had some issues with their bushing kit that I installed a few weeks ago, though. And I'm having trouble getting a response about it from RS*R. I took pics, called, and e-mailed them directly to the guy I talked to. He never called back like he said he would, or replied. I'm going to call again tomorrow and post about the kit. I want to get some opinions about the install. I hope their other stuff is more well thought out.

All three types of RS*R springs are linear:RS*R Down: 168lb/168lb (3kg/3kg) drop:1.6in/1.2inRS*R Race: 279lb/251lb (5kg/4.5kg) drop: 1.4in/1.2inRS*R Ti2000: 168lb/168lb (3kg/3kg) drop:1.6in/1.2inWhiteline: 157lb/132-205lb (2.8kg/2.4-3.7kg) PDM says they lower the car between 1.8in and 1.6inWhy aren't the Whitelines linear in the rear?I have reccomendations on the KONI (yellows, right?), And KYB AGX. Would the Tokico HTS that PDM are selling be worth the price as opposed to the cheaper suggestions? (855.56 for the set). With those and springs I'd be at about the price of coilovers. I like that the springs don't lower thae car much, I don't want to deal with excess camber (the RS*R Downs should make no problem with that, right?). If I get RUCA's, adj. etc., it won't be for a while.edit: I plan on trying maybe KDW II's in the summer and getting a second set of winter wheels. I've got H rated all season radials on now (not for long. When I get s14 rims (for z brakes), better tires are going on).
Modified by TravisD at 12:30 AM 7/11/2006

[240marcuSX]

Yep Linear.

No, I havent gotten my Konis revalved, ive been told by a race team that runs konis that they can handle about a 400 lb spring before they definitely need to be revalved.

the RSR race spring does very well in autox (refer to chet's post) because of the bumpiness of parking lots etc. But when i took them to a race track, they left a bit to be desired on the perfectly smooth tarmac.

[nismofly]

since i barely auto-x, i run HPDE's a lot more, and ill be using near r comp tires as of this winter (either falken rt615 or hankook rs2), i got KTS in 7/5

i probably wouldve gone somewhere in between, like a 6/5 or something, but then i wouldnt get the benefit of the SPL warranty, so i just got the lowest that kept the warranty

[TravisD]

Hey, thanks for the suggestions folks. Now I just need to figure out if I should run the same spring rate on both ends...but I guess that probably depends alot on the rest of the setup and preference, right?