S13 sitting uneven - HELP

[phuz]

I bought this car back in February with the stock KA24 / automatic. Even then, the left rear sat lower than the right rear, by about 1/2 - 3/4" and its pretty noticeable. We pulled the KA and swapped in a 2JZ. Driving the car, it felt really sloppy on the highway so I replaced the rear struts and it felt a lot better, but was still sitting uneven. Today I replaced the springs, too, and it still sits about 1/2" lower on the left rear side. The tires are the same size and at the same pressure.

What am I missing?

[2056515]

coilovers

[phuz]

How is that going to solve anything?I replaced both the shocks and the springs and it didn't make a difference.

[gumby74]

Coilovers.

My car has the same problem. Several S13's have the same problem. My car has never been in an accident, however it was parked next to a tree on uneven ground for several years. There is not a doubt in my mind the chassis has a little torsional stretch to it. By using coilovers you can balance the ride height.

[phuz]

Hmm....very strange, I have never heard of that.I suppose I will get a set of coilovers at some point.

Thanks for the help.

[gumby74]

For what it's worth, keep in mind the driver side of the car also suffers from a few extra things. Obviously the weight of the driver is constant, the added weight of the exhaust is another consideration and lastly, the engine rotates to the driver side as well. All things that generally load the driver side more so than the passenger side.

[phuz]

The 2JZ engine actually torques toward the passenger side, and the majority of my exhaust is run on the passenger side as well. I will check for any worn bushings, but I guess coilover compensation is a feasible option.

[gumby74]

That may be true on the Toyota, but for over 15 years the engine rotated the other way.

I find it to be more of a nuisance than anything, but when you consider the time period these cars were manufactured, the simplicity of the frame structure, I can't help but look at my car with a grin sometimes.

I have since had some 1/8" thick C channel welded along the frame and added all the usual bolt on braces as well as some additional weld on bracing. She is a completely different animal now when compared to the stock kinda flimsy chassis. These are a few things you should consider especially when increasing power output. The beauty of it is that it does not have to be all that expensive.

[phuz]

That's a really good idea. I can get C-channel pretty cheap and welding it wouldn't take more than jacking up my car a bit.

[2056515]

just get some coilovers.....if u swap a inline 6 turbo charged engine in your s13....u might as well get adjustable coilovers and big brakes so u can handle the car. of course replacing shocks and springs wont help....they arnt even adjustable in height...with coilovers u can adjust each individual corner to the height u want

[gumby74]

Also if you are running a 1 piece driveshaft, I had a proper loop made up to bolt down to the carrier bearings original location, and extended some legs to be welded along the inside of the C channel. A little additional bracing if you can visualize what I am saying,