Suspension help

[kornmanz]

So I have tokiko shocks w/ tein s springs (came with the car) currently installed on my car and I was wondering what would go good with them in terms of other suspension parts? I dont know much about suspension so fill me in please on whats good and whats not. My suspension goals are to get a real low riding height but keeping performance. I have no spending limit for suspension as I plan on getting the best because my frame has over 170k miles on it. This stuff is def gonna go out soon.

[kornaz]

I don't get what you are saying. Are you looking for other suspension parts (arms etc.) with the shock strut combo, or are you looking for complete suspension (coils, arms, blah blah etc.)? Fill me in bud. And you should change the screen name.

[Chukidori]

Since price is no object, Spring for a set of Ohlins coilovers.

Then replace every arm on your car with Kazama arms. solid subframe spacers and urethane subframe bushings.

*thumbs up*

http://translate.google.com/tr...t%3D1

http://www.ohlins.com/Contact/....aspx

Hit them up about prices and products for your car.

You will truly have the BEST. As Ohlin manufactures real "race" quality shocks. If you talk to alot of Shock engineers, they will tell you out right that 90% of your JDM coilovers are CRAP. If you must go cheap, get Koni Yellows or a good NON adjustable shock that matches your suspension frequency (Spring rate + wheel rate taken into consideration). People dont seem to get that shocks should never be adjusted to change a cars balance, thats what springs and sway bars are for, and the shocks should be tuned to match the springs. once the shocks are right, they are right. all these cheap adjustable coilovers are crap crap crap. 30 way adjustability is at the least a marketing ploy, and at the best merely a "band aid" so you can put them on a shock dyno to match the shocks up cuz most of your mass produced shocks have poor quality control, and you will find even with a set of coilovers with the same part number, one shock will tend to have different damping force even on the same adjustable setting. Crap crap

you did say the best ^_^


Modified by Chukidori at 10:31 PM 10/27/2008

[kornmanz]

Woah thanks man for the help. I'll look more into these shocks.

And yeah I'm asking advice on which suspension parts to buy that would work well with eachother. I figured that when it comes to suspension some stuff does better with other stuff. I dont want to go cheap because I want a really great ride. I have the power numbers I want, now its about looks and the ride.

Like I said my frame has a lot of miles on it. I need to replace this stuff anyway.

So you said : Quote »Then replace every arm on your car with Kazama arms. solid subframe spacers and urethane subframe bushings[/quote]So I should buy kazama amrs to go w/ these shocks but what subframe spacers and bushings? Kazama as well?

And if I email these guys it can be in english right? lol

[Chukidori]

Well suspension arms are suspension arms..you can probly buy whatever you deem cheapest (just not god speed, stay off ebay) megans are even alright for suspension arms. They all work the same. Its the shocks/springs that are most important, and whatever alignment settings you choose, Regardless of the arms you choose..they will still give you more flexibility in how to setup wheel alignment. I just like kazama cuz they are red and sexy =D

What exactly are your plans for this car? It may not be the best choice to throw a bunch of money on parts at first.
Modified by Chukidori at 10:52 PM 10/27/2008

[kornmanz]

Well as for power I'm set.

What I'm looking to do is get new wheels and I want the car pretty low but at the same time I want to keep performance.

So I'm looking for the best setup for low driving w/o sacrificing performance. Like for instance I know that if you lower a car too much the stock suspension cant handle it anymore and your camber gets way off. I want something that can be adjusted to perform at low ride levels.

Of course even when I buy these parts finding a shop to help me install is another question.

[kornmanz]

oh yeah and somehow my search brought me to some kei office coilovers. Are those a good alternative? I cant get a price on the ohlins yet. Still trying to find somewhere that sells them.

[Chukidori]

Well if you just get rear upper control arms you can correct your camber..

[Chris28]

Though Ohlins are really the best you can get, I don't see them practical for a street driven car. If you are going for looks and some performance, even though coilovers may not all have the exact same dampening force, they will be your best bet. Kei Office is going to be quality, but if their coils are anything like their aero, good luck finding some. Kei office is now owned by ogura racing clutch, but keiichi tsuchiya has a new suspension company called dg-5...I'm sure those coils are quality. I bet yokota can get you some, but i just did the conversion and they are like 3000 dollar coils haha. I say go with stance, tein, powered by max, or any other reputable suspension company. That will get you the best setup for the street and occasional track. ( http://www.dg-5.co.jp/release/index.htm if you interested in dg-5)

[Space Monkey]

http://209.85.171.104/translat...M4zUg

Powered By Max. - has pretty much everything you need including good coils for street use.

/Thread

[tramp_drift240]

may be too stiff for his likings, at 10/8kgmm.

but thats up to OP.

theyve got a DAMN good price for a great product, im actually contemplating getting a set to compare with my Tein superdrifts.

[kornmanz]

yup I'm sold for the powered by max ones now.

Any suggestions on everything else? I just want the parts to be the best so I came here for help. Sorry if I'm asking a lot of noobish questions lol. I just dont know suspension that much passed the fact that I'll never buy tein again. :P

[Space Monkey]

Tramp, PBM will make custom ciols for the same price. He could get 8 and 6 if he wants. But they also let you know that their coils are build with a different tech than most and perform "softer" to the feel in the ride but still perform like "stiffer" coils.

[kornmanz]

may be too stiff for his likings, at 10/8kgmm.

but thats up to OP.

theyve got a DAMN good price for a great product, im actually contemplating getting a set to compare with my Tein superdrifts.

I'm ok with stiff, I'm already riding on some pretty stiff suspension. I like it that way though, I get more feel for the road.

[kornmanz]

Tramp, PBM will make custom ciols for the same price. He could get 8 and 6 if he wants. But they also let you know that their coils are build with a different tech than most and perform "softer" to the feel in the ride but still perform like "stiffer" coils.

Can you explain "8 and 6" please?

[Space Monkey]

http://209.85.171.104/translat...FQLvg

Im telling you, PBM has everything. That link is for the following:

RUCASToe RodsTension RodsTraction Rods

These items are for people who want LOW VERY LOW cars. PBM rules.

The above parts are complimenting parts for the coils. http://209.85.171.104/translat...QzQ5w

Here are your solid subframe re-inforcements.

There are other things that PBM dont have, like subframe bushings themselves, but those you can find else where.

Cusco has awesome Strut tower bars, if your looking for best quality.

[Space Monkey]

Can you explain "8 and 6" please?

Earlier Tramp mentioned that the coils are made with 10kg front & 8kg rear. I believe this refers to the force keeping your tire on the ground. The higher the number the stiffer the coils are going to be and the more your going to feel every little bump you run over and makes the ride uncomfortable. This is from PBM.

We get a lot of questions from S-Chassis owners looking to buy our competition coilovers for street use like this ..."Is there a way to order a set with 8kg/6kg spring rates? I am going to be using them on my daily driver so I don't want them to be super stiff." "Is there a way to order a set with 8kg/6kg spring rates? I am going to be using them on my daily driver so I don't want them to be super stiff."

The short answer is yes, you can order them with 8/6 for no additional charge, it will be about 8 weeks till they come in. The short answer is yes, you can order them with 8 / 6 for no additional charge, it will be about 8 weeks till they come in.

My advice is that you should not buy our coilover if you are looking for a plush ride. My advice is that you should not buy our coilover if you are looking for a plush ride.I would however recommend buying them at the original specification if you desire an aggressive coilover that is streetable, just adjust it to full soft. Most of our customers daily drive these competition coilovers, and they all say the same thing over and over in reviews: "Its not as bad as you'd think on the street". They are not as harsh with 8/10kg's as say a GP sport coilover with 9/7kg's because of our unique damper. Our damper has relatively little compression damping allowing the larger rate spring to compress more easily upon impact, yet they have an extraordinary amount of rebound damping to control the bounce you may expect with a conventional damper. I would however recommend buying them at the original specification if you desire an aggressive coilover that is streetable, just adjust it to full soft. Most of our customers daily drive these competition coilovers, and they all say the same thing over and over in reviews: "Its not as bad as you'd think on the street". They are not as harsh with 8/10kg 's as say a GP sport coilover with 9/7kg' s because of our unique damper. Our damper has relatively little compression damping allowing the larger rate spring to compress more easily upon impact, yet they have an extraordinary amount of rebound damping to control the bounce you may expect with a conventional damper.You can order an additional set of 6kg springs for $160 shipped to the USA at any point you feel its necessary to switch, but for the record the only people who think they need 8/6 are people who dont already own the coilovers. You can order an additional set of 6kg springs for $ 160 shipped to the USA at any point you feel its necessary to switch, but for the record the only people who think they need 8 / 6 are people who dont already own the coilovers.

For your peace of mind, nobody has ever replaced a damper due to high mileage daily driving or track abuse other than crashing. If for some reason you should encounter a problem with your damper, we sell 100% brand new replacements for $100 each which costs less than other brand's rebuild, and boasts the advantage almost no down time. -Dan at MAX USA For your peace of mind, nobody has ever replaced a damper due to high mileage daily driving or track abuse other than crashing. If for some reason you should encounter a problem with your damper, we sell 100% brand new replacements for $ 100 each which costs less than other brand's rebuild, and boasts the advantage almost no down time.-Dan at MAX USA

That should answer your question.

[tramp_drift240]

Tramp, PBM will make custom ciols for the same price. He could get 8 and 6 if he wants. But they also let you know that their coils are build with a different tech than most and perform "softer" to the feel in the ride but still perform like "stiffer" coils.

thats true, but still, im sure some people are less than satisfied with their double digit spring rating.

and OP, the 8 and 6 are the kilogram per millimeter spring rating. basically like a spring rating of __ pounds per inch or whatever, just...metric i guess. haha. its the stiffness of the spring by telling how many kilograms it would take to compress it __mm.

im also very interested in all of their suspension arms, definitely worth checking out, Kornmanz.

[kornmanz]

That should answer your question.

Thanks a lot man, Very informative and I understood the 8 and 6 right away lol.

So now that I understand the numbers, should I go with 8 and 6 or go w/ something else? I really dont mind a stiff suspension if it grips and handles very nicely.

Also added the fact that at times I do want the ability to lower my ride to very low levels. For car shows, car meets, etc.

[kornmanz]

im also very interested in all of their suspension arms, definitely worth checking out, Kornmanz.

Oh yeah I'm pretty sold on the PBM coils.

Thinking of going with the RUCAS, Toe rods, Tension rods, and Traction rods through them too now because of space monkey. They sound legit as hell.

[Space Monkey]

personally, Im sticking with the 10 & 8's. I feel if im running low i dont want too little force and bottoming out....that sucks. I dont mind stiff rides either though. I will be geting my suspension from PBM is a couple months. Just in the midsts of saving....But i cant find any other non knock off company that sells and warranties their items for great prices and 24/7 assistance. These guys are great with customer care as well as coming out with new designs just for us low riders!

[kornmanz]

Yeah their site is pretty legit. I have the same taste as you when it comes to ride height so I'll definitely be looking into these PBM coils. I already emailed them about a shipping quote.

[tramp_drift240]

i completely agree with Space Monkey's last post.

i love 10 and 8. i dont want to hit my fenders or bottom on when i hit something, id rather just hit my head on the ceiling of the car.

you'll be happy with 'em.

[Space Monkey]

awesome man. Well gotta work tomorrow.

nights.

[kornmanz]

sweet 10 and 8's it is. Thanks guys, I learned a lot in one thread lol. Best thread I've made for information gathering purposes ever.

[kornaz]

For a daily i'd go with 6 and 8. I have Megan Tracks, that sh1t is too stiff. It's 12F/10R. Trust me, unless you have nice/flat roads, go for the soft ones (8F/6R).

[Chukidori]

10 and 8's are awful stiff for a street driven car.

Keep in mind, on a perfectly flat road and smooth road..yes, stiffer the better. but on the street i bet you will find with 10's and 8's the car will be more unstable as it is unable to soak up road imperfections.

8 and 6 are very popular on the s13'.

Theres also two ways to make a flat cornering car. Soft springs and stiff sway bars, stiff springs and soft sway bars. You can run a lower spring rate that will give you better acceleration and braking performance, and thicker bars..and you can get a more comfortable ride and a flat cornering car.