z32 knuckle question...

[rhart]

I've been running z32 knuckles for some time now. I have standard Z shocks with Megan lowering springs. I know that its hardly the best set up but it works. However, with tax return money coming in I'd like to upgrade. What would you suggest?

I will not throw money at a set of rear coilovers for a z32. I've searched for some used ones without any luck. I hear that coilover sleeves and decent damper (Koni, Bilstien...etc) are the way to go. Give me some input here.

Just for a reference point, I dont drift the car. Yeah, i'll slide the tail out from time to time, but for the most part i enjoy grip more than sliding.

Thanks for you input in advance.

-Royce

[Jr_SS]

I believe you can buy Z32 lower mounts to thread on to your S13 coilovers from some coilover manufactures. I know splparts use to sell KTS coilovers with the option of buying Z32 lower mounts.

The sleeve/insert is a great way to build your suspension setup and tailor it to the way you want, however those kits are no cheaper than a mediocre set of coilovers. The inserts alone are 175-200 a piece, atleast the Koni's are...

[rhart]

Yeah...i looked into different options...seems like when kids put their rear only coils up for sale they are already crapped out. And try to buy 1/2 a set of z32 coilovers new...lol. I'm not looking to save money. Just not waste money. I already have a decent set of AGX's on the front of the car...I wouldnt mind spending the money for the coilover inserts and rear dampers to balance things out. by going that route I wouldnt spend close to a grand on the set up. I figure that for a decent set of coilovers I would end up spending that type of money (then add on any sort of adapters for the fork mount).

I've read that there are other dampers that have the same style fork mount on the bottom that may have a better length thats more compatible with the travel of a s13...for some reason the Evo comes to mind but I was hoping someone could correct me and provide some info on that question as well.

What Ive found is that a stock shocks will give out in a matter of 6 months due to the travel difference (or i think thats why) and I end up with a washed out disconnected feel.

[omgosh]

Can you get a Bilstein HD for the 300zx? Or maybe a Koni yellow/86xx insert in a modified stock housing? You can get some ebay coilovers or a set of Ground Controls for ride height adjustment.

[rhart]

Tire Rack will sell you the fronts only...figures. Koni Sports you can get. I've seen write ups of building these with the coil over sleeves with good results. I've had AGX adjustable rears but they developed leaks and i never replaced them with the same shock when i switched the knuckle.

mostly just need the "seats" and adjustment for the spring. you can get the springs by themselves for a fairly resonable price.

[Z28ricer]

To the mention of the konis, vs "just spend the same as mediocre coilovers", sure you'll spend similar money, the difference is doing the housings and assembling a setup using koni inserts will provide far better performance, handling, etc over anything else in the same price range, people are just dumb and dont care to learn any better.


Now if you just want to upgrade the rear shocks, and not have to mess with too much, exactly as you mentioned, the bilstein evo MR rears are your answer, you can either install them with your existing megan lowering springs, or change them to a coilover spring for adjustability, the only part that really takes much adapting is putting a spacer on each side of the spindles mount because the fork on the EVO shocks is wider than the Z32's

[Jr_SS]

Easy there killer, I wasnt saying it wouldnt be stupid to go that route and by no means that they are as good as mediocre coilovers. Sure, the insert style, if done right, would excel in every aspect over mediocre coils. Although, you know as well as I do, most people aren't willing to spend the dough and/or will never use that coilover for what it was designed for, especially TR and the majority of 240sx owners. Are you going to use said style to it's full potential other than lowering the car and putting around TPA? I highly doubt it.

In short, the insert/ground control route would be the best bang for your buck.

[omgosh]

Evo MR Bilsteins are pretty damn stiff for stock stuff, even in a 3500lb 4 door.

[Z28ricer]

They rode great with eibach lowering springs installed on S13, sounds like you're doing it wrong.

[rhart]

Z28ricer...your Bilsten answer is just what i'm looking for sir!

You would think the heavier z32 damper would do the trick for the set up but the travel is so short if wears them out prematurely. I'll give these a shot and grab some sleeves to add to the fun. Thanks for the pix too.


What did you use for the spacer? Would an extra washer do the trick, a few, or is there a better solution?


Thanks,

-Royce

[Jr_SS]

I would think a piece of sch 10 or 40 pipe machined to the thickness you needed with the ID being slightly larger than the OD of the bolt would be a better option. However washers might do the trick, I just wouldn't run it that way.

[rhart]

I agree Jr_SS. It will all depend on the space that exists between the fork and the mounting point. Something small, a washer may do the trick, if not then some other method like the pipe/tubing you mentioned could do the trick. The greater the gap the more leverage that shock fork will have the bend/damage that mounting bolt.

-Royce

[Empire]

To the mention of the konis, vs "just spend the same as mediocre coilovers", sure you'll spend similar money, the difference is doing the housings and assembling a setup using koni inserts will provide far better performance, handling, etc over anything else in the same price range, people are just dumb and dont care to learn any better.
Now if you just want to upgrade the rear shocks, and not have to mess with too much, exactly as you mentioned, the bilstein evo MR rears are your answer, you can either install them with your existing megan lowering springs, or change them to a coilover spring for adjustability, the only part that really takes much adapting is putting a spacer on each side of the spindles mount because the fork on the EVO shocks is wider than the Z32's

this

Although, you know as well as I do, most people aren't willing to spend the dough and/or will never use that coilover for what it was designed for, especially TR and the majority of 240sx owners. Are you going to use said style to it's full potential other than lowering the car and putting around TPA? I highly doubt it.

point taken,
but I wouldn't consider rhart to be one of the typical tr kids not by a long shot.

[rhart]

I think once "finished" auto-x would be a blast in the car. I'd like to do some track days on a road course with a group of other drivers (yeah...that includes you Empire, so hurry up and get that z32 done!) I want well balanced driver. Not a rock hard suspended drift car. I dont have a limitless budget so I take care of my equipment/car. And although I think its incredible the level of car control it takes to drift a car properly it amazes me the expense that guys will spend just to slide.

The route that I'm taking with the car seems like a natural progression. Sort of like the evolution of the power of your engine once you start to build it. You start by tweaking an n/a with a CAI and header then on to a low boost situation, then on to mild, and finally to "omg i need to split the motor to make sure i dont kill it" levels of boost. I'm still at the n/a & header phase...lol.

I've done springs and dampers...bushings...180sx sways front and rear...got the deal on the z32 uprights and rear z32 brakes as a package. Grabbed some r32 skyline brakes. And finally a 5 bolt 180sx diff with j30 axles. But i've done it for the low. I've waited because I've had to. I just dont have the coin for decent new coilovers. And as its been stated in here already the sleeves and decent dampers could be the best bang for the buck, a good compromise of flexibility and performance potential for the price. I'm all about that.


Now about those spacers for the fork mounts?? LOL.


-Royce

[Jr_SS]

point taken, but I wouldn't consider rhart to be one of the typical tr kids not by a long shot.

I wasn't making him out to be, I was generalizing. Props to the OP if he is outside of the stereotype. I plan on making it to some road race events with my car. Good luck on that spacer, look into producing them for a cheap alternative to those that want to use the Z32 knuckles.