Newbie here with a few questions

[jame5x]

Hey guys,

I've been reading this from for a while now. Just have some questions to ask.

My car is pretty stock now but i am looking to do stuff to it as i collect more funds.

Looking to lower my car. which lowering springs should i go for? which are the best for daily driving?

Looking to upgrade to bigger rotors. how much does this usually cost? used?

im still new to the car world and still learning as i read.

Thanks for whomever replies

[ThatGuy]

Start here. http://www.zilvia.net/f/search.php

[ALTRNTV]

Springs- Espelir down springs, Eibach Sportlines

Rotors- You can't just get bigger rotors without getting bigger calipers. Go with the Z32 brakes, and rims that will clear them. For now, just get some stainless steel brake lines, slotted rotors and some nice performance brake pads.

The SEARCH button will help you out alot.

[SPOOLDU]

Wow, quick and courteous replies from those guys as usual...this place is awesome for good info!

As for your upgrade questions...I think you need to decide what your future pans are for your ride. You state that you want comfortable lowering springs for look and daily-driving comfort but you want larger rotors which usually mean your going to need the stopping power due to more spirited driving conditions (logical yet contradictory). If you plan is to do the regular swap (engine wise) and get sideways then do it once and do it right-go with coil-overs since they offer full adjustability for comfort on the street and stiffness for the swinging/track plus the always useful benefit of height-adjustability. As for rotors, stick with slotted...I have had a couple 13" brake kits w/slotted+cross drilled rotors, slotted, or just cross-drilled and I've noticed that slotted seems to stop the best (since it gives a clean shave to the pad), least likely to warp under punishing braking conditions (some cross-drilled rotors are not as rigid as solid/non-drilled rotors), and still maintains solid braking performance under wet conditions.

Do it once and do it right-or just don't do it. // If you take short cuts...you'll get cut short.

[TougeRacing]

forget springs, get coilovers. they'll be better in the long run.

[ALTRNTV]

Well maybe he doesn't want it to be lowered that much.

[Irukandji]

forget springs, get coilovers. they'll be better in the long run.


not if the dampers blow. :wtc:



springs - they're all the same....
brakes - do you really need it?

[jame5x]

Thanks for the replies guys!
You state that you want comfortable lowering springs for look and daily-driving comfort but you want larger rotors which usually mean your going to need the stopping power due to more spirited driving conditions
SPOOLDU: right on point..i just wanna lowerer it a little..dont want it "slammed" maybe an inch and a half lower than stock..as for the brakes..thought i would do it now so i dont have to to it later since i will be in and around the area when im doing the springs or coilovers...i may plan to do an sr swap in the future...plus it'll look better with bigger rotors on 18" rims...am i wrong?

AkademikONE: i went and searched for z32 calipers..how much do they usually go for as a used set?


Can i do bigger rotors just for looks for now?

sorry if its a dumb question

[FallbrookS13]

how about get new shocks and tires and go to auto x.

unless u wanna build a show car then just buy every part possible and get the most expensive.

Can i do bigger rotors just for looks for now?

sorry if its a dumb question

yeah go here www.garagepointless.co.jp

[projectRDM]

James- Any spring setup will be fine for daily driving as long as you've heard of it, ST, Eibach, Tein, H&R, etc. But you may want to consider new struts/shocks while you're at it, the OE ones are more than likely already blown and if they aren't they'll be closer to it after lowering the car. S14 front struts rarely last anywhere past 60k miles so you can assume yours are gone.
A set of Tokico Blues will compliment any spring as long as it's less than a 2" drop and really bring the car back to it's former glory of good handling.

As for brakes, why do you feel you need bigger rotors? Quality fluid, pads, and lines are a better investment if you're not tracking or seriously abusing the car, and will cost less unless you're getting salvage Z32 parts, even then you'd want to rebuild the calipers.

[SPOOLDU]

Decent set of unadjustable springs & shocks+struts=$500, decent set of coil-overs with height adjustability=$700 (Tein Basics).

[projectRDM]

Decent set of unadjustable springs & shocks+struts=$500, decent set of coil-overs with height adjustability=$700 (Tein Basics).

Shock/strut+springs= good ride, fully streetable even in bad conditions.

Coilovers= less streetable, harsher ride, complete overkill for a daily driver.

Don't get me wrong, I have coilovers and wouldn't use anything else, but I ran Tokicos with Intrax springs for years and was more than happy with the ride, feel, and performance I got back, including usage at numerous autocrosses and track events.

[910clubs]

my choice of springs: tanabe, tein, rsr, espelir i think those are all good brands

[devonkyle77]

here is some advice for you if you have an s14.
if you dont have a spoiler, trade me your trunklid for mine that has a spoiler

[TheTimanator]

as for the brakes..thought i would do it now so i dont have to to it later
Can i do bigger rotors just for looks for now?

do it right the first time or don't do it at all.

you need to do some research on Z32 calipers as there are a couple different kinds, plus used versus rebuilt....pricing will vary b/c of both
personally I agree with everyone else, get better pads and ss brake lines and your good to go for a daily dirver and then some. Thats exactly what I've done and I'm pretty happy with it.

If your more concerned about looks than performance than your in the wrong forum:blah:

Anyway, good luck
EDIT: Good info on the Z32 brake upgrade http://importnut.net/300zxbrakeswap.htm#compare

[SPOOLDU]

Shock/strut+springs= good ride, fully streetable even in bad conditions.

Coilovers= less streetable, harsher ride, complete overkill for a daily driver.

Don't get me wrong, I have coilovers and wouldn't use anything else, but I ran Tokicos with Intrax springs for years and was more than happy with the ride, feel, and performance I got back, including usage at numerous autocrosses and track events.


I agree with the spring/shock+strut combo...Although it's a totally different car, on my '97 GS-T I have a set of H&R Sports matched with Tokico HPs and they've been riding real nice for 2+ years now.

As for the coil-overs, the Basics aren't so bad for the street...I personally know a bunch of people who lowballed a set of those for their rides and they run great...and we live in the Bay Area, SF area...have you seen the streets out here?!!

[projectRDM]

Can't be bad as Ohio, but I have heard stories of cars disappearing into potholes on the West Coast.

[infinitexsound]

not true russ... maybe along the coast line... but for the majority its not even true

[kuramaya]

Best first mod as stated is supension. Go with coilovers, spend the extra bucks now and get it over with...if you go springs alone your stock dampers will go out soon enough...Forget a Z32 Brake Upgrade, stock brakes are probably plenty good for you now. Also when asking for info on mods to your car, it would be a good idea to identify the chassis of your car, the motor, etc...with the little info I have now, I say Coilovers and Good tires are important.
late
daryl

[projectRDM]

not true russ... maybe along the coast line... but for the majority its not even true

Good to know then.

[m072514]

here is some advice for you if you have an s14.
if you dont have a spoiler, trade me your trunklid for mine that has a spoiler

^^^ hahahahahah! my advice is to take out your shift boot and its enclosure, and sell it to me!!!

[jame5x]

lol...sure devonkyle77 i'll trade ya..

so..which is better? coilovers or springs? looking to buy in the next couple of days..

bjorkluv..sorry..i've got a '98 240

[NIK90s13]

ok, I got Tien springs, KYB ajustibal shocks, lowered 1 1/2 in. rides great, littel rough on bumps. Not enough to complain.