Why SHOULDN'T i slot my coilovers?

[gotta240]

Is there any reason why one should NOT slot the TOP spindle mount on front s14 coilovers to gain more tire/spring clearance? Unfortunately the apexi coilovers BARELY rub my tire at the moment. I am trying to fit a 10mm wider tire so they will rub badly...

Can i just slot the inside of the top spindle hole to fix this? Any handling side-effects(after its all alligned obviously)

[s14xman]

you should prob just go for a small spacer

[gotta240]

Cant. I am already running a 7.5 mm spacer and i am dangerously close to my fender as it is... I have only mm's to spare, therefore i may even raise it a little for the wider tires i'm trying to put on.

[projectRDM]

If you do, just make sure to use a large enough washer to secure it. No matter how tight you get the bolt it can 'walk', allowing the strut portion to change position under load.

[Silvia_S13]

i'd jus pull ur fender a tad, space it a tad, or space it and run more camber. why are u trying to run such a fat tire in the front?

[ms!3]

Cant. I am already running a 7.5 mm spacer and i am dangerously close to my fender as it is... I have only mm's to spare, therefore i may even raise it a little for the wider tires i'm trying to put on.

wtf dangerously? pull that sheet.

[Nizzan4u2nv]

even if you slot them and pull them out. or if you use a spacer. youll still have the same fender clearance issue (as far as what you consider fender clearance)

[gotta240]

i'm not concerned with fender clearance as i'm clear right now. I am concerned with shock/tire clearance, hence the question. Thanks for the replies....

I think i'll slot it and make something to hold the washer in places...Like etch the shock or something....

Why am i trying to go from a 255 to 265 in front? More grip....

[Silvia_S13]

more grip? run a sticker tire and less camber.

i'd never "slot" my coilovers. i'd rather replace a 20dlr fender i rolled wrong then replace some coilovers i decided to go dumb on.

run as fat a tire u want, run a bigger spacer, and pull/roll/hammer the fender.

jmo

[opponheimer]

Do you have a picture to explain what you're trying to do? What do you mean by Slot your coilovers? Sorry, I may run into the same problem.

[lok]

Can you just get a camber bolt and achieve the same thing.

If I understand correctly you slot the coilover so the upper bolt can move and push the spindle out correct?

A camber bolt should do this and be safererer

http://www.eurosportacc.com/images/hr_camber_bolts.jpg

[aznpoopy]

theres no reason not to as long as you use a washer
its perfectly safe, and comes standard on at least one well known coilover

i.e.
silkroads come with a eccentric top spindle mount with a bracket that supports a square washer with an off center hole in it, giving you four camber settings available from that washer

[chmercer]

that will screw up your scrub iirc

stop being queer and space your weak offset wheels that hit your coilover

[lok]

All great solutions.

[pr0ject TRUENO]

Spacer and camber.

[Silvia_S13]

if you can't get enough grip with a 255 in the front, i think ur problem is elsewhere. and who runs 255's up front anyway.

[projectRDM]

Can you just get a camber bolt and achieve the same thing.

If I understand correctly you slot the coilover so the upper bolt can move and push the spindle out correct?

A camber bolt should do this and be safererer

http://www.eurosportacc.com/images/hr_camber_bolts.jpg

That only works to add camber using the OE hole, slotting it increasing the amount of available camber. Plus, nearly every eccentric bolt I've seen like above are pure shit that slip or seize into place. I've broken a lot of them before just trying to loosen them. OE is best.

[MomentumGT]

if you can't get enough grip with a 255 in the front, i think ur problem is elsewhere. and who runs 255's up front anyway.

Have 255/40/17 RA1's all the way around shaved. On the street its way excessive but if he's running on the street other issues should be addressed before "band-aiding" the problem with bigger tires so I agree with you there, but for the track we're thinking of going wider 275's up front with a 305 in the rear must go wide body tho'.

-Jon

[backroadtouge]

mabey post up a pic of the car, even though it seems to me the answer has been answered.

[gotta240]

Chmercer- how is 9.5+17 a "pussy" offset? No, its not "baller"(meaning retarded and only for flash appeal). I DO NOT want overfenders/pulled fenders. Car has fresh paint and i'm trying to maintain a DECENT LOOKING, STOCK BODIED car. (fender lips rolled flat obviously)

Silkroads arent the only ones with slotted holes either... Even k-sports have them..

To those who don't understand why so wide... You've never road raced on a real track...have you? I have lots of grip with the 255(bfg KDW)...but the car still pushes just a little with my 275's in the rear...

Thanks for the serious answers as well. I am tempted to try the eccentric bolts, but as r240na stated, they are crappy and kinda scare me for track use.

i'll be slotting them soon. Anyone have ideas to prevent the nut/washer from slipping?

[aznpoopy]

put some strips of metal on there to act as a bracket for the washer

done

[gotta240]

Thanks for the suggestion azn, but not quite following...

Even if i put strips on the top and bottom of the nut, it will still slide along the eccentric part... Or do you mean to get it to where i want, then perm. lock it in place with the strips? that may not be a bad idea...

[thejapino]

After you slot it and get the car aligned to spec, put a small spot weld on a washer and the bracket. Thats how the Datsun guys keep their rear end settings after going with a penultimate rear subframe!

[aznpoopy]

Thanks for the suggestion azn, but not quite following...

Even if i put strips on the top and bottom of the nut, it will still slide along the eccentric part... Or do you mean to get it to where i want, then perm. lock it in place with the strips? that may not be a bad idea...

haha sorry for not being clear

i basically mean copying the silkroad set up

the washer is actually square
theres a bracket on the spindle mount. the washer fits snug in the bracket
the bracket is litte more than two strips of metal

the bracket keeps the washer from moving or rotating
the washer keeps the bolt from moving out of position

i like the spotweld idea too though
much easier

[projectRDM]

After you slot it and get the car aligned to spec, put a small spot weld on a washer and the bracket. Thats how the Datsun guys keep their rear end settings after going with a penultimate rear subframe!

Bingo. Best solution out there, set it, tack it, and move on. If you ever need to you can easily remove the bolt but the washer will stay in place, allowing for removal without resetting the camber.

[all stock]

to be honest, running eccentric (camber) bolts are great ideas. all the race teams in SCCA Improved Touring do this. If it's good enough for me and them, it's good enough for you.

unless you are actively drifting all the time, i can't imagine why this solution isn't good enough for you. but then again, if you are drifting actively, you should be checking your suspension quite often.

All you need is a smaller diameter grade 12 bolt. since you're retaining the oe lower perch, the bolts shouldn't 'walk' at all.

[yokotas13]

Chmercer- how is 9.5+17 a "pussy" offset? No, its not "baller"(meaning retarded and only for flash appeal). I DO NOT want overfenders/pulled fenders. Car has fresh paint and i'm trying to maintain a DECENT LOOKING, STOCK BODIED car. (fender lips rolled flat obviously)

Silkroads arent the only ones with slotted holes either... Even k-sports have them..

To those who don't understand why so wide... You've never road raced on a real track...have you? I have lots of grip with the 255(bfg KDW)...but the car still pushes just a little with my 275's in the rear...

Thanks for the serious answers as well. I am tempted to try the eccentric bolts, but as r240na stated, they are crappy and kinda scare me for track use.

i'll be slotting them soon. Anyone have ideas to prevent the nut/washer from slipping?
I have, in the states and in japan

A larger tire that big, is just a bandaid for yuo not being able to drive

[DOOK]

I have, in the states and in japan

A larger tire that big, is just a bandaid for yuo not being able to drive

:bowrofl: now that is some funny shit right there

[articdragon192]

I ran a quality eccentric bolt at the track and had no prblems whatsoever. The settings never changed and such.

[xxxjovaxxx]

dude i agree with everyones suggestions. pull your fenders and if need be, repainting the fenders will probably be cheaper than buying new front coilovers AND then having to pull and paint your fenders.

also, is your front camber straight or does it need attention? make sure everything is aligned to spec first, ya know??

[gotta240]

first, slotting coilovers DOES NOT RUIN THEM... I wasn't asking if it ruined them, i was more wondering what it does to handles/scrub/etc.

Yokota- You're clueless. Seriously clueless. What size tires are you running on the track? How many douche bags must try to argue this...

Simple equation....

Size tires+your driving skill(no matter what it is)= lap time
Bigger tires+same driving skill= faster lap time...
Not too hard to understand....

Larger tires allow me to make-up lost time in the corners, for my car being so damn slow in the small strait sections there are. Not saying i'm a great, or even good driver...however... My set-up allowed me to hang with/pressure till letting me pass a newer(no plates yet) BMW M series coupe an s2k, and hang with some evos and the faster hatchis... NO, i'm not hyping up my driving...just saying suspension helps a LOT and tires are part of suspension..

2 things will improve lap times... suspension and skill. Skill can be worked on gradually with more driving. Suspension can be improved ANYTIME. I didn't buy this car with all these parts, and expect it to be the fastest car on the track.. I upgraded this piece of shit one part at a time, while adjusting to the new handling characteristics each time. 255s were far better than the 215, 225 and 245's i ran before.. Now that they are worn, time to upgrade. Don't preach about driving skills... You haven't seen me drive(or crash into dirt walls).

Oh, and to the people offering actual advice, my allignment settings are

+7 caster
0 toe
-2.3 camber Tires are worn VERY evenly after numerous track events and many dd miles.

[Wiisass]

I think it's a setup problem. But I don't know anything about the car or when it's happening, so I'm not going to get into it.

But who cares, you want to slot them, so slot them. You'll be affecting scrub radius, roll center and camber. If you pull the top of the wheel out, you'll lower your scrub radius a little, lower your roll center a little and it will take out some camber. It could affect toe a little too.

[ixfxi]

first, slotting coilovers DOES NOT RUIN THEM... I wasn't asking if it ruined them, i was more wondering what it does to handles/scrub/etc.

Yokota- You're clueless. Seriously clueless. What size tires are you running on the track? How many douche bags must try to argue this...

Simple equation....

Size tires+your driving skill(no matter what it is)= lap time
Bigger tires+same driving skill= faster lap time...
Not too hard to understand....

Larger tires allow me to make-up lost time in the corners, for my car being so damn slow in the small strait sections there are. Not saying i'm a great, or even good driver...however... My set-up allowed me to hang with/pressure till letting me pass a newer(no plates yet) BMW M series coupe an s2k, and hang with some evos and the faster hatchis... NO, i'm not hyping up my driving...just saying suspension helps a LOT and tires are part of suspension..

2 things will improve lap times... suspension and skill. Skill can be worked on gradually with more driving. Suspension can be improved ANYTIME. I didn't buy this car with all these parts, and expect it to be the fastest car on the track.. I upgraded this piece of shit one part at a time, while adjusting to the new handling characteristics each time. 255s were far better than the 215, 225 and 245's i ran before.. Now that they are worn, time to upgrade. Don't preach about driving skills... You haven't seen me drive(or crash into dirt walls).

Oh, and to the people offering actual advice, my allignment settings are

+7 caster
0 toe
-2.3 camber Tires are worn VERY evenly after numerous track events and many dd miles.


dude, as much shit talking as i do on this forum.. i gotta admit, you're on the right track buddy... quit listening to these fuckers, they're a complete waste of life.

if i agree, and king RUSS agrees - then thats all that matters. the rest are a bunch of dick kissers who watch option videos and consider themselves racers.

i slotted my struts and now, my pricey coilovers - both work fine. nowadays i run an eccentric bolt, don @ pdm-racing sells them (or can get them, im sure). they work fine. they're not super blingy, but they get the fucking job done - no washers. after a few years of use and adjustment, they may need some replacing as they do get worn - but they're useful and work, period.

while i agree, rolling and pulling your fenders is indeed a good idea - if you dont want to do it now, thats fine - your loss (for now). truth of the matter is, you'll eventually turn to the darkside - i did. you can get a decent roll without cracking paint, to start. if you need more, you can one day pull.. if you dont care about paint and will repaint. but ultimately, when you turn to maximum tire size.. you'll go widebody, period. those who care about traction know that it always ends up turning into us buying wider tires, so.. widebody it is.

anyway, good luck...

mike / clearcorners.com

ps: remember, compound over width. if you havent already started with the simplest - start with buying better tires. KDW isnt top notch, you could've gotten better.

[gotta240]

I think it's a setup problem. But I don't know anything about the car or when it's happening, so I'm not going to get into it.

But who cares, you want to slot them, so slot them. You'll be affecting scrub radius, roll center and camber. If you pull the top of the wheel out, you'll lower your scrub radius a little, lower your roll center a little and it will take out some camber. It could affect toe a little too.


Obviously i'll be re-alligning the car. I have apexi coilovers which have adjustabel camber tophat. After notching the coilovers, i'll re-adjust the top hat.

[gotta240]

[quote=ixfxi;1417455]dude, as much shit talking as i do on this forum.. i gotta admit, you're on the right track buddy... quit listening to these fuckers, they're a complete waste of life.



THANK YOU for the reasonable and logical reply!!! I'll try the eccentric bolts for this saturdays event... Hopefully they work as well for me as they did you.

And for the record, all 4 corners are rolled to the max(purchased eastwood fender roller to do it), just really don't want to pull. If i can fit these 265s i'll stop upgrading width and go onto other aspects...(slicks,etc) You're prob. correct about the kdw tires... Any suggestions on tires made in 255/265 35 18 that can also be used on the street? I was actually fairly impressed with the kdw and can't think of many upgrades other than slicks...

thanks again.

[orion::S14]

^^^ My recommendation:

Cheaper: Kumho MX

Better: Bridgestone RE01-R

...and I run the same, FWIW. 9 or 9.5" fronts, with 255/40-17 on all 4.

- Brian

[Silvia_S13]

i still think your taking it farther then it needs to be taken. your being a girl about a paint job. if u wanna run a fatter tire, space/pull is a better way of doing it. notching/adjusting coilovers/adjusting camber/getting a new alignment all because you dont wanna damage ur "stock body paint"...

u have gay reasoning. because if u do a nice job on the pull/roll it wont even damage its appearence at all.

[ixfxi]

i still think your taking it farther then it needs to be taken. your being a girl about a paint job. if u wanna run a fatter tire, space/pull is a better way of doing it. notching/adjusting coilovers/adjusting camber/getting a new alignment all because you dont wanna damage ur "stock body paint"...

u have gay reasoning. because if u do a nice job on the pull/roll it wont even damage its appearence at all.

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight... see, its posts like this that are bullshit.

i'll tell you why.

your saying he's a girl about his paint job, really? how do you know what type of paintwork his car has? and, what does YOUR car have? does it even fucking HAVE paint, or are you like the rest of the fuckers here with mismatched clown paint and bumpers that have 1/2" gaps between them, busted light brackets and RHD silvia headlamps.

i mean, some people here are picky about their cars, and for a good reason - they dont like driving a pile of shit. others, dont give a fuck.. and drive their cars into walls weekly, and just dont care.

if he just spent money and did a good paint job, which some people DO do.. then i understand his reason for not wanting to fuck around with that shit.

point being, DO what you have to do to gain clearance - period. it doesnt matter what tricks are up your sleeve, whether its rolling, pulling, eccentric bolts, camber plates, WHATEVER.. the choice is yours, just get the job done.

------

with that bullshit outta the way, RE01 and Advan AD07 are top performers for street tires, and cost an arm and a leg to boot. This is why they're good. Not because they cost money, but because they kick ass. There are other less expensive tires, but dont expect them to excel in all areas. I would personally stick with either Bridgestone or Yoko Advan, both have great reviews and I personally have good hands on experience iwth bridgestone stuff as a buddy of mine works for them so I've received plenty of their tires.

As for Advan, all I here are my Elise customers who praise them (stock tires on Elise/Exige).. so you cant go wrong with those.

Problem is, finding something in your size. Size may be an issue, so search around. Remember, compound over size. I chose a 225 over a 225 this time around.

[gotta240]

Is the world ending? A Zilvia member who ISN'T an arrogant douche?! Thanks again for the suggestions ixfi.. You're right about finding 255/265 tires... Its tougher to find tires! However, I actually have two sets of bfg's here in the 265(hence half the motivation to make em fit) that i cant wait to test/compare. Will look into the advans as well though. Thanks!


Silvias13- First off, how am i being a "girl" about my paint job? Because i don't want a PULLED front fender? I know i can do it without cracking my paint(because i went out and purchased a quality fender puller(not a bat))..Thats not the point.. I dont like the look of a pulled front fender. I am done with the body kitted hondas EXCESSIVE body mods... If you have pulled fenders...good for fucking you...i care not to.

And about the paint... I had my car painted CORRECTLY about 6 months ago(after i rolled the fenders to where i wanted them). My car was out of commision for OVER a month because i wanted it done CORRECTLY. I removed the windows, bought high quality paint, used a painter i kinda trust, and finished with 1 1/2 gallons of multi-layered clear. Nearly 10 coats total paint/clear, two wetsandings, and a buff/polish later, i have it WHERE I WANT IT. With that being said, i still track the thing(with blue tape everywhere) monthly and have a fucking blast...

Moral of the story..I'm NOT PULLING THE FUCKING FENDERS...GET THE FUCK OVER IT.

[brainfood]

I run 235/40-17 on my old wheels and 225/40-18 rt-615 on the new wheels, and have plenty of grip for road racing and for drift, but what do I know I am just a stupid drifter.

[gotta240]

then hush you stupid drifter.....

lol. J/k. Have you ever ran a larger tire size? You're more than welcome to throw my tires/wheels on for a few laps if you want to feel the difference at the next HTM event.... Its quite a difference... (ps...maybe then you can teach me how to drift without running into dirt birms and such)

[Silvia_S13]

wah wah.

and tell me how my post was arrogant. i made a suggestion on WHY i think u shouldn't. since thats what this post was all about. u asking the world WHY YOU shouldn't... fuck it.

[gotta240]

Fuck! Ran outa time to get them on for this upcoming event...Gotta rock some used tire store 225's...This will be interesting....

[ixfxi]

then hush you stupid drifter.....

lol. J/k. Have you ever ran a larger tire size? You're more than welcome to throw my tires/wheels on for a few laps if you want to feel the difference at the next HTM event.... Its quite a difference... (ps...maybe then you can teach me how to drift without running into dirt birms and such)

most people dont realize or even understand how good wide & sticky tires feel, its bliss.

the only time it becomes a nuisance is when the car has no torque (like the miata). i run a 245 on a 16x8 and its great in the canyon, but just a bit weak on the takeoff.

on the KA, 245's felt perfect. with mildly modified, well running SR (not a spungy shitgasket motor with boost leaks).. 245's were sufficient but easily broke traction when boost would kickin.

If you wonder why people dont care much about traction, its because they're too broke to afford decent tires.

[projectRDM]

If you wonder why people dont care much about traction, its because they're too broke to afford decent tires.

And there it is, the words we were all waiting for. Complaining about traction problems when you're running 600 treadwear Roadhandlers from Sears is like complaining you can't get off when you're jacking yourself to gay porn.

[gotta240]

Lol... Not sure if that was directed at me or not? Just in case...i'm not running sears tires at all... KDW's(uggly blocky ones) that go for 200-250 each... If it wasn't at me, disregard all the above!!! And i don't have traction problems...just want MORE!! MORE MORE MORE!!!!!

[NemeGuero]

damn, why do your threads always end up with you getting flamed to hell?

As a pity/courtesy, I'm sitting this one out.

[gotta240]

Lol... No need to pity me... If you disagree, say so!!! I don't mind a debate and i prolly talk more shit than i should...hence the flaming(well, and the fact that half the people on here just spew/ramble on about stuff they don't know about/have no experience with(ie:really DRIVING their cars!))

[Silvia_S13]

yup, cuz someone crying about wanting 265's up front then settling for junkyard 225's is what a real driver should do.

[projectRDM]

Lol... Not sure if that was directed at me or not? Just in case...i'm not running sears tires at all... KDW's(uggly blocky ones) that go for 200-250 each... If it wasn't at me, disregard all the above!!! And i don't have traction problems...just want MORE!! MORE MORE MORE!!!!!

It wasn't, I was referring to the other 75% of the 240SX population.

[gotta240]

R240na- you are correct sir! I saw nearly 1/4 of the "drifters" at yesterdays event pushing their cars around like shopping carts... I tried to explain that the bald 205's in the front just "MAY" be part of the problem...

Silvias13- I actually ran out of time and used my bald, heat cycled to death 255s. The car pushed quite a bit(o.k. TONS) but still managed a 118.605 time on the Gymkana(sp) course w/ stock ka. Everybodies times will be posted if you feel like comparing..

Anyways...I'm done replying to petty shit talkers. If anyone has further suggestions or a legitimate debate, i'm all ears. Thanks again for the suggestions/opinions. Will slot/tack the nut this week hopefully.

[ixfxi]

R240na- you are correct sir! I saw nearly 1/4 of the "drifters" at yesterdays event pushing their cars around like shopping carts... I tried to explain that the bald 205's in the front just "MAY" be part of the problem...

Silvias13- I actually ran out of time and used my bald, heat cycled to death 255s. The car pushed quite a bit(o.k. TONS) but still managed a 118.605 time on the Gymkana(sp) course w/ stock ka. Everybodies times will be posted if you feel like comparing..

Anyways...I'm done replying to petty shit talkers. If anyone has further suggestions or a legitimate debate, i'm all ears. Thanks again for the suggestions/opinions. Will slot/tack the nut this week hopefully.

with 1560 posts, youre dragging this on as if you have only 15 posts.

let the thread die. we all agree. end of discussion.

ps: funny thing, when russ and i talk.. we usually talk "in general." its just funny when you see people post out of the woodworks as if we're talking directly to them.

[brainfood]

I will be going 245/265 probably on the car when it goes back together. So I too like more traction but I dont honestly think it will make a difference on 95% of the tracks I drive I have never really had a lack of front grip. other than before I got spring rates and suspension setup. But after suspension got dailed in the car has plenty of front grip. I also run rt615's though so it doesnt hurt having a real street tire or even a race tire under there. Problem I cant run anything larger in the front without it rubbing, so I am going to 17/18 stagger or 17's all around. Probably put the s1's on the s13 and just through some fn's 17x10 all around on the s14 till I find a nice set of 17/18 stagger for the car. Only reason I would want more front grip is just the margin of safety when I am balls out sideways next to a k-rail or wall.

[Silvia_S13]

yup. cuz people are supposed to grip on a gymkahana track.

[redsuns3838]

didnt see it posted but what type of tires are you using for track? and are they your DD tires too? you might want to consider buying some stickier tires and just running them at the track, that way you dont have to go wider but still get the grip . If you dont feel like slotting the dampers.

[BigVinnie]

As a pity/courtesy, I'm sitting this one out.


LOL you funny mutha fucka!!! LOL