Suspension upgrade, what to do first?

[DSC]

What do you all think I should do first? Power or suspension? Suspension eh? Well good because that what I'm doing <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> What should get first anti sway bars and tower bars or lowering springs and new shocks/struts? What would give me the most performance for my $$$ in suspension upgrades?
Thanks in advance...

[S13Grl]

I'd say do basic bolt ons before suspension, power &nbsp;before handling. You'll have good suspension to handle a slow car, no point.

First step I think would be springs &amp; shocks if you're doing suspension.

[zephyr]

definitely struts/shocks....springs just help on cornering a little and they lower your car...plus I hear you can't really do springs without doing shocks....sway bars are cheap so you can do that no matter what

[chickenmanq]

Nah dude, go for power. &nbsp;It's more fun to have too much power and no handling, than a car that's easy as #### to drive, but not that fast. &nbsp;Get it fast before you worry about curves, stopping, etc. &nbsp;(It's a wonder I'm not dead yet.) &nbsp;Then again, I did use to max out my 76 Ford Courier every day. &nbsp;95 mph according to a needle that flickered more than a heroin addict. &nbsp;It had no power brakes. &nbsp;How hard you pushed, was how fast you stopped. &nbsp;Let's just say I missed the turn on several occasions. &nbsp;BUT IT WAS FUN!

[misnomer]

I'm a power guy too. Keep in mind this is a very similar chassis to the Silvia, which is a 200 hp car on it's own. I personally don't know if I'm ever gonna touch my suspension on my trek for 180-200 HP (unless something breaks <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>).

[HondakillaS14]

I'm a huge fan of revamping all and any suspension components first...just me

[boost]

i'd get shocks/springs and strut braces first. maybe some good tires like s02's might be a better place to start though. if your more into drag racing, then yeah, what some of those people up above said. =)


(Edited by boost at 6:03 am on Nov. 7, 2001)

[DSC]

People above: So if given ~$500 you think exhaust would be better than shocks and springs?

(Edited by DSC at 6:47 am on Nov. 7, 2001)

[S13Grl]

I'd say yes. If I were to be given $500, none of it would go towards suspension work.

[Rcs476]

Suspension.

[CP]

I would probably put the $500 towards springs and shocks. Having a car that handles well is more important to me than having a really fast car. That's why I own a 240SX and an AE86. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[drifterx]

suspension!

[whateverjames]

depends on where you live. where i live, i need suspension. and i beleive bolt ons are not worth the money unless you have a turbo or nitrous &quot;heyy i spent 2000 on bolt ons! i dropped .4 off my quarter mile time yipeeee!&quot;

[BlankFlip]

i definitely would go w/ suspension first b/c it would be funner to drive than just having an exhaust for that price on there.

[Gold240se]

I say sway bars, ST's are probably the most affordable ones. &nbsp;Personally I like the tanabe anti-roll bars. &nbsp;They are pricy though. &nbsp;If your a stop light to stop light racer, go for power. &nbsp;I like leaving bulky mustangs and other overweight cars in the dust around tight chicanes. &nbsp;Anybody can floor the gas peddle. &nbsp;I give props to those who can properly negotiate the apex of a turn.

[HippoSleek]

...uh, it depends?

How old is the car and is it an SE or a base?

If it is old and tired feeling (in the handling dept.), shocks/struts would do wonders. &nbsp;I still agree with the old adage - &quot;It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.&quot; &nbsp;$500, plus a bit, would make a nice AGX or Koni upgrade. &nbsp;A front STB will help turn in. &nbsp;Sways will make a huge improvement if you have a base model, but a lesser one if you have an SE (comes with okay ones, stock).

BUT, if the suspension is still pretty tight, misnomer's got a good point. &nbsp;My s14 SE, stock, was as good/better than by Civic Si hatch with an autox set up.

Also, the tire comment is great - the best handling improvement may also be a good set of tires (if yours are tired or not-so-good). &nbsp;

Otherwise, power is nice too... gee, wasn't this an unhelpful post...

[Gold240se]

Tires are a good call. &nbsp;They are the only part of your car that touches the ground. &nbsp;But good quality tires are expensive. &nbsp;

[DSC]

its a '96 SE with under 50k miles on it, so suspension still feels tight. I might have $500-700 to spend late this month so I need to figure out what I'm gona get <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I would love to do power stuff but like blankflip said, suspension would be more fun than exhaust. What about rims? Would it be worth it so save up from those or is suspension a more logical first step? Still....it would be nice to accelerate faster and be louder. This would be sooo much easier if I had about $15k, then I'd just do it all <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[LanceS13]

well...I'm an autox'er so naturally I'm gonna say suspension, suspension, suspension! &nbsp;The car has 155hp stock (which is fairly respectable) and basic bolt-ons might push it to 170hp give or take. &nbsp;Just wait and save for a turbo or engine swap for power. &nbsp;
The car handles pretty good stock also...but aftermarket components do wonders. &nbsp;Go with a good strut/spring combo like KYB AGX/Eibach ProKit. &nbsp;Next, get a nice set of 16-17&quot; rims (light ones preferably) and some good quality performance tires. &nbsp;Then get some sway bars (Whiteline or ST) and strut tower bars (Pilot Motorsports). &nbsp;After this, save for your turbo or SR or CA engine and go for some real power. &nbsp;Then you'll be fast, so you need to stop....upgrade brakes. &nbsp;Now it performs good, so add some visual goodies to it. &nbsp;So the list of priorities...
1. &nbsp;Make the car handle it's current power and then some.
2. &nbsp;Give it more power.
3. &nbsp;Make it stop.
4. &nbsp;Make it look good.
it'll be fun...:biggrin:

[Chokudori]

Some strut bars are so cheap that I'd say you might as well get them along with your basic bolt ons. And after you have mastered the stock suspension setup, I would upgrade to a bit more aggressive suspension kit.

Our cars were meant to have more than 155hp anyway.

[Gold240se]

You could probably get an injen intake, Suspension Tech. sways and a OBX (I think thats the one going for about $40) front strut tower brace for about $600-$700
Just my .02 cents.

[HippoSleek]

Harumphf... I was out autox'ed :o. &nbsp;Dammit Lance, you and your meddling kids win this time!!!

But, you see, the problem for those of us with s14's is that there are no AGX's (or other middle of the road shocks/struts)! &nbsp;As a result, you have to chose between &quot;not on my car&quot; non-adjustables, Koni (all I get in front is a cartrige and I have to take the backs out to adjust them?!) Yellows, imported goodies (Tokikco HTS or GABs) that you MAY get in 3 mos, or full coilovers (impractically stiff if you live in the civilized world and drive its roads... plus, when one of those blows, you have to ship it back to Japan to have it rebuilt... riiiiiight). &nbsp;In other words, the suspension world in the US just isn't friendly with the s14 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

With that little mileage on an s14, that baby is good to roll for quite a while with respectable out of the box handling. &nbsp;The problem is that for about $700 bucks or so, you can get an Injen CAI and an N1, which should be good for about 10 or so hp - this you will feel. &nbsp;For that same money, you could upgrade your bars (STB &amp; sways), your brakes (Axxis MM pads on the stock calipers), and maybe springs (if you are prepared to blow your shocks) - this you will also feel. &nbsp;Or, you can do the struts - you'll probably feel this more than all the other suspension stuff combined!

IMHO, suspension is a system - I wouldn't really want shocks w/o springs (and wouldn't do springs w/o shocks). &nbsp;In any case, you need about $1000 for that. &nbsp;The problem is that, because there is no middle ground shock for the s14, you have to go all or nothing (unless you like the Koni - it is a great piece, but too impractical for my taste). &nbsp;The other stuff - bars and brakes - is great, but I think the s14 chassis is already pretty good in these areas - the part of the susp. that needs help is the pricey part! &nbsp;Thus, suspension seems out of reach - as a properly upgraded system - until the $1200, or so mark. &nbsp;

Tires are the single most important handling item on your car - a nice sticky set will do wonders for your handling... but winter is coming, so that is a waste (especially if you live with snow!). &nbsp;Wheels do nothing for you. &nbsp;Nothing!

Power is cheaper, susp is more fun... and boost is what we all want. &nbsp;What a dilemma? &nbsp;Me, I'm saving for spring so that, if I'm still employed, I can just do a lot at once.

I would do the suspension first. I have been autocrossing for sometime and have been beat by an MG with no engine mods, but he had the suspension done perfectly. He drove a line like no one else.

Its not always what you have, its how you use it!

[West]

I didnt feel like reading everyones post but Id like to share my new approch of modding the suspension.

First and before hand I would buy some way of Fixing negative camber. Of course depending on how much you lower your car you might not need to worry about this as much as I do. If you have or plan to get coilovers then I suggest getting stuff to fix your camber beforehand.

When I get my s13 I am going to get the Cusco Rear Upper Control Arms and whatever I need to fix the front camber if my Zeal coilovers arent adjustable.

After this then I would go with either a spring &amp; shock cambo or some type of coilover system.

Depending on how crazy you are with suspension these are your first steps. I will be doing alot more for my car once I get it. But I plan to do my suspension first, and engine shit last. Even before looks this time. Just because I want to focus on a few other things when I get my s13.

i'd say go performance because the car out handles most cars already in stock form.

I'd say Suspension. Bumpy rides don't bother me in the least so personally I wouldn't mind a stiff setup. Thats why they put padding on the seat for, right???

[konkman]

I'm torn between power and handling.

I am personally preparing my car for an NSport Turbo Kit. &nbsp;This means I'm doing the suspension, prokit, kyb agx, whiteline sway bars, and stb's.

For the power I'm getting act clutch, jwt turbo ecu (just before the turbo), and cams. &nbsp;

What first, I don't know? &nbsp;

But for fun for around the city I'd go with suspension, because rarely do I ever get to open up the throttle around town.

[tanabs]

I agree with LanceS13. &nbsp;Plus, suspension mods will at least help get rid of that god awful wheel gap.

[HondakillaS14]

I'd have to admit as stated above, give me $500 now and it'll go straight towards getting the rest of suspension...everytime I think I've found all you can do to upgrade suspnsion components I find more....STB's, sway bars, control arms, bushings, x-bars.....aaaaggghhhh!

[DSC]

what are x-bars? &nbsp;is that the rear STB that comes down to a V? &nbsp;I remember someone saying something about this...

[mike95s14]

If you car happens not to have lsd, as my 95 240sx se did not, that would be the first thing I'd get. &nbsp;Then suspension. &nbsp;I went bolt ons first, but power means nothing, if you can not put it to the ground properly.

[chickenmanq]

Your gas pedal called me last night. It said it needed a full body massage. &nbsp;Therefore, I think power. &nbsp;I mean, c'mon, think of all the fun you'll have! &nbsp;I'm trying to get over 200 horses in my ka truck, and I can already drive it better than the stupid &quot;racing&quot; hodnas up here. &nbsp;I caught that Audi too. &nbsp;Tires were meant to be scrubbed off. &nbsp;And it drives like a wagon going down a rocky hill!

[misnomer]

Power power power power. I'd take that money and get an intake and exhaust. But that's me. You gotta choose for yourself dood, everybody has priorities.

[LanceS13]

misnomer is right...what do you get enjoyment out of?
take me for instance...as I posted in a thread in chat, I ran a little narrow, twisty backroad this weekend at speeds ranging from 55-70mph. &nbsp;I have plenty of hp to get to and keep up that kind of speed...but if I would've been on stock suspension, my car would probably be a nice tree ornament now. &nbsp;But if you're a straightline *cough*boring*cough* 1/4 mile kind of guy, do some power mods.

[BlankFlip]

i agree lances13, i mean even if u did just have an exhaust n aftermarket suspension, the exhaust ain't gonna give u all that much more power, but the suspension will let u have fun driving n keep ur car safe.

I would take that $500 and buy a nice steak dinner, and the left over money put it on brakes...

[konkman]

If I had 500 I would be in a dilema. &nbsp;Do I buy shocks/struts, or a new set of jwt cams. &nbsp; I'm leaning towards the cams.

Winter is coming hardcore cornering in the snow isn't the coolest thing in the world (ha, I made a pun).

[S13Grl]

Well, I first got Intake &amp; Exhaust
Then I got a strut tower bar
Then I secured a set of rims and next I plan to do springs, shocks &amp; struts (might go for coilovers if I save enough money), probably a rear stabilizer bar, just to begin with.
I think header &amp; cae after that.

So, those are just my priorities. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>