SPL V3 tension rods

[unreal-]

http://splparts.com/store/avactis-images/SPL_TR_S13_1.jpg

- SPL PARTS (http://splparts.com/store/product-info.php?pid2.html)


Any impressions on these? Just saw them on the SPL website. Seems like they just came out, i placed my order and waiting for them to ship out (on backorder).

[I LUV MY S13]

mine began to rust and the joints were cracking...friend is experiencing the same problem

[blueshark123]

yea mine r rusting also

[I LUV MY S13]

i just switched to Teins and they're coo

[slider2828]

Yeah I use circuit sports... no rust...

[Wave_s13]

mine began to rust and the joints were cracking...friend is experiencing the same problem

Were you using V1 or V2? I thought these were powdercoated so they can somewhat prevent rust?

[Def]

They're probably talking about the black oxide coated QA1 rod ends on the V2s. The V1s used black oxide coated cap screws which would rust easily. The rods on the V2s at least are anodized aluminum... it won't ever "rust," but could corrode some(not likely, and it would not look like rust).

Looking at the design, I'm guessing V2 owners can't upgrade to the V3 stuff.

[bb4_96]

Damn I thought SPL was the shit. Hadn't heard any negative feedback until now.

[I LUV MY S13]

Were you using V1 or V2? I thought these were powdercoated so they can somewhat prevent rust?


this was back in November of 09, dont remember if it was the V2 or V3..whatever they had then i guess

[DJPimpFlex]

I have all their linkage and its all super peachy. No problems at all. Track only car though. I don't think I would street drive any aftermarket linkage without expecting some type of rust or corrosion, but some brands may be better than others, unsure.

What I DO know is the SPL customer service is where its at, and they will back their shit, so its a safe buy.

[racepar1]

Those look VERY nice. They switched to their new badass adjusters and they finally went with a 3-piece rod end, which is generally more reliable. DEFINITE improvement over their old stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to run them if I wasn't such a cheap bastard...

[unreal-]

I'm going to run them on just the tension rods, going with SPC items for the rear arms. I dont have the $$ to shell 600+ for track-spec shit lol

And as of last week, they still had teh V2's so these are EXTRA fresh. So much so, that i have to wait until Monday before they can even ship it out! I wonder if im the first person to run the V3's...

[Wave_s13]

this was back in November of 09, dont remember if it was the V2 or V3..whatever they had then i guess

They are probably V2.
You've only had them for over 6 months and they started to crack? Do you have some pictures?

[palmdale_mob]

I just got mine a couple days ago, the V3 rod ends are easier to adjust now cuz they have left and right handed threads

These things are way beefier in person, I was surprised

[Def]

V2 tension rods had left and right hand threads on the adjusters...

[unreal-]

Mine should be here later this week, i'll be sure to take some comparison pictures.

[I LUV MY S13]

They are probably V2.
You've only had them for over 6 months and they started to crack? Do you have some pictures?


traded with a buddy for his clutch kit, but i'll ask him if he still has em..

[KA24sleeper]

I found this site that sells boots for protection but there only made for tie rods(lame)Seals-It (http://www.sealsit.com/rodendboots.asp). thinking of buying some and try them on the v3 arms i bought( havent put them on yet) or make some thing that will cover it , like a cut out of a rubber ball. If not, im fucked and hearing from most people that they rust pretty quick, are there other brands that dont rust? Circut sports? Pbm?

[[email protected]]

I found this site that sells boots for protection but there only made for tie rods(lame)Seals-It (http://www.sealsit.com/rodendboots.asp). thinking of buying some and try them on the v3 arms i bought( havent put them on yet) or make some thing that will cover it , like a cut out of a rubber ball. If not, im fucked and hearing from most people that they rust pretty quick, are there other brands that dont rust? Circut sports? Pbm?

The cracking mentioned above is in fact with the Seals-It seals we used with our v2 tension rods. Rubber boots/seals do not hold up over long term cold weather and corrosion.

The rust/corrosion occurs with the oxide and zinc plated bearing and adjuster on the v2 tension rods, the v3 tension rods have superior plating (chrome and e-nickel) on the hardware.

[KA24sleeper]

Ok, now i have more of an understanding of the version difference between both. Thanks for the info;)

[ch1873857]

+1000 for brake ducting mount..

[unreal-]

+1000 for brake ducting mount..

That's one of the main reasons i got these. I plan on eventually tracking the car at NJMP, and the ducting would definitely come in handy. :)

[unreal-]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/unreal-/S14/SPL%20rods/DSC02641.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/unreal-/S14/SPL%20rods/DSC02643.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/unreal-/S14/SPL%20rods/DSC02642.jpg

These are MUCH beefier than they look in pictures. Seriously, the whole LCA will bend and warp before these even dent!.

[bb4_96]

i don't think billet stock will dent

[hOngsterr]

i thought a advertiser on here posted something about the V3 are sprayed so they wont rust lol due to the prev ones.

[bbturbo87]

I'll just wait until the version 10 when they finally get it right. version 3 is over priced and not the last version for sure.

or i can just stick to my powered by max arms.

[SoSideways]

I'll just wait until the version 10 when they finally get it right. version 3 is over priced and not the last version for sure.

or i can just stick to my powered by max arms.

SPL has always made good shit, and if you weren't happy with what they sent you, you could always PM/email/call/write a letter to Kuah and the gang at SPL and I'm sure you guys could work something out.

PBM stuff are good/decent, but seem like more people break their stuff than people with SPL parts stuff.

[hOngsterr]

I'll just wait until the version 10 when they finally get it right. version 3 is over priced and not the last version for sure.

or i can just stick to my powered by max arms.

v3 is the same price as v2 right now and after july 1st its just gunna be 10 bucks more.

[unreal-]

I'll just wait until the version 10 when they finally get it right. version 3 is over priced and not the last version for sure.


How are they overpriced? they are slightly cheaper than PBM rods, and a little more expensive than the Yamoto Garage arms, and are backed by one hell of a warranty.

Of course they arent the last version, because theres always room for improvement.

and also, what do you mean by get it right? What would be your specs on the "right" tension rod?

[SoSideways]

How are they overpriced? they are slightly cheaper than PBM rods, and a little more expensive than the Yamoto Garage arms, and are backed by one hell of a warranty.

Of course they arent the last version, because theres always room for improvement.

and also, what do you mean by get it right? What would be your specs on the "right" tension rod?

Don't worry about that guy.

He's just mad cause he can't afford these arms.

If he was worth anything, he would have made the "right" tension rod by now, seeing as he's been involved in the scene since at least 2005.

[unreal-]

installed the SPLs+my nismo power brace wednesday afternoon..

Initial Impressions:


- car handles like a damn go cart. I did a few quick slaloms down my street (much to the chagrin of the neighbors lol) and the left-right response is ridiculous. instant response. before the car kinda lurched in each direction, and there was a delay when doing so. i took an on-ramp at 40+ with plenty of margin left. i surprised the hell out of myself. The brace makes the car feel extremely neutral even when cornering hard. The harder i pushed, the tighter the car hugged the inner line. I then took it on my little back road "test track" and flogged it there. It was very very confidence inspiring. The steering wheel, even when i hit bumps mid corner didn't jump out of my hands, and when i pointed the car in one direction, it stayed there until i turned it the other way. Before it would jump around randomly mid corner, forcing me to hold the wheel to compensate.

- Steering feel is very good. i can tell almost exactly what my steering is doing. there is no vagueness.

- After driving through downtown and the lower-class streets these are not for the pansies out there. i can tell you the curve, camber, rise, depth and length of every bump and dip in the road. I dont mind it at all, i LOVE the feedback it gives me. But if you hit an unexpected bump, prepare to work those jaw muscles, and hold on to your kidneys! But driving a lowered car, i'm already used to it, so it didnt bother me much. If you are going from DEAD STOCK to SPLs you might not like it.

heres a quick pic of my old SPCs that came with the car

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/unreal-/S14/old%20SPCs/DSC02658.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/unreal-/S14/old%20SPCs/DSC02654.jpg

[[email protected]]

installed the SPLs+my nismo power brace wednesday afternoon..

Glad you like them :)

heres a quick pic of my old SPCs that came with the car

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/unreal-/S14/old%20SPCs/DSC02658.jpg


Those SPC tension rod bushings are toast! How long have you had them? I had a customer trade in a set and they were also torn.

[unreal-]

Those SPC tension rod bushings are toast! How long have you had them? I had a customer trade in a set and they were also torn.

Ive had the car almost 1 year, but im unsure how long they were on there before i took ownership of the car. Judging by how rusted/chipped they were, id guess that they were on there 3-4 years before me.

[fishboi]

Seeing this thread makes me feel uneasy. I just bought spl toe links for my s14. I hope they don't end up the same way.