articdragon192
06-25-2010, 01:40 AM
Wasn't sure where to post a review on coilovers, so I figured the tech sections would be best. If not, mods please move to proper section, thanks!
So I've been running my Powertrix Ultralites for about a year now, and I figured it was time for a review, a long term review showing how well these coilovers have held up over time and abuse. I know most of you guys haven't heard much about Powertrix and probably consider them ebay status, but those who know me know I don't run crap parts, even if it were to be give to me. I actually swapped out my worn out Stances and replaced them with these, instead of buying new Stances all over again, to give them a chance. And the gamble paid off. It helps when Powertrix is also one of the biggest Z32 vendors out there, so it adds a lot of credibility, and I hope my testimonial helps add even more credibility to their products here. This is a review on Powertrix's higher end coilover, the Ultralites, which have aluminum bodied shocks, pillowball upper mounts, and more aggressive valving than their street oriented SuperStreet coilovers.
Coilovers, Springs, & Struts (http://www.powertrix.com/z32coils.htm)
Initial Reactions
The coilovers are really well built. Few things here and there, such as the top collar above the springs for ease of turning, show how well thought out these coilovers are built and designed. Install was a breeze. I opted for the 8k/8k spring rates instead of the regular 8k/6k rates in order to make the car more neutral, especially with my non staggered tire set up.
I swapped out my old coilovers, set up the new Powertrix coilovers, and installed them. A few tweaks here and there and I got them to the height I wanted. Not happy with how much spring sag I was running to get the height I wanted, I opted to modify my coilovers as shown in this thread:
300zxClub.com (Nissan 300ZX Forums) (http://www.300zxclub.com/showthread.php?t=160542)
(Sorry for linking to another forum, but I never posted the modification thread in Zilvia)
These coilovers do go decently low. I was able to get them to just above the tire without having to sag the spring, but that wasn't the height I was aiming for, so I modded them and done deal.
Initial driving impressions (street)
On the drive home, I was really impressed by how smooth the coilovers rode. Even with the stiffer spring rates in the rear, they rode amazing. Not bumpy or bouncy at all. Granted, you could feel the expension joints and the drops in the highways more due to the pillowball mounts and the stiffer rates, but it doesn't feel like you're kidney's about to bleed out. Over smaller bumps and dips, the suspension works really well, absorbing any unpleasantness
Initial driving impressions (track)
So the day after, I had a track event and really tested the coilovers out. I was amazed at how even 1-2 clicks in dampening would make such a noticeable change in how the car reacted. I was having initial oversteer issues, so 2 clicks back on the rear dampers and bam, enough squat to give me the traction I needed to keep the tail end from whipping out to excessively. Great stuff. Even my passengers were amazed at how such small changes in the dampening changed how the car responded.
Long term impressions
As I've said, it's been about a year since I've been running these coilovers. I've added about 30k miles of daily usage and monthly track use, and they still ride like new. Took them out for inspection about 1 month ago, just to make sure no seals were going out, cleaning up all the components, checking for any sort of play, and there were no problems at all. Reset my suspension after completely disassembling and cleaning all the components, and reinstalled them. No issues after 1 year of heavy abuse, which is very promising.
I have yet to get tired of the suspension because it rides really smooth. Not jarring at all. I've had passengers fall asleep in my car because of how well the car rides. Definitely a big surprised as to how comfortable it rides considering it's a race oriented set up. I love it.
Footage of suspension in actions
Here are a couple of videos of my car at the track, both drifting and road racing to show how the car reacts with the suspension installed. Enjoy!
Drifting at the NOS Center:
YouTube - Z32 Drifting at NOS Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO9d4ed0fSM)
YouTube - Z32 Drifting at NOS Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwy8N2JZ4E8)
Drifting at the Balcony at Willow Springs
YouTube - 300zx Drifting on Powertrix Ultralites (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYkHZ8qyS1A)
YouTube - MVI_0346.AVI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCx9143_-uM)
Road racing at Buttonwillow (video courtesy of CanyonCarver)
YouTube - 300zx Buttonwillow 022110 #1.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5fBoc8o94)
So I've been running my Powertrix Ultralites for about a year now, and I figured it was time for a review, a long term review showing how well these coilovers have held up over time and abuse. I know most of you guys haven't heard much about Powertrix and probably consider them ebay status, but those who know me know I don't run crap parts, even if it were to be give to me. I actually swapped out my worn out Stances and replaced them with these, instead of buying new Stances all over again, to give them a chance. And the gamble paid off. It helps when Powertrix is also one of the biggest Z32 vendors out there, so it adds a lot of credibility, and I hope my testimonial helps add even more credibility to their products here. This is a review on Powertrix's higher end coilover, the Ultralites, which have aluminum bodied shocks, pillowball upper mounts, and more aggressive valving than their street oriented SuperStreet coilovers.
Coilovers, Springs, & Struts (http://www.powertrix.com/z32coils.htm)
Initial Reactions
The coilovers are really well built. Few things here and there, such as the top collar above the springs for ease of turning, show how well thought out these coilovers are built and designed. Install was a breeze. I opted for the 8k/8k spring rates instead of the regular 8k/6k rates in order to make the car more neutral, especially with my non staggered tire set up.
I swapped out my old coilovers, set up the new Powertrix coilovers, and installed them. A few tweaks here and there and I got them to the height I wanted. Not happy with how much spring sag I was running to get the height I wanted, I opted to modify my coilovers as shown in this thread:
300zxClub.com (Nissan 300ZX Forums) (http://www.300zxclub.com/showthread.php?t=160542)
(Sorry for linking to another forum, but I never posted the modification thread in Zilvia)
These coilovers do go decently low. I was able to get them to just above the tire without having to sag the spring, but that wasn't the height I was aiming for, so I modded them and done deal.
Initial driving impressions (street)
On the drive home, I was really impressed by how smooth the coilovers rode. Even with the stiffer spring rates in the rear, they rode amazing. Not bumpy or bouncy at all. Granted, you could feel the expension joints and the drops in the highways more due to the pillowball mounts and the stiffer rates, but it doesn't feel like you're kidney's about to bleed out. Over smaller bumps and dips, the suspension works really well, absorbing any unpleasantness
Initial driving impressions (track)
So the day after, I had a track event and really tested the coilovers out. I was amazed at how even 1-2 clicks in dampening would make such a noticeable change in how the car reacted. I was having initial oversteer issues, so 2 clicks back on the rear dampers and bam, enough squat to give me the traction I needed to keep the tail end from whipping out to excessively. Great stuff. Even my passengers were amazed at how such small changes in the dampening changed how the car responded.
Long term impressions
As I've said, it's been about a year since I've been running these coilovers. I've added about 30k miles of daily usage and monthly track use, and they still ride like new. Took them out for inspection about 1 month ago, just to make sure no seals were going out, cleaning up all the components, checking for any sort of play, and there were no problems at all. Reset my suspension after completely disassembling and cleaning all the components, and reinstalled them. No issues after 1 year of heavy abuse, which is very promising.
I have yet to get tired of the suspension because it rides really smooth. Not jarring at all. I've had passengers fall asleep in my car because of how well the car rides. Definitely a big surprised as to how comfortable it rides considering it's a race oriented set up. I love it.
Footage of suspension in actions
Here are a couple of videos of my car at the track, both drifting and road racing to show how the car reacts with the suspension installed. Enjoy!
Drifting at the NOS Center:
YouTube - Z32 Drifting at NOS Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO9d4ed0fSM)
YouTube - Z32 Drifting at NOS Center (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwy8N2JZ4E8)
Drifting at the Balcony at Willow Springs
YouTube - 300zx Drifting on Powertrix Ultralites (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYkHZ8qyS1A)
YouTube - MVI_0346.AVI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCx9143_-uM)
Road racing at Buttonwillow (video courtesy of CanyonCarver)
YouTube - 300zx Buttonwillow 022110 #1.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5fBoc8o94)