New guy looking for suspension help - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

jsxr14s · 04-13-2009, 04:33 PM

Got my s14 in December and want to get some suspension. And I'd definitely appreciate this communities' input.
I live in LA so road conditions vary (mostly rough and many potholes). My car is basically my daily driver, but i am looking to track it and have some fun with it (drifting). I'm on stock size wheels, but with a little more cash that will change. These will be my first set of coils ever, so what i'm wondering is will it really make a difference what brand i get and how much i spend?
I was thinking the Tein basics. These are my most favorable option because of the price and i've heard decent reviews. From what I've read around in the forums it seems to be mainly preference. But other brands I was also thinking are Megans and Tanabe. Again I am considering these mainly because of the cost and they will be my first. Being that i'm considerably new in all of this, will i be fine with any of these and the most basic ones? or should i save more for the more costly ones?
I also want to ride comfortably, especially since my girlfriend's comfort is a concern of mine.
Sounds like a lot to ask, but Thanks in advance!

SHINCHU · 04-13-2009, 09:48 PM

make sure whatever you get has a FULLY threaded body. inverted monotube helps too but gets pricey. anyway, fully threaded means you will adjust the height at the mounting bracket, instead of the spring perch. when it adjusts at the spring perch, you are actually moving the damper pistons out of the operating range, and they will pretty much ride like poo and not work correctly.
fully threaded you can SLAM the suckers and they will ride the same at any hieght.

i hope this helps. good luck and let us know what you go with!

jsxr14s · 04-14-2009, 12:26 AM

thanks! Good info. but different brands i'm sure make a difference right?

SHINCHU · 04-14-2009, 05:58 AM

yes, to a certain point.
you get what you pay for (but i also believe in paying for just a name.)
make sure you look around at reviews and stuff here. read up on the products before buying them. PM owners of a few different kinds and ask for thier opinions.

allturbotim · 04-14-2009, 08:22 PM

JIC is cheap and rebuildable, but I wld go with something like Silk Road, HKS, Top Secret ...etc

Timeattack_S13 · 04-15-2009, 04:16 PM

The difference between a 1100 dollar and a 2500-3000 dollar coilover as far as handling, range of adjustment, and ride height control is night and day. It all depends on what you want to do with the car.

I would go with the Tanabe 7s w/ TEAS but the ones for the S13 and S14 are discontinued it seems.

Personally don't care much for the Megans, or the 0 R&D coilovers.

04-13-2009, 04:33 PM	#1
jsxr14s Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 229 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	New guy looking for suspension help Got my s14 in December and want to get some suspension. And I'd definitely appreciate this communities' input. I live in LA so road conditions vary (mostly rough and many potholes). My car is basically my daily driver, but i am looking to track it and have some fun with it (drifting). I'm on stock size wheels, but with a little more cash that will change. These will be my first set of coils ever, so what i'm wondering is will it really make a difference what brand i get and how much i spend? I was thinking the Tein basics. These are my most favorable option because of the price and i've heard decent reviews. From what I've read around in the forums it seems to be mainly preference. But other brands I was also thinking are Megans and Tanabe. Again I am considering these mainly because of the cost and they will be my first. Being that i'm considerably new in all of this, will i be fine with any of these and the most basic ones? or should i save more for the more costly ones? I also want to ride comfortably, especially since my girlfriend's comfort is a concern of mine. Sounds like a lot to ask, but Thanks in advance!

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04-13-2009, 09:48 PM	#2
SHINCHU Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Temecula, CA Age: 42 Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: SHINCHU Feedback Score: 0 reviews	make sure whatever you get has a FULLY threaded body. inverted monotube helps too but gets pricey. anyway, fully threaded means you will adjust the height at the mounting bracket, instead of the spring perch. when it adjusts at the spring perch, you are actually moving the damper pistons out of the operating range, and they will pretty much ride like poo and not work correctly. fully threaded you can SLAM the suckers and they will ride the same at any hieght. i hope this helps. good luck and let us know what you go with!

04-14-2009, 12:26 AM	#3
jsxr14s Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: los angeles Posts: 229 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	thanks! Good info. but different brands i'm sure make a difference right?

04-14-2009, 05:58 AM	#4
SHINCHU Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Temecula, CA Age: 42 Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: SHINCHU Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yes, to a certain point. you get what you pay for (but i also believe in paying for just a name.) make sure you look around at reviews and stuff here. read up on the products before buying them. PM owners of a few different kinds and ask for thier opinions.

04-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#5
allturbotim Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA/OC Posts: 42 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	JIC is cheap and rebuildable, but I wld go with something like Silk Road, HKS, Top Secret ...etc

04-15-2009, 04:16 PM	#6
Timeattack_S13 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 26 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The difference between a 1100 dollar and a 2500-3000 dollar coilover as far as handling, range of adjustment, and ride height control is night and day. It all depends on what you want to do with the car. I would go with the Tanabe 7s w/ TEAS but the ones for the S13 and S14 are discontinued it seems. Personally don't care much for the Megans, or the 0 R&D coilovers.