$600-$700 to spend on suspension

[s13coupedude]

I'm guessing coilovers are out of the picture,but I don't think I need them anyway since I won't be drifting or putting any hard stress on my car. So I think just a set of shocks and springs will be fine. I've done plenty of searching but I get lots of mixed reviews. I'm looking to go about 1.5-2 inches lower, and i've read that just buying springs will wear stock shocks out fast. So any suggestions on a good setup in that price range. Cheaper would be better but I don't want so cheap that my car will be breaking down after a few months. Thanks.

[Daniel.]

kyb agx + ground controls

thats what i have.

[A Spec Products]

these days coilover setups are not far off from $600 bucks

might as well save a little bit more and gain adjustability versus being locked into settings in a shock/spring combo

[s13coupedude]

Sorry for being a noob but how easily are coilovers to adjust?

[Irukandji]

Used coilovers are under $700.

Adjusting coilovers... dampening is just twist of a knob.


adjusting height... just use a wrench and adjust the spring or mount accordingly.

It's easy.. but it sounds like you don't need coilovers.


Just buy some springs and shocks. Tokico Hp (blue ones) w/ Eibach Sportline springs.

[<3MyRiceRocKet]

NO!!! no tokico blues w/ sportlines, that crap did not even lower my car! Well I bought the car with that set up on it..I suggest at least K-sport or Megan. Though I have not tried them, reviews about them are good so far. Trust me! Just save up another c note and buy coilovers.

[s13coupedude]

Well I don't know if I'd ever go any lower than 2" anyway. But this is the reason i'm having such a horrible time deciding what to buy. One guy says a setup that I was thinking about and the next guy says NOOO thats horrible lol. And I don't think I wanna buy used coilovers just because.

[<3MyRiceRocKet]

they don't have to be used. Just save up bro, sooner or later you'll want nice coilovers just to have adjustability. It is a nice thing trust me! AHHHHH!!! You no like camba? A lito tucki tucki? Do it! Just do it!

[s13coupedude]

Hmm so you think Megan coilovers would be fine? I think i read they cost around $800? Off the top of your head do you know a good site to check them out? Thanks for the quick replies.

MUST ELIMINATE 4X4 WHEEL GAP!!!

[<3MyRiceRocKet]

yeah I know dudes who run them at drift practices...Can't remember what company is using them on their track cars, but feedback is that they're just as competent. Besides if you do not do any tracking, they will last a good while. I know my crappy tein ss are still holding up fine.

[s13coupedude]

Well I think I'll probably go with the megan coilovers. These forums make me broke. Lol Jk.
A couple questions about installing. Any chance I could install these myself? The extent to my car instalation knowledge is putting on a CAI and changing a distributer cap and rotor lol. I'll have help form a friend that's alot more experienced in stuff like this. So you think we could do this with just basic tools and a normal floor jack? Cause i'd really like to start learning more and teaching myself how to do this stuff but I don't wanna mess something up in the process. Like I said i'm a :newbie: . Thanks again.

[<3MyRiceRocKet]

haha ok If you agree to search, I will pm you details about installing coils, ok? Gangsta. The back will be sooo easy once you learn to do the front set.

[s13coupedude]

Heh ok i'll wanna get as much info as I can before i do it. Thanks for all the quick replies bro. PM me if you have time.

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

save up another 200$ and go with megans. done and done. if you are really feeling frisky save up another 300-400$ and go with KTS and be happier still. your choice :D

/$0.02

p.s. i have the megans and im happy.

[AdoriPimp]

Your really going to save money by doing it right the first time! Eventually your going to want better.

[sncs14]

listen to us save another few hundred and get some entry level coilovers.

[DrtyRat]

Hmm so you think Megan coilovers would be fine? I think i read they cost around $800? Off the top of your head do you know a good site to check them out? Thanks for the quick replies.

MUST ELIMINATE 4X4 WHEEL GAP!!!
talk with jay @www.c2auto.com ....you'll get the best service period...if you want an informative description about them go to www.meganracing.com but I think all websites use megan racings description as their own...g.l.

[aznpoopy]

well... one thing you want to keep in mind with coilovers is that you need to get an alignment after you do the install. furthermore, you should get the car corner weighed if you really want to set the car properly.

so if your budget is $700... i'd save up a bit more cash before you go ahead with this.

[OptionZero]

no point in getting an alignment and corner weight, he's not going to drive the car hard, he just wants to look "cool" by having a lowered car

Two options:
1. sell your 240sx now to someone who'll use it

or

2. cut your springs, hurt your back and get frustrated or dead...which leads to #1

get a Honda, they're plentiful and there are cheap parts available to lower it

[Daniel.]

no point in getting an alignment and corner weight, he's not going to drive the car hard, he just wants to look "cool" by having a lowered car

Two options:
1. sell your 240sx now to someone who'll use it

or

2. cut your springs, hurt your back and get frustrated or dead...which leads to #1

get a Honda, they're plentiful and there are cheap parts available to lower it

That's uncalled for. It's comments like that which push newbies away from the community. We should be teaching them, not quite spoon feeding them but I don't think we need to be telling them to sell their 240's and go buy a honda.

This thread has been supportive so far up until you posted.

Back on topic.

I'm pretty happy with my KYB AGX + Ground Control combo for daily driving. To be honest, after having them for 2 years and having my car remain mostly stock, I never needed the adjustability of a coilover set. Now that I'm actually throwing money at the car... I really would prefer a coilover setup.

Everyone is right, save the couple extra hundred dollars and spend it on some entry level setup and you will be much happier.

[Jefferson]

Definately save up a bit more and get some entry level coils. Megans are cool, Enjuku's drift cars use them last year, I've "heard" good stuff about them

[oridostyle]

KTS ftw :bigok:

[DRIFTER-M]

You can get new Tanabe Pro SOCII (or something like that) coilovers for 750ish shipped.

[Nismo180]

sway bars are the best bang for the buck suspension mod ever. Nothing makes a bigger difference for the price,and you can get a nice set for 600$

[OptionZero]

tires are the best bang for the buck

[m072514]

my personal opinion is that you dont really need the coilovers, especially if youre a self-described newb. welcome to the community. you would be best served by using that $600 on fresh high-performance tires, a proper alignment, and enough gas to learn how to drive your car stock.

...if your dampers are blown, or you are ABSOLUTELY deadset on buying parts, then i would recommend suspension techniques sway bars, eibach pro-kit springs, and kyb agx adjustable gas shocks (my setup). i got all of that BRAND NEW for exactly $700. it just takes some time to look for them and maybe a little bit of juice / hookups / whatever.

the kyb agx's are really nice, theyve got almost the same adjustability as coilovers (without height adjustment) and they bolt on very easily, if youre not too experienced with working on your car. good luck, and let us know what you decide on. if you have any questions, search, then ask. take care!

[kazuo]

You need to save more money.

FACT.

Save more money and get something good.

$1200 should be enough.

[KAZILLA]

I agree with "Nismo180". Sway bars best place to start, I have TNB's they are thicker than ST bars. Then I bought SPL rear subframe bushings, and SPL front tension rods. Eventually I lowered it, I forked out enough to get some Cusco Damper kit , somewhat pricey.

As far as coilovers go, Tein Basic, K-Sport, D2's, KBee's and Megans all entry for about $800-900.

Like Kazou says save up, believe me I had a standard stage 1 set up, tokico w/ h & r springs, but wanted more....next thing ya known you spend around as much money for a turbo kit!!!

[wangan_cruiser]

honestly...ill go for coilovers if i were u....i mean u go for only daily drive. then later on u got used to drive a lil bit silly....and start wondering u want to upgrade ur suspension set up again....so basically it'll double ur expenses. ok whatever...ill go for coilovers


save extra $$$ and go get yourself a better one

[REDSH!FT]

Megan Racing coilovers are great IMO...They definitely get the job done and then some.

I'd say that they are worth it for anyone who just can't afford to buy on the next step up (around 1200-1300), or doesn't care to spend that much money.

$899 shipped is the going rate for MR coilovers more or less.

[ranisron]

To sum up...

Option 1: Save up for coilovers. You have $700 already, it won't be too far till you hit the 900 magic mark for a decent set of coilovers. Megan, KSport will do the job just fine. Unless you want go higher quality coilovers, i.e. KTS, Silkroads

Option 2: Replace your worn out suspension components. AGX + Prokit = good option; AGX + Sportline = Not so good since ride is too low for the shitty spring rate; Personally my car used to have KYB GR2 with sportline, ride sucked; you will definitely need better shocks than GR2.

Believe it or not, Megan Racing springs have some tough spring rate comparing other manufacturers, and then come in VERY cheap for their spring rate (for example, RS-R Race springs are in the ball park of $200, and you get somewhere around 4.5kg), Megan Racing springs are rated at 350 lb and 275 lbs IIRC, which is in the sweet zone for AGX. Megan springs costs like $100 bucks shipped.

[FITZ]

I have AGX and Sportlines...rides fine, but I want coilovers to get more of a drop.

[ESone3]

if ya want, i'll sell my Silkroads for $800?

I just gotta buy some Stance's <_<

[KA24DESOneThree]

A set of grippy tires and DC Sports solid STBs front and rear.

You'll get hooked on driving the car.

Whatever you do, don't buy anything from Megan Racing. Anything. Especially anything that has valves or springs.

[Omarius Maximus]

How about the nismo S-tune? There's no adjustment whatsoever, but they come in a better spring rate then any spring shock combo on the market. They can also be had for under 700 bucks. Just remember to get some steel Kyb solid uppermounts for added response. But it's not mandatory.

[WanganRunner]

I've heard very good things about the S-tune setup for those who don't want outrageously stiff suspension.

How realistic are most coilovers for a daily driver over shitty roads? I'd be worried that the roads in my area would blow coils in no time, not to mention rattle my teeth out. I mean, where I live may as well be Manhattan, from a pothole standpoint. Steel plates everywhere, constant construction, etc...

[<3MyRiceRocKet]

So coupedude, have you made up your mind yet? I know there are positives to both sides of suspension set ups, but you really have got to look at the long run and see if you'll be happy especially now that you have the option for both set ups. I guess some factors are down time for coilover rebuilds... Shock and spring are limited in adjustment. How serious are you!?!? I am not but I prefer coilovers still. They look better hahaha. Is that considered a factor? Oh yeah, on the plus side of coilovers, the s13 stock shock spring seat is big ass hell so you can't fit wider wheels! There you go, coilovers is the way to go!hahah

[BoogyManNN]

i have Kyb and Tanabe - DF210 springs this is the way i bought the car its prety good set up. They sound like what you need my car is pretty low

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3645/httpwwwzilvianetfshowthreadphp.th.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=httpwwwzilvianetfshowthreadphp.jpg)

[BoogyManNN]

save the money get coilovers i have kyb and Tanabe - DF210 springs but i didnt buy them so its all good but i am saving money to buy coilovers because they are a better deal

[s13coupedude]

I've heard very good things about the S-tune setup for those who don't want outrageously stiff suspension.

How realistic are most coilovers for a daily driver over shitty roads? I'd be worried that the roads in my area would blow coils in no time, not to mention rattle my teeth out. I mean, where I live may as well be Manhattan, from a pothole standpoint. Steel plates everywhere, constant construction, etc...

Sorry for bringing this thread back up. But I've been reading through it some more and still can't decide. I was gonna go with the Megan Coilovers but the roads up here are pretty shitty, and from what i've read the Megan's are very stiff. Wil tire size play much of a facter in the durabilty and balance out the stiffness of the ride much? Cause right now my ride sucks i'm rolling on 205/40/18 which I took off of another car of mine. But I will be going back to 15" Enkei Mesh. I'm hoping the comfort facter of going to more tire will kind of even out whatever springs/coilovers I get? I'll probably get flamed for saying this but right now my main concern is looking "cool", I just can't stand the insane wheel gap on my s13.And like everyone said I wanna make a good 1st choice. Thanks for all the help.

[Maeda]

Forget what you read.
Coilover spring stiffness has nothing to do with comfort. It's all in the damper. That being said I think you'll know what to do with the megans.

As far as being a poser goes, you're on your own buddy.

[jd-17]

enjuku racing was using megans for all they're cars during '05.
this year they switched to a company called stance. me being in florida im in many forums with fleming and matt back from enjuku and they have said that the stances are great coilovers and that they feel much much better than the megans. im going to be gettin stance's soon since they are only a few hundred more thna megans

[24Dee]

can't really give any advice being i've been talking about upgrading my suspension for over a year yet something else always pops up and I'm not able to do shit.... lol

but as with many people, I can 100% agree, first thing first is save up more money!!!!

[Lith]

i have Kyb and Tanabe - DF210 springs this is the way i bought the car its prety good set up. They sound like what you need my car is pretty low

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3645/httpwwwzilvianetfshowthreadphp.th.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=httpwwwzilvianetfshowthreadphp.jpg)


I have the same set up and I think the springs settled down unevenly.. both of the drivers side springs sit lower than the passenger side springs. Did that happen to your set up by any chance?

Because of that, I will have to buy sportlines and hope that doesn't happen to them as well.

[PITCH]

I brought some used Sportlines with Stock shocks on the front and KYB GR2's in the rear and the wheel gap have been totally eliminated. I daily drive the car a didnt want the stiffness of coilovers. I feel that the OEM shocks are starting to give out but the ride is great for the setup. + it totally emilinated the 4X4 stance. (my reason for lowering the car)

[tre]

Number 1 cup kit (ground countrol for 1/3 the price)
Tokico Blues.

My car is stiffer than most coilovers =\

But i wouldnt do this unless you plan on modifying the susp a little more like i will be doin shortly lol