S14 Suspension

[MrMigs]

I was looking around for some suspension parts, and I noticed on several sites that the KYB AGX struts were only available for S13s.

I know that KYB has Gr2 struts that fit on S14s, but do they also make a set of AGXs that will fit on my '97 240sx?

If not, I might start looking into GAB Super HPs or maybe something from Koni. If anybody could also recommend something that has adjustable dampening without forcing me to go coilovers, plz do. thanks.

[xNotoriousGQx]

They don't sell KYB AGX for our car. Just stick with Koni Yellow or Tein shock/struts.

[MrMigs]

Thanks for the assurance... even though it's not what I wanted to hear. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

Oh well, at least you set me on the right track, and I thank you for that. So now I'll basically be choosing between Koni Yellows and GAB Super HPs... I've heard of good things about both shocks.

Basically, now it depends on what I can find for the cheapest price between the Yellows and the Hps.

As for Tein, the feeling I get about that brand is that they make some high-end top quality stuff, and the price for adjustable struts made by them would probably be too high for me. But correct me if I'm wrong.

Again, thanks for the info. Now, if anyone could recommend a great place to buy either Konis, GABS, or a relatively cheap set of Tein struts, please let me know. thanks

[White240sx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from MrMigs on 5<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>0 pm on Feb. 9, 2002
Thanks for the assurance... even though it's not what I wanted to hear. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

Oh well, at least you set me on the right track, and I thank you for that. So now I'll basically be choosing between Koni Yellows and GAB Super HPs... I've heard of good things about both shocks.

Basically, now it depends on what I can find for the cheapest price between the Yellows and the Hps.

As for Tein, the feeling I get about that brand is that they make some high-end top quality stuff, and the price for adjustable struts made by them would probably be too high for me. But correct me if I'm wrong.

Again, thanks for the info. Now, if anyone could recommend a great place to buy either Konis, GABS, or a relatively cheap set of Tein struts, please let me know. thanks</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

The Koni yellows are inserts up front, and in the rear you have to uninstall to adjust them. The GAB or the HTS come highly lauded and will cost you around $700-$800 for a set of 4. Spring wise you should go with linear rate springs on the HTS, and either linear or progressive on the GAB. Eibach Pro and GAB are said to be a very nice set up for daily commuting and highway travel, but transform into a competitive track set up for the weekend.

[MrMigs]

What do you mean when you say that the Koni yellows are &quot;inserts&quot; up front?

inserts...

[MrMigs]

uh...nevermind. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[nismo270r]

I've got GAB Super HP's with H&amp;R's on my '96...They've been nothing but awesome. &nbsp;When all the shocks are set to the firmest setting it handles like it's on rails. &nbsp;I also have ST Sways, A'pexi Aluminum FSTB, and a Nismo RSTB. &nbsp;For everyday driving, 2/4 up front and 4/8 on the rear is comfortable while retaining great handling. &nbsp;If you put them all on full soft, the ride is much like stock, but it still handles better than stock, obviously...Just a little insight on a decent setup for the S14. &nbsp;I've heard that Tien coilovers require quite a bit of routine maintenance...I'm not sure of the complete details of it, but if you'd like to know more on the Tien's check out www.importcargarage.com and contact Marty King. &nbsp;He has them on his '98 LE KA-T. &nbsp;I've personally taken a ride in the car, and there's really no comparison between a shock/spring combo and the Tien's. &nbsp;Well...of course the Tien's will cost quite a bit more though...Good luck.

[MrMigs]

Wow that must have been a helluva ride.

Right now, I'm thinking that the GAB's are a little bit better than the Koni Yellows as far as adjustability goes. I heard that the Super HP's have both adjustable dampening and rebound... or something along those lines, while the Yellows only have adjust able dampening.

They both seem to be great shocks, with the GAB's being the higher performer... but then again, there's Tein and the whole coilover crowd. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[nismo270r]

Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...for the Koni's, you have to DISASSEMBLE your front struts to put the Konis [email protected]#$ THAT is what I said...I just figured the extra cash for the GAB's was worth it. Also, the Super HP's are 4 way adj in the front, and 8 way on the rears. I do believe the valving in the GAB's may adjust both dampening and rebound, but I'm not really for sure...I'll have to look into it.

(Edited by nismo270r at 5:31 am on Feb. 10, 2002)


(Edited by nismo270r at 5:31 am on Feb. 10, 2002)

[MrMigs]

Whoa...umm... for the Konis, I wonder why you would have to disassemble the front struts...

You mean you have to take the strut totally apart, or do you mean that I would just have to take the strut off of the car?

[Cam]

I believe the end of the strut is cut off, the guts are removed and replaced with the Koni insert. Correct me if I'm wrong, cuz this is the reason I'm staying away from them. I'd have a helluva time finding a shop to do this in my area...

[MrMigs]

Okay, I've been browsing around the internet, and it seems that Koni only sells &quot;inserts&quot; for the front struts.

So yes, basically I would have to saw the top off of the stock strut, empty out the insides, and slide in a Koni &quot;insert.&quot;

However, some websites say that the process isn't all that hard. Maybe someone who has installed Koni Sports (yellows) could talk about the difficulty of the installation.

(Edited by MrMigs at 11:56 pm on Feb. 10, 2002)

Although I haven't worked on 240sx's directly as far as struts go, I have worked on struts for other cars which should be the same. &nbsp;A strut should have a big nut on the top which holds the insert in. (no sawing required). You just have to take the nut off the top, remove the old insert, put the new one in, and tighten down the big nut. To get to the big nut (for lack of a better name), &nbsp;the essential things to remove would be the brake line, the sway bar, the steering linkage, control arms, and the 3 nuts at the top of the strut. After that, you do what I already described. I'm sure if you got koni's, there would be some basic instructions as to the exact details. &nbsp;As for the GAB's or whichever ones are complete struts, you would still have to do all the removal and then attachment that I just described, sans the removal and replacement of the shock insert. &nbsp;Hope that helps in someway.

[coolblue]

Whoops, realized I didn't answer your question. &nbsp;It really depends on what tools you have and how much experience you have with cars. &nbsp;If you have a basic assortment of tools (full sockets sets, torque wrench, pickle fork, hopefully air compressor with air tools, and a workshop manual for the basics), you should be able to pull it off. &nbsp; Sorry, wouldn't let me edit.

[nismo270r]

This is taken directly from the Koni website: &quot;Special McPherson strut insert bolted into O.E. housing after cutting top and removing old internal parts.&quot; I don't think Koni's would be worth the trouble.

If you wanna check it out, click the link below, go to products and search for Nissan. It should be right up top.
<a href="http://www.koni-na.com/" target='_blank'>http://www.koni-na.com/</a>

[tnord]

hey ace........you wanna chime in on this one, i know you have the koni yellow's, don't know if you got around to the install yet though

['91 D21 beater]

I've been running Pro-kit with GAB Super HP for over 3 years now plus numerous open track events.

Great bang for the buck. Each setting in damping affects the compression and rebound together. Some other shocks only change one, GAB's adjust both at the same time. Higherend stuff allows independent adjustments.

Another reason not to go Koni... They are inserts, this means the shock design is limited to a certain diameter that would allow the insert to fit the stock strut body. The smaller the valve, the harder for it to maintain control. GAB with it's replacement struts is not restricted by that, and does have larger valves than the Koni, this means much better damping control.

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from tnord on 10:23 am on Feb. 11, 2002
hey ace........you wanna chime in on this one, i know you have the koni yellow's, don't know if you got around to the install yet though
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
nah... I only have KONI fronts. &nbsp;I'm waiting to see if they come out with AGX's for the S14 by spring (someone said they were supposed to be out last month a few months ago... but oh well). &nbsp;Drifting Ricer has Koni Yellow's with KG/mm springs, someone should get him in here.

[MrMigs]

I'm not really up for sawing my struts apart. I'll probably screw something up. &nbsp;And with the dumbass mechanics around my area, I wouldn't want to give them the job of installing Konis for me.

At least for now, it looks like I'll be looking into GABs. But if drifting ricer happens to say that installing the Konis is a piece of cake, maybe I'll reconsider.