Suspension VS. Engine

[driftk2000]

If you had only $2000 to spend on a 90k mile DOHC S13, would you go put it towards the suspension/handling or engine mods? Kind of a stupid question, flame me coz you if makes you feel like a man, HUH? :D
I have leaking bushings...

[Dousan_PG]

hookers and suspension stuff

[RanciD]

I'd go for suspension and get rid of some of that body roll. Two grand can get you a pretty nice set up. Either go for some good coilovers (expensive) or a strut/spring combo (what I'd do). KYB AGXs and Eibach Sportline or Pro-Kit will run about $600 I think leaving you cash for more suspension stuff (camber plates, new arms, whatever) or some basic bolt ons like exhaust/header/intake for your engine. I'm not too sure how much a good coilover set up will cost you but it will probably be most of the $2,000. Personally, I'd drop it all into suspension but it's all about your preference. Do you want to go fast on a drag strip or an autocross track?

[TheTimanator]

take it from experience.....put it into suspension. Get a nice set of coilovers and whatever you can get with the leftover money. Having a car thats fast but can't hanlde sucks.....

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by TheTimanator
Having a car thats fast but can't hanlde sucks.....

but having a car that handles awesome and isnt fast sucks too
i got a nice suspension and it handles great

my friend has a built sr w/ crap suspension

we want to trade but then we'd be the opposite
its a trade off

i still suggest upgrading suspension as well as adding some power. stock is pretty slow! a bit of power under the foot adds some fun! :)


dont necessary jump and buy coilovers. 90% of the people out there dont need them. shocks and springs does the job perfectly fine.

[teampulse]

i would definatley say suspension but it depends on what kind of driving you are into as well. 2k in suspension work will make you car funner to drive by a long shot. spent $1200 on suspension and about equall on the motor and i would say the suspension was more worth the money. nothing like having your 90k mile car out handleing a 50k dollar car:D

[driftk2000]

Originally posted by dousan36
but having a car that handles awesome and isnt fast sucks too
i got a nice suspension and it handles great

my friend has a built sr w/ crap suspension

we want to trade but then we'd be the opposite
its a trade off

i still suggest upgrading suspension as well as adding some power. stock is pretty slow! a bit of power under the foot adds some fun! :)


dont necessary jump and buy coilovers. 90% of the people out there dont need them. shocks and springs does the job perfectly fine. I've got the GP Sports Smoothing and that Biatch is already scrapping.:( Should I go Bushings all around and spend the rest of the money on what?

[240Degrees]

i was in the same position you were in, pretty much. So far I got:

Tein HA - 950
Strut bars - 100
Junkyard wheels - $200
And I'm about to get HKS Hiper - $520

This totals to $1770. You can use that extra money for an intake or maybe a new clutch? $2000 can get your car in pretty decent condition. You can see the wheels were pretty cheap, that's where I saved the most money but it's not the same as if I bought cheap aftermarket wheels. The wheels I got come from a RWD car, so it has a lesser offset. Forget that "you get what you pay for" crap. The wheels are OEM Nissan. My car is leaning more toward suspension, but it's coming around pretty good overall.

[Dousan_PG]

you mean GP sports body kit?
depends


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?


drift?
auto-x?
daily drive?

all have different answers.

[driftk2000]

dirft, but i guess i'll have to remove my front bumper..it's annoying me.. the car's not even lowered and the front looks slammed.

[Dousan_PG]

hmm
i say buy a LSD and replace bushings!
that's it!
it will handle better and drifting you'll need a LSD no matter what, might as well buy it while you have the $$$$

LSD or VLSD
i say 'real' lsd (clutch)


use the search mode if you are confused w/ LSD types/advantage/disadvantage

[driftk2000]

Originally posted by dousan36
hmm
i say buy a LSD and replace bushings!
that's it!
it will handle better and drifting you'll need a LSD no matter what, might as well buy it while you have the $$$$

LSD or VLSD
i say 'real' lsd (clutch)


use the search mode if you are confused w/ LSD types/advantage/disadvantage I might go with that combo; good one. Though you like flaming people, you alright dousan36..haha:p

[mrmephistopheles]

Originally posted by driftk2000
I might go with that combo; good one. Though you like flaming people, you alright dousan36..haha:p
Believe it or not, that's true of alot of us. Dousan just happens to have more patience than some of us, plus he's a post whore, so he has to have *some* reason to post.

[Dousan_PG]

i flame i give good answers..etc

go w/ shock springs and LSD you wont regret
wnat stiffer springs/ check out www.rs-r.com and maybe grab some AGX coilovers w/ it.

[Strider]

That actually sounds llike a good idea LSD and susp. I wish i would have thought of that when I had my money ::sigh::

Hey Dousan i lost your AIM name, and i was in irvine yesterday again. what was it again?

[mrmephistopheles]

Originally posted by mrmephistopheles
Believe it or not, that's true of alot of us. Dousan just happens to have more patience than some of us, plus he's a post whore, so he has to have *some* reason to post.
Hmm forgot to add smilies and such... :D :D :D :D
Dousan is teh r0x0r.

[240Dori]

definitely suspension, however modifying an old wore out suspension is counterproductive...before you go out buying two thousand dollar coilovers make sure you renew your bushings etc. and any other problems you may have with the car...once the car is up to snuff go buck wild on suspension mods...

[ny_jee]

I'd opt for suspension. IMO, one'd get more for the money's worth. Up till now, every suspension mod that I did made a difference that I can really feel. From cheap stuff like subframe spacers to coilovers. Every little thing made the car felt different.

For engine mods, I've discussed it w/ friends that tune engines for a living. Initial mods may be cheap and you might feel a difference. However, as you upgrade, the more money needs to be spent to feel the same gain. Before you know it, it might be hundreds if not in the thousands that you've put into the engine that could've gone to suspension.

Another point I'd like to make is that no matter how much power you got under the hood of the car, you'd need something that goes w/ it to be able to tend the beast. On the other hand, investing in suspensions assist the driver in skills needed to make up for lack of power. And when one day, the power of the car is up to par, one'd still be able to handle it and make the most out of it. Anyways, this is just my personal opinion. May or may not be what others feel, but just remember... It's your car, do whatever you feel like to it. And that's that.

[nrcooled]

I did brakes first rotors, pads, ss lines. Then power SR + goodies. Then I did my suspension AGX/HKS, STB, VLSD, etc

Right now I think I have a really well ballanced car that's a blast to drive!:D It took me two years to build her and once I get my radiator to stop overheating (when pushed hard) I will be golden.:)

[240Dori]

oh yea and another thing....no matter how much horsepower your car has, if it has a slop stock suspension think about how much of that added power is lost through suspension travel etc. ... with a properly tuned and stronger suspension every engine mod you do will have a greater effect due to the fact that you are putting far more of the added power to the ground, especially in corners.

[sykikchimp]

If your drag racing, you will put down LESS power with stiff coilovers...

If your road racing or auto-xing, I would spend money on brakes, swaybars, various chassis braces and struts and springs in that order. Brakes first though.

If your drifting.. just listen to dousan.

[Dousan_PG]

u wanna drif?




first basic maintenance
then....

learn STOCK first!!!! (that's key)


shock/springs (or coilvoers but not necessary)
bucket seat (or racing seat of some kind)
LSD (or VLSD)
good tires and extra money for more tires and repairs to car


THATS IT!!

[Steeles]

heres how my build went and other than blown worldsports im happy with it...

intake
exhaust
TC rods
World sports
LSD (clutch type)
SR - and brakes at the same time
Strut tower bars Front and rear
awaiting rear upper arms and toe control arms and tie rod ends. and just recieved Cusco tc rod bar. that if I had a change of clothes here at work would go on this aftenoon :) but will have to wait till Sat. :( also awaiting new exhaust. :D

[driftk2000]

Looks like I got enough info help to make a move.
I'm gonna replace my bushings since they're leaking.
Next, consider a 2 way L.S.D, and not getting springs/shocks yet because I'm scrapping like hell on stock suspension.