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View Full Version : DIY Coilovers for Z32 Rears (S14)


guitaraholic
01-08-2010, 11:40 PM
Ok, I've put quite a few hours of research into this. I am doing this because I don't have $1500 to drop on a decent coilover setup. Doing it this way, I can do the rears (Z32's) and later do the fronts. I am not looking for a crazy drop, maybe an 1" at the most. I'm looking at using some quality parts. Here is what I have so far.

It looks like the rear shocks from a 4th/5th Gen Prelude might work (with some modifications. I will hopefully be getting at least one shock in order to test fit it in the next few days. If all goes well with that its on to the next step.

I am debating on going with either Koni or Bilstein shocks. I know the quality and rebuildablity of Bilsteins make it an attrractive choice. But lacks the adjustablity of the Konis.

The perches off the prelude shocks are mounted a bit low, but is should pose no problem because it will be cut off and grounded down.

Next as a choice of springs I was thinking of Hypercoil. They can be had for ~$55 a spring and can be had at a variety of spring heights and rates.

I was thinking about going with a set of coilover sleeves by Koni, Bilstein mabye QA1 (they are aluminum).

From reading other sites on DIY coilovers. It looks like my inventory will need the following:

2 x Hypercoil springs, .
2 x Hypercoil " "helper springs". .
2 x 2.25 ID Torrington bearings, with races (4 x races)
2 x Koni coilover sleeves with low-profile hats, part number 80.0000.1
2 x spherical bearings
2 x Upper mount plates.
2 x Upper Standoff.
2 x Lower Standoff.
4 x inside snap ring

Got this off of Autocross.dsm.org - Build Your Own Konis (http://farnorthracing.com/autocross/konis.html)

Suggestions/comments (not flaming) is appreciated. If it works out, could give us S14's a nice way to use the Z32 uprights without have to drop over a grand on coilovers.

guitaraholic
02-07-2010, 05:57 PM
OK, I test fitted the shock onto the upright. The bottom looks like it will work (the fork type) however the shock height seems a little short. Here are the specs straight from Monroe. But for some reason it seems about 4" too short.

S14 (240sx)
P#: 71337
Body Length: 18.625
Strut Compressed: 19.250
Strut Extended: 26.625
Travel: 7.375

Prelude 4th & 5th Gen Rear Strut Info:
P#: 71267
Body Length: 17.750
Strut Compressed: 17.750
Strut Extended: 25.250
Travel: 7.500

Monooxide
02-07-2010, 09:11 PM
This has been covered before, look at the link below for some more information.

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/270829-writeup-custom-koni-ground-control-coilover-setup-assembly.html