Forums/Z31P/z31-performance-upgrade-forums suspension-chassis-and-brakes/The coilover thread.
Imported from Z31Performance.com Forums{{#if:gooseadrian| — original post by gooseadrian}}{{#if:2012-08-25 10:40:34|, posted 2012-08-25 10:40:34}}{{#if:46| · 46 post{{#ifeq:46|1||s}}}}{{#if:/Z31performance_archive/forum/z31-performance-upgrade-forums/suspension-chassis-and-brakes/19052-the-coilover-thread.html|
Local archive: view archived thread on dev.z31library.com}}
gooseadrian: (2012-08-25 10:40:34)
Lets see what everyone is running so people like me who dont have coilovers can see the different options out there.
Pics are helpful,
badboyz31: (2012-08-25 11:04:32)
I got stance gr+ pro SS-D coils with 12k springs all around, it's fun!
DMANN: (2012-08-25 12:01:23)
D2 coil overs for the z32…what ever specs they are.
DeleriousZ: (2012-08-25 16:16:01)
Stance GR+, 8k/7k for the Z
Cusco Zero2 for the suby (never buy cusco coilovers)
badboyz31: (2012-08-25 18:06:49)
Oh yea and the vg 280zx has Tein basics, will eventually get stance coils! STANCE FTMFW!
G-E: (2012-08-26 03:12:54)
I've got the z31 stance kit coming with 10k/9k springs.. I didn't want to wait for custom valved ones to do higher
AND all stance arms with spl monoball bushings all going into the s13 subframe with TT spindles+TT ds axle+q45 ds axle+skyline lsd [archived image: smile.png]
gooseadrian: (2012-10-17 22:16:01)
Anyone running Ground Control? How is it?
G-E: (2012-10-18 00:21:35)
Pointless, move along…
jesus94p: (2012-10-18 00:23:53)
Custom build front 7k springs, s13 Godspeed rears 9k springs
Z-31Turbo: (2012-10-18 03:03:29)
Front & Rear Cusco Zero 2 S13 coilovers with 8K springs
Black 89Turbo: (2012-10-18 06:11:05)
Rx7 Kyb Rears, fronts nla
Racinjitter: (2012-10-19 00:09:24)
Stance GR+ 3 way. 11/9
james: (2012-10-19 02:10:03)
[quote]G-E wrote:
Anyone running Ground Control? How is it?Pointless, move along…
Complicated time consuming and expensive, but works good if you are in a bind and are required to keep oem spring locations and un cut strut tubes for Laws and Regulations.
I don't have stance but the effort i put in for my Ground Control "style" setup was ridiculous, and taking into account the time I spent doing things myself Stance would have worked out cheaper if the spindle welding was "legal" in New Zealand
But Don't be fooled into thinking that its pointless, if the springs,dampers,stroke length & ridge height are all matched up correctly then its as good as any other suspension system. ( its just very difficult to do on a Z31 )
adamvann3: (2012-10-19 04:19:27)
Running the same rate with everything pillowball mounted. Lots of cabin noise without any isolators
Greasedmonkey: (2012-10-19 06:05:21)
Ive got the Stance Z31 GR+ with 10k/8k rates.
G-E: (2012-10-19 07:22:15)
[quote]adamvann3 wrote:
I've got the z31 stance kit coming with 10k/9k springs.. I didn't want to wait for custom valved ones to higher
Running the same rate with everything pillowball mounted. Lots of cabin noise without any isolators
TF was able to piece together a 10k/10k kit for me btw [archived image: smile.png]
adamvann3: (2012-10-19 16:15:39)
[quote]G-E wrote: [quote=adamvann3]
I've got the z31 stance kit coming with 10k/9k springs.. I didn't want to wait for custom valved ones to higher
Running the same rate with everything pillowball mounted. Lots of cabin noise without any isolators
TF was able to piece together a 10k/10k kit for me btw [archived image: smile.png][/quote:3u9m3bjj]
Not sure what you plan on doing with the car but its pretty stiff at 9/10k. I have the dampers cranked 3/4 stiff to handle the rates, anything under and the rebound sucked. I have 9/10 on the car but have 6, 7, 8, and 12k springs at various lengths sitting the garage. Was trying to find the optimum setup up front allowing the maximum clearance for the wheel. Inner lip of he wheel barely clears the lower perch lock with 17x9 +2 with 235/40.
If I drove the car more I would probably swap in lower spring rates
MuhKaydenZ: (2012-10-19 18:33:14)
STANCE Nissan Z31 GR+ Coilover 9k/7k
[archived image: IMAG0107.jpg]
Neil86t: (2012-10-19 18:46:52)
STANCE Nissan Z31 GR+ Coilover 9k/7k
badboyz31: (2012-10-19 19:15:58)
oh you think you sooo cool with your fancy brakes :nanan?re
Butter: (2012-10-21 01:17:11)
Tanabe Sustec ProDD for S14 11k/9k
Had Ground Control 4k/5k before, pointless.
300zxt: (2016-10-09 21:10:18)
Where are people getting thier coilovers from? It's been a while since I've looked around on here for coilovers and what people are doing.
Do we have anything that bolts in yet with zero modifications or does everything still require cutting & welding?
kaur: (2016-10-10 07:12:33)
In the US you can get coilovers for the Z31 from Powertrix and Stance. Both offer a welding service so you can send in the spindles and get a bolt on setup in return.
300zxt: (2016-10-10 08:11:23)
Sending spindles isn't an option for me because a) I don't want to ship from Australia b) these are too rare here now to start just chopping shit up.
I'm after a supplier that sends me parts that fit out of the box or at least supplies the hardware for installation, none of this BYO half the stuff.
I'm currently looking at the below and I'm conversation with the vendor.
http://ceikaperformance.com/Custom_B…389_p2847.html
Coilovers seem to be the most documented with the least clarity of any thread. Has any two people done it the same way? Lol
kaur: (2016-10-10 12:16:56)
Outside of the US things are tricky of course. Ceika has supposedly made some coilovers for Z31s before. However, they are the same weld on spindle type. You get a threaded tube that you weld on a short bit of the cut original strut tube. With Ceika you get a pretty much custom made set. Make sure you go through all possible details with them. Another option is to go with S13 coilovers, which are pretty abundant. You need to find a good welder in any case.
300zxt: (2016-10-10 12:31:07)
They've been the most responsive so far. I've got nothing back from Stance yet or the group buy contact on here from ages ago.
I'm just not 100% sure on some random unknown brand that ships straight out of Taiwan.
kaur: (2016-10-10 12:47:28)
Have you tried cpark@powertrix.com? He was willing to ship to Europe, but shipping from the US starts from $300 and then there are customs charges.
The comments I have found about Ceika online are generally not bad. It's not high end but it's not the cheap stuff either. Quality of components should match the price point. It's also questionable how well their setup really matches the particular car. But it's hard to tell with so little information available.
300zxt: (2016-10-10 20:53:46)
Yeah its a bit of a gamble and I really don't want do be the test case for them.
It's interesting reading all of the resource information about coilovers for the z31, lots of information until you actually go to buy stuff then realise most of the information about suppliers is outdated and no longer relevant.
260DET: (2016-10-10 22:37:45)
Kaur has already put you onto Powertrix, I was satisfied enough after some emails with Charles to order a set of his race spec coilovers which should arrive any day now, I'm in AU. Customs of course wanted their chop but the final price is still acceptable. The important things for me were that the fronts have proper pivot thrust bearings and that the shocks are correctly valved for the springs I intend to start with, race car. I guess that Charles could possibly obtain a set of Z31 front struts and fit the front coilovers for you but that would involve extra shipping costs too. I'ts no big deal getting them fitted in AU, there should be plenty of spares around for the much unloved Z31 too.
300zxt: (2016-10-11 12:58:47)
Yeah I've fired an email off to Powertrix as well. Im awaiting a response. Stance did not reply as yet.
300zxt: (2016-10-11 13:12:42)
Ceika have excellent response time, sometimes within minutes. I'll give the USA based guys some time seeing as I'm emailing from the future and it's only just come off the weekend.
260DET: (2016-10-11 22:26:10)
Charles sometimes takes a few days but he is very informative and good to deal with. Whatever you get make sure that they have a proper thrust bearing at the top and do not rely only on a pillow ball, that's the main reason why I got the more expensive Powertrix race setup.
300zxt: (2016-10-12 10:57:07)
Yeah the replies are coming in now.
https://dev.z31library.com/extras_archive/www.powertrix.com/z31/z31-suspension/z31ul.html
https://dev.z31library.com/extras_archive/www.tf-works.com/
http://ceikaperformance.com/Custom_B…389_p2847.html
Appear all 3 vendors are using the same method for installation. I was supplied the following instructions which may or may not be useful to some but for the purpose of completeness I'll include it below anyway.
300zxt: (2016-10-12 11:00:13)
Provided by Stance reseller on ebay;
WELD-ON TYPE NOTES:
Our weld-on type lower brackets are available for cars that feature a front spindle for the lower mounting point. This type, unlike any of our others, requires welding and cutting of OEM components to mount to the chassis. We recommend having an experienced fabricator follow these steps:
- First cut the front OEM strut tubes leaving about one inch of tube remaining on the spindle to weld the lower bracket to.
- Fully clean the spindle and weld-on tube of any paint; sand blasting them is recommended.
- Pre-heat the cast spindle to 500-600°F and try to not let it go below 400°F while you are welding. This step will prevent the welds from cracking.
NOTE - We recommend 309L tig wire as we find it works best. It is not possible to get a good weld pass all the way around the full spindle so we recommend to cut out a couple support brackets and weld those in as well.
- After everything is done being welded and cools down, we primer the metal and then repaint them black to prevent corrosion and for a nice finish.
kaur: (2016-10-14 11:12:20)
Whatever you get make sure that they have a proper thrust bearing at the top and do not rely only on a pillow ball, that's the main reason why I got the more expensive Powertrix race setup.
So that's a pillow ball in the top mount and a thrust bearing supporting the spring?
adamvann3: (2016-10-14 21:54:42)
Thrust bearings to prevent binding. There are multiple ways to do this depending on the amount of maintenance you put into your suspension.
There are a ton of universal applications kits out there and should never be a deal breaker. Look for brand that offer a various types of shocks and valving. While Stance only lists one option for z31, they can easily make their XR1s, XR3s and other applications. They have a shock dyno in house and can do all kinds of custom creations.
260DET: (2016-10-14 22:17:13)
So that's a pillow ball in the top mount and a thrust bearing supporting the spring?
Yes. On the Powertrix race version the cap which retains the spring at the top is split to house the thrust bearing, the pillow ball is needed to take care of angularity in the mount. No Made in USA sticker on the Powertrix, I suspect that they are like the others made in SE Asia somewhere, look great. An important consideration for me was the valving, Charles provided a shock dyno graph which helped swing the deal. I did not get springs, they will be sourced locally because with them I know what I'm getting.
300zxt: (2016-10-27 03:26:29)
An update on my communication with these vendors.
Charles from Powertrix is very good and he informed me that the pillow ball top mount and thrust bearing support for the spring is now also standard on the Road/Track coilovers as well as the Ultra Light Road/Track. I'm probably looking at about $2,000USD landed including the swift springs upgrade with these coilovers which is about what I expected.
Ceika have probably counted themselves out for my application as another user here is still awaiting on replacement parts for their incorrectly filled order and I don't really have time to wait and see how that pans out!
300zxt: (2016-11-18 06:14:39)
Coilover goodness.
kaur: (2016-11-18 08:32:44)
Could you add a couple of photos of the top part of the fronts? Would be interesting to see the thrust bearing housing.
300zxt: (2016-12-09 05:48:19)
Here's some photos of my installation - very good support from Charles @ Powertrix and the quality is very good.
300zxt: (2016-12-09 05:49:33)
300zxt: (2016-12-09 05:51:06)
I had the first test drive today on these - on the firmest setting it is hard as nails! lol I am now readjusting these to sit on the softest setting.
They look mint when installed; particularly with the bronze Swift springs. I'll update with performance once I've driven it a bit more.
300zxt: (2016-12-09 15:19:02)
I took some twisties tonight and all I can say is wow. The softest setting is perfect me for me with the road/track coils and swift spring combo. I'm running some pretty serious semi slick tyres (Kumho Ecsta V70A K60) and for the first time driving i can actually feel the tyres doing what they're supposed to do. It just grips and grips! I can take corners at any speed it feels like! lol
Plunder: (2016-12-09 22:20:23)
What spring rate did you get?
260DET: (2016-12-09 22:21:11)
That's good news, what spring rates are you running?