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pipster11
  • pipster11
  • Now in Tas :-O
  • Member No.: 71,156
  • Joined: 9-June 07
  • Posts: 5,447
  • From: Tasweigia
Post #1 post 11th May 2009 - 01:26 AM
hey guys

looks like im selling the 32 and gonna be using the 31 more
the shocks are gone and i was thinking of lowering it a bit

i wanted a slightly firmer ride but not bone jarring like the 32 is with coilovers
how much would i be looking at to get new shocks and springs?

i also know that the s13 conversion is popular and also allows using the sr s13 brakes as an upgrade
the only problem with this is that you have to use height adjustable coilovers which are generally rock solid and not comfortable

i just want a firmer ride (something like the stiffness of an ss or wrx sti or just hd lowered coils) but the option of going to bigger brakes is nice

so summing up, i need new shocks and will be looking to get better brakes sometime but i dont want to have the hardness of coilovers

what do you recon

Thanks for the help

Tom

--------------------
My Cars
C34-S2 Stagea RS Four S - Factory Manual, Dayz bodykit, R34 Brakes and other stuff
R31 Skyline - With Watanabe RS-8's
R32 GTS-t
S13 Silvia SR20DET
'97 Outback
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lil_bobby_260
Post #2

Tom i literally just did mine!

I just used king lowered springs and a set of Ultima shocks. Fairly cheap setup but they work - much firmer ride, much better handling, but isnt too rough. I redid the brakes at the same time with new rotors and pads. Ill grab the receipts and have a look what it cost.

Edit - ok im back, here we go.

Full set of shocks as well as new plugs, engine oil, oil filter, radiator flush and coolant cost me $330... Rear rotors (brembo) and pads (bendix GP) was $137, front rotors (brembo) were $75 each, front pads (bendix ceramic) were $75. Full set of springs was $260.
So... About $700 for a full set of new brakes, shocks, springs, and a service. Did it over a couple of nights at my place. And about to do it all over again to my neighbours one!

I also changed the sway bar link pin bushes to nolathane at the same time as they were wearing out, and noticed that my front ball joints have got split boots. Tie ends (inner and outer) are all sweet tho, same with all the other bushes. Nolathane kit was about $30 i think.

the_random_hero
Post #3

If you want something that is going to handle better PLUS feel nice, then get a set of Koni adjustables and Eibach springs. Might also be able to find some Tokico struts around, although they are a bit harder to source they are just as good as the Koni's. Avoid King Springs and the like, you want it to handle decently - you're not just dropping a Commodore on it's nuts.

TuffVC
Post #4

This answer starts with a question....how much are you willing to spend?

I didnt find the King Springs too offensive on my R31...very FIRM though...
Ultimas...well they are just a replacement shock but will do the job for a refresher...Konis though expensive,will be the answer...I like the Eibachs too

Put poly through your sway bar bushes...link pins and D bushes...and while your down there... check the rear trailing arms bushes(notorious for failure)

Im in the market for a cheap R31 again as a daily....loved my old one...
pipster11
Post #5

not looking to spend too much really

its got cross drilled rotors on the front (prev owner but its pretty cool)
i liked the idea of the s13 swap cos it mean better brakes up front but i suppose if i want to go down that route i would have to get some more expensive ones to get some decent valving and adjustability
but its gonna be a cruiser for now and 31's are popular down here in tas so i should have no dramas shifting a good shock and spring combo if i upgrade later

so if i go for lowered springs and new shocks what would be the better brands to go with

looking to spend maybe $600 cos if i get serious with it i'd go coilovers but if you recon it can be done cheeper let me know what to get

i've heard that king springs aren't the best but what would be a good alternative (bearing in mind that the current springs are 22 years old so anything will be an upgrade)

and what brand/model of shocks to go with if im gonna go with something like low or maybe super low?

the_random_hero
Post #6

$600 isn't gonna cut it. I'm looking about $2k for my Koni's and Eibachs.

lil_bobby_260
Post #7

My reasoning was that at the end of the day, its still going to handle like a 20 year old car with 20 year old technology. The kings and ultimas setup is definitely far from the best, but is a massive improvement. All its lacking is a couple of decent anti-sway bars. The car tracks and handles well, isnt bouncy or anything and didnt cost me a mint to do it.
Honestly if its not a dedicated track car, while you can go better, i didnt really need to.

pipster11
Post #8

na its never gonna be a track car
it needs new shocks, thats the bottom line
doesn't have to be super mega awesome spec but just want something that will not shit itslef with slightly lowered springs
and what springs to go if king springs are shit

lil_bobby_260
Post #9

You could look into a whiteline setup - if you go on skylines australia there is a member called sydneykid who can put together bilstein/whiteline packages with shocks, springs, swaybays, pineapples etc for very decent pricing. I ran a setup he recommended in my nissan stagea, and was quite impressed.

King springs arent shit, but they arent exactly top shelf. Honestly in an R31 its not the sort of thing i think youd notice a huge difference on. Its still going to handle like a 20 year old car. Mine handles surprisingly well, and there isnt a huge compromise on ride quality.

pipster11
Post #10

might just go for teh cheap as possible option
its an old car and anything will be better than how it is now
and if i want a 31 that handles well i'll get a hr31 import lol
so looks like kings springs it is (or whiteline if they are cheep enough)

now... which shocks to go for? they need to be able to be lowered a little

lil_bobby_260
Post #11

Again, depends on budget. I just went for a cheap option that is better than standard. My first post in this thread shows exactly what i used and exactly what it cost. I can get you part numbers for everything if you like. Like i said the whole shocks, springs, brake rotors and pads setup including a service was less than $700, and works well.

pipster11
Post #12

brakes seem to be going good for now

and i have seen a thread on r31skylineclub on how to upgrade to 33 disks and calipers using stock struts so will go down that route when i have to

what sort of height do you have with the lowered springs?
and how much lower are the superlows?
its gonna have stock wheels on it for a month or so but have some 16's that will be going on when i get some tyres sorted for them
looking to keep drivability and dont want to go stupid low but lower than it is now

you got any pics of how yours looks with the new shocks and springs?

lil_bobby_260
Post #13

Ill take some pics of it tonight and post them up in this thread to give you an idea. the springs i got were the lowest that kings make without having a set done to custom specifications.

Im running a set of 16x7 and 16x8 jap rims off a 180SX (so the tyre profile is a lil low) but i'll; through the stockos on quickly (got a race jack and rattle gun) and take some happy snaps.

pipster11
Post #14

well i'll be getting 16's too so pics of those on would be sweet too

lil_bobby_260
Post #15

Not the greatest shots - didnt end up takin any last night but this is from my phone from when i first fitted them. Looks higher there than it does now.

Like the offset on the rear wheels? need spacers BAD haha


 
pipster11
Post #16

that looks pretty good

are they super lows?
looks like im gonna get lovells ones cos there is a place in burleigh that does them for $80 a pair apparently
they do low (~40 mm lower than stock)
or
sports low (~45-60 mm lower than stock)

think i will be going the sports low

lil_bobby_260
Post #17

They are just 'low'. about 30mm lower than standard, but its the srping rate that makes a lot of difference too. Again, didnt want to lose too much driveability or spend a huge amount haha...
Ive had lovells springs in a falcon and was happy with them but didnt really have any grounds for comparison so i can really tell you how good they are, but $80 a pair is pretty cheap for springs!

pipster11
Post #18

i think the price is the same for both heights as lovells lists 2 heights with the same price code

think i will go the lower one (but i may still change my mind)
lil_bobby_260
Post #19

well technically they SHOULD be the same price, same as kings. doesnt cost more or less to make the spring a different height.

Go the lower one. I could take another inch out of mine easily. Might even do it haha "its illegal" i know but honestly theres no way to tell.

pipster11
Post #20

looks like this will be put on the back burner

went to autobarns and got some pricing (had an hour to kill)

they wanted about $219 for front insterts (monroe i think) and $139 for rear

then $169 for king springs front and rear (each) but only 30mm lower

or $154 for whiteline springs (haven't checked spring rates or heights)

and about $130 for front kyb's and $230 for rears (he didn't write them down)

does this sound fair? or get i get a better deal?

where should i head to on the coast?

pipster11
Post #21

hey lilbobby
do you have the price breakdown of what your suspension stuff cost?
and where did u order it from too?
need someone who can get me cost/trade prices on things tongue.gif

anyone know what you have to do to get a bursons trade account?

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