More stupid S13 suspension questions.

drew555 · #1 22-10-2007, 11:03

Yo people.

I come to beg at the font of all S12 wisdom.

I had a cunning plan to lower the Shed. Tramp style. I removed the springs

(track only, so no MOT to concern myself with).

Looks cool.....

But the handling? Man oh man.

On the super smooth tarmac, fine. On anything else? Rancid just doesn't seem to say it. So I do not recommend it. Bumpstops are not suspension.

Needless to say, it didn't do my 'got a tiger by the tail' drift style any favours at all, so I'm going to do it (kinda) properly.

I've acquired S13 front struts, G-max lowering springs, and a full set of KYB dampers for my dorifto shed (all from an S13.. the fellas going to coilies).

Now, I can be a bit simple so bear with me.

At the front, I take it it's pretty much bolt-on? I haven't picked the bits up yet, so I can't offer it up to see

Which other bits will I need? I read somewhere that bottom arms from an S13 may be required, is this the case?

I assume the rear suspension set-up on an S13 isn't massively different to an S12 - will I be lucky enough to find that it's a case of jam the new springs in the hole and bolt up the damper?

Please bestow some knowledge upon me.

I don't want to have to throw the shed in the sea because uprated suspension bits on the cheap are like hens teeth.

Drew

JackieFan · #2 22-10-2007, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew555

Yo people.

I had a cunning plan to lower the Shed. Tramp style. I removed the springs

(track only, so no MOT to concern myself with).

Looks cool.....

Oh my god!

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew555

Needless to say, it didn't do my 'got a tiger by the tail' drift style any favours at all, so I'm going to do it (kinda) properly.

I've acquired S13 front struts, G-max lowering springs, and a full set of KYB dampers for my dorifto shed (all from an S13.. the fellas going to coilies).

Now, I can be a bit simple so bear with me.

At the front, I take it it's pretty much bolt-on? I haven't picked the bits up yet, so I can't offer it up to see

As far as I know the S13 front struts are to big for the S12 Turrets so aftermarket coilovers need to be used with the S13 lower arms and hubs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew555

I assume the rear suspension set-up on an S13 isn't massively different to an S12 - will I be lucky enough to find that it's a case of jam the new springs in the hole and bolt up the damper?

S13 and S12 rear setups are totally different but you might get away with using the shocks.

You can get rear springs made to order fo about £50 a side (thread on here somewhere) and you could always just chop the fronts down by a couple of coils for free. Thinking about it the rears could be cut too if you wanted to tramp it up all the way, not Ideal but MUCH better than just removing them.

drew555 · #3 22-10-2007, 13:56

Cut springs I have... weren't low enough, so I took em out

To be honest, it's the shocks I'm desperate to use, because with the originals it was shocking (even on un-cut springs, and with the cut springs).

If the springs wont work, I'll just attempt to use the shocks

Are the inserts in the S13 struts fittable into the S12 struts?

I'm not overly concerned about the rear now, worst case I'll just use the KYB shocks and cut springs. If the shocks won't fit (and it's seeming more likely they won't) I'll animalise 'em on.

Remember kids, lowness is not big, and it 'aint clever.

But it does look cool

blitz · #4 22-10-2007, 19:22

for the rear is possible to use 3000GT coil over. there is a write up on the NA s-12 site about the conversion.

PukkaSilvia · #5 22-10-2007, 19:42

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

umpkin · #6 22-10-2007, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew555

I'll animalise 'em on.

that is what i like to here, sounds very "no such thing as IT DONT FIT"

30psi · #7 22-10-2007, 22:46

Just sounds like the rear shocks you have are knackered more than anything. Some I've seen have no oil in them so do next to shit all.

Its worth trying to use s13 coilovers all round, as you can independantly adjust the heights, preload, damping and on the front camber too.

Someone (cant remember where) is getting the rears to fit by welding in new tops.

Probably would cost about £500-600 for coilovers, S13 hubs, track rods and ends, some materials and mig wire.

drew555 · #8 23-10-2007, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30psi

Probably would cost about £500-600 for coilovers, S13 hubs, track rods and ends, some materials and mig wire.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

£600 is 6 times more than the car cost in the first place......

The idea is to get it handling something like a car (as opposed to a blender) for as little monies as possible. The S13 idea came about because I was offered the stuff for freeness.

I'm happy to run cut springs if the S13 G-max things are a no-goer, Christ, I'm happy to try and bodge up the old dampers if I had the first idea how to refill them or whatever.

Since the S13 struts apparently don't fit

, the idea at the moment is to drain the originals and stick different oil in. my only concern there is are the seals or something likely to be knackered? Bearing in mind I think the dampers are FUBAR'd now - surely they are that way for a reason - and if I change the oil, surely the new oil will go the same way as the old?

The rears I'm kinda happy with now... I'll hammer the S13 dampers on one way or another, and run the cut springs. At least it will be 'like' a car.

terry · #9 23-10-2007, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30psi

Someone (cant remember where) is getting the rears to fit by welding in new tops.

.

that'd be me and its not going as quick as i hoped, i havn't even finished the first tower yet beacuse of lack of free time basically but i hope to get back to it by the middle of next month