I've posted several times about getting the suspension redone. Finally decided to go with the AGX/tein setup. finally got the springs, soon to buy the AGXs. Beyond that, what am I going to need? besides tools...
(don't harass the newb, but what the crap do I need the koni bumpstops, or the motivational mounts, or anything like that for? Are they necessary?)
Please read this thread and convince yourself that you should do everything you can to increase the travel of the suspension, and that with your setup you will be hitting the bump stops regularly. I would highly recommend both the Motivational rear mounts (increases travel) and Koni bump stops (progressive compression which helps keep control when you hit the bump stop).
If you decide not to do this your car will be OK for most driving, but will become unpredictable when you need it most, during an emergency maneuver.
The best setups for the B14 are systems with shortened struts and much higher spring rates than stock. I have read nothing but praise for the Tien coilovers, either the Basics (cheaper but less adjustable) or SS (more expensive but more adjustable).
For a setup with standard springs, Motivational makes shortened struts and rear shock mounts that work well with custom Hyperco springs.
The spring rates that work best are:
Front in the 300#/in. range
Rear in the 250#/in. range
[roughly double the rate of stock springs]
Bump stops are rubber devices that fit over the shock absorber shaft and keep it from bottoming out and striking the foot valve. This protects the shock from damage. The stock bump stops are too long if you lower your car, and a section should be cut out to allow more travel. They are also made of very hard rubber, so if the suspension fully compresses and contacts the bump stop, the effective spring rate skyrockets, and that wheel rebounds violently. This can lead to loss of control. Standard spring setups benefit from bump stops that are made from softer rubber than stock, like the Konis which are made of closed cell foam, so that as the shock approaches full compression the transition is more gradual. The Tien setup has bump stops built-in.
and I've just wasted money on tein springs. great.
once I get the basics, I don't need bumpstops, or motivational rear mounts or anything like that, correct? I would only need to get stabilizing equipment like sway bars or lower tie bars and upper stut bars, etc.?
and I've just wasted money on tein springs. great.
once I get the basics, I don't need bumpstops, or motivational rear mounts or anything like that, correct? I would only need to get stabilizing equipment like sway bars or lower tie bars and upper stut bars, etc.?
The Tien basic coilover is all you need unless you plan to race autocross or on a track.
I have Tein S-Tech springs with AGX struts and koni bump stops and i dont bottem out
How do you know you don't bottom them out? The koni bumpstops soften the blow so it's hard to tell until you lose control in an emergency. The Tien S-tech spring rate is too low for the drop, and you WILL hit the bump stops in normal driving. Ordinarily it dosn't matter, but I wouldn't want to take the chance.
I had Eibach Prokits on my car which have about the same spring rates and drop as the S-techs. I hit the bump stops at the track event at the 2000 SERCA Convention going around a curve on street tires. The car pogoed and drifted out until I almost ran out of road. If I were trying to avoid an accident on a curve in normal driving, I firmly believe I'd be off the road.
Is the extra money worth the Tien Basic coilovers? I think so.
It's not just me, it is everyone who has tried lowering springs on the track. Mike Kojima has written an article about the Sentra/200SX suspension. Check it out:
If money isn't a problem, I would highly recommend front camber plates as well. Tein makes beautiful, very reasonable camber plates (and rear mounts as well) that will give you some additional travel, but they may only work with Tein coilovers. they're about $140 for a pair.
Ground Control reportedly makes the most adjustable camber plates ($300+?), and the Motivational rear mounts, as mentioned above, are almost a necessity if youre not going with shortened struts.
Camber plates are the strongest, most reliable way to keep your camber correct after dropping your car. Those damn wedges that are stuffed between the strut and hub will go out of adjustment and start killing your tires, believe me.
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. Platinum Gold '98 200SX SE-R 17" Nippon Ver.5 AEM in/Tenzo R out Intake cam 17* Tein SS 336lb F+R w/pillowballs Progress rear sway bar Shigspeed LCA brace F/R strut bars H&R Trak+ Prothane/ES polys B&M SS/Nismo GT Ti JWT PP Stillen Type2 wing
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For another $150 or so you could pick up Tein's Basic damper set. These have been well reviewed (I like mine), they don't bottom out, handle well, and don't require extra purchases to increase suspension travel. I got mine for $790 shipped at some ebay store last month.
there's too much confustion on the subject. I'm finding everyone seems to have different opinions, and yet most of them are the same, so to hell with it. I'm just gonna save a little more and get the SS's. Thanks for all the advice, i'm sure it won't be the last of my questions on the matter.
btw: anyone needing some Tein S. Tech springs? Cheap
It's not just me, it is everyone who has tried lowering springs on the track. Mike Kojima has written an article about the Sentra/200SX suspension. Check it out:
there's too much confustion on the subject. I'm finding everyone seems to have different opinions, and yet most of them are the same, so to hell with it. I'm just gonna save a little more and get the SS's. Thanks for all the advice, i'm sure it won't be the last of my questions on the matter.
btw: anyone needing some Tein S. Tech springs? Cheap
You are right, there are a lot of opinions on B14 suspension because its something that most people would rather not spend a lot of money on. But the B14 has such bad design that the only thing to fix the fundamental problems is to get a good set of coilovers with shortened strut bodies. Teins just happen to be the cheapest coilovers that offer this - but let me say that you won't be disappointed in them! The SS coilovers are the last suspension pieces you'll need. Go with the Tein pillowball mounts too, if you can afford them. tho your ride will get a bit more harsh using them.
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. Platinum Gold '98 200SX SE-R 17" Nippon Ver.5 AEM in/Tenzo R out Intake cam 17* Tein SS 336lb F+R w/pillowballs Progress rear sway bar Shigspeed LCA brace F/R strut bars H&R Trak+ Prothane/ES polys B&M SS/Nismo GT Ti JWT PP Stillen Type2 wing
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