Once And For All - Whats The Deal With The Rs4-s?

[Unbalanced]

Hey guys. Mainly starting this up because after reading through a lot of stuff I'm no closer to knowing the truth.

I've called two different coilover makers now and they've both said according to their records/knowledge the RS4-S is no different to any other Stagea, yet I've head a lot of people say the rear is a totally unique setup.

So what is the deal??

[_Ryan_]

look under the rear, is the end of the shock a fork or an eye?

if its an eye its normal, if its a fork use 260RS stuff

[kidafa]

Manual (RSFOUR S) stags use a FORK mount instead of an EYE mount like the auto RSfour's!

Thus the coils in my car (rsfour auto) WONT work in yours as the mount is different.

[BKC34]

dont even get me started about parts for an rs4s. Car has been in the workshop for the last week and a half while they try and source castor rods/bushes and a tie rod end

NOTE - IF YOU NEED A TIE ROD END JUST BUY GENUINE, THERE IS NO OTHER SUBSTITUTE (I know this because i have found out the hard way, bought 2 different tie rod ends and they weren't right)

also i was lead to believe that we have an r33 gtr gearbox, thus i thought that an extension housing seal would be the same as an r33gtr gearbox. NOT TRUE, once again tried every bearing shop, nothing, have to wait for genuine now

[BigDirtyJase]

Isn't the R33 GTR gearbox only on the 260RS?? My guess the RS4S would use something like the R33 GTS4 gearbox...but then again I'm only assuming here

Edited February 24, 2009 by BigDirtyJase

[StageaTypeS]

I can confirm the following on a Type S Stagea.

It definitely has a GTR Rear end e.g. LSD and suspension mounting (Forks) and also the same Hicas. I would be interested in finding out about the gearbox though because I always thought they had a GTR one standard. Is there any way of finding this out by looking at the gearbox?

[GoldZilla]

I can confirm the following on a Type S Stagea.

It definitely has a GTR Rear end e.g. LSD and suspension mounting (Forks) and also the same Hicas. I would be interested in finding out about the gearbox though because I always thought they had a GTR one standard. Is there any way of finding this out by looking at the gearbox?

I'm with the above on this, because AFAIK, the RS-Four S and 260RS both use a complete R33 GT-R rear cradle. I would have assumed that the RS-Four S would use the GT-R box too, though, unless the R33 GTS4 box is the same anyway...

Probably the best way is to get some VINs and do a cross-check on the FAST system.

[rb26stagea]

Pretty sure there are some differences in the rear cradle between R33 GTR and 260RS: we used a GTR rear cradle in my car, and the track is definitely wider than a 260RS. Also, had to customise the axles to fit the Stagea. Not sure to what extent they are different, but that's what I was told about my car....

*edit* That said, the SK suspension package fit straight in, so maybe it's just the axles?

[StageaTypeS]

Hmmm this is interesting stuff. I use Greddy Type S R33 GTR coilovers in my Stagea they fit perfectly (Other than modifying rear strut tops and changing the rate of the rear spring, fat arse wagon vs light coupe) I would have thought if there was significant difference in the rear cradle maybe I would have noticed it here???? What is the difference in the axles is it to do with length / diameter ??

[rb26stagea]

I am told that it was length: we used a GTR axle on one side, (which I think was off the opposite side on a GTR), and a modified Z32 axle on the other. This is what I remember being told, so it may not be entirely accurate... However, park my car next to any other Stagea with R34 rims, and the difference is quite visible.

[Unbalanced]

So my best bet would be to get some coilovers for a R33 GTR and get them modified (rear spring rate)??

[StageaTypeS]

So my best bet would be to get some coilovers for a R33 GTR and get them modified (rear spring rate)??

That would be my recommendation (I believe even the Sydney Kid kits used R33GTST rear shocks with spring rates specific to the Stagea.)

There are quite a few posts in the suspension area regarding the coilovers and i have posted my setup there but basicly in summary after quite a bit of research I came up with the following formula.

Depending on the spring rate of the coilovers you select I would suggest getting the same rate or slightly lower in the rear. When I was researching suspension for my car the Nismo Stagea kits for the RS260 were around Front 6.0 Rear 6.4 and most other kits I found were between 6 - 10 kg often with the back been a slightly lower rate than the front.

My rule of thumb was to go somewhere around the middle, I currently run 8kg front and 6.8kg rear springs. I really like the ride and it is spot on for my needs, I do live in melbourne and do alot of freeway driving though. If you lived in a rural area and travelled on rough or gravel roads you may find that softer springs are a bit more comfortable.

Hope that helps

[wolverine]

i still run the factory springs with bilsteins, i'm pretty sure it is R32GTR fronts and the rear is probably R32/R33 GTR but heasmans should be able to advise on the correct rear shock. order them with extra circlip grooves you can adjust the height accordingly.

the factory spring rates with the already larger factory swaybars (compared to auto versions) is pretty reasonable but going to larger front and same sized (but solid) rear bar is a pretty street combo.

[ISC-Performance]

ISC N1 coilovers are made specifically for RS4 and RS4-S (no modification to rear top mount needed).

Ryan-0413804117

[pork hunt drifting]

so still no confirmation on the rs4s box being r33 gtr?

this car shits me sometimes but its worth the stuffn round in the end

[BensDR30]

ISC N1 coilovers are made specifically for RS4 and RS4-S (no modification to rear top mount needed).

Ryan-0413804117

I like the price (cheaper than entry-level TEIN & Nismo S-Tune), and based on your website, I take it that you could you offer the Stagea parts with springs rated at say, 6/5.5?

(I'm no expert on the best rate for a street Stagea, but I've read posts by others who suggest that the 4-4.5 range spring rate isn't really worth upgrading to, so I'm open to suggestions!)

Edited March 18, 2009 by BensDR30