M35 Aftermarket Suspension

[Daleo]

When I enquired with Just Jap they didnt believe they could get it to above stock height - they thought they could get JUST to stock height.. but no higher. They, apparently, asked the workshop next to them who fitted the BC's to their workshop/demo car and that was what they thought also. I are teh confused.

Don't be teh confuse...

I'm with Iain on this one. You can get around an inch (possibly more) over Std height on an RS or RX.

Edited June 16, 2011 by Daleo

[Dunc]

i can only go by my own.

is it possible the two different type also have different adjustment capabilities?

Possible. Or they had no idea what was going on. You woulda thought they'd do what they can to get the sale - but they actively discouraged me from getting them because I wanted to go a touch higher than stock.

[Dunc]

Don't be teh confuse...

I'm with Iain on this one. You can get around an inch (possibly more) over Std height on an RS or RX.

Its possible their demo car was an ARX I guess; which may account for that "Not going higher than stock" issue they had (Given the ARX sits 2cm higher than RS/RX).

Irrespective, if Dale and Iain are suggesting they'll go higher than stock RS/RX then that's good enough for me

[Sunkist]

Its possible their demo car was an ARX I guess; which may account for that "Not going higher than stock" issue they had (Given the ARX sits 2cm higher than RS/RX).

Irrespective, if Dale and Iain are suggesting they'll go higher than stock RS/RX then that's good enough for me

yeh i would be saying its an ARX but just out of curiosity. why would you wanna go higher then stock??

[Daleo]

yeh i would be saying its an ARX but just out of curiosity. why would you wanna go higher then stock??

Driveway issues, wasn't it?

[Sunkist]

oh fair enough.

[Dunc]

Driveway issues, wasn't it?

Spot on

[Commsman]

OK guys, I'm after some insight on spring rates. I've read this thread (& more) & still not sure what the deal is.

Looks like I will be getting BC's but was wanting a softer ride, without bouncing/wallowing etc, and was told spring rates can be specified +/- 2Kg/mm from normal. I guess that is so they are not too far from the ideal match for the dampers. Great, it all makes sense so far.

So, I start writing down the spring rates from various c/overs (beginning of thread) and I see that most have the fronts higher than the rears. Eg Silk Road F16 R10, Dolphin F9 R8, HKS F10 R6.8, AiStar F8 R7 & on & on.

Then there are exceptions with rears higher than front. Eg Nismo F8.3 R9.2, Tein GF Wgn F10 R11, Tein Superwgn F6 R7.2 and BC's (BR) F10 R12

Then there are a few with equal rates, or very close, & one very low (Kenstyle F5.4 R5.4).

What does all this tell me then? Maybe there is bugger all difference between a few kg/mm when you're bum is in the seat. Surely the difference between 5.4kg/mm and 16kg/mm would be noticeable, but I'm not sure that 8 - 10 or 10 - 12 would make a huge difference. Should the rears be higher? It would help if putting big loads in the back...

Does anyone have anything constructive (anecdotal or fact) to add before I go and order my BC's with 2kg/mm less on the front and rear? BTW that would put them pretty close to Nismo specs - at least you'd think they would have done some testing LOL ???

Cheers, Leon.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Commsman

[Daleo]

It's a shame you're not close enough for a test drive; I think you'd be surprised at how compliant the BC's actually are; if you rode in my car you would never know it had coilovers.

[zei20l]

yeah id have to agree, with a softer spring you may find it does wallow around a bit. its a VERY heavy car so firmer spring rates wont be as noticable than say a 1200kg silvia or something.

[ironpaw]

yeah id have to agree, with a softer spring you may find it does wallow around a bit. its a VERY heavy car so firmer spring rates wont be as noticable than say a 1200kg silvia or something.

I have to say with the 16kg front springs, though it seems overly firm on paper, the ride is not too bad...

sure hitting a pothole at high speed's gonna rattle you a bit but usually its pretty civil...

[Daleo]

The thing with the spring rate is; it's just a raw number.

You need to take into account the attachment point is almost halfway along the lower arm; front and rear, so you have a fair amount of machanical advantage acting on the spring, which certainly justifies a heavier rate.

And as Iain & Jet have said when correctly matched to a damper, the spring rate manifests differently.

I'm far from an expert, but as I say, the ride in mine is not at all harsh. My missus wouldn't tolerate it after my last car.

[Jetwreck]

Loving the Bilstein/Nismo combo....front Sway made a good difference as well.....no need for the rear sway as I am way too tail happy atm anyway!

[Commsman]

Thanks guys. I've heard everyone say they're happy before, but I'm hard to convince . I understand (a bit more now, thanks) there is no relevance between spring rates in other cars & ours, due to different weights/mounting points etc, but why such a big spread of numbers available for the same car? I mean, just how soft would 5.4kg/mm springs be? Probably ridiculous, but then you go up to 16's & they are obviously firm (Silk Roads, seriously?).

I wish I was able to go for a quick spin in one of your cars. That would make the decision really easy I reckon. However, since I'm stuck with "opinions", let me pose this question: What difference does damper adjustment make compared to spring rate when determining ride compliance (softness)?

Eg, I've heard that most people using BC's have their damper setting at the low end of the scale for everyday use. Probably in the softest or bottom 3 or 4 clicks at most. Except for Scotty (with the V1's) who uses about the middle (15) & everyone says it is comfortable. See, I'd be happier with the 10/12 rates supplied if most guys were about middle of the adjustment scale for everyday use, & perhaps knocked it back 8 clicks for carrying their Grandma (or pregnant wife) around & increased it a few clicks for driving hard (track?). But when you are already at the softest setting, you've got no where to go except harder.

Is there a logical answer to my question (in bold)?

BTW, I appreciate everyone's patience. This is one decision that is hard (expensive?) to undo if I get it wrong .

Edited June 17, 2011 by Commsman

[phat300]

I live near you (well just up in brisbane) and i have the BC's fitted on my, you are welcome to come a take a test drive with me

Thanks guys. I've heard everyone say they're happy before, but I'm hard to convince . I understand (a bit more now, thanks) there is no relevance between spring rates in other cars & ours, due to different weights/mounting points etc, but why such a big spread of numbers available for the same car? I mean, just how soft would 5.4kg/mm springs be? Probably ridiculous, but then you go up to 16's & they are obviously firm (Silk Roads, seriously?).

I wish I was able to go for a quick spin in one of your cars. That would make the decision really easy I reckon. However, since I'm stuck with "opinions", let me pose this question: What difference does damper adjustment make compared to spring rate when determining ride compliance (softness)?

Eg, I've heard that most people using BC's have their damper setting at the low end of the scale for everyday use. Probably in the softest or bottom 3 or 4 clicks at most. Except for Scotty (with the V1's) who uses about the middle (15) & everyone says it is comfortable. See, I'd be happier with the 10/12 rates supplied if most guys were about middle of the adjustment scale for everyday use, & perhaps knocked it back 8 clicks for carrying their Grandma (or pregnant wife) around & increased it a few clicks for driving hard (track?). But when you are already at the softest setting, you've got no where to go except harder.

Is there a logical answer to my question (in bold)?

BTW, I appreciate everyone's patience. This is one decision that is hard (expensive?) to undo if I get it wrong .

[Commsman]

I live near you (well just up in brisbane) and i have the BC's fitted on my, you are welcome to come a take a test drive with me

Thanks, I might just take you up on that . I'll be passing thru Brissy a few times in the next few weeks. Otherwise, are you able to make the cruise on the 9th of July (if it's still on)?

Cheers, Leon.

[ironpaw]

I had mine adjusted to the hardest setting up front for the past few days...can't really tell a huge difference....

BTW is it easy to f**k up the adjustment knob? I'm always scared I've overtightened it and pissed $1k down the drain...

[Commsman]

I had mine adjusted to the hardest setting up front for the past few days...can't really tell a huge difference....

That's interesting. So what you're telling me is your suspension is either hard or rock hard lol.

Guys with the BC's reckon they can tell the difference with just a click or two.

[ironpaw]

That's interesting. So what you're telling me is your suspension is either hard or rock hard lol.

Guys with the BC's reckon they can tell the difference with just a click or two.

Really? Mine is only 8 click adjustable. The bcs are 30 clicks. Mmm beats me.....this IS my first car with coilovers though...

[zei20l]

yup the softest setting on mine is pretty pussy, but its firm, like a new car.

i run mine around 7-8 at the rear, and about the same at the front, maybe a little softer so it doesnt rattle the entire front end off the car