R33 Shocks/springs

[prescott06]

My R33 had some random shocks ('Gear Climb' branded) and some very stiff RSR springs on when it came from Japan. They really need replacing as its horrible to drive at the moment.

Currently the front center to guard height is 310mm I think (almost tucking tyre) and the rear is around 330-340mm (I need to check these measurements). Also, the car has adjustable front upper arms.

I've been looking into Bilstein shocks, either the B6 or B8 models, plus a set of decent springs and then have the shocks valved to suit the springs. I'm about to send Heasmens steering an email to get a quote for shocks + valving, dust boots and bump stops.

Just a couple of things, I'm not sure what spring rates I should be looking at? The car is primarily my daily driver, but I will be doing some track days this year (nothing serious, just some practice days) and I want to keep the car reasonably low (I don't mind sacrificing a bit of performance for looks ), maybe go up around 10-20mm in the front and bring the rear down 10-20mm (has too much rake for my liking at the moment). Can anyone suggest some springs that I should be looking at? Maybe even have some custom ones made up? Also, will the Bilsteins handle springs that short?

I understand the Bilsteins used in the Sydneykid group buy had spring perches that were adjustable using a circlip system. Is this a standard feature of the Bilstein gear? Obviously you have to maching extra circlip grooves.

[rgr34]

what about coilovers? seeing it will be on the track. the teins aus spec come with lower spring rates for oz rougher roads. i think i read it 5kg front 7kg backs i could be wrong thou...

[prescott06]

I'd rather not waste my money on 'coilovers' as such. All your paying for are some cheap shocks and wank factor height adjustment which I would set once and then never touch again.

I'm confident in saying $1500 spent on decent shocks and springs would out perform $1500 worth of off the shelf 'coilovers'

[_Ryan_]

B6 and B8 should be circlip height adjustable from memory.

I have 6/5 in my R32 atm, it feels about right.

[prescott06]

According to the Bilstein catalogue they dont do the B8's for r33's. It looks like B8's are just short stroke versions of B6's which would have been perfect. The B6's will only handle around a 30mm drop from stock, which for me is not enough. However, they do list a B8 for an R32 GTR...

Koni do a 'sport' range of shocks which come in a short option, so I'm going to try and find out a price/availability for those.

Eibach have a massive catalog of springs, but I need to know the dimensions of a stock spring so I can work out exactly what I need. Does anyone have dimensions (free length, # of coils, diameter and wire diameter) for stock springs?

I really don't want to end up buying coilovers I'd rather compromise on ride height I think.

[_Ryan_]

IF getting the B6's revalved to suit the new springs, why not get the shaft shortened, or replaced with a shorter shaft?

32GTR rear won't fit.

[prescott06]

Yeh, I may have to do that. Though I think that will make it quite expensive.

What about using R32 GTR B8's in the front and either find something from another car that has B8's avaliable or get a pair of B6's shortened...

Otherwise, I might just settle for 30mm lower than stock.

[andymoocow]

sent you PM Tom. cheers.

[prescott06]

Thanks for the PM

I think I'm just going to use the B6's all round with a couple of extra circlip grooves to get the height I'm after with the RSR springs I currently have. If it's still too harsh/rough etc I'll switch to Whiteline or Eibach springs.

[shyr33]

I think 30mm would be a fairly good drop. I bought the medium TEIN S.Tech springs, they are slightly stiffer than standard but they feel good to me but only dropped the car about 20mm (I don't have height adjustable suspension dammit!) Whiteline told me they have stopped making springs but when I rang them up they still had a couple left for R33's.

[Habler]

I really don't want to end up buying coilovers I'd rather compromise on ride height I think.

R33's have coilovers standard.

[prescott06]

Technically, yes.

Most people associate 'coilovers' with the adjustable jap units so I used the same term instead of having to explain what I meant.

Anyway, I picked the new shocks up yesterday. Just gotta order some dust boots and bump stops then I can fit them up

[hamiltonau]

hey interesting conversation seeing as i maybe about to drop somewhere near 3 grand on a suspension my workshop recommends, tein monoflex.

im not sure what this is exactly, if its just coil overs but they are def adjustable and like prescott says i dont think i will be adjusting it very often as my car pretty much just does track and 'fun' work. going to get onto Matt at F+E mechanical repairs in Smithfield and ask for the most hardcore settings possible and probably just leave it like that. If that doesnt rock the baby to sleep on public roads nothing will....

anyway love any suggestions on brands, set ups, right now its stock and bodyroll is so bad sickbags should come as standard.

Matt said he was getting control arms and bushes in too, i imagine this is separate from the tein thing.

pat

[Habler]

Why is Matt changing your control arms? You also have not mentioned anything about sway bars which if your worried about body roll should be one of your top priorities. Maybe it is just me but I wouldn't like to spend 3 grand on something that I know nothing about.

[prescott06]

I would do a bit of research before you potentially waste $3000...

My setup is going ok, though I killed the front bump stops within a week of putting them in. I'm thinking of going back to the stock bump stops (that are built in to the strut top) cos I dont want to kill the Bilsteins by bottoming them out too much.

Anyone know if R34 strut tops are the same as r33? (they look the same but I havent measured yet)...

I also have a few squeeks to track down and fix up