Which Shocks To Complement Lowered King Springs?

[V28VX37]

Hi all,

I got a set of second hand King Springs on R34 stock struts recently on the cheap and slapped them on the car. I did read through quite a few threads advising against lowered springs with oem struts (like this) so it was a conscious choice thank you very much:)

The drop is spot on (22mm front, 43mm rear) and the car sits nice and level now, see below. The ride is not too bad, although a bit harsher than stock as one would expect.

Not surprisingly the fronts looked like they might leak and did exactly that, so I pulled them out and swapped the Kings over to the original struts. All good for now, but it's probably a question of time when they start leaking too (100k old struts FTW).

What shocks would you recommend as a replacement once these ones let go?

Requirements:

- comfortable ride, the softer the better really (it's a daily)

- shortened, to suit the springs

- inexpensive

I'd probably prefer doing all four corners at the same time.

What do brands like KYB or Pedders go for these days, for a set of four to suit an R34 sedan (eyelet fronts, fork rears)? Any other budget shocks out there?

Before you ask, I am not too keen on proper coilovers due to $$$ plus the car won't see any track work. I love my yellow Konis / Kings / swaybars on the weekender but that's too much of an outlay in this case.

Thanks guys.

Btw the current part numbers are as follows:

- Front: Nissan 56110-AA101 (8079) shocks, King Springs KDFL-101 X

- Rear: Nissan 56210-AA110 (8708) shocks, King Springs KDRL-61

[blind_elk]

It's a sports car - it should have firm suspension. And a decent set of firm shocks will provide a better, more comfortable ride than a soft set of crap shocks.

KYB will be the best value for money in the "cheap / inexpensive" range. Otherwise you are up in the Bilstein / Koni area for good components. IMO, steer clear of Pedders / Monroe shocks. Talk to the guys at Traction Tyres in Rowville.

[V28VX37]

It's a sports car - it should have firm suspension. And a decent set of firm shocks will provide a better, more comfortable ride than a soft set of crap shocks.

KYB will be the best value for money in the "cheap / inexpensive" range. Otherwise you are up in the Bilstein / Koni area for good components. IMO, steer clear of Pedders / Monroe shocks. Talk to the guys at Traction Tyres in Rowville.

Thanks for the tips blind_elk, I might look into the KYBs at some stage, perhaps even keep an eye out for a second hand set.

Firm suspension is fine, as long as it's comfortable. I've been to a couple of cars with super stiff coilovers, they handle like go carts but aren't really ideal for buzzing around town and picking up your groceries in

[Kinks]

Yep KYB is your best budget brand.

Bilsteins are around $1100 a full set, which is not bloody bad really when you consider what a great brand they are.

[V28VX37]

Yep KYB is your best budget brand.

Bilsteins are around $1100 a full set, which is not bloody bad really when you consider what a great brand they are.

Cheers - any idea on what a set of KYBs goes for?

[V28VX37]

Cheers - any idea on what a set of KYBs goes for?

I just got a quote of $840 for a set of four KYB shocks - is this the going rate?

(Old thread I know...)

[sweefu]

Where was the quote from mate? Contact GSL Rally Sport, so far they have the best prices for KYB gear I have seen.

http://www.gslrallysport.com/shop/

Shipping is very reasonable also, usually around $14 for a full set of dampers.

[Hank Scorpio]

Don't think the KYBs are a shortened shock absorber though

[V28VX37]

Where was the quote from mate? Contact GSL Rally Sport, so far they have the best prices for KYB gear I have seen.

http://www.gslrallysport.com/shop/

Shipping is very reasonable also, usually around $14 for a full set of dampers.

One of the shops in Melbourne. Thanks for the tip, I'll give GSL a call.

Don't think the KYBs are a shortened shock absorber though

Fair point - do you reckon they'll get tired quickly with lowered springs? Any other brands you would recommend?

[Hank Scorpio]

Fair point - do you reckon they'll get tired quickly with lowered springs? Any other brands you would recommend?

They will I think but that is just the nature of the beast. Koni do some nice shocks but again, none short travel. Perhaps Bilstein do one? I haven't really checked to be honest.

As long as the springs are fairly captive I reckon you will be right with the KYBs, I just thought I'd point it out because in your original post you specified a shortened shock absorber

[simpletool]

Don't think the KYBs are a shortened shock absorber though

Neither are the Bilsteins.

[V28VX37]

Where was the quote from mate? Contact GSL Rally Sport, so far they have the best prices for KYB gear I have seen.

http://www.gslrallysport.com/shop/

Shipping is very reasonable also, usually around $14 for a full set of dampers.

Just got a quote from them today, good prices. They reckon KYBs are fine with lowered springs even though they're not a short shock.

Now trying to decide between existing new KYBs w/ current King Springs vs. some second hand coilovers. Leaning towards the former as I'm more keen on comfort than super sharp handling... although height adjustment would be nice. Decisions, decisions.

[BLITZ-26]

id just throw in some BC br coilovers really happy with them for the price and handle the track days quite well

[djr81]

Why the obsession with short shock bodies? If you look at the suspension set up you will see there is a good 30mm or so of travel to be found by chucking away the standard top mounts and using an aftermarket unit, ie where the shock shaft is attached to a "top" which in turn bolts to the chassis.

Most shocks are with in a few tens of mm's in length - it is the way you mount them that is more inportant in terms of their travel.

[sweefu]

KYB Excel-G are a shortened shock indeed. For around $1300 you can have HSD HR coilovers - not a lot of money for a reasonable coilover. Have you considered this?

[The Bogan]

Bilsteins are in my boat with King springs, for my streeter/ occasional track day car they are great, I had crappy G4 coil overs and now the new set up is much better on the street and the track, mine have the circlips to adjust the height, not the best way but they are 100 x better now than before.

Only down side is my missus boobs dont bounce around as much.

[V28VX37]

Bilsteins are in my boat with King springs, for my streeter/ occasional track day car they are great, I had crappy G4 coil overs and now the new set up is much better on the street and the track, mine have the circlips to adjust the height, not the best way but they are 100 x better now than before.

Only down side is my missus boobs dont bounce around as much.

Thanks mlr, what did you end up paying for the Bilsteins, roughly? Lol @ the last comment too

id just throw in some BC br coilovers really happy with them for the price and handle the track days quite well

For around $1300 you can have HSD HR coilovers - not a lot of money for a reasonable coilover. Have you considered this?

Thanks guys - I am starting to lean towards entry level coilovers now, have found the following prices:

• BC Racing V1 Design VS for ER34 $1149 at Just Jap (F:8kg, R:6kg)
• HSD HR-type coilovers for ER34 $1299 at Otomoto (F:8kg, R:7kg)

What spring rates do people normally run on their R34 sedans? I'm thinking something fairly low, even 6/4, for comfort and ride quality.

The current ride with King Springs and worn stock shocks is shit to be quite honest.

[The Bogan]

$1200

[sweefu]

I have used 3.5kg springs before and 5kg springs, 3.5 is incredibly, there is no way you would want 4kg springs. Even 5kg is soft. 8/6 is pretty standard, lot people seem to be running it daily without too much worry. I haven't run these rates before so can't comment.

[Hank Scorpio]

BC's in 8/6, set the dampening to the softest setting and you will be fine.