R33 Gtr V-spec Lowering Springs?

[RB335]

Hi.

I have a R33 GTR V-Spec, I like the current ride quality with factory struts and springs, I do not want it to get any firmer or harsher.

Is there any springs you can get that will retain the ride comfort of my V-Spec springs/dampers but lower it about 1 inch or so?

I'm really not into coil-overs are I have no need to adjust it and most coil-overs i've tried have been pretty harsh

Was thinking King springs but they appear to be a cheapo brand.
I'm unsure how springs specced for a standard R33 will work on a GTR, as from what I understand the GTR's suspension is quite firm from factory, the car handles just great.

Cheers.

[Hadouken]

Tell you a funny story.

My bc coilovers are much nicer to drive with than standard.

[Count Grantleyish]

Tell you a funny story.

My bc coilovers are much nicer to drive with than standard.

Wasn't the case for me.

Mine was ER series, 9/7, I absolutely hated it.

[GTSBoy]

A few points come to mind.

1. Kings Springs are not a cheapo brand. I have used them on several cars and they generally don't sag or misbehave. There is only so much that a spring has to do. Compress and expand is about it! I have noticed that the exact same spring from Kings (to suit R32 GTR, which I have had on the front of my R32 for the last 15 years) have changed design subtly over that time. The new ones I put in last year (or maybe it was 2013!) were subtly different to the ones I put in last century. Same part number. So it goes to show they are still doing development work and tweaking the design.

2. If you want to be a brand snob you can certainly buy springs from other brands, like Tein or Eibach. Both are top notch options. But then, so are the Kings.

3. Whatever springs you choose, don't go much higher than about 6 kg/mm at the front. Kings R32 GTR fronts are about 5.4 or something. They are as stiff as anything I would want on the street. I have them in a RWD R32, so it's lighter and a heavier GTR could possibly use a little more rate, hence the ~6 limit I mention.

4. Standard dampers on Skylines are only so-so in terms of quality. Not bad, not great. Bilsteins are great. Buy some B6 or B8s to suit the car, add springs at the height you want, and you will be blown away with how good the ride feel is.

5. There are excellent coilover options available also. Look at MCA (there are recent threads here discussing them). Even if you don't want/need adjustability, what you do get is the ability to set the ride height EXACTLY where you want it and get the damping tweaked to dial out any little front-rear imbalances. Worth considering.

Edited August 10, 2015 by GTSBoy

[Hadouken]

Wasn't the case for me.

Mine was ER series, 9/7, I absolutely hated it.

maybe the crappier BR range ride smoother.

[Count Grantleyish]

maybe the crappier BR range ride smoother.

I drove a Evo with BR series and I wasn't impressed also.

I prefer Tein or Bilstein or even KYB over BC.

[Hadouken]

Tein's are so stiff.

Now I will agree with you on bilstein. They are good.

[Count Grantleyish]

You haven't tried Australian valved Super Streets before? It's pretty soft!

Been pondering about Street Advance, they're 5/5 or 5/4 from memory and they're $1000 from fulcrum Aus but you'll need standard strut tops.

[Hadouken]

That's cheap!

[Count Grantleyish]

It is.

Dunno why I haven't jumped on it, damn my love for beers!

[MrStabby]

A few things;

- BC make different coilovers with different spring rates

- Tein make different coilovers with different spring rates

- spring rate effects ride quality

- everyone has a different idea on what is too soft / just right / too hard

- the convention when you lower is to go for a higher spring rate, so you don't keep hitting the bump stops

- you may need to change a bunch of other equipment if you want to run lower AND be able to set the alignment correctly.

[Count Grantleyish]

Obviously, there's variables between brands.

It's just that I don't have fantastic experience with BC coilovers as opposed to Bilstiens, Teins, even D2, HKS, Cusco.

Maybe the one I had is just shite? But it's enough to put me off from buying one or recommending someone.

[R31Nismoid]

A few things;

- BC make different coilovers with different spring rates

- Tein make different coilovers with different spring rates

- spring rate effects ride quality

- everyone has a different idea on what is too soft / just right / too hard

- the convention when you lower is to go for a higher spring rate, so you don't keep hitting the bump stops

- you may need to change a bunch of other equipment if you want to run lower AND be able to set the alignment correctly.

Well said.

If you see things like 10/8kg (front/rear) then you're gonna have a bad ride.

Definitely not harder than 6kg front as stated earlier for a daily, will suit stock stuff well enough.

[Hadouken]

I have 8/6. Maybe that's why I enjoy mine.

[Count Grantleyish]

Well said.

If you see things like 10/8kg (front/rear) then you're gonna have a bad ride.

Definitely not harder than 6kg front as stated earlier for a daily, will suit stock stuff well enough.

Yep, 6 at the front is the maximum for street car, light or heavy track work.

After driving @ Sandown in a WRX with KYBs, I won't want to drive it with stiffer suspension, semis or not.

And your back will thank you for that.