HD Systems coilovers

[NickR33]

I have previously read a couple of threads on these coilovers and am just about to purchase the HS version ones... Has anybody been running these on their car? How are they to live with day to day and how do they perform (occasional track/motorkhana/drags use)?

They come with 8kgF and 7kgR springs but I was going to get some 6kg springs for the rear and put the 7kg ones in the front... The guys at Otomoto said to try them with the harder springs first before I pay the extra $100 for the softer ones... opinions?

then I will be putting some whiteline swaybars and some camber correction bushes so I can wind the coilovers down nice and low

can't wait... the stock shocks/king springs combo is now very sloppy...scratch that read, completely and utterly rubbish!

any comments appreciated

[Sydneykid]

I have previously read a couple of threads on these coilovers and am just about to purchase the HS version ones... Has anybody been running these on their car? How are they to live with day to day and how do they perform (occasional track/motorkhana/drags use)?  

They come with 8kgF and 7kgR springs but I was going to get some 6kg springs for the rear and put the 7kg ones in the front... The guys at Otomoto said to try them with the harder springs first before I pay the extra $100 for the softer ones... opinions?

then I will be putting some whiteline swaybars and some camber correction bushes so I can wind the coilovers down nice and low  

can't wait... the stock shocks/king springs combo is now very sloppy...scratch that read, completely and utterly rubbish!

any comments appreciated

Front

8kg/mm = 450 lbs/inch

Standard is 165 lbs /inch

Whiteline lowered is 225 lbs/inch (4kg/mm)

Kings lowered is 250 lbs/inch

How do you think it is going to ride with a 275% increase in spring rate? :idea:

Rear

7kg/mm = 390 lbs/inch

Standard is 125 lbs /inch

Whiteline lowered is 165 lbs/inch (3kg/mm)

Kings lowered is 185 lbs/inch

How much traction do you think it is going to have with a 290% increase in rear spring rate? :idea:

In the race cars on R type tyres we NEVER run over 250 lbs/inch rear spring rate, 390lbs/inch is UNTHINKABLE.

There is plenty written on this subject, do a search if you want more detail.

PS; low is slow.

[Chase-u]

sydney kid, i don't race cars and nor am i a suspension specialist, but my mates S15 silvia has tein coilovers with 9kg fronts and 7kg/mm rears spring rates. He circuit races it but it still drives really nice on most roads, unless it is really full of pot holes. Traction isn't an issue either. It has a HKS GTRS running 1.30bar and makes over 350rwhp and only really bags it in first gear, as soon as second hits it grips and goes like the clappers. He does use the Dunlop DZ02G semi slicks, which probably helps on the track, but he drives on these all day everyday, and even without heating them up, they still don't spin much at all, and corners like no tomorrow.

As i said i'm no professor when it comes to suspension, but my Personal Opinion Is : I think with the right driving style and tyre combination, it will all work out.

[Sydneykid]

sydney kid, i don't race cars and nor am i a suspension specialist, but my mates S15 silvia has tein coilovers with 9kg fronts and 7kg/mm rears spring rates. He circuit races it but it still drives really nice on most roads, unless it is really full of pot holes. Traction isn't an issue either. It has a HKS GTRS running 1.30bar and makes over 350rwhp and only really bags it in first gear, as soon as second hits it grips and goes like the clappers. He does use the Dunlop DZ02G semi slicks, which probably helps on the track, but he drives on these all day everyday, and even without heating them up, they still don't spin much at all, and corners like no tomorrow.

As i said i'm no professor when it comes to suspension, but my Personal Opinion Is : I think with the right driving style and tyre combination, it will all work out.

Sylvias are MacPherson strut front end and therefore have movement and leverage ratios that lower the effective spring rate at the tyre. The Skyline front end, being double wishbone, doesn't. So you can't compare front spring rates.

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, how much harshness they can tolerate. And that's a perfectly good thing, freedom of choice. But tell your mate to go and talk to the Dunlop tyre engineer and ask him what spring rate (at the tyre) the DZ02G likes. Ultimately what the tyre likes is the fastest.

[GTRgeoff]

Nick, I'm with SK. I find the spring rate too high for street or circuit. It makes the car nervous near the limit and that lowers confidence in the car.

I like the quality of the product, although the piston tube seems a little small, and the ride height seems a little low at it's highest setting, but I'll let Chris and the guys at Centreline sort that when I get the new engine in. I will be softening the springs a fair bit before then too, but if you buy the soft springs and don't like them, you are welcome to trade for mine.

[NickR33]

thanks for the responses guys... I was pretty sure the spring rates were going to be too hard but second guessed myself when the guys at Otomoto recommended I try them first... If I go too soft will the valving in the shock be mismatched with the softer spring? Probably a question I should ask them hey...

I have kings springs over the stock shocks at the moment and grip isn't good... when I had Federals the rear would grip okay but since I have changed to Michelins I get axle tramp in 1st gear... I think the current setup is too twitchy and nervous around corners as well, the old stock shocks can't control the stiffer spring anymore...

so yeah even 7kgF and 6kgR is still going to be too hard... maybe I should just get a set of Konis or Bilsteins matched to the Kings and be done with it...the height is pretty spot on as is...

bottom line is I really want to get this dodgy R33 rear ended sorted... the front has always gripped and turned in nicely

[Thunderbolt]

I have the 8/6 HR ones in my 180sx. It's not too low, and still gets good traction. Ride comfort is better than I expected. Seems to handle nicely, though I have only street driven it since getting them intsalled, so can't really comment on this aspect at the moment.

[Sydneykid]

thanks for the responses guys... I was pretty sure the spring rates were going to be too hard but second guessed myself when the guys at Otomoto recommended I try them first... If I go too soft will the valving in the shock be mismatched with the softer spring? Probably a question I should ask them hey...

I have kings springs over the stock shocks at the moment and grip isn't good... when I had Federals the rear would grip okay but since I have changed to Michelins I get axle tramp in 1st gear... I think the current setup is too twitchy and nervous around corners as well, the old stock shocks can't control the stiffer spring anymore...

so yeah even 7kgF and 6kgR is still going to be too hard... maybe I should just get a set of Konis or Bilsteins matched to the Kings and be done with it...the height is pretty spot on as is...

bottom line is I really want to get this dodgy R33 rear ended sorted... the front has always gripped and turned in nicely

You have read all the other suspension threads.....and you know all the experienced users (road and track) recommend Bilsteins as the best (in the non maga dollar) shocks. They will work great with your Kings springs. Add a set of Whitleine stabiliser bars and some alignment bushes (caster and camber) and you will have the best handling / ride comfort compromise around.

[NickR33]

Thanks SK, yeah I should just do away with the romantic notion of adjustable suspension hey! My mate has a room full of Whiteline gear for his R33 including the Bilsteins and they do look like a great bit of kit and I have already got the swaybars etc on order...

damn but the coilovers were like.... all green and shiny!... lol, such a fashion victim

[predator]

bilsteins are a sexy yellow though

[Nismo32R]

hi....

i'm also in the market for a set of new suspension.....I have been offered for the following

73157 front springs $149 (designed for bilstein shocks)

70191 rear springs $149 (designed for bilstein shocks)

120340 front bilstein shocks circlip height adjustment $399

120330 rear bilstein shocks circlip height adjustment $429

can some1 plz tell me are they the right ones at a right price for my R32 GTR??? if yes...then i will go head and purchase them from this guy

thanks

Daniel

[Ronin 09]

part numbers from Bilstein catalog?

don't know if that is the strut assembly with spring, or just the damper...

or even if that is a circlip height adjustable strut...

sorry, don't know if that is any help at all!

[Nismo32R]

hmm.....i wonder where did that guy get the item code from??? :confused:

[NickR33]

whiteline?