Suspension Help

[Silvia_Drift]

Hey guys, I'm trying to decide what coilovers to by for my Nissan S13 240sx coupe. I need a good coilover setup that is reasonably priced, height, dampening and camber adjustable and one that isn't too harsh for the street. Any other suggestions would be appriciated.

First, I have a technical question. What does mono-tube and twin-tube designed coilovers mean? I've noticed that the more expensive coilovers are mono-tube. Also, what does it mean to have an inverted versus non-inverted damper?

Anyways, these are the coilovers I have found that meet my criteria. Currency is in Canadian. Tein Flex (dunno whether mono tube or twin tube, 16 way adjustable, ride height adjustable, pillowball mounts, camber adjustable): $1750, JIC FLTA1 (twin tube, ride height adjustable, pillowball mounts, 5 way adjustable): $1380.

Now I'm also considering the new Apex N1 EXV coilovers that people say are just the same as Megan Racing coilovers. I talked to some other people and they say that it has better valving and shit so I dunno who to believe lol. The specs on these are 32 way adjustable, pillowball mounts, camber adjustable, ride height adjustable, mono-tube design. I can get these for around $1500. Or, should I just get Megan coilovers?

Lol, as you can see I'm really confused. Please help me out!
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[MBW124]

Well the first reason is why do you want Coilover's. What are you planning to do wth your car.

Do you plan on taking it to the track, in that case, how often?

If anything, my friends are in the "drifting" scene with 240sx and Corrola's, So I was able to pick up a few new things from them, you could go with a good shock and spring combination as that is still good.

Let me know your decision and I'll help you out.

[Silvia_Drift]

Well the first reason is why do you want Coilover's. What are you planning to do wth your car.

Do you plan on taking it to the track, in that case, how often?

If anything, my friends are in the "drifting" scene with 240sx and Corrola's, So I was able to pick up a few new things from them, you could go with a good shock and spring combination as that is still good.

Let me know your decision and I'll help you out.

Well this is my daily driver which is why I don't want anything too harsh (but I bet anything is better than the blown shocks and cut springs i'm rockin now lol) . In the summer it will be attending many track days, going auto crossing and going drifting which is why I want coilovers. I test drove someones car with an Eibach Sportlines KYB AGX combo and it still had a bit too much body roll for me. Also, these aren't height adjustable. I want height adjustment for performance as well as slammin the car for photos lol.

[MBW124]

Well Judging that you have a import (Your 240SX)...you could still use shocks and springs, but then again, they are height adjustable for when you want to lower and raise you car.

Some companies I can recommend for a track, drift set up would include Tanabe, Tein, Apex'i. I'll ask my friend with the 240sx later since he is into the same thing you are and I'll let you know on further updates.

hehe...I was going to build a '98 240sx, but changed my mind. :D

[MBW124]

monotube allows bigger pistons= good, montube allows better cooling= good.

inverted dampers enjoy several advantages - they are better resistant to side loads, cool better and have less upsprung weight over non-inverted.resistant to side loads than a conventional strut design.

[Silvia_Drift]

Pro-Street edition from Eibach i think would be suitable for your needs.
http://eibach.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/00525.6.7120841090100024601


go here for a application guide from Bilstein
http://www.bilstein.com/html/downloads/index.htm


and you say you want something with chamber adjustment, you are aware that you need chamber plates for this and that the shock or coilover doesnt matter for chamber adjustments.

All the coilover kits that I mentioned in my first post come with camber adjustable pillowball mounts a.k.a, camber plates.

[Silvia_Drift]

monotube allows bigger pistons= good, montube allows better cooling= good.

inverted dampers enjoy several advantages - they are better resistant to side loads, cool better and have less upsprung weight over non-inverted.resistant to side loads than a conventional strut design.

Dude, thanks a lot for that info. It was exactly what I was looking for. I guess I should look for a coilover with an inverted mono-tube design then :).

[graywolf624]

Simply throwing on a set of coilovers doesnt necessarily improve anything. If I were you id check out a performance board for your car to find out what typical spring rates/shock rebound jounce settings they use. Then find the system that most closely suits those numbers. (Blindly getting parts that often make your car handle worse because they are the in thing really bugs me)
montube allows better cooling= good.
Not really. Monotube are less subject to air being released from the oil under cooling, which causes problems with the shocks over time. Aka they dont cool faster but they can handle vast temperature changes better.

[Silvia_Drift]

Simply throwing on a set of coilovers doesnt necessarily improve anything. If I were you id check out a performance board for your car to find out what typical spring rates/shock rebound jounce settings they use. Then find the system that most closely suits those numbers. (Blindly getting parts that often make your car handle worse because they are the in thing really bugs me)
montube allows better cooling= good.
Not really. Monotube are less subject to air being released from the oil under cooling, which causes problems with the shocks over time. Aka they dont cool faster but they can handle vast temperature changes better.

Well, I'm basically getting a coilovers set with a 8, 6 springrate or 7,5 springrate. I did a little research and these seem to be the best compromise between performance and ride quality.