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I am the orig. owner of a white '92 classic. I have 98,000 miles, no rust dings etc. For this reason I will be keeping my classic. I was toying with the idea of getting a new car but money is an issue.
I still have the original springs and struts in the vehicle. The ride is becoming harsh to say the least. I am retired and will be using the car to occasionally travel into NYC streets. Mainly I will be just enjoying her on PA back roads with some twisties. So I am looking for the most supple ride I can get. There will be no autocross, racing yada yada. I am planning on selling her in about 3 years.
I first was going to get new nissan OEM springs ($325 with new rubber insulators all around) and KYB GR2 shocks (about $500 with all the upper mount stuff, boots etc). My buddy suggested the Tokico Kit that comes with shocks and springs but lowers the car ($500). Again I am trying to get the best comfortable ride at the least money. I will be changing tires also (looking at yokohama Avid HS) and of course a wheel alignment.
Other mods I have had since the mid 90's are upgraded ECU, fr. shock tower brace, K&N and Borla exhaust.
ANY ADVICE greatly appreciated in advance. Regards...
If you want a "supple" ride, don't pair up Tokico blues with any type of lowering spring. You'll will be banging on the bump stops on anything other than a smooth road.
Stock springs and GR2's are good for a stock-like ride.
Thanks for reply and advice. I have sent out some PM's on this subject.
From what I read in the link you provided the consensus seems to be do not put a lowering spring in the B13 unless you install a shock with a shorter throw. So it seems that for ME new OEM springs and KYB GR2's is the way to go. Anyone else wish to comment. Thanks..
You have reached the right conclusion WRT lowering springs. I'd be interested in other opinions, but I would not recommend that you invest in new Nissan springs - use the ones you've got. It would be worth replacing rubber parts associated with the strut, however, along with the bearings in the front struts.
For your struts, I would strongly recommend that you consider investing in the Koni inserts. Set them on full soft with stock springs and they will be very nice. However, they are more costly than the GR2's and you need to install the cartridges in the original strut housings. This involves cutting off the top of the housing with a pipe cutter, drilling a hole in the bottom, etc. It can be a little intimidating.
This may be more than you want to get into, but, what the heck, you're retired!
Hope this is helpful.
Bill
PS-> While you are upgrading your suspension, if you do not already have it, get the Energy Suspension shifter bushing. It's about $7 plus shipping and will revolutionize your driving experience. It installs from underneath -- pretty straight forward with some patience.
thanks for replies and advice. I also had some emails sent to me. Seems that many forum members are "pushing" the Koni's saying to leave the oem springs and others saying to replace the OEM's with new ones.
The problem with the Koni's is that they have to be modified, re-tooled etc. I'm at the stage of life now that I just want to get all the parts and make this a saturday project keeping it as easy as possible. I probably will sell my classic in 3 yrs or so and just want to get that "when she was new" kinda ride back.
Other than my modifications I've only change 1 rear caliper and the condenser on this car so she's treated me well. I also need to know what other parts to replace at this time. I do not want to go for sway bars but want to change the sway bar bushings. I do not know what the energy shifter bushing is but will research it. I have the stillen short shifter so hopefully it will work with that.
So looks like new OEM springs and KYB GR2's are still the way to go. I was told to get the OEM parts that go with the GR2's cause they are better than KYB's version. Any other advice on shock/spring combo or other rubber type busing replacements greatly appreciated in advance. regards...
If you're looking for a supple ride that might see some twisties, I'd suggest stock springs with GR2s, but I'd recommend getting some sway bars (at least the rear) along with some strut towers braces front & back. This will stiffen the chassis up and make the car feel more solid, but with very few, if ANY, ill side affects. Good luck. Maybe I'll buy your Classic in a few years. I'll be living in Philly by then. Let me know man.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Serban
Making your car RHD would be the MOST pointless mod ever. Go get a job for the Post Office, you can be JDM 8 hrs a day.
1991 SE-R -- SR20VE - Hot Shot intake w/ Pop charger, Megan cat-back exhaust, SSAC headers, 2000 SE disc, ACT HD pressure plate, B&M shifter, ADV22 brakes w/ SS lines, FSTB & RSTB, ES sway bar bushings F/R, & Prothanes
I would also suggest replacing the sway bar bushings with Energy Suspension poly bushings. They will make a big difference in overall "feel" with zero negative side effects, there also cheap and easy to do yourself.
__________________ Be polite, be professional, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
I would also suggest replacing the sway bar bushings with Energy Suspension poly bushings. They will make a big difference in overall "feel" with zero negative side effects, there also cheap and easy to do yourself.
I agree -- I've done this with one of my SE-Rs and really think it's worth the small investment in time and money. No negative effects, really.
I did this with my '91 2 yrs ago when it had 70K miles. My usage is similar to yours. I left the stock springs and got the GR2's with the KYB boots, I left the upper strut mounts intact - they seemed OK. I did all suspension components. I'd suggest you put poly control arm bushings in as they really tighten the ride.
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'91 SE-R, Original owner, PowerSlots, Axxis MM, Magnacore, Michelins, Autolite APP3924's , Stromung cat-back and 80K orig miles. Spring '06 work: GR2's and boots with orig. springs, ball joints, TR ends - inner and outer, ES front CA bushings, CV joint rebuild.
Last edited by lowmileage : 02-05-2008 at 01:46 PM.
hey guys thanks for all the replies. After all your advice from this thread, PM's and emails I 've decided to go with the GR2's, oem springs and oem shock rubber parts and oem strut mounts, boots etc.
I have also chosen to use energy suspension poly sway bar bushings and shifter bushings. I dont want to go poly on the CA bushings, fearing they will stiften the ride too much. I'm also going for new tires (yokohama avid's). with labor the bill should be just about $1500. Regards...
I will be back with a reply in a few weeks with the results of the suspension upgrade. Also just ordered everything (ex. tires and shocks) from Gspec so I won't be needing those bushings (sorry) but thanks much anyway. Regards...
