Competitors to KW V3 and who ran Greddy X KW

OptionZero · 06-06-2019, 02:46 PM

Sorry for the crappy pix. I dug up photos from a couple years ago when my suspension was being installed.

In the above pic you can see the SPL mid-link. Some people forego this because they switch to "true" type coilovers in which the spring is wrapped around the damper like traditional coilovers and spring/shock setups. The silver bucket is where the spring sets, it is designed for a 65mm ID spring (Swift). In this pic, the OEM upper mount rubber cone is still attached

In this pic, the Swift 65mm spring has been installed, with the SPL upper mounts that come with their mid links. This part is from 2016-ish, BEFORE they added adjustability to the top hat. This is why the spring sits at an angle.

I have purchased the new adjustable hats from SPL and will correct this issue.

Note how tightly the spring fits in side SPL's bucket

Here is a picture of the rear spring Aragosta provided. As you can see, it measures around 5 inches, well larger than the 65mm rear spring needed for the rear SPL bucket. This spring from Aragosta will work with an OEM bucket, which is designed for a much wider spring. Now it's just sitting on my shelf.

SPDKING · 06-06-2019, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

Sorry for the crappy pix. I dug up photos from a couple years ago when my suspension was being installed.

In the above pic you can see the SPL mid-link. Some people forego this because they switch to "true" type coilovers in which the spring is wrapped around the damper like traditional coilovers and spring/shock setups. The silver bucket is where the spring sets, it is designed for a 65mm ID spring (Swift). In this pic, the OEM upper mount rubber cone is still attached

In this pic, the Swift 65mm spring has been installed, with the SPL upper mounts that come with their mid links. This part is from 2016-ish, BEFORE they added adjustability to the top hat. This is why the spring sits at an angle.

I have purchased the new adjustable hats from SPL and will correct this issue.

Note how tightly the spring fits in side SPL's bucket

Here is a picture of the rear spring Aragosta provided. As you can see, it measures around 5 inches, well larger than the 65mm rear spring needed for the rear SPL bucket. This spring from Aragosta will work with an OEM bucket, which is designed for a much wider spring. Now it's just sitting on my shelf.

So the stock bucket is 127mm or 5 inches. Thanks for that, I didn't want to get the wrong size. The rear springs looked a lot bigger than the front 62mm springs. I was wondering why the coilovers I got didn't provide the rear spring diameter, it's because it's designed to sit in that bucket so about 5 inches.

Is there any advantage to going with true rear type vs the stock buckets? Probably just weight savings since you won't need those buckets anymore? The only advantage for having the spring separate from the dampers would be just to say they are truly independent? Not really any advantages that I can see. It's actually even takes up space.

OptionZero · 06-06-2019, 04:42 PM

I am not familiar enough with the engineering of rear suspension to say what the pros and cons are. I do recall reading very old threads discussing this issue that raised concerns that "true" type coilovers may place undue stress on the upper strut mounting points because they were not designed for that level of load.

I suspect for normal driving, there's absolutely zero difference. Maybe at the limits of of a race track, there's some advantage gained from one style or the other.

There may also be a simple manufacturing issue where certain coilover companies find it more economical to make it one way or the other

Lastly, be advised that if you switch to a "true" type coilover, DO NOT PURCHASE the SPL Mid-Link. As the spring is wrapped around the damper, there is no need for an arm with a spring bucket, so you will use this instead:

Adjustable Rear Toe Arms for the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 | SPL Parts

Same adjustability, no bucket.

bpchaos · 06-06-2019, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

Is there any advantage to going with true rear type vs the stock buckets? Probably just weight savings since you won't need those buckets anymore? The only advantage for having the spring separate from the dampers would be just to say they are truly independent? Not really any advantages that I can see. It's actually even takes up space.

Most of what I've found (in a quick research session is that divorced spring and strut suspensions are for packaging concerns.

Point 2: The True Rear Coilover Conversion within the article: Suspension Design – RR Racing Information

SPDKING · 06-07-2019, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpchaos

Most of what I've found (in a quick research session is that divorced spring and strut suspensions are for packaging concerns.

Point 2: The True Rear Coilover Conversion within the article: Suspension Design – RR Racing Information

Really useful info, thank you! I'm going to go back tho this when I start making suspension changes

Hotrodz · 06-07-2019, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

Really useful info, thank you! I'm going to go back tho this when I start making suspension changes

I don't remember if you stated that you would be tracking or not but if so I would also call or email some of the companies you are considering and ask them their opinion and what they believe is the best for their product. Some companies don't make true coilovers for the Z. I made the switch to true type after speaking with the folks at Fortune Auto. I did the install myself and I am of the non mechanical type. Just ask Rusty!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

SPDKING · 06-07-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

I don't remember if you stated that you would be tracking or not but if so I would also call or email some of the companies you are considering and ask them their opinion and what they believe is the best for their product. Some companies don't make true coilovers for the Z. I made the switch to true type after speaking with the folks at Fortune Auto. I did the install myself and I am of the non mechanical type. Just ask Rusty!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

lol ok. I tried taking off those plates before and they do cease up pretty bad. I only have hand tools so I may pick up a impact wrench and a breaker bar this weekend.

Hotrodz · 06-07-2019, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

lol ok. I tried taking off those plates before and they do cease up pretty bad. I only have hand tools so I may pick up a impact wrench and a breaker bar this weekend.

LMAO, you got that right! I got so pissed off I had to quit and take a day off. I actually placed the breaker bar handle in the opening of one my reciever hitches to finally get the enough leverage to get the f-ing things to break loose. Yeah, African American ingenuity at its best!

My wife hates it when I work on the car and give me permission to take it to the shop. She doesn't come in the garage, keeps the dogs out of harm's way and reads my body language with extreme scrutiny before asking the question....how's it going out there?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

SPDKING · 06-07-2019, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

LMAO, you got that right! I got so pissed off I had to quit and take a day off. I actually placed the breaker bar handle in the opening of one my reciever hitches to finally get the enough leverage to get the f-ing things to break loose. Yeah, African American ingenuity at its best!

My wife hates it when I work on the car and give me permission to take it to the shop. She doesn't come in the garage, keeps the dogs out of harm's way and reads my body language with extreme scrutiny before asking the question....how's it going out there?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Hahhahaha my girlfriend asked me the same thing when I tried to put on my new sway bars after she saw blood dripping on the floor underneath the car lmao. I still have bruised knuckles from that lol

Rusty · 06-07-2019, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

I don't remember if you stated that you would be tracking or not but if so I would also call or email some of the companies you are considering and ask them their opinion and what they believe is the best for their product. Some companies don't make true coilovers for the Z. I made the switch to true type after speaking with the folks at Fortune Auto. I did the install myself and I am of the non mechanical type. Just ask Rusty!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

At least you know the difference between a straight edge screw driver and a philips. And a standard vs a metric adjustable wrench.

Rusty · 06-07-2019, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

lol ok. I tried taking off those plates before and they do cease up pretty bad. I only have hand tools so I may pick up a impact wrench and a breaker bar this weekend.

What plates you talking about?

SPDKING · 06-07-2019, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

What plates you talking about?

There is a plate/bracket in the front suspension connecting the lower control arm (I think?) to the front brakes and the coilovers that are hard as hell to get off when I tried to switch from the stock dampers to the Koni dampers.

Hotrodz · 06-07-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

There is a plate/bracket in the front suspension connecting the lower control arm (I think?) to the front brakes and the coilovers that are hard as hell to get off when I tried to switch from the stock dampers to the Koni dampers.

You think those are bad...you are in for a treat on the spring box bolts and I can't remember the other set knuckle busting bolts.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

SPDKING · 06-07-2019, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

You think those are bad...you are in for a treat on the spring box bolts and I can't remember the other set knuckle busting bolts.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Oh man....I'm gonna pick some of those gloves with the padding on the knuckles haha. I did get a blow torch after the sway bar install to hopefully loosen the bolts better. WD40 does not work on these things.

Rusty · 06-08-2019, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDKING

Oh man....I'm gonna pick some of those gloves with the padding on the knuckles haha. I did get a blow torch after the sway bar install to hopefully loosen the bolts better. WD40 does not work on these things.

WD40 isn't very good for rusted nuts and that. There is a lot better out there. I use Blaster PB.

06-06-2019, 02:46 PM	#91 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,231 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	Sorry for the crappy pix. I dug up photos from a couple years ago when my suspension was being installed. In the above pic you can see the SPL mid-link. Some people forego this because they switch to "true" type coilovers in which the spring is wrapped around the damper like traditional coilovers and spring/shock setups. The silver bucket is where the spring sets, it is designed for a 65mm ID spring (Swift). In this pic, the OEM upper mount rubber cone is still attached In this pic, the Swift 65mm spring has been installed, with the SPL upper mounts that come with their mid links. This part is from 2016-ish, BEFORE they added adjustability to the top hat. This is why the spring sits at an angle. I have purchased the new adjustable hats from SPL and will correct this issue. Note how tightly the spring fits in side SPL's bucket Here is a picture of the rear spring Aragosta provided. As you can see, it measures around 5 inches, well larger than the 65mm rear spring needed for the rear SPL bucket. This spring from Aragosta will work with an OEM bucket, which is designed for a much wider spring. Now it's just sitting on my shelf. SPDKING likes this. __________________ OptionZero Build Thread

06-06-2019, 04:42 PM	#93 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,231 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	I am not familiar enough with the engineering of rear suspension to say what the pros and cons are. I do recall reading very old threads discussing this issue that raised concerns that "true" type coilovers may place undue stress on the upper strut mounting points because they were not designed for that level of load. I suspect for normal driving, there's absolutely zero difference. Maybe at the limits of of a race track, there's some advantage gained from one style or the other. There may also be a simple manufacturing issue where certain coilover companies find it more economical to make it one way or the other Lastly, be advised that if you switch to a "true" type coilover, DO NOT PURCHASE the SPL Mid-Link. As the spring is wrapped around the damper, there is no need for an arm with a spring bucket, so you will use this instead: Adjustable Rear Toe Arms for the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 \| SPL Parts Same adjustability, no bucket. Hotrodz and SPDKING like this. __________________ OptionZero Build Thread

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