S14/15 Modification

[deadlast]

HI guys, looking for some advice on suspension setup for an S14/S15 200sx.

My main query is, is it possible to get these cars stable around corners and in the wet. I've read a lot of reviews of both models and both are considered dangerous in wet weather.

My other car of choice is a WRX and i have driven a friends and love the cornering ability of the car. Is it possible to get a 200SX to even come close to a WRXs cornering ability?

Another bit of information that interests me is Coilovers.
Is it worth getting coilovers from mainly street use, or am i better of looking at the 200sx Sports pack instead. Money isn't a problem, but i want to ensure its worth forking out for.

Finally, a suspension shop in the ACT where i can get the suspension fitted.

Has anybody in these Forums got an S14/S15 with Whiteline kits, and if so, what are your thoughts

Appreciate the assistance.

[taale1]

Hi there,

I have an S15 with the Whiteline works kit (minus swaybars which are currently on order). I also have a strut tower brace.
I added the parts one by one so I could see the results from each change.
By far the biggest improvement came from the alignment bits; front and rear camber kits and front caster kit. However, I have been told by a number of people that the swaybars will be an even bigger improvement! I'll let you know when I get them.
The Whiteline lowered springs and Koni dampers are also worthwhile, but you won't feel the same sort of improvement as with the alignment bits and the bars (on the road that is).
As for wet weather handling; I reckon the S15 is pretty damn good in getting its power down if you're sensible. I have larger wheels and tyres fitted (8 inch rims with a 235 tyre) which was a big improvement in both wet and dry.
However, I agree with your view that S14's can be dangerous in the wet. I previously owned an S14 and it was very taily and I felt that this was because the standard rear end was a bit sloppy compared with the S15 and the S14 also doesn't have the helical LSD (standard on manual S15's). But the reality is that any lightweight RWD turbo car is going to struggle with traction in the wet if you are aggressive.
Like yourself I am still weighing up the pros and cons of coilovers for road use. At this stage, I'm thinking i'll stick with the Koni's because I don't want the ride to be any harsher (I use the car everyday) and I don't want to stress out the chassis (strut towers etc) from the smaller diameter springs.
Oh, and as for your comments on the WRX's cornering ability, fit the parts mentioned above and then drive the WRX again. You might just be surprised!

[deadlast]

Another query is the Subframe align and lock kit, Does this have major affect on handling?

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

[Peter]

G'day,

Taale has covered most of the points on the S14/15 chassis fairly well.

The S14 and S15 chassis are very similar and as stated above, the biggest difference is the mechanical LSD in the S15. A good viscus unit will still function satisfactorily the S14.

Where to Start ?? Your best start point is the "Ugly bits" (alignment products) and swaybars included in the Handling Pack. Follow this with some additional chassis stiffening in the form of a front polished alloy strut tower brace and if you are putting a lot of power down the rear sub frame align and lock kit (pineapple rings) will prove a must to stop things moving and banging around back there :) Next comes the matched springs and shocks in the Sports Pack or the Group4 coilovers.

Swaybars. Front to rear bias can be easily altered using the ?Blade? adjustable swaybars. In fact we believe the best bang for your buck improvement to this chassis is to fit these items. I suggest that you start with the front bar on the middle setting and the rear bar on full soft - (outer holes). The result will be a much sharper and well behaved car in both the wet and the dry. Oversteer in the wet is simply corrected by lifting the power and the rear will snap back into line.

Wheel Alignment. Achieving the best tyre contact patch with the pavement to maximise ?grip? can only be achieved with a precise wheel alignment - I suggest that you start with the figures listed on the Fact Sheet.

Coilovers. Your point about coilovers being to stiff may be valid for some brands - particularly imported items which are not necessarily suitable for our roads and street tyres. The Group4's in a street set up are not harsh at all and in fact provide a good ride on the street. You can simply crank them up a bit for a thrash on the track as required.

The rear sub frame align and lock kit may generate some drive line noise but my fix is simple - turn the stereo up - the benefits far out way the slight alteration in NVH.

Ride Heights. I suggest that you do not lower the rear of your car below the figures listed in the Fact Sheet. To do so will place the multi link rear suspension arms out of their operating range and excessive neg camber will result in poor traction and handling.

I trust the above is helpful. A link to the Fact sheet and the articles follow:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/fact_sheets/CK_Nissan_s14-5.PDF

http://www.whiteline.com.au/articles/RH_200SXa.htm

http://www.whiteline.com.au/articles/H4s_90_RHS15_1.htm

http://www.whiteline.com.au/Project/200SX/200sx-s15.htm

Our preferred outlets are listed here:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/dealers_au.htm


Cheers

Peter
peter@whiteline.com.au

[deadlast]

Is it worth getting the "rear subframe align and lock kit" for a close to stock standard car.

I'm looking at just an exhaust system and pod filter for the moment, so i'm looking at probably 175 or so at the fly wheel.

Won't crank up boost, etc for a while yet (insurance...)

Thanks for the information guys.

[Peter]

G'day,

As the title of the kit infers: "Rear Sub frame align and lock kit" , it locks the rear sub frame to the chassis and stops it floating and banging around back there when dynamically loaded. The sub frame is mounted to the body by use of four large fluid filled bushes that provide a fair degree of movement. As with any chassis stiffening, there is a benefit to handling.

I suggest that you start with the Handling Pack and front strut tower brace and then progress on to the other components.

Please refer to my comments in the thread below titled: "S15 Power Up"

Cheers