Just wanted to let all you 380 drivers know that I have been talking with K-Sport for a while now & with the help of another members photos & measurements, have got to a point where K-Sport will put together some coilovers just for us at what I think is quite a reasonble price.

They have provided me with pricing on a one off but have also offered a substantial discount for a larger order. Before this goes ahead I will be sending a front & rear strut so they can get all the mounts correct for us.

If anyone is interested in aquiring a set in the next couple of months send me a PM & I will provide details.

Thanks Fooz. Pushing 380 development yet again.

Can you describe how adjustment is made re spring and shock settings for everyone?

The shocks have 36 adjustable dampening settings between soft & hard & are changed at the top of the strut. There are also adjustable camber plates on the top of the front struts.

The ride height is varied by raising & lowering the spring seat via a threaded collar on the outside of the strut tube. The spring rate will be the same no matter what height you run.

It's a matter of selecting your ride height, get a front & rear wheel alignment done & away you go. The dampening can be fiddled with to get the desired balance between comfort & handling.

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/foozrcool/shock_a03.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/foozrcool/Magnum1.jpg

Above is a description & a couple of pics to give you all an idea of how they all fit together.

Fooz,

Def interested, but would like some more info on a couple of things.

From what I've read about coil overs they tend to be very hard riding, even on the softest settings. Is this true?

I don't want a bone jarring ride, just a controlled one.

And can you give us a rough idea of the expected price, just to purchase, postage, and installation cost (but I would prolly DIY).

Not asking much!

KJ.

And what are the legalities and benefits of using this type of set up..??

pricing?

Fooz,

Def interested, but would like some more info on a couple of things.

From what I've read about coil overs they tend to be very hard riding, even on the softest settings. Is this true?

I don't want a bone jarring ride, just a controlled one.

And can you give us a rough idea of the expected price, just to purchase, postage, and installation cost (but I would prolly DIY).

Not asking much!

KJ.

Not sure on the bone jarring ride but they have four different types of coilovers, the street ones being the softest. Since they are being custom made the spring rates could be changed if you are concerned but I think they would be ok.

They have worked out a pretty close match for the 380 although I need to send down some struts as the rear tops in particular are a bit different. They will do all fabrication to make them a direct fit.

I would install yourself as it is already assembled & just bolts straight in.

And what are the legalities and benefits of using this type of set up..??

Not sure on legalities in your state but obviously better handling would be the benifit.

Have a couple of definites & a couple of tyre kickers so far, need five for the better price.

Anyone wanting to know price or anything else not covered here so far, PM me.

Not sure on legalities in your state but obviously better handling would be the benifit.

I think they are illegal in SA KJ but the chances of getting busted would be very slim you would think ? They are not exaclty easy to see and most police wouldn't know or care.Had a full set on an RX7 for quite some time and never had any issues.

Update, looks like three should be a starter in the time frame mentioned, if the tyre kickers can come up with some quick cash we are there!

PM kif fooz he was wanting something like that

Anyone else interested in these??

After being in a few magna with these, I've got to say, they are awesome. The first thing that came to mind was ' it felt like the finger of god was pushing the car down from above " going through the corners. Never before have I felt control like that in a street car, Go Kart Maybe.

I've felt some set up really nice and one set far to hard, but thats sorted now!

You have to be a keen driver to get these, with the desire to go faster (way faster) around a corner than your mates, whilst holding flat too. These will really assist in Traction issues you might have, their ability to keep the car flat is great.

I remember a respected member coming from Kings and Koni's ( or similar) to get into these and he hoped it was worth the money in the upgrade. He said it justified the money spent in the first drive, and I would agree. It would probably take some one two or three goes to get a set up they would find acceptable, with these as a first outlay, you would not only find them acceptable, but most likely thrilled with the difference, if you're thinking about a suspension change, simply Just get these.

I spoke to Knotched over the phone and I put the message across that the 380 sports setup is great, similar to real good aftermarket magna set up, say, like Type 40's, but coilovers, IMO, are 3 - 4 time better, just remarkable.

I am saving for a set right now, but for the Magna, thats the toy in our family, and the car I'm allowed (read Agreed) to modify, the 380 is our Family car. If I was under 25 ( Edit 35 lol), no family, and wanted the best handling car by a country mile, I'd be in.

Listen, I'm not saying these are the best brand or type, but these guys are willing to fabricate mods for us. So they are the guys..
If you disagree, sure have your say, but this is the impression I have been left with, after assisting with fitting and riding in magna's with K-Sports fitted.

The 380 has a much firmer chassis, so I have a feeling these will be really good.

I used to have bilstien coilovers in my corolla and like SH00T said it is like the finger of god holding you to the road

mine were off the shelf and were almost double the price of what the K-sport option are and these are custom made and look to be just as good as the bilstiens

Anyone else????

Fooz-

-are you getting the first set made up for a test run, or do you have to commit for all of them straight away?

-Basically am looking for you to vet it and say that all is good with the fabrication and fit, ( I would want something that is just set and forget.)

Fooz-

-are you getting the first set made up for a test run, or do you have to commit for all of them straight away?

-Basically am looking for you to vet it and say that all is good with the fabrication and fit, ( I would want something that is just set and forget.)

No I was going to get them made up at the same time to get a better deal. These will be along the lines of the Magna ones, plenty of happy customers there!! No need to test run as they are totally adjustable for your needs.

Choose the height you want to ride at & then set the dampening to your prefered stiffness. I can give you guidance on settings once I sort mine if you don't want to experiment yourself.

i cant get the dosh in time for this run. is it possible to do another group buy in a couple months?

i cant get the dosh in time for this run. is it possible to do another group buy in a couple months?

Yeah no reason why not, I can give you the contact details but from what I have seen so far here there may not be a group who are willing to buy.

Without you I am down to two including myself, which could end up being just me when the money has to be handed over ...... maybe. There has been other interested people but I'm guessing maybe only two of those may go ahead at some later point.

I'm planning on sending the struts down early next week so will be looking to get definite numbers so I can negotiate a price. If it ends up just me so be it, I'll pay full price & my 380 will handle better than all yours :P lol

... If it ends up just me so be it, I'll pay full price & my 380 will handle better than all yours :P lol


I reckon the TMR has the handling you seek and I can attest to the improvement in handling and also improved traction ....


You can put me down for one set mate, it's my economic stimulus for QLD. :happy:

I reckon the TMR has the handling you seek and I can attest to the improvement in handling and also improved traction ....


You can put me down for one set mate, it's my economic stimulus for QLD. :happy:

Ok good as done, will advise definite price next week pending definite numbers.

Depending on price I might get two...one for a future project.

Depending on price I might get two...one for a future project.

I'll email them & tell them where we are at with it & see if they will lock a price in. Struts are now in the boot of my car so will send them down Monday or Tuesday to get the fabrication underway :happy:

Tell them it has to be pure plug and play Fooz....no welding,grinding,flareing,filing,engineering or hair pulling...:happy:

Tell them it has to be pure plug and play Fooz....no welding,grinding,flareing,filing,engineering or hair pulling...:happy:

Have already emailed them. Don't worry they will fit first time, no pissing around (that's why I'm sending a stock set of struts for them to copy).

Only thing that will need doing is set your ride height, get a front & rear wheel alignment & adjust the dampening to your prefered comfort.

Obviously though if you go too low you may have guard to tyre clearence problems but guards (& plastic I found out today) can be modified easily for clearance.

Depending on price I might get two...one for a future project.

Mate if you want two sets which will make three in total including me, they will do them for $1550 (original 5 price)

Good news for all others interested but not going ahead now, if you can get a similar number together they will also do them for the $1550 price. I told them it might be two or three months before you're ready.

PM me if you want the contact details.

I don't have a problem with that price 'Fooz...but how to get them to me in Victoria?

I don't have a problem with that price 'Fooz...but how to get them to me in Victoria?

They will send them to you direct, freight was $30 I assume it will be the same for two sets to the same place ..... will have to confirm. I'll email them again & see if they want to contact you or maybe you contact them, will let you know.

No rush 'Fooz...want your seal of approval that all is good as a first step.

No rush 'Fooz...want your seal of approval that all is good as a first step.
Are you saying you won't be going ahead until I get mine & fit them & give you the all clear? If that is the case I don't think they will do the better price as it is based on an order of 3 sets.

Let me know what you are doing, I'm sending the stock struts this arvo & will be emailing K-Sport to let them know.

Don't worry they will be good, I'm sure a few of our Magna friends can vouche for that!!

PS - What's wrong with your PM's? Can't send you one, no option in your profile area??

My coilovers should be hopefully completed by the end of next week :woot:

So Fooz.....Have anymore information to share with us?

So Fooz.....Have anymore information to share with us?

Not yet, emailed them last Friday & they said they should be completed this week. Soooo hopefully they will go in on the following weekend then off to Bob Jane for a free front & rear wheel alignment that came with my new tyres :happy:

This thread needs more pictures of everything.

;1282920']This thread needs more pictures of everything.

First set of 380 custom coilovers ........ there ain't anything to take pics of yet :nuts:

Coilovers complete!!! Have just sent delivery address to them so will arrive maybe tomorrow but definitely by Monday :happy:

Coilovers complete!!! Have just sent delivery address to them so will arrive maybe tomorrow but definitely by Monday :happy:


Good work.

can't wait to hear the verdict mate.

Good work.

can't wait to hear the verdict mate.

As soon as I get them I will take a pic & post up for some eye candy :)

Here's the one on the TMR380 its the drivers' rear end

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/662/tmrkoni.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/tmrkoni.jpg/)

Ok everyone here is the eye candy as promised :facejump:

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/foozrcool/P1010572.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/foozrcool/P1010573.jpg

Oh the pain you're going to feel due to ride quality now. But, it's always a trade off - should handle well.

They look like a work of art.....

They look like a work of art.....

They do don't they, much better than I expected. They had to fabricate the top rear plates & modify other parts. They have done all the mods & fabrication then had the plates annodised ...... awesome!

Hurry up and fit them and give us a report so I can get a move on.

Noooiiiiice!

You better clean the old ones up!

Noooiiiiice!

You better clean the old ones up!

Ok I will polish them up but the price will go up lol

1550 huh ;) not _too_ bad :)

*ponders*

had a set of street-spec coilovers in my last car (R33 skyline) and the ride was pretty harsh - one thing I love about the 380 is the smoothness....

awaiting test drive results :)

And the smaller OD on the springs means more room for big rubber !!! :)

Street Spec <read only jars out loose fillings lol>. Am looking forward to what you think Fooz, you will really notice a difference though. Takes a little while to adjust to your own liking but worth the time tinkering. You should be able to get softer rated springs me thinks, that should be around the same as ye ol' heavy duty ones.

Hey Fooz! It has been almost a week now, got them in yet? (Probably has and you can't get him out of the car lol). Bit of an update eh?

Hey Fooz! It has been almost a week now, got them in yet? (Probably has and you can't get him out of the car lol). Bit of an update eh?

Go read my ride thread mate, plenty of info there. (Click link at the bottom of my post)

In summary fronts are in & sitting nice & low. I have sent the rears back as I couldn't get them to go low enough. Expect them to be back tomorrow.

Rear coilovers are back & looks like the same height spring just a shorter shock. Will hopefully get them in tomorrow & see how it handles.

Bit more plastic heating & bending needed for clearance & then a wheel alignment. Still confident I can leeve it as low as it is.

And what are the legalities and benefits of using this type of set up..??

-better handleing
-if you want to adjust the height of your car you can without having to buy new springs each time.

Rear coilovers are in & all good. I have it set fairly firm & loooow & after the springs settle a bit will readjust heights if neccessary & get a wheel alignment done.

Anyone looking for a set PM me & I'll send you contact details.

Have you had a decent drive yet? How much difference between old and new set up?

Have you had a decent drive yet? How much difference between old and new set up?

I haven't done any hard cornering but pushing it around sweepers there is no noticable body roll, just goes around the corner. I have them set reasonably firm but there is plenty of adjustment either way & also up & down to suit everyones tastes.

Once I get the settings right & a wheel alignment I'll give it a good test.

As some of may know, Knotched has installed my Superlow setup into his 380. Following are some comparison pics of our two cars with Superlows in Knotched's & Coilovers in mine. We both have the same size/profile rim combination.

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/foozrcool/P1010591.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60/foozrcool/P1010592.jpg

Whats the ride like?

Whats the ride like?

Ride is quite good!

It is more controlled than with the Superlows, firm but not harsh. Like I have said before there is plenty of adjustment in both directions (up/down, hard/soft) so you can pick your comfort level. There is no pitching or diving under brakes & corners extremely flat. Just point the car into the corner & around it goes, simple as that!

Knotched looks LOWER in the front

dont worry yours will lower after a while when they settle

Ride is quite good!

It is more controlled than with the Superlows, firm but not harsh. Like I have said before there is plenty of adjustment in both directions (up/down, hard/soft) so you can pick your comfort level. There is no pitching or diving under brakes & corners extremely flat. Just point the car into the corner & around it goes, simple as that!

Thats awesome, sounds like its just what you set out to achieve.

I think I remember one of the discussions about suspension that led more consideration about coil-overs, you propelled the car around a corner, and you would not deviate once you had commited the car to that line. I think you and Richard were in the car at the time.

Would the car behave differently now?

Knotched looks LOWER in the front

dont worry yours will lower after a while when they settle

You might want to look again .... tyre/guard gap, mine is 15mm lower, rear is pretty well the same.


Thats awesome, sounds like its just what you set out to achieve.

I think I remember one of the discussions about suspension that led more consideration about coil-overs, you propelled the car around a corner, and you would not deviate once you had commited the car to that line. I think you and Richard were in the car at the time.

Would the car behave differently now?

Not sure about that particular one as that was to do with the mad max comment. :eek2:

Yesterday I came into a large two lane roundabout in the inner lane with a bit of speed on & this other idiot ripped out into the same lane in front of me, so as I was going around I changed to the outer lane while accelerating then saw the armco looking at me coz I was offline, bit of an adrenaline squirt, pulled the wheel tighter & just changed direction with no arguements. So yes I would say it is a lot more forgiving now.

Whats the ride like?

From a harsh ride adverse driver's opinion, very good. I expected at least some jarring and constant jiggling. But it was nothing like that and I was surprised. In fact yesterday we followed a Skyline which obviously had coilovers and you could see the rear of the car jiggling consistently :iough: I would hate that for a daily driver.
As Rob has set it now, it is really just noticeably firmer than the Super Lows, that's all. Still compliant on major bumps and rough surfaces but you can feel the new authority over the car when changing direction at speed. Feels fantastic. We went on a suburban road trip which include a bit of a rollercoaster section and.. haha .. I thought I was in a computer game - the sound of the S/C and the great control over the vertical motion that would have upset the Super Lows.

I've only just gone to SL springs because I've always been skeptical of the ride quality (put at ease after my last drive of Rob's car before I fitted his springs), so keep that in mind for the above.


Knotched looks LOWER in the front Knotched looks LOWER in the front

You are looking at the lower lip only. It's not a reliable indicator. Rob's car is way lower in the front and mine with the SLs looks high in comparison.

great info on the coil overs etc looking at the pic's you put up what size rims are on the silver 380?

19" 245/40

The Adrenaline has the same size.



Would the car behave differently now?

I think the previous suspension really had its work cut out trying to cope with the big changes of torque from the S/C at high speed when already loaded in a long corner. The coilovers feel like the next step up. Although Rob hasn't had a chance to push it yet on a good run, it feels to me as a passenger, that the car now feels more settled and the complete package. That means a lot more confidence in hi speed corners because the waffling, sponginess of the SL at the limit of their control is gone.

I couldn't have said it better myself

I have just remeasured my floor to guard heights to compare with Richard's after fitting the Superlows to his car yesterday.

Front - Richard's 695mm, Mine 675mm
Rear - Richard's 680mm, Mine 670mm (My rears have settled & I will be raising it 5mm to match the fronts)

We both run 19x8.5" rims fitted with 245/40/19 tyres.

We both run 19x8.5" rims fitted with 245/40/19 tyres.

how is this size any different from running 245/35/19 that i have on mine atm..??? i know its a tad taller,but to what end is the difference ???

how is this size any different from running 245/35/19 that i have on mine atm..??? i know its a tad taller,but to what end is the difference ???

I mentioned this as it was an even comparison between our two cars height wise.

A 35 series tyre has 5% less height (rim to tread) to a 40 series which is 12.25mm on a 245 tyre. So if you want to compare your car with ours for suspension height, you will need to add 12.25mm to the measured height of your car.

I posted these measurements just for comparison sake to give people an idea of what to expect.

thanks,but i was looking at it more from the point of what size is closer to the original rolling diameter and does/will the 40 series Tyre give a "slightly better " ride than the 35's

thanks,but i was looking at it more from the point of what size is closer to the original rolling diameter and does/will the 40 series Tyre give a "slightly better " ride than the 35's

Oh ok, with the 40 series my speedo reads about 2% fast. When I had 35 series it was about 7% fast. So 40 series will be a more accurate speedo reading & will by right give you a slightly less bumpy/noisy ride.

The coilovers are going well, earlier this week I tweaked the heights after a bit of settling & made some more under guard adjustments & so far I have had no more tyre scraping. The ride is nice & tight on the settings I'm running & feels great! I will be booking a four wheel alignment next week then go find some nice windy stuff to give it a good test.

If anyone is thinking of getting a set of these I would highly recommend them.

Ok guys....Im putting in my order for these next week. Just wondering if anyone else was keen for a set?


Also, im just wondering if any of you 380 owners have pictures and measurements of the lower camber arm and camber nut?

Ok guys....Im putting in my order for these next week. Just wondering if anyone else was keen for a set?


Also, im just wondering if any of you 380 owners have pictures and measurements of the lower camber arm and camber nut?

Are you talking on the rear here? What are you trying to achieve?

You won't be disappointed with these babies. I have just got back from a cruise to the Sunshine Coast via the Mapleton/Montville hinterlands & some very fast & flat cornering & wheel lifting through the dippers ...... what a great sensation :happy:

Are you talking on the rear here? What are you trying to achieve?


Im hoping to get a little more camber adjustment out of the rears thats all. Should have these here by Friday.

Im hoping to get a little more camber adjustment out of the rears thats all. Should have these here by Friday.

Oh ok, might have to suck it & see. I have 1 degree negative on the rear with the height I'm at & I'm pretty sure it can go more negative. It's more that with the height I'm at that is the straightest they can get them with the stock adjustment. The fronts are a different story with the top & bottom (if you need it) camber adjustment.

My fronts are pushed across as negative as it can go at the bottom & the tops are pretty well at the central position & I have 1 degree negative there as well. So plenty of adjustment on the fronts.

It's not the guards you have to worry about when you drop it, it's all the plastic crap underneath but that can be easily modified. You may have more probs but with the 22's.

Im running 3.6 degrees negative on the rears atm.

I should be all good with the plastic as most of has been rubbed away or been ripped off buy certain pesky cats!!

I am a little worried about the metal lip on the front guards that is used to bolt the bumber bar to the guard. Iv already bashed it silly so it lays flat. If all DOESNT go to plan, then im gonna have to go for smaller diameter rims.

Im running 3.6 degrees negative on the rears atm.

I should be all good with the plastic as most of has been rubbed away or been ripped off buy certain pesky cats!!

I am a little worried about the metal lip on the front guards that is used to bolt the bumber bar to the guard. Iv already bashed it silly so it lays flat. If all DOESNT go to plan, then im gonna have to go for smaller diameter rims.

:eek2: 3.6 degrees, you have too much money to spend on tyres lol

Yeah I just clear that metal lip, had to put flush screws in to replace the hex head screw right above that. On a super extreme bump I get the slightest contact but nothing to worry about since I bent all the plastic up. 99.9% of the times I get no contact at all now.

I didnt realise they were that bad, till sparks started flying out the rear. The inside 1.5" on the rears is stuffed and the rest of the tyre is brand-bloody-new! Iv got a few tricks up my sleeve before I give up on the 22"s.

I didnt realise they were that bad, till sparks started flying out the rear. The inside 1.5" on the rears is stuffed and the rest of the tyre is brand-bloody-new! Iv got a few tricks up my sleeve before I give up on the 22"s.

:bowrofl: You know the coilovers can raise your car to 4wd specs? That would probably fix your problem!

:bowrofl: You know the coilovers can raise your car to 4wd specs? That would probably fix your problem!

Mate, if anything she will be riding lower.....even if I have to take a grinder and my FULL arsenal of welding gear....she gonna sit right!


YOU HEAR ME OUT THERE CAR......YOU ARE GONNA DO AS YOUR TOLD AND NO LIP ABOUT ALL THE GRINDING CRAP!!

Someone needs to make a conical wheels and tyres for people that want massive camber. would be awesome! you could have 22's, 5deg camber, and even tyre wear

Now there's an idea! FFEEKY will be on the New Inventors next week & be a millionaire by Christmas!! Custom made conical camber tyres, name your camber & we make your tyre!

Someone needs to make a conical wheels and tyres for people that want massive camber. would be awesome! you could have 22's, 5deg camber, and even tyre wear

http://www.nissansilvia.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=455886

:shock:

Wow what a tire lol

In theory it should work....but im a little skeptical about the whole idea.

In theory it should work....but im a little skeptical about the whole idea.

What about a custom conical rim with a normal tyre??

EDIT - lol I'm a dickhead ...... disregard

Anything will work as long you have time and money to throw at it lol

What about a custom conical rim with a normal tyre??

EDIT - lol I'm a dickhead ...... disregard

Agreed.

I suppose i should cancel that appointment with the new inventors for next week :(

Matt, those tyres look good in theory, and would most likely work as a 60 series tyre, but how would they work on a 20 or 30 series tyre? for this setup to work the sidewall would have to be softer, which would mean risking rim damage over potholes ets

I knew you would do that :facepalm

EPIC...EPIC.....IM STEALING ALSO KEITHIE!!

Thats what I was thinking also. Also, what is the point of having such a tyre when the suspension should be able to fix and camber adjustments. Also in theory the speed of the inside of the tyre would be faster than the outside....so how would these work in reducing tyre wear etc?

depending on the type of tread used, and the way it was setup, you could have more tread on the inside (1 or 2mm more). apart from that, it would certainly be safer having all the tyre on the road instead of just the 35 of the 235 lol

What type of ride height adjustment range are we looking at with these overs?

What type of ride height adjustment range are we looking at with these overs?

Not 100% sure coz I haven't tried the extremes but I'm about 60mm down from stock on the front & a bit less in the rear & more to go if your keen to cut everything out under the guards to fit the wheels in. If you're are inclined to go 4wding they can go the other way too lol