Suspension Question for P11

[Nismoboy1]

I think I'm either getting the Eibach Pro-kits or the Tein S.Tech (soft) springs, which one do you think is a better ride and do you think I would need aftermarket shocks? If so, which shock would be best for a soft, daily driven, just cruising, no racing P11. I was thinking of either the Bilstein HD's or the Koni Yellow's, and are these shocks height adjustable also??? I heard the bilsteins are but not for sure. if so, i might just get the shocks alone and do like a .5-.75 in drop. I don't want it slammed just a little lower with stock-like ride quality. Thanx for any input.

[Koojo]

I got my 00 G20 less than 10 months ago, and it rides fine with the stock suspension. I actually think they are pretty good compared to other new cars. I would ride on those for a little while since I am also doing normal driving (not racing), and after they are worn out, ill replace them with good ones. The stock are good so I dont know why you wanna replace them. Your deal. Peace :smoka:

[Kenny-G]

I have a p11 and currently using Pro Kit. It gives the car a pretty good look and it rides ok with stock struts, but it bounce quite a bit when goes over bump, and something the car floats when braking downhill. A set of performance struts will solve that. For handling ( if you care ) is worst ( pro kit with stock struts ), it creat too much understeer, I think it is because the rear spring is too soft compared to the front.
By the way, how do you get Teins' part? I thought Zen motorsports went out of business. I want to buy the NA kit very bad. If you can tell me I will be very appreciated.

[cplessl]

Hey, I'm new here and am soon to be aquiring a P10. What are the best coilovers for a P10? Oh yeah, Kenny-G, there's a place around here (Toronto) that sells Tein stuff, Performance Zone, and I think they might be able to order it in for you. Even better, it'll be cheaper because of our poor dollar. Lucky you. The address is:

Performance Zone
615 Davenport Road
Unit B3
Waterloo, Ontario
N2V 2G2

Phone - (519) 885-3394
Fax - (519) 885-3186

Oh yeah, on the Tein Japan site (www.tein.co.jp), the part number for the P11 NA coilovers was DSN72-M1SS2, and they retailed for 95,000 yen (about $750 American, which is pretty damn good).

[primera man]

I have used Eibach springs and Koni shocks on my p11 which lowered the car by 3".
If i was going to do it again...use adjustable shocks to give the ride you want.
I have found with the factory wheels(15") that its a pleasure to drive and really improved the handling and ride. But since then i have fitted 18"rims with 45 series rubber. It has given the car the look im after but has made it a bit bumpy on rough roads, but man she handles like a dream in corners instead of having your self hanging on to the steering wheel incase you fly out either side windows when cornering!!!
Cheers
Primera Man

[Kenny-G]

Hey Cplessl thanks for your info. Toronto sounds a little to far for me. I think I will call the people in Vancouver BC and give them a try. AND JASON DOESN'T WANT US TO ASK HIM WHERE DID HE GET THE NA KIT.....

I have just look around my magazines and I can't find anyone who make the coilover for P10, but I will keep looking and let you know if I find it.

[Kenny-G]

Primera man, I think the Koni struts for P11 is not officially import to US, so did you just call those guys and have them to order it? How much did you pay? Did you get the Koni sport ( yellow )? I thought they are adjustable in damping.

[Kenny-G]

Oosp sorry, I just figure you are not living in US.

[primera man]

Kenny G......Dont quote me on this as i had it done by the pro"s.
But was told that by lowering my car the 3" that the struts should be replaced along with the springs to improve the ride.
The koni's that where used where straight from the shelf i was told and that they are the best for what i wanted.
Cost was $1500.00 NEW ZEALAND

[Nismoboy1]

this place also, can get Tein stuff...www.genxco.com.
But as for lowering my car, I just don't wanna have to get springs and install them and then take it apart again when my stock shocks blow, I'd rather do it all at once and save the hassle. Bilstein's and Koni's are designed to last the life of the car, even with aftermarket springs. Now it's just matter of which shock is better suited for my needs (daily driven, stock-like, no racing). and If anyone has used Bilstein's before, do they have adjustable spring perches in the front and back? If so, I might just get the struts alone.

[ni55andriven]

I have a '99 G20 with Intrax lowering springs. They lower the car approx. 1.75" front and back. To me, the car doesn't even look that lowered. The back almost has no gap and the front has a more noticeable gap..i guess thats because the front fenders are naturally higher than the rear ones. The springs are somewhat bouncy, though, with stock shocks. I plan on getting a coilover system soon. I was planning on getting Ground Control coilovers with GAB Super HP shocks, but if I could get a good price for the TEIN NA set, I'd much rather get that. The GAB Super HP shocks are between 600-800. These are good street shocks...4 way adjustable in the front, 8 way in the rear (i think..or maybe the other way around). I looked at that Genxco.com site for the Tein and it price the coilover for our car at $1050. Was I looking in the right place? I was quoted before at least $1500-2400. If it is around 1000, id get it. Anyone know what the drop range is on the Tein set? I know the Ground control set is up to 3". When you lower your car, its best to change the shocks so that your stock ones wont bottom out and it wont be so bouncy.

[Koojo]

ni55andriven -

I know this doesnt have anything to do with the topic, but where did you find an intake for our car? I have a 2000 and I cant find any good air intakes to put inside. Does the Weapon-R intake fir 99 and 00 as well? Is there a web site? Thanks :smoka:

[b-b00gie]

first... no a 99 intake will not work w/ a 00 or 01 model g20. the mass airflow sensors are different sizes.. sucks to be us newer primera owners huh?

now to get back on topic....

**tales of my suspension headache**

i have a 00 g20t and as soon as i got the car i wanted it lowered because i *hate* wheel gap w/ a passion!!

i didnt want to get eibach springs because i felt that a 1.2 inch drop was really just gonna look like 1 inch, which is basically un-noticable. so i went with intrax springs cause the drop was 1.75 inch which looks a lot more like 2 inches than 1 inch. also, i had read online that intrax had a "softer ride" than eibachs...

so i got the intrax springs put on my stock shocks cause i thought hey softer than eibachs, lower, and only $250 installed... perfect!!!

**WRONG!!!**

the car was lowered and looked way more aggressive, but as soon as i drove the thing.. OOOOH GOD!!!
every little bump (or micro-bump for that matter) in the road cause my car to begin bouncing. the car suspension would make these little bounces and wouldnt settle for about 20 feet or so.

at first the bouncing was small and i somehow convinced myself it was bearable, and that the springs just needed to "break in" cause they were a little stiff...

**WRONG!!!**

the problem just got worse and worse... the short quick bouncing became bigger and longer as 2 months went by....

i next decided to get some kyb struts put on because my stock shocks were now COMPLETELY DEAD!!!

this setup was definately an improvement but i was bottoming out in my wheel wells all the time when hitting big dips or bumps... perhaps this wouldnt have happened if the car rode a lil higher, ie.. on eibachs...

feeling the need to be able to "fine tune" my ride height AND suspension damping, i decided to scrap my whole setup and try something new...

Ground Control coilovers sitting on Koni struts, heaven at last!!!....

**ALMOST**

i heard that Ground Control was making "special orders" of P11 coilovers. basically this means they dont have them in stock but they can make them and have them shipped to you in less than a week... thier turn-around time has significantly improved...(kudos to them). the price tag is a little more than most of their other setups, being that they must custom make a new upper strut mount. ($450-499 us dollars is the going price)

meanwhile i ordered a P11 primera strut setup from Koni. the front assembly went very smoothly, however when i got to the rear a problem developed. with the new upper strut mounts that GC makes, there is not enough thread left on the shock to mount everything safely.. you can do it.. but BARELY!!

so the rear primera shocks were scrapped for a set of 95-98 maxima rears which have a longer threaded area. problem solved!!! the struts fit and allowed me to have choices in ride height adjustability...

what i've learned...

DO NOT LOWER YOUR CAR AND KEEP STOCK SHOCKS!!

and also...

i wasted a lot of cash when i should have just done it the right way the first time. dont spend $200 on springs and think you're gonna be happy, you wont!

i definately recommend going with this setup...

Ground Control Coilover kit for a P11 G20
Koni Front Primera P11 struts part # 8040-1127S
Koni Rear 95-98 Maxima struts part # 8040-1242S

the GC's go for $500 max and all the struts should run you about $450 to $500. total ballpark figure of $950 to $1000.

i also highly recommend spending the extra cash for a setup like this as opposed to $200 springs on $400-$500 shocks... the price difference is just not worth it.

lastly, in case anyone is wondering, yes the Koni's are adjustable but not while already mounted to the car. i set mine to the stiffest setting and then went two clicks back towards the soft side, mounted them.. loved it and never changed them.

happy lowering...

=)

[b-b00gie]

just to add a few quick points....


by Ground Control "coilovers" i meant "ride height adjustable" coilovers.... not coilover in the simple sense that it is a "coil" spring which goes "over" a strut.

you can check them out at www.ground-control.com

and the Koni sport shocks at www.koni.com


hope i've helped...

[G-Funk]

I wanted the cheapest, lowest drop also, so I went with the Intrax springs and stock struts. Everything looked great, my 18's were tucking in the back and the fronts were about 1/4 in off the fender. When I started driving the car was bouncing all over the place (and still is). It's been bearable, but dangerous for the past few months, but I've recently bought some Koni adjustable's for the car. I was wondering if anybody out there has the torque specs for the suspension and/or know if there are any special tools needed for the job.