Blf0005 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Hi guys, I'm in the process of doing a ground control coilover install and I'm having a real hard time figuring out what struts I am going to use. I'm planning on dsectrioning the struts 1.5" and using the aw11 MR2 rear strut and 280z front strut.I originally wanted to use Tokico illumina or hp but they are not available in the US indefinitely so that isn't an option anymore. I'm wanting to stay around $100 or less per shock.The car will see mostly street time with maybe a few track days sprinkled in. Any help is greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Just go with an Autozone replacement insert. Put the 280z front insert in the rear and the MR2 strut in the front. Otherwise you are looking at Koni 8610-1437s, for which you need to budget $900. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blf0005 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Really? would the KYB be any better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 There's just such a big price difference between the cheap stuff and the expensive stuff. On a street car, you probably won't see a difference, heck, we haven't even talked spring rate (you will get a million opinions there).. Unless you are an experienced driver who races in sanctioned events every weekend, have a race team and have mega dollars for lots of private track time for trial and error testing, you likely won't see a difference between any of the shocks out there. The guys who really tune their suspensions for the most part are professional team with professional drivers and crew chiefs. Save your money for wheels, paint and tires. Just my suggestion. If you don't already have great tires, that's probably a better place to spend money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 KYB or Monroe are your only shock options at that price point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logr Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The Bilstein Rabbit shock wasn't too much more last time I bought a set and they will handle reasonable stiff spring rates. You might check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blf0005 Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks guys, I think since I can get all 4 KYB GR2 shocks for ~$150 I'm just going to get these for the time being and then towards the end of the year I'll see what the situation is regarding Tokico and their US distributors. I just really need some shocks asap so that I can go ahead and measure and section the struts. This way I can get the suspension back to ether and functional and then see about really upgrading the performance at a later time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ghtymaxXx Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The Bilstein Rabbit shock wasn't too much more last time I bought a set and they will handle reasonable stiff spring rates. You might check them out. I'm hoping to build some coilovers by summer but have a hard time justifying the expense of the Konis as a more casual autocrosser. I've been thinking about the Bilsteins, but I hear sourcing gland nuts to fit the Datsun struts can be near impossible. Is there any reason the stock Datsun gland nut can't be turned down to the proper profile and opening as the Bilstein? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 No, the Bilstien P30 is an inverted shock and the gland nut actually seals on the sliding, hard chromed shock body. The Bilstien gland nut uses a double wiper seal. Shox.com has sourced the gland nuts for meand should have the corrct part numbers. There are also options for using the parts included in the box with the shocks. There are a couple writeups here where the person welds the female ring on the top of the strut tube and then uses the included male gland nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texis30O Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 This is troubling news as I am in the process of putting together coilovers....... I am going with the 200lb spring rates on all 4 corners..... John, opinion? ( puts on flame suit) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 No flame. Tokico has been out of product for almost a year and I just saw a job opening for an Aftermarket Product Manager on LinkedIn so people are leaving the company. The Bilstiens are the best option for you. It will just take some work to put together the package. I offered it (P30-0032 shocks, gland nuts, and gland nut tightening wrench) for $800 for a year or two and only sold one set. Most folks said it was too expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Yep, I'm about to order my coilover kit soon too. It is a bad time to decide to build my own.... Stupid struts... Looks like I have a lot more research to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww2winger Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Hey Jon, how stiff a spring will the 8610-1437 handle and what other options are available for stiff sprung cars ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 8610s can go to 400 lb. in. max and need a 250 lb. in. spring as a minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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