heavy85 Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) On second set now and significant play develops on the front struts. Talked to Koni (Lee) who said that if that happened you would see fluid leaking past seals. They are not leaking and still dampen well but you can rock the tire back and forth and feel and see the play. I've use dial indicators to pin it down to the struts themselves. What other options for stronger struts are there with performance as good as the koni? These are the SA RACE version. Cameron Edited August 22, 2015 by heavy85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhm Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Bilstein P30s? I don't know if anyone would say they're "as good" as Konis; but they're way cheaper, and have a very beefy construction. http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/120805-what-is-the-most-recommended-suspension-set-up/?hl=%2Bbilstein+%2Bp30-062&do=findComment&comment=1131060 What's your spring rate and usage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1vicissitude Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) There are revalved p30s. Are you open to coilovers? Feal suspension will make you a custom set with swift springs and tailor the valving to your needs for $1400 without top mounts. Odi has made a great reputation for himself revalving and building rally and dirt bike suspension. Plus as a driver he is doing very well in Formula drift. He really knows his stuff, coilovers of this level are usually much more expensive. His business started and thrives on him revalving other brands suspension for increased performance. Then there is always the really pricey stuff. AST said they would make me a custom set for 3000. Anyone of the high end brands like Penske, HVT, Motion Control, etc can whip you up something very nice. Just bring bags if money. Edited August 22, 2015 by 1vicissitude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 I think I know the answer already, cause you know your stuff, but: is there any way the yellow Koni casing is moving inside the strut tube? I've seen gland nut incompatibility and gland nut bottoming. Just hoping to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beermanpete Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) I agree with RabekahsZ. Try checking the play on the dampers with them out of the strut tubes. Edited August 22, 2015 by beermanpete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhm Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Good call from Bruce and Pete. Dibs on your extra set if it turns out they're right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Cameron, check out www.nissanroadracing.com. They are really 240SX-centric, but their strut tech makes ours look silly. I've got the P30s, and from what I hear they won't handle spring rates over about 400. Haven't figured out an option yet, but right now I'm considering ASTs or possibly doing a 36mm Bilstein and having it revalved by Fat Cat Motorsports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) Yeah gland nut is comprssing the strut to hold in place. 425/375 springs. Since all the tracks around here are clockwise the front left seems to go first. I'll check that other site Jon. How do you make the 36 mm Bilsteins work? Edited August 22, 2015 by heavy85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube80z Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 My guess is the bushing that's used to guide the shock rod at the top. Those can wear and you get that rattling. If you go with the larger Bilstein size you can use a different piston (COBB) that has more tuning options. (Digressive, linear, etc.). Option 3 use the strut rod and a linear bearing as the bushing but done have any piston or oil in it. It will be a control arm so to speak. Them mount a coil over shock inside of the strut. This used to be done years ago in IMSA before you could get good struts. Then you can use much cheaper shocks compared to struts. Option 4 like Jon mentions is convert to a 2 piece strut and use 240SX struts. They have built some really nice pieces. Option 5 go to a-arms and no more struts. Obviously rules may play into this. I'm doing option 5 myself after reviewing the other alternatives. More fab but cheaper running costs when done. Cary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 (edited) Cary - I want details on #5. Please do share how you are getting there on a Z and dont skip on pics. To the point I can fab and am will to cut things aparts if it means I can lower laptimes. Edited August 23, 2015 by heavy85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkspeed Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Double A arms are the best solution if legal, no doubt. Every purpose built race car has them for a reason. Better camber control. The Koni upper bushing wear is most common problem. Not sure why it happens in some cars and not others. Weight? I know some 240's that race forever on them. The Bilstein P30's are bullet proof. 450# is no problem. But not an easy task to get the valving right. But it easy to get sort of close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Im at about 2730 lb all in with me but Im guessing the killer is 1.4 g on 200TW street tires and 1.6 g on race tires. Depending on which series I race on both. Now if you could just replace that strut bushing it wouldnt be a problem but a rebuild is about same cost as a new strut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 You can go to 280ZX of Z31 front struts and that opened up the whole Bikstein 36mm (P36) shock selection including their Motorsports 36mm units. Contact Bret Norgaard at Yawsport. https://m.facebook.com/YAWSPORT?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FYAWSPORT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkspeed Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 1.4 g on 200TW street tires and 1.6 g on race tires. Really? That is some serious downforce. That's much more than any of the cars I've worked with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 Really? That is some serious downforce. That's much more than any of the cars I've worked with. Those are peak numbers (1.38 and 1.62 from last races), steady state is about 0.15 g's lower but from a strut perspective it will see the peaks. All based on Aim Solo datalogger and yes reasonable downforce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Do you have a photo buckdt somewhere? I'm a major fan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Those are peak numbers (1.38 and 1.62 from last races), steady state is about 0.15 g's lower but from a strut perspective it will see the peaks. All based on Aim Solo datalogger and yes reasonable downforce. Is that lateral force? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 Here is a pic from the last race. Its in photobucket so can scroll through if you want. Yes lateral. Braking is I think around 1g but dont have it in front of me now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) That's real close to what I would see with my white car, running 245/45/16 hoosiers. 1.35-1.38 sustained, spiking to mid 1.6's. I was using a Racepak datalogger, with a midrange smoothing factor. Edited August 28, 2015 by jt1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinOlson Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Bilstein 36mm inserts fit 280z struts from my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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