Thread: Suspension - Today's Options for a Road Course B13?

I cringe at the thought of posting this for a number of reasons. You see, as some of you know, I'm the original owner of my 1991 SE-R. It has transformed from my first new car out of college (October of 1990) to the non-street legal, gutted, obnoxiously loud, fully track prepared Frankenstein that it is today (see photo below). I cringe because when it comes to suspension, I have had my head in the sand since I purchased it's current set-up almost 15 years ago. Yes, you heard right...15 years! What is the current set-up you ask? Get ready to cringe with me. The fronts are Motivational Engineering shortened coilovers and the rears - AGX/GC. At 15 years old they do little more than to hold the wheels in place. Despite this, at only 2000 lbs the car is still an absolute blast to drive and holds its own.

I also cringe when I try to understand the endless, highly opinionated, contradictory forum discussions on the topic. My eyes cross and my brain hurts when I try to make sense of what appears to be our only suspension choice nowadays...koni inserts into old housings. This is why I have decided to post here. I need help. I'm sure I can handle the fabrication myself but I don't know where to begin.

And finally, cringe #3, cost. Cost is the reason I have waited so long to do anything with my suspension. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Shelling out $2000+ for a suspension on a car driven less than 6 days a year is a hard bumpstop to swallow. But now it's broken. So here I am with some extra cash in my pocket, a worn out suspension and a desire to learn.

Here's what I think I know (mostly thanks to Blair)...
I can use the shortened motivational engineering struts as donor housings?
I can not use the AGX's as donors
I need 8611 "Race" inserts for higher spring rates

So learn me...please. This old guy needs some long overdue schooling.

This might be the easiest option Mark: http://www.sr20-forum.com/suspension-brakes/69202-progress-coilover-suspension-less-then-1k-miles-them.html

I know Kojima loved the Progress setup, so I guess it can't be too bad.

The Progress is nice, but fairly outdated (relatively speaking mind you) and probably won't handle the spring rates this car will require unless being rebuilt..........which I cannot think of anyone who still does

Plus, there are much cheaper, better suited options out there (not trying to knock you, just my observance). He is already halfway there with the motivational housings and such

I never looked into the Progress setup since there was not a B14 option, that I remember. I agree the Motivational setup in the front is a good start, and would work great in the rear with 8611Race inserts in either stock or custom housings.

Mark, ask Greg Amy what setup he had in the red car. Tim Rogers might still have those from the old shell.

If it's not blown, I'd keep running it! 15 years and now hasn't gotten that much better unless you want to spend $1200-1500 just in inserts and another $900-1200 in housings.

Motivational back 15 years ago insert isn't all that great. iirc they were the regular B13 reds atleast the ones i had were. another thing that isnt great is that they epoxy the insert to the housings, which makes the housing useless if worn out.

contact this man
veilside180sx

This guy knows his shit...

Mark, what spring rates are you running?

If you didn't want to fab anything, there's also Fortune out of VA. http://www.fortune-auto.com/ I've heard good things about them. My friend Todd runs their stuff on his Honda. He told me they're the best coilover he's ever had on there.

Their 510 series is probably what you'd want. http://www.fortune-auto.net/fortune510seriescoilover.htm They custom build/dyno them to your spec. Just an alternative to consider....

Eric, I actually was talking to Jamie about that set last night. From my research, it doesn't appear to provide enough dampening for the spring rates I would like to run (500-600 in all 4 corners). But thank you!