And so it begins....323BG hatch ----> V6 powa with a few extra surprises

[Dan [Sac]]

Eh, opinions are just that. But since I have KSports on this car now, it's irrelevant anyway.


Today I'm sanding the whole body with 220 in prep for primer in a couple of weeks.

The damn valve covers are still not back from the power coaters, that crap is holding me back with the engine start and final mechanical checks...

I also have an order placed for full polyurethane bushings from the MX3 bulk buy (since I have full mx3 suspension). This thing will vibrate like a Vegas bed with KSports, full poly bushings, and AWR solid motor mounts...should provide good back massages.



Edit - does anyone have the diagram for removing the A-pillar exterior covers? Mine are intact and I don't want to break the damn things.

[KAinjection]

I was talking about their crappy valving (i.e., you're just buying a name - the product is worthless).

Most opinions on Tein;

Is there any evidence to back up these opinions, cause if not, it really means nothing. I have a hard time believing that the people designing them dont know anything, and most of those companies made a track/street/circuit coilovers long before drifting ever appeared on the scene, so that pretty much shoots down that part of it. I not closed minded however, and if some evidence can be produced, I would be willing to entertain the idea that these companies do in fact make "garbage"

[IMACHU2]

"does anyone have the diagram for removing the A-pillar exterior covers? Mine are intact and I don't want to break the damn things".

Hey Dan

Remove the screw. The screw is on the top back of the "A" pillar. (you need to open the door to see it). Then put the palm of your hands on the trim and gently slide it up towards the roof. It is really easy (if your told how to do it). I think most people either don't see the screw, or try to pry it off as if it were friction fit. It is hooked-in and the screw holds it from becoming un-hooked. The clips work like paper clips LOL Just slide it free. The car has a female slot and the trim has a male hook. Damn now it just sounds romantic.

[Sockington]

so that pretty much shoots down that part of it.

hahahaha, no.


Alrighty, here's a link to a set of shock dynos.


...and because people don't like to read huge whacks of information and miss the most IMPORTANT parts..

Buying Shocks

Remember this list:

• Bilstein
• Penske
• Koni
• Ohlins
• Sachs
• Dynamic Suspension

Not on this list? Almost certainly crap.
Perhaps I should elaborate a little.

Because......

The other bit of pushback I get on "crap" all the time is: "If you know which shocks are crappy and which rebuilders do shoddy work, why not tell us"?
And the simple answer is: litigation. I get enough nasty letters from people as it is without specifying brands and people by name. Sometimes, it seems like the truth is not necessarily enough protection to prevent people from just suing if you post data that is not flattering to their product. I'm dancing close enough to the edge as it is.
I wish this wan't the case. I wish I could come out and just say who the worst offenders really are. But I can't. So I talk about the good stuff instead.
Caveat emptor! Stray from the "not crap" list at your peril! And if you really, really must have one of those shiny green or purple shocks, DYNO IT BEFOREINSTALLING IT ON YOUR CAR.

[smoke187]

i don't see the point in cluttering his build thread with this info when they don't make any other full coilover other then ksport or d2 for us to use

[Sockington]

i don't see the point in cluttering his build thread with this info when they don't make any other full coilover other then ksport or d2 for us to use

It was just information about suspension. Someone happened to mention Tein being an "upper shelf" product, but really aren't worth their weight.

Simply put. the cheaper Ksports will probably perform as well as the Tein coilovers. Without shock dyno charts, as stated, it's hard to prove that either one is a superior product.


All in all, it was more to say "Ksports are equal" than to say, "BUY THIS PRODUCT RIGHT HERE BOYS. DROPPING THE INFO RIGHT HERE IN YOUR LAP WITH ALL THE PART NUMBERS. ORDER BILSTEIN PART #xxxxxxxx".


Sure, if we could adapt some higher end shocks to work for our chassis - that'd be great. Once you have Bilsteins installed, revalving is a cake-walk (just don't have the fitment though for our chassis).


Anywho, continue on with your build thread.

[/derail]

[Dan [Sac]]

Moving on...

Sanded half the car today, the other half tomorrow. Quite a bit of clearcoat fade & damage that had to be taken out.

Also finished recoating the wheels, they now are a much nicer light silver metallic with clearcoat.

Spent a lot of time trying to figure out tires...I wanted an intermediately sticky tire with better than Kumho lifespan. Was looking at the Proxes T1R, but settled for 225/50/16 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec for an amalgam of compromises. Those should be here next week, just in time for the flares so I can start THAT bag of fun times.

[Sockington]

settled for 225/50/16 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec

Heard nothing but good things about them

[crazycanadian]

The Dunlops aren't a bad tire... You are right definatly a comprimise in total performance but they work nicely for day to day driving with a little spirit..

[jjmundt]

Hope to see some more pics soon.

Regards,
Joel

[smoke187]

same here

[Dan [Sac]]

Hey Dan

Remove the screw. The screw is on the top back of the "A" pillar. (you need to open the door to see it). Then put the palm of your hands on the trim and gently slide it up towards the roof. It is really easy (if your told how to do it). I think most people either don't see the screw, or try to pry it off as if it were friction fit. It is hooked-in and the screw holds it from becoming un-hooked. The clips work like paper clips LOL Just slide it free. The car has a female slot and the trim has a male hook. Damn now it just sounds romantic.

That was exactly what I was looking for, thanks! The covers came off smooth as butter.





Almost finished with the first round of sanding today. Tomorrow finally picking up valve covers and tuesday morning I'll be doing the engine assembly. Then we have a bunch of rain coming so I'll finish the rear bumper repair indoors and hope to primer the bumpers & spoilers. The primer will be black, so after I have the flares on it will look like Ray's twin...for a little bit.


The lower radiator support has been notched on the right side to make room for the supercharger outlet manifold. There may be minimal room for a front mount IC, but I should be able to make it work.












And one of the finished wheels - I actually kind of like the holes there - I don't think I'll be putting the plastic fake 'rivets' back in there. the only downside is brake dust accumulation in there, but Q-tips were made for that.

[Ace]

im really diggin the wheels. i cant wait to see this finished.

[TheOnenOnly]

^^^^x2

[IMACHU2]

"That was exactly what I was looking for, thanks! The covers came off smooth as butter".

Oh good

Your 326 is lookin' pretty sexy by the way.