Hi,

I’ve done extensive research into options to upgrade the suspension in my 90 SW20 turbo (forums, google, reviews, etc).

My conclusion is my options for a a good setup (good quality, nice ride, effective on track, rebuildable) are KW adjustable coilovers (very expensive, $3k) or Koni Yellow shocks with H&R springs (obviously would then buy strut tops, likely KYB, and misc parts - bump stops, gaiter etc). The best I’ve found is around $1200 for the Koni/H&R springs (from Germany surprisingly, although it seems anything sourced from within Australia for our cars is more expensive). I have a number of concerns but given the Konis are designed for lowered springs (H&R springs are only 20mm drop F&R) I feel like it should feel/work well.

The other thing I would look at doing is upgrading bushes. The best I’ve found is a ‘complete’ kit through prothane (US) for about $200 delivered (again, I don’t like paying the same amount in postage as the part but the equivalent Superpro in Australia is a lot more expensive). I don’t love the idea of polyurethane bushes but trying to find rubber bushes is near impossible. With the combination above I would try source rubber engine mounts (front & rear) to balance out the rigidity of poly bushes.

Really looking for any advice from knowledgeable minds re what I’m saying above and possibly better ideas/sources.

Thanks

I run KW-V3 coilovers, that are still going great after 60 k kms.
Top shelf gear IMO, with a surprisingly good ride on the softest settings.
I also use the stock strut tops with them front and rear.
Front wheels are 7" wide, 35 mm offset, with 205/50 R15 tyre
Still have adequate tyre clearance at 1 degree negative camber.
 
I have also used Konis with various spring combos and found them to be high quality.
But remember when you go lower on the stock struts you loose bump travel.
 
 
 
 
 

^^^ thanks, that’s what I was looking for. I’m thinking H&R, being that it’s a 20mm drop that should still leave enough travel. What springs did you use with the Konis?

With Konis, I found Eibach Pro-Kits rode firmer than stock, and only gave a slight drop on the stock '90 model ride height.
 
TRD black springs were the lowest I tried, and lowered about 35 - 40 mm lower than stock '90 height.
 Car looked great, but ride was too hard for my taste.
With them I measured only about 20 mm front travel, and I suspect that front bump travel is the critical spec. 
 
I use my car mainly for normal street use and found best all round combo was Koni/stock 92+ springs.
These ride about 3/4" lower than stock '90 springs.
 
 
 
 

Great info, I appreciate it