How To: S13 Coilovers

Thanks for the title fix Indy!

I plan for this writeup to be for the entire set of coilovers, not just the fronts. So this thread will be updated as soon as I fit my rears on. I know this forum lacks a lot of writeups so I hope this helps out you guys, feel free to refer back here and ask all the questions you might have.

Parts:

-s13 coilovers
-s13 spindle/hub with bolts/nuts for coilovers (2 each side, 4 total)
-s13/q45/z32 rotors and calipers

Tools:

-jack
-jack stands
-rachets/wrenches whatever you prefer
-19mm, 17mm, 14mm, 12mm the good ole sizes on most japanese vehicles
-7/8ths socket, I used this for the nut on the ball joint
-needle nose pliers
-breaker bar (I used the long handle from my jack)
-chain? (you'll see)
-ball joint press

You might be wondering about the s13 LCA's and A-1 tie rod ends, I actually didn't use any of that and used the stock s12 LCA and by using that the stock tie rods seemed to fit. I don't know how well it works at the moment as my car is still going through it's buildup and doesn't run. But over time I will see how it runs and might just update this thread with s13 LCA's and A-1 tierod ends. I also did not finish the brakes, I'm trying to get my hands on loaded/rebuilt q45 calipers from an auto store so there are no front brakes on my car atm. I'm planning on getting new ball joints, painting the spindles, and painting my wheel well,(painting a ton of stuff), so please bear with how horrible they all look  

So, you stop by your local convenience store and pick up your set of s13 spindles/hubs
 



And here's what it should look like without the mount



Put the spindle on the ball joint, tighten, and it should look like this.



Connect the tie rod to the spindle, bolt in the coilovers to the strut tower and spindle, and you should have this







At the moment, my car doesn't have brakes so I will update this how to as soon as I get them. Here's how it currently looks without fenders, I'll get better pictures soon





They currently sit with quite a bit of negative camber, I'll check how they sit with the camber plates all the way positive tomorrow. (they're currently set at all the way negative) Everyone is welcome to correct the setup I currently have, I've read in the conversion thread that this or that is needed and while I was planning on doing all of that, the stock tierod and lca just seem to fit without problem.

-update, I set the camber plates to all the way positive and it looks great. s12 LCA seems to work just fine as far as camber goes

The write up will be updated with brakes and rear coilovers asap.

Neat, but i have one question and im going to sound like a complete idiot though....I see that the hubs are four lug....My 88 200sx se v6(now a vg30et) is a five lug.  So the hub off of a s13 240SX is four lug?

yeah, youre going to need s14 SE 5 lug, the base models are still 4 lug

how secure is the outer tie rod on the spindle?

I didn't tighten it all the way but it looks like it'd be secure. I've read that the nut will NOT thread far enough to secure it with the pin, a few other's have run stock  tie rods without that pin in but for safety reasons I might be getting a pair of a-1 tierods soon.

loctite!

but yeah, i can see where that would be an issue.

Shouldn't you use the S13 ball joints? I'm personally going to use S13 arms with the spindle, but wouldn't the S12 ball joint be different? I just wanted to point this out for safety reasons.

Richter888 @ Jul 17 2007, 12:45 PM
Neat, but i have one question and im going to sound like a complete idiot though....I see that the hubs are four lug....My 88 200sx se v6(now a vg30et) is a five lug. So the hub off of a s13 is four lug? God i feel so stupid, but i need to know this because im officially confused... TO make sure my memory is correct, the s13 is the 240sx as we know today right? Let me know please....

mod_mastazShouldn't you use the S13 ball joints? I'm personally going to use S13 arms with the spindle, but wouldn't the S12 ball joint be different? I just wanted to point this out for safety reasons.

I posted this in the other thread but I'll post it again.

If you want 5-lugs with S13 coilovers, you have a few options:

S13 setup
-s13 control arm
-s13 spindle
-s13 5-lug conversion hub(I'm personally going to do this)

S14
-S14 control arm
-S14 SE spindle/hub(SE S14s are 5lug)
-S14 spindle spacer or drill out S13 coilovers to use accomodate larger spindle bolts

S13/14 hybrid
-S13 control arm
-S14 balljoint
-S14 SE spindle/hubs
-S14 spindle spacers or drilled s13 coils.

If you use S14 fronts, might as well use S14 coilovers if you can source it. If not, use S13 coilovers and mix and match S13/14 stuff for 5 lugs. Hope this helps.

Edit, you need other stuff for the coilover conversion, such as
-S14 tension rod brackets ONLY (*not S13*)
-S13 tension rods(stock/aftermarket)
-A1 racing tie rod ends or S13/s14 tie rod inner/outers combo, respectively.

for the brakes you need
S14 5lug rotors
S13/s14 calipers

OR correctly matched Z32 calipers or rotors
OR Q45/j30 calipers and rotors
I forgot the years for the Q45/J30 but I'll clarify later when I convert. I'm still in Seattle so I won't be in Socal for a while.

is the s14 just a better version of the 240sx? I might actually buy the real nice 4 pot aluminum calipers, but what will i need? s13spindle/s14 hub(five lug)/calipers/rotors/coilovers. Is that everything? what pieces are needed for the brake calipers? and will i need a better master cylinder? Is a control arm needed to off of s13? Let me know

mod_mastaz: Is it only s14 tension rod brackets only or can we use s13 brackets also?

Anyone know if s13 tension rods will fit on the s12 brackets and LCA?

yah they will fit the s12 LCA no prob but the 12 TC rod bracket isnt same style as the s13/14/z32.

only s14, s13 brackets are different

Gopher @ Jul 18 2007, 11:43 PM
yah they will fit the s12 LCA no prob but the 12 TC rod bracket isnt same style as the s13/14/z32.

Thanks a bunch mod mastaz!!! That clarifies all my questions except one really stupid, but unasked one. They all bolt in? Thats it. I'm going to try and source all s14 stuff and s14 coilovers if possible. First stop EBAY! Oh, and i definately wan't to see you rear coilover setup real soon asparagus. Great thread and thanks to everyone for help. I think im set now.

I'd love to say it'll bolt up, but that's only based on other members' advice. I won't be home for another 2-3 weeks so I can't say personally. I'm sure there's going to be some small issues/differences(as with any hybrid swap). I'm expecting issues cuz if it all does bolt up it'll just make my life easier. =)

i did the s14 tc rod bracket and s13 tc rods and s13 LCA using my stock s12 strut and hub it all works im sitting on some s14 lca's im gonna punch some new bushings and ball joints in when i find my coilovers.

I forgot to clarify the brake setups. If you use the Z32 4pots, you will need a Z32 master cylinder and Z32 front brake conversion lines for an S13. The z32 piston diameter is 1 1/16". The S12 master cylinder size should be 15/16", stamped on it, then the Q45/j30 brakes will work fine. As for brake lines, stock S13 lines will bolt up to q45/j30 calipers. I haven't tested the S12 brake lines yet so I don't know. You can get Z31 SS lines and they'll bolt right up to the rears(make sure it is 6 pieces, 2 front 4 rear). The fronts I don't know yet but I hope my Z31 lines will bolt up to my Q45 calipers. For the stock V6ers, they can probably run Z31 SS lines all around(since the front/rear calipers are supposedly the same).

Thanks for all the great info mod mastaz! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

This post has been edited by asparagus: Jul 20 2007, 10:36 PM

good write up. pics FTW

UPDATE. My Z31 front lines bolt up to my Q45 calipers, so that means it'll work for the S12/S13/S14/q45/j30 calipers with no problem. I'll post a giant mega info thread once I gather more info.

Z31 EBAY SS lines are all you need whether you are stock or S13 front conversion. Z32 brakes still need the S13 conversion lines, because the Z32 caliper themselves are sealed by an inverted flair, and not banjo(the banjo will bolt up, BUT it's not safe, hence DO NOT DO IT).

{moderator edit:  the Z31 Ebay lines suffered failure after approx. 6 months.  recommend good quality SS ones or new stock type lines, Sterling 1/7/09}

hello, as you handed the pin? patella lower S12 is shorter. I have surrendered the patella lower S14 on the arm of S12.

How would one approach doing S13 on the rear, but retaining the S12 subframe? There is only one way to do it, and thats with lots of welding, cutting of perches, and gnashing of teeth.

Ideas?

ahhh thanks so much for this, i am deff looking into this, and you make it alot easier to understand,

how much should i offer the junkyard for s13/spindles/hubs?
and should i take anything else from the S13?

Stickied.

Brake master and larger booster.

Though if retaining rear drums, keep the BM44 as it has a check valve in-built to keep pressure in the rear line a little.

Can this be done with stock 240 struts instead of full coilovers?

rred510Can this be done with stock 240 struts instead of full coilovers?

You can use stock s13 struts, but you can't use S13 springs as they are much wider and do NOT fit inside the S12 strut tower.

Do you know what kind of springs can be put on a 240 strut so that it will fit?

Coilover springs. You can use ground control sleeves or any other brand. You might need to use a longer shock insert as S13 struts are very short in an S12 chassis. The struts at full extension is a slammed ride height for the S12. Just something to think about.

If I do 240 struts can I use the stock 240 brakes for the time being?

You will have to since you swap the S12 spindle to a S13 spindle.

so did you ever finish the rear conversion?

also is this stickied if not it should be...

Okay, 1st I'm new here and would like to say wasup to everybody! I was at the local JY today and was about to snag a set of s13 knucles and hubs for my newly aquired s12 but I found this thread and realized why I could not get them off the car.  Let me say  to asparagus for reminding me that I am not a weakling!  I just did'nt have the right tool!  So let me get this straight. (one more time for the new guy) I will need S14 tension rod brackets ,S13 tension rods, and S13/s14 inner/outer tie rod ends to complete the S13 front conversion?

^ you are correct!  those parts and you'll be good.

rred510If I do 240 struts can I use the stock 240 brakes for the time being?

Thanks 200sxkitcar for clearing that up for me.

i got my spindles hubs and calipers for $42 at pull a part. i bought rotors and pads from autozone the cheapest stuff came out to just shy of $100. i ordered new springtech shocks for $86 shipped. then new ball joints for $68. i need to go back to pull a part for the brake lines.

incase anyone was wanting a general estimate of how much the build costs. i'll have put about $350 into it by the time i'm done.

note: don't go to the dealership for the whole knuckle assembly... i went there to get a price quote and for everything it would've been $1500...

can i use,

s13 spindles,lCA's,tension rods, sway bar, and tie rods

would that all bolt into my s12..

i know you can use the spindles. i'm not sure about the rest of it. i'm gonna get a sway bar from my buddy and see if it fits. (can't argue with free)

i got the sway bar did a side by side comparison and they are the same thickness in diameter and have the same mounting points to the chassis.
only differences is the style of the sway bar links and how it mounts to the swaybar itself. s12 has a horizontal hole and s13 has a vertical hole for a mounting point. it would be possible to use an s13 swaybar as long as you use s13 links.

s12


s13

asparagus
Anyone know if s13 tension rods will fit on the s12 brackets and LCA?

Gopher
yah they will fit the s12 LCA no prob but the 12 TC rod bracket isnt same style as the s13/14/z32.

chris1986
s13 tensionrods wil not fit on the s12 brackets

and if you use the s14 tensionrodbrackets with s13 tensionrods they dont fit on the s12 lca the bolt patern is different and the s12 tensionrods have smaller bolts
and it's rubbing the swaybar endlinks so dont think that is an option

i am going to trie the s13 lca's tomorrow

mod_mastaz
You can use stock s13 struts, but you can't use S13 springs as they are much wider and do NOT fit inside the S12 strut tower.

rred510
Do you know what kind of springs can be put on a 240 strut so that it will fit?

8SixS12
So then s13 lower control arms are absolutely necessary to make this work?  I was under the impression that the s12 LCAs could be drilled out to accept the s14 TR brackets.

for the tiem being can i just weld the castle nut to the tie rod... and just cut it off when i get good tie rods

and my knuckle is stuck to the rod... wont come out

fastest sideways ground speed
i'd have to disagree. i'm currently running s13 springs
h&r lowering springs.

This thread totally rocks. Have you done the back yet? I would love to see some pix before i mangle my way through there. I just picked up some Office coils that i'm going to get refurbed then slap um on and slam my s12!!!