sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

Thank you blnewt!! I definitely try and research as much as possible before taking on a project that I'm not familiarly with. Between searching the forum, asking questions, youtube (the install video on youtube make it look so easy - lol) and google...all have been very helpful.

Yes, I did presoak the bolts like you recommended and used a breaker bar on those bigger bolts. Great advice!!

BTW, do you remember your final measurements from the ground to the fender by any chance?

Thanks again for all your help!!

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

If you want my exact stance it's 26.25" F&R. Been very happy w/ that height as I was a 1/2" lower on springs and that was no bueno for daily driving IMO.

sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all your help blnewt! I finished the install Saturday and the front was sooooo much easier than the rear. No problems at all doing the front and everything went smoothly. Still don't know why I had so much trouble with the rear when it's supposed to be the "easier" of the two. lol

Here are some pictures, initial thoughts, and measurements of the new setup...

Tein BASIS coilovers unpackaged:



Passenger rear completed:



Driver rear completed:



Passenger front completed:



Driver front completed:



Shots after install with Tein recommended settings. NOTE: I couldn't get a full side shot from the driver side because my brother-in-law's car was in the way:





I took the G out for a quick drive after the install and noticed immediately that the ride quality was a lot softer. The Tein-S that were originally on the car definitely had a stiffer ride to it. Personally, I'd prefer the stiffer ride quality but the height of the vehicle just made driving it on a daily basis unpractical.

Initial measurements from the ground to fender based on Tein's settings (I apologize for my "table" in advance as the site does not allow me to properly space things to make the specs easier to read):

________________FRONT__________REAR

DRIVER---------------26 1/4"-----------------27"

PASSENGER----------26 1/2"-----------------27"

I left for dinner and a movie that evening and when I returned, I took measurements again and the coilovers dropped about 1/4":

________________FRONT___________REAR

DRIVER---------------26 1/4"-----------------26 3/4"

PASSENGER----------26 3/8"-----------------26 3/4"


Sunday evening I took another set of measurements before making adjustments. The specs are as follows:


________________FRONT___________REAR

DRIVER---------------26 1/8"-----------------26 3/4"

PASSENGER----------26 3/8"-----------------26 5/8"


So here's something weird that happened during my first round of adjustments. I wanted to adjust all corners to 26 3/8" so I needed to lower the rear corners. I turned the collars 3 full cycles...but ended up going the wrong way so it raised the rear close to an inch (DOH!!). So what I did was turned 5 full cycles the opposite direction to negate the first 3 erroneous cycle turns and lower the car with the additional 2 cycle turns. Instead of being lower however, my rears were actually slightly higher than before:

________________FRONT___________REAR

DRIVER---------------26 1/8"-----------------26 7/8"

PASSENGER----------26 3/8"-----------------26 7/8"


Any thoughts as to why this happened? Is there a settling period when making adjustments as well where I have to wait for everything to settle before considering the specs are final?

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for providing those pics, should be helpful to those shopping for coilovers.
Coilovers typically settle quicker than lowering springs so 3 to 4 days should be enough time compared to 5 to 7 days for lowering springs.

The drop looks real good, as far as the overall drive, from the few reviews I've seen for the Tein Basis they are a softer setup but when combined w/ aftermarket sways that seems to be the hot ticket. Really makes for a very controlled ride, not overly harsh but firmed up just about right.

sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

What's a good aftermarket sway? Is the install difficult by any chance? Will it affect the alignment?

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Hotchkiss seem to be the most common and have the most firmness settings, Eibach and Whiteline also make them. I'd just check around the various vendors you've already dealt with and compare. Might also find a set in the classifieds here.
Since you've already successfully installed your coilovers you'll be OK installing the sway bars, there might even be a DIY for it in the DIY folder. It won't alter your alignment.

sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

So I'm having some issues adjusting the height of the G with the coilovers. When I adjust one corner to the appropriate height, it causes the other corners to change. Or I would adjust everything to the appropriate height and drive around a couple days and when I come back to remeasure, the height would actually be HIGHER than what I originally measured.


For instance, I adjusted the driver rear to 26 3/8" on Sunday. Drove to work and back and when I remeasured it Monday night, it was reading 26 1/2". I understand that they may need to settle but why would it be higher instead of lower?


Also, is it normal that when I adjust a corner it'll affect a different corner when I'm adjusting like 1/8"?


I guess I'm OCD so trying to get this perfect is driving me nuts. lol

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

You will be altering the load on the suspension by adjusting one corner and it will affect the height elsewhere. It can take some trial & error (as you're finding out). Hopefully you're getting closer, just make smaller changes and make a note of what affect it has on the other 3 sections. The springs themselves should be have taken a final set by now.

Droopdawg

I had the same issue with my coilovers. It took some time and quite a few adjustments before I got my ride to the right height.

sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

Hoping someone can give me some insight as to what is going on. This is about the height adjustment issue again and I still can't get it fully "perfect" as I get different measurements when I measure at different locations.


So yesterday after work, I measured the G in the parking lot and it read 26 1/4" on all 4 corners. I drove to the top of a nearby hospital parking garage and measured at 2 different locations and they both gave me the same measurements (26 1/4"). I go to a 3rd location at the structure and this time, the passenger corner is reading 26 7/16". I drive to 4 other flat locations and they all give me different readings on all corners ranging from as low as 26 1/8" to as high as 26 1/2". Even my sister's garage that I usually measure at I get different readings. For example, I could take a set of measurements and drive off and come back to the same spot and get a different reading. If I drive off and come back again the readings would be different again even without any adjustments.


Anyone else have this problem?


I would say that I noticed this happened with my buddy's G35 as well. He is lowered on springs and when I measured his G, I got 1 set of measurements but when he drove out of the parking space, I remeasured and the specs were different.


Thoughts!?! I'm really at a loss as to what is going on here and its driving me bonkers. lol

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

It's typical, the suspension is full of many moving parts, as one settles another contracts, loading up in different points. You could drive it around, park it, then sit in every seat, then take your measurements, might get a more accurate reading that way. I wouldn't lose any sleep over +/- 1/8", my coilovers will read slightly different too, and this is coming into my garage at the same direction.

sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for this explanation. I thought every one else's setup just remained perfect at all times which was driving me nuts but this helped out a lot!


I'll go ahead and get my alignment done soon and after that, consider this project done.

sLADe781

iTrader: (1)

Just wanted to give a final update as I am considering this project complete!!

After much adjustment back and forth, I finally got all 4 corners adjusted to 26 1/4". I just got back from the alignment shop and on my way home, I stopped and snap some shots so I thought I'd share. Here are pictures of the final product...













And my alignment specs...



I'm really happy about the final outcome of everything as the height of the car looks so much better and so is my alignment compared to what it used to be (the driver rear was at -3.6 prior to installing the coilovers). Now I can actually drive the car without fear of what's around the next corner. lol

Just wanted to say a special "THANK YOU" to blnewt for all your help. You are a great asset to this community!!! Thank you sir for everything!

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

This pic right here is the money shot, what a great looking coupe you've put together, glad you found that happy place, I know I'd be happy w/ such a nice setup Be sure to keep an eye on your inner treadwear, summer tires can wear pretty quick running that extra camber. BTW, jealous of those wheels, awesome choice there!

RJ's_G37

wow looks great i think its time i get these coils..been on the fence this past weekend about it