The Ultimate Nissan S Chassis FRONT Suspension?

We've got a new project at MotoIQ and this time it's a Nissan S13! We've had a couple 240sx builds in the past built for drifting or land speed racing but our new one will be a multi-purpose vehicle capable of both drift and grip driving--and probably going super fast in a straight line too. With Mike completely in charge of this one it's sure to get pretty crazy pretty fast! We haven't even started working on the car yet but the parts are coming in and we're excited to start talking about them. In this video we got an entire front suspension/angle kit from GK Tech out of Australia and Mike explains why this could be the ULTIMATE S chassis front suspension kit for drifting and road racing!
0:00 - Introduction
1:53 - Front knuckles
5:52 - Tie rods and offset spacer
6:50 - Offset teering rack bushings
12:46 - Lower control arm
15:58 - Castor/Camber plates
18:05 - Adjustable steering stop
19:25 - Anti-sway bar
23:23 - Master cylinder brace
24:28 - 5-bolt wheel conversion hubs
25:30 - Conclusion
LINKS:
READ MORE on MotoIQ.com! www.motoiq.com/
FOLLOW US on Instagram: / motoiq
LIKE US on Facebook: / motoiq

[@Officer_Dan]

Had no idea you were gonna do this! Thanks for all the tech talk about the setup we don't include in the howto videos. We put a lot of time and thought into our stuff, so it's nice to see a legend giving it some love.

[@motoiq]

Yeah Dan your product is so adjustable, most people could get in trouble if they don't understand the implications of what they are doing!

[@FLpMoDe145]

Loved It. Do more S Chassis Stuff!

[@motoiq]

More is coming.

[@jarrodnichols8111]

I scoured forums, KZbin, and books to understand suspension geometry terms and how changes would create different effects on my 240. This video basically broke all that down in 20 minutes. Great job! And a good review of GKTech products. PBM, SPLparts, Voodoo13, and even Wisefab all make good parts for the S-Chassis, but GKTech is just killing it with their quality and simplicity.

[@l_unchtime]

I may or may not have a $4k cart loaded up on gktech based on this video and the rear suspension video lmfao. Great stuff. I also really enjoyed the full SR build and have taken a lot of notes on eventually building my blacktop to an SR22VET.

[@HarleySLA]

If I had two weeks vacation to just do whatever I wanted I would spend it hanging out with this guy in his shop, learning and working with this guy on cars. A man can dream. He just always seems so happy talking about what he's doing and it's awesome

[@Dansavage314]

Long overdue, thanks for giving the props Gktech deserves!

[@motoiq]

You bet!

[@SeanOBryanZZ]

Thank you for the info! I love the breakdown on each part and how it helps each system in their respective situations.

[@cheyennetibbets9701]

This is awesome! Ackerman has been explained to me many different ways, and for some reason had gone over my head everytime. Watching this seriously helped me understand the geometry of my front suspension and what I need to do to help my car perform on track. Thank you!!

[@Daintegralsturbo]

Super excited for this build !!!🙌

[@slfrules1]

THANK Y'ALL for this video! I've been drooling over GKTech parts for ages! I'd been wondering what each part does! Eventually i'd like their full catalog on my G35. Only have their compression arm sphericals so far and darn they feel like quality! Looking forward to watching all this come together in the car! Love y'all!!

[@cameron6554]

Just found your channel, thanks for all the info. Love the tech talks, keep up the good work. You’ve got a new subscriber. 😀

[@dfend451]

Such a brilliant explanation A+++

[@zappy7393]

Ok, I saw the back pressure vid and stumbled across this video... Having GKTECH gear in my 180, this was super helpful in assisting me to understand how I should be adjusting things. God knows taking this kind of thing to a suspension place would give them a heart attack. Subbed.

[@ronaldduff492]

Best kit on the market. Can’t fit much smaller than 17 inch wheels for my retro boys but I love everything about this kit.

[@hasole9669]

Awesome work Mike and team motoiq

[@Tig_Supreme]

Great video. Gotta love the S chassis

[@Helstrong]

Thanks for this super informative video! I've been slowly upgrading the old, tired suspension on my S13 to GK Tech components and this video has helped me better understand the role each piece plays and makes me feel even better about my decision to go w/ GK Tech for my ride. Now I just gotta figure out getting my wheel not to hit on the tie rod end with the new drop knuckles installed! Can't wait to get her on the ground and back on the road!

[@zakswindle]

This made my day. I found a really clean S13, I want to make it a grip street car. I didn’t know which way to go everything on the market seems to be aimed at drifting. I’m glad to see there’s something aimed my direction.

[@motoiq]

GKTech also makes a grip specific front knuckle. You also would not need the offset tie rod stuff for grip driving.

[@GlobalMediaInc]

Another Great Lesson, Mike... Thanks...

[@drewthattallkid6275]

I hope to have half as much experience and knowledge as this man in handling physics and geometry and still explain them with a smile on my face! Idk why this is so wholesome and inspirational. I want to build my s13 the right way and yes there are gonna be mistakes on the way, but this kind of content makes me want to go GKTech and not ISR for my suspension. I need to do a lot more research haha. Great video!

[@jarom1144]

The car choice just earned a sub. Love the s-chassis.

[@yungosu5786]

waiting for my S15. Thank you so much for videos!

[@ontec7139]

Thanks Mike

[@timmason5230]

thanks Mike!

[@brandonautosales]

very educational! thanks

[@daviddiaz5539]

The amount of knowledge!

[@TurboHappyCar]

I don't even drift or have a Nissan, but this content is amazing. Thanks for putting this together! 👍

[@motoiq]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@rholt7551]

Love watching mike talk about suspension components. GKtech has a whole catalog of suspension parts for a damn good price without sacrificing quality. Everyone is still on the wisefab hype.

[@Edison73100]

Very nice.

[@charlesshamseldin9555]

Mike, I'd love for you to do a series on setting up a FWD car for track/street

[@motoiq]

We did one on the EP3 Civic, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaSUfqineMuDjrM

[@ErnestHughes12344322]

Good luck with the heim joints

[@zachrichards9426]

This is awesome. I'm looking to do exactly the same thing with my s13 coupe. It's been my simple grassroots level drift car since I got it, but I'd like to get it in shape to set some lap times while still be able to have some sideways fun. Curious which LSD you guys end up with for a dual purpose grip/drift car. Pretty sure I'm going with a Nismo or ATS 1.5 way.

[@motoiq]

It has a Nismo 1.5 in it.

[@chris-lx5xw]

Need more of the 240s

[@HigginsHobbies]

Working on everything from 1980s shit boxes to 2020 performance biulds and rice cars understand most you what you are saying. Love the information

[@RadDadisRad]

I spent a a couple grand on SPL back in the 2000s. It was amazing back then.

[@motoiq]

Still is pretty good.

[@timworley8285]

I don't drift ....however I have often wondered about the geometry behind it all.

[@mcbedeakin]

Hi Mike, great video very informative. I have recently purchased the GKTECH Brz angle kit. Would you consider installing this onto Project FRS and making an article?

[@mcbedeakin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5CnmmSYoqxng8k

[@motoiq]

Probably not we are mostly done with the FR-S and would probably like to sell it.

[@brianbenavides236]

Can you do a similar breakdown on that Z32 in the background lol

[@djkinglz7019]

When you say enjuku hubs. Are you talking about the ISR hubs? I don’t see any Enjuku brand per se.

[@williamb1926]

Do the V35 next!!!!

[@PerpetualDarkMatter]

Kinda want this dude to review everything

[@RadDadisRad]

Combination LCA that removes the tension rod is a big deal. The biggest grip tire I could run was a 245 because when I tried 255s they rubbed under load. I’d be curious to see if the GKTech gains over the SPL stuff I had.

[@stevethomas1301]

My 265 35 18 clear tension rods on my car

[@RadDadisRad]

@@stevethomas1301 my 255s cleared but not during full travel lateral loading. They showed signs of scuffing on the suspension. I was running some CE28N wheels, forget what the offset was but I could fit a square wheel and tire setup on the car without rubbing on 245s.

[@stevethomas1301]

@@RadDadisRad 265/35R18 on 18x9.5 15 offset rims, Circuit race car so not using super lock.

[@dannoyes4493]

Is there a front suspension package for the 300ZX (Z32) Well Done! Thank you. PS - Whatever happened to the Hayabusa Miata?

[@motoiq]

Yes they do! Dave is working on an update.

[@smagglin7134]

How much does the kit cost ? :)

[@TheKeatyBear]

Would zero akerman make a car want to wash out toward the outside more in drift?

[@motoiq]

possibly, it depends on what angle the wash-out starts at, you want some Akerman at first because it helps you make angle

[@weedshoes5089]

This is great. I'd love to see a bulletproof S54 build and a deep dive into dampers on e36 and e46 M cars.

[@motoiq]

motoiq.com/inside-michael-essas-1000hp-formula-drift-bmw-e46-m3/

[@motoiq]

motoiq.com/extreme-engine-tech-building-a-bmw-s52-part-1-the-short-block/

[@motoiq]

motoiq.com/extreme-engine-tech-building-a-bmw-s52-part-2-the-cylinder-head/

[@motoiq]

It is an S52 but its close.

[@weedshoes5089]

@@motoiq wow! Thank you very much!

[@ocelotlnahuatl1505]

Did you have to piece this kit together, or is it the package gktech offers?

[@motoiq]

You can get it as a package.

[@JOYRIDEUS]

Those camera angle changes

[@funkyd04]

How would you compare this kit to say wisefab?

[@motoiq]

The latest generation of wisefab is decent. The early ones, I didn't agree with the geometry. I do not like there rear kit at all.

[@infamousuniverse2832]

Could this stuff fit on a 1985 s12?

[@motoiq]

probably not

[@jamessells7795]

How do you spell that brand of wheel hub/bearing?

[@motoiq]

Enjuku

[@feelgoodhorizon4084]

wish we could just flip the crossmember so rack in front. :< we tried to one time just to see with a 280z rack and pinion, flipped knuckles, etc, but never felt right and took the redblock out.

[@motoiq]

Yes because you threw the trail and Ackerman dead off.

[@feelgoodhorizon4084]

@@motoiq yea was 17yo when tried it, didnt know any better lol.

[@motoiq]

Good learning experience!

[@waltermckinney606]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@thatcandont]

Cars worth so much money now, I’m thinking of getting a cayman s lol.

[@motoiq]

get a 2010 or later to avoid the M96 engine.

[@Persocondes]

i Smashed that like button! shared and commented for the algorithm !

[@agustingerosa]

What parts should I get for a daily/track car on the front suspension?

[@motoiq]

First is a good set of high quality coilovers and adjustable sway bars, second the suspension parts to make your suspension fully adjustable.

[@agustingerosa]

@@motoiq Thanks for your answer! what suspension parts? I assume grip front knuckles is a good one but then im a bit lost cause the video is more drift oriented

[@motoiq]

These are more advanced parts and you don't need them yet.

[@KINZERS13GTR]

Overkill aside.... Does the flexibility of these kits and Wisefab kits, provide a better handling street car, for daily use, if tuned/adjusted accordingly. I've heard another racer suggest that a Wisefab kits specifically will not make a car enjoyable outside of very specific drift competition.

[@motoiq]

Not particularly great for street use.

[@KINZERS13GTR]

@@motoiq .. what exactly is the reason though? Is it just nvh? Let's say I had a full SPL parts, linkage setup on my BMW street car. Not looking for the best comfort also not trying to kill it, but I'm not trying to go full race either. Though I do in fact need to be able to adjust for as much off the line traction and stability as possible, because I will be making north of 700hp at the wheels, and stock setups will not hold. Is SPL at least fully swapped out on the rear axle, not the front, ideal with respect to a moderate amount of added nvh.

[@privera3467]

Oh to find an affordable chassis

[@kellybanks3717]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@kumakaroshi117]

What about rack relocation

[@motoiq]

for running a lot of angle yes, do it.

[@kumakaroshi117]

@@motoiq I mean whose making a good set up. Street faction replacement or pbm wisefab modification brackets

[@motoiq]

The replacement moves it more. Brackets only move it something like 1/2". For big angle cutting the crossmemeber and moving it a lot is going to reduce overcentering, sticking and wheel wobble.

[@waclosh]

I devour these videos.

[@stevethomas1301]

The rack bushes in this don't last very long. 1/2 through a race meeting we ended up with a 1/4 turn play on the steering wheel. All torqued correctly.

[@motoiq]

They probably were not installed correctly. We used these for 3 seasons in Formula Drift Pro 1 without a single problem.

[@stevethomas1301]

@@motoiq Were installed correctly and failed during an Endurance circuit race, Had to remove the spacer supplied to finish the event.

[@motoiq]

@@stevethomas1301 you used these in a pure road race car? They are not needed unless you significantly increase the steering lock angle over stock. I would have used conventional aluminum replacement bushings.

[@MrIZZIT]

@@motoiq Yes I needed them due to the shorter plane arms used to quicken steering. The car is quick but they do fail.

[@stevethomas1301]

@@JB-qy1gx I tested them harder than most would. Endurance races are tough. There is very minimal lateral location on them so they clearly had very minor side to side movement that slowly over the hours lead to more movement until the driver came in with around 1/4 turn steering wheel play. The kit came with assorted spacers , I went on the tight side and torqued to the spec. In the heat of the race I removed all spacers and torqued down hard. I still recommend these for Drift cars but not endurance racing. I will machine some billet parts and strip the rack and weld them in.

[@hazardlightsmotorsports]

Thank you Mike for the wealth of knowledge & it motivates me to rebuild my entire suspension! This is something I have always wanted to do with my S13 to do both grip & drift, which still has the original OEM hardware. But seeing how adjustable & durable these GK tech are I am definitely in the market to buy them. Also, as the only perfect place to do this in virtually on Gran Turismo to see this be done in real life is quite a feat! I hope that you can guys can do an installation, alignment, & final build video of your S13 project. I'm definitely going to get these because of the well thought out & engineered parts! If you have a link to these suspension parts or affiliation I would greatly appreciate it! Here is my S13 drifting virtually in Gran Turismo Sport. ->kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnaqiqWNftSEm5I

[@ashishpatel350]

the bob ross of automotive

[@weedshoes5089]

Poor analogy. If anything Mike is like the Neil deGrasse Tyson of automotive, except humble, reasonable, and tolerable.

[@jarrodnichols8111]

@@weedshoes5089 So, not like him at all? Yeah, that’s a much better analogy, bud.

[@weedshoes5089]

@@jarrodnichols8111 professionally similar, personally very different.

[@RonHaslam2001]

So much information that I pretend to understand....😁

[@miaouchat495]

He's telling you all the advantages and none of the disadvantages and issues with some of these parts. The tie rod offset spacers are known to bend the shaft in the steering rack. All these kids drifting would bend it and then it has to be tossed in the bin. They would buy a remanufactured rack and proceed to bend that as well. That's why there are no used steering racks for the S-Chassis left to buy. I don't know of any easy way to replace the steering rack shaft. Surprisingly, you can still buy new aftermarket racks if you bend yours. The steering rack is also known to slide between the aluminum steering rack bushings. If there is not enough friction between the metal bushing and rack, it will simply slide in place instead of steering the car. For better or worse, rubber and poly would grip metal till they rip and tear. Understand these issues before you put them on a street car.

[@motoiq]

In years of pro drifting, we bent exactly one steering rack and that was due to a crash that would have bent a rack anyway. We never had the rack slide in the bushings. We didn't really suffer accelerated rack wear either. This was at a pro level S13 driving in the hardest driving there is. Sure the offset rack spacers could wear the rack bushings more and make it easier to bend but not by much. If you install these right you are not going to have an issue. Lots of people run the offset tie rod spacers without problems and they are not just going to bend the rack by themselves, it takes a hit and a hit hard enough that it would probably bend the rack even without the spacers. The only real disadvantage for a street car is you lose your inner tie rod dust boots and gain a slight amount of bumpsteer. We would prefer to cut the crossmember and move the rack but that's a lot of work, we might do it later though.

[@miaouchat495]

I'm just reporting what I have read throughout the years on car forums. These are potential issues and has happened to other people. If you look on the GKtech product page for the solid aluminum steering rack bushing, there is actually a reviewer that mentions his rack getting loose and sliding. GKtech also puts a note in bold lettering instructing users to really tighten the bolts down. They know it could be an issue.

[@motoiq]

@@miaouchat495 well if they followed the directions, they probably would not have an issue. The best solution is to cut the back part of the cross-member off, weld in a flat plate well forward to place the rack in the right place, and fab new mounts. You do have to be good at fabrication and understand steering geometry well enough to know the right place. This is all pretty difficult work. Or you could use these parts. Or you could listen to forum "experts", not install these parts because they say they are no good and live with wheel wobble, sticking, and spinning out due to too much Ackerman build-up at lock. Those are your choices.

[@rholt7551]

@@miaouchat495 well duh. Dude should have use thread lock on the rack hood down brackets. Oem or poly bushing will absorb the vibration, solid won’t.

[@miaouchat495]

@@rholt7551 Thread lock has nothing to do with it. Metal will not grip metal better than rubber or poly. Did you really need that explained to you?

[@javiermontalvo658]

Esa jente de gk tech estan brutales, me gustaria cojer mi 240sx y ponerle todo de gktech a ver si me patrosinan el carro completo