Ksport Update More pics pg2

[Jaybird]

So the Ksports finally arrived today. I don't think I will be able to install them until the weekend at best. So here are some pics and my thoughts so far on them:
http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/pillowtop-187_525.jpg
^this is the pillow top on the fronts. This is going to be a big challenge for me to properly set as I am a total newb to dealing with this much adjustablitly. Right in the center nut goes the ride firmness adjuster. It looks like a long allen key with a circular top to make adjusting easy (pic to come of adjuster)
http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/bttomadj-143_525.jpg
^ This is the bottom of one of the struts. Notice my finger. That black part helps to lock the bottom body. The bottom body is part of what makes these coilovers far better than the GC set up (at least in theory so far). The orange bottom body part actually moves up and down the threads (or the treaded sleve moves through the bottom body when attached to the car). These not only allow the spring to adj on the perch, but unlike my GC's, so does the bottom mount. This apparently allows the spring to stay snug between the top and bottom mount even during rebound. It also keeps the strut from bottoming out and staying that way when you slam it. In other words, there is always the same amount of stut travel as opposed to less and less when you lower the car.
http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/compare-165_525.jpg
^ Here is a shot of the rear (left) and the front (right) side by side. You can see on the rear that I have to adjust the spring and bottom mount as the spring is not snug between top and bottom mounts. I need to raise the spring up, then I can adjust the bottom mount to actually adjust ride height. The silver threaded part will actually stick out the bottom of the bottom mounting area (part that attaches to the knuckle) The front strut has the spring properly seated. I only need to adjust the bottom mount to change ride height. When the coilovers are actualy on the car, it seems you can turn the sliver part to lower the height
http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/maf012-187_525.jpg
Just a closer shot to visualize what I mentioned above. I will post more pics as I have the opportunity. Feel free to ask any questions. Also, I have compared these (made for the Mazda 323) to my normal struts and bolt holes 9lack of a better word) seem to match up properly with the normal ZX2 struts.

[ZX2 Sleeper]

You posted no pics Jay. If you need help. Let me know! I have good experience with suspension now doing 1 coilover swap for my friend's eclipse gsx and doing my struts. Do you need a place to work? Come here if ya want? or i'll come to you and help.

[Jaybird]

Hmm,i did link pics, maybe they take a while to load. As for help I would appreciate a hand. I have all tools needed (air compressor and impact gun) I will let you know when I can if it will happen this weekend.

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Alright. i'll PM you my number.

[Jaybird]

Okay, for anyone interested:
I installed the suspension. Unfortunately it is not a simple plug and play. The biggest issue is that the struts have no attachemnt for the brake lines. For the rears it really is no big issue, but the fronts are another soty. It seems I will have to have the brake line attachments removed from my old struts and hopefully wleded onto the Ksports. I also need to use some washers for the front stut mounts to fill the gap to the knuckles. The struts mounts were too wide (I think the Probe ones have the same problem as mentioned in other threads on the old site). The Last issue I had were the rear mounting plates. It seems that the strut mounting plates are not designed the same as the stock ones. Assuming the 323 and ZX2 are "supposedly" the same, Ksports have a flaw on the rear mounting plate. I had to grind down one side so that the top strut bolts fit through the holes(too much material to fit up in the whhel weells). Unofortunately because of the lack of front brake line mounts I can not safely drive anywhere since the lines could rub against either the wheel or strut itself, therefor I can not give a review of the new set up. Hopefully within the next week my mechanic will weld on the mounts and I should be good to go. THe last challenge I came accross deals with lowering or raising the car. Although, the setup for the the way the struts operate, so as not to to loose travel distance, it makes it difficult to adjust ride height. You need to remove the bottom bolts and turn the bottom mount each time you want to adjust the height. I will continue to udate one the brake line issue is resoved.

[autox_zx2]

this is cool man. keep us updated!

[1newZX2]

awsome pictures. you should post some pictures of the modifications made to get these to fit and make a write-up. how much were these? im interested

[capitalcrew]

You're almost out of paper towels dude.

[chasingsafety]

subscribed, can't wait to see the outcome

[inis]

zip tie those brake lines to the sway bar mounts...and take her for a spin.

[WillZX2]

You're almost out of paper towels dude.

lol

[1newZX2]

You're almost out of paper towels dude.

OMG I LAUGHED SO hard. hahhaa

[CJW]

cool jay

I look forward to seeing it in person.

[Jaybird]

zip tie those brake lines to the sway bar mounts...and take her for a spin.

That is basically what I did. The problem still is that when I turn the wheel there needs to be some play in the line and when zip tied it really stresses the line and zip ties. I can't risk loosing a line and then my brakes all together. I do think the brake line solution came with the kit though. Of course I had some extra parts that I had no idea what they were for. I went for a run yesterday and started thinking about it and realized what they were for. As soon as I can, I will post pics. It sems the parts somehow attach to the lower strut bolt area, then they need to be bent to a desired angle so that the brake line attaches. We'll see.

[TTFOWIA]

subscribed!

[Jaybird]

You're almost out of paper towels dude.

You should see the stock of tp. I get it from my parents...you would not beleive the amount of chicken broth they have, and also a full freezer of blueberries and the list keeps going.

[99fordzx2]

So these are K sprt coilovers for a 323? This is pretty cool. How much did they cost? with the slight modifications to use would you say there worth it? You dont have to answer these questions until you get them 100% working, just curious though. Subscribed!


-D

[inis]

ksport also makes 13 , 14, and 15 inch big brake kits for the 323 hmmm

[capitalcrew]

You should see the stock of tp. I get it from my parents...you would not beleive the amount of chicken broth they have, and also a full freezer of blueberries and the list keeps going.

Haha thats crazy man. Buying in bulk is always cheap though.

[Jaybird]

Okay, I am dropping her off at my mechanic to take care of the brake line attachments tonight. If all goes well I should heve her back tomorrow afternoon. I will see if I can test drive the car then (the alignment is wayyyyyy off).

[Jaybird]

So these are K sprt coilovers for a 323? This is pretty cool. How much did they cost? with the slight modifications to use would you say there worth it? You dont have to answer these questions until you get them 100% working, just curious though. Subscribed!


-D

Yes, they are for the 323. They were $875 shipped. If I can get a chance I will use the pic of my rear one and photoshop what I had to do. In the mean time imagine a circle and then shaving one side of down (not a perfect circle anymore) The way it was designed with the two bolt mounts would not fit into the rear wells.

[99fordzx2]

Yes, they are for the 323. They were $875 shipped. If I can get a chance I will use the pic of my rear one and photoshop what I had to do. In the mean time imagine a circle and then shaving one side of down (not a perfect circle anymore) The way it was designed with the two bolt mounts would not fit into the rear wells.


Post up the site you got these from too, I googled ksport and found a site that had the coilovers and big brake kits and the coilovers were like $2200!


-D

[Jaybird]

Post up the site you got these from too, I googled ksport and found a site that had the coilovers and big brake kits and the coilovers were like $2200!


-D
http://www.ultrarev.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=50

Seems the price has gone up a little. CMZ-162-KP model

[Jaybird]

Okay, so the brake line issue is corrected. I got to drive it to work today. My initial reaction is that they are good. I set them to full firmness. That being said I was expecting a bit of a firmer/more harsh ride. I thought it would have virtually no movement at all. I noticed that the springs are slightly progressive (less space between each coil as you get down to the bottom) so I assume that help the comfort factor out. I am getting some rear tire rub on hard cornering, so it looks like a little more fender rolling is in order. I am comparing all this to my previous set up with G/C's and worn out Mazdaspeed 4-way adj struts. With those I had more bounce than I do know. Now it is more like short "chops" rather than bounces. I think the springs on the GC's were a bit firmer though (which I prefer), but having properly funtions struts again is great. I still need to lower the front at least one full turn and then I will get the much needed alighnment. Another plus is that the springs stay seated on rebounds unlike the GC's which is realy nice...no more noise from that department. Tuening feels a bit more tight which is good too (again functioning struts). I have come back into a reocurring issue though (not a Ksport only issue) It seems something is not correct with my rear passenger strut. On my GC set up I had to use an extra washer to stop the strut shaft from not properly locking into palce (best description I have of the propblem) and now it seems I need to do the same w/the Ksports. I have no idea why this happends. More updates to follow.

[Jaybird]

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/rearinstalld-110_525.jpg
^The driver rear...you can see that I had to grind down a section to make it fit (not perfectly circular now)

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/frntinstalld-187_525.jpg
Just a pic of the driver front installed

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/strtadj-165_525.jpg
^Pic from above. the round part int he middle allows for strut firmness to be changed. The allen screws when loosend allow camber to be adjusted.

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/maf057-165_525.jpg
^ A pic from below of the front cross-member bar. It is only about 3.5 inches off the ground. I had the camera sitting ont he ground for this shot. This is my #1 reason I can't go any lower and keep it drivable. It usually is the first thing to scrape.

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/maf058-110_525.jpg
^ A side shot

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/fndroll-143_525.jpg
Trying to roll the fender some more. The tire rubs on med to hard cornering.

http://image.boompa.com/images/users/j/ja/jaybird/rides/maf060-187_525.jpg
^Just a rear side shot

[ZX2guy19]

Dude that thing is seriously slammed. It it lookin fresh to the max, lol.

What strut bar do you have?

[chasingsafety]

I love the color of your car, looks very good. I think the k-sports may go on my list of things to do next year. Great work!!

[Jaybird]

Dude that thing is seriously slammed. It it lookin fresh to the max, lol.

What strut bar do you have?

The bar is t least 6.5yrs old, I can't even recall where i got it or if it was designed for the zx2 or a mx-3(i think it was for the mx-3).

[iceracer]

Aren't those adjusting nuts on the treaded part ? How could you ever adjust corner weights ? Or height.

[99fordzx2]

Nice setup man.


-D

[1newZX2]

wow these are amazing. very nice work man

[Fat_Dave]

i took a ride in the car this past weekend and let me tell you the ride is NICE!! if after he has his on for a while and the dont leak im gonna get a set of em

[capitalcrew]

Looks good Jay. Can't wait to see it in person again. Always loved your car.

[Jaybird]

Aren't those adjusting nuts on the treaded part ? How could you ever adjust corner weights ? Or height.

The height can only be adjusted by unbolting the connection between the struts and the knuckle (a real pita...not something done on the fly per say). Once that has been done you rotate the strut bottom up or down the threads to correct the height and re-bolt up. As for corner wieghts I am not familiar. Could you possibly expalin a little more or maybe inform me of how that is normally done? I am still learning more about these type of set ups.

[iceracer]

That is a p*** poor coil over set up if you have to do that. Any good coilover has adjustability via a large nut that is turned, usually by a special wrench.
Corner weights- with that set up you might as well forget it. Anyway, it is something that is done if you are doing any competition. It is trying to equalize the weight on the individual wheels as much as possible. You need a set of scales to do this.

[Jaybird]

That is a p*** poor coil over set up if you have to do that. Any good coilover has adjustability via a large nut that is turned, usually by a special wrench.
Corner weights- with that set up you might as well forget it. Anyway, it is something that is done if you are doing any competition. It is trying to equalize the weight on the individual wheels as much as possible. You need a set of scales to do this.

While it certainly is not practical for adjusting and is a pita to adjust, but comparing it to my GC setup, this is better quality wise. With this I always have the same amount of strut travel available and the spring stays snug as opposed to the GC's (during rebound the springs can "float around", these won't). Granted these are not high end but for the price they are pretty good. Not a hardcore competition setup, more like daily driving and occasional racing...only time will tell. Unfortunately I can only make a comparison between these, my GC's, and normal lowering springs. I have no practical knowledge yet of a good racing set up. Any info you provide is appreciated.

[TTFOWIA]

this thing is definitely my next suspension setup... hehe

[iceracer]

I did some research . There definately is an adjusting nut to set the ride height. One picture even shows the special wrenches.

[CarbonTC]

3.5" drop? damn!

[chasingsafety]

That is a p*** poor coil over set up if you have to do that. Any good coilover has adjustability via a large nut that is turned, usually by a special wrench.
Corner weights- with that set up you might as well forget it. Anyway, it is something that is done if you are doing any competition. It is trying to equalize the weight on the individual wheels as much as possible. You need a set of scales to do this.

The man is a pioneer give him a break lol

props for having the bawls to buy them and make them fit!

[JimH]

Looks sweet. reminds me when I had my cheapo bomz coilovers slammed. They looked good but drove like total shit.

For size reference. The rear is 17" and the front is a 14" wheel.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i271/jhovan/100_3785.jpg?t=1212937801

[iceracer]

The man is a pioneer give him a break lol

props for having the bawls to buy them and make them fit!

Oh, I agree. They look to be a very nice unit. I was just pointing out what a coil over suspension is/does. Having two adjustments makes it confusing.

[TTFOWIA]

ok wait a sec... suspension from the miata is the same also? like 90-98 miatas...

[Thnikkaman]

thanks for taking the plunge! post again after a few thousand miles. i'd be interested in how happy you are with them long-term.

[Jaybird]

Just another update. I got the alignment done a little over a week ago now. Seems I was waaaay out in the rears. I do not rub now unless it is on a hard corner or a big dip. I still want to get that part fully worked out. I am becoming much more pleased with them as I continue to "try" them out. I am able to take crappy roads more confidently as compared to my old worn out GC set up (less bounce, have not bottomed out yet). While I thought these would be a firmer and of course more harsh ride, I am finding they handle very good, just not hardcore auto-x good, but very adept at sticking to the corners on my daily comutes. They are reasonably comfortable (much more so than I was expecting), even on bad road conditions. Once I have had the opportunity to really push them I will update again.

[DexterZX2]

Jay, I'd like to take in ride in your car with the new coilovers on. Do you think we could arrange something for Cyberman's meet?

[Jaybird]

I think I can arrange for some rides. I will have A LOT of crap with me so it will all need to be removed 1st.

[yellow2000S/R]

Any updates?

One of the vendors on another forum is having a K-Sport sale. I requested pricing on both the "CMZ162-KP" (what you got) and the CMZ162-GT (higher line).

[inis]

Any updates?

One of the vendors on another forum is having a K-Sport sale. I requested pricing on both the "CMZ162-KP" (what you got) and the CMZ162-GT (higher line).

post up when you know. I'm game.

[yellow2000S/R]

post up when you know. I'm game.

Will do. I told the guy I may have others interested.

[ZX2guy19]

Josh get on aim.

[Jaybird]

Any updates?

One of the vendors on another forum is having a K-Sport sale. I requested pricing on both the "CMZ162-KP" (what you got) and the CMZ162-GT (higher line).

Pretty much still going ok (still riding on the firmest setting). The only "issue" I have is some rubbing, but that is because I have it quite low. Also, not that I am having any issues with it, but one other thing I would like to change or modify on them is to have some sort of rubber coating or somtheing of that nature where the upper strut mounts to the car (pretty much metal resting on metal)...it has just been a thought on my mind.

[yellow2000S/R]

post up when you know. I'm game.

UPDATE:

The shop I asked for prices said:

You're looking at $825 for CMZ162-KP and $1100 for CMZ162-GT.

The $825 setup is what Jaybird got and the $1100 setup is the next step up from what I can see.

Prices DO NOT include any shipping. Regardless, if others are interested the shop info is on their site: http://www.gvautosport.com/contact_us.cgis

[Jaybird]

Just another update. They are still going strong (knock on wood) but I have run into a little probelm. AS you see in my pics I am rather low (my GC setup was also this low) but I had my exhaust re-done and it scrapes on the piping (larger diameter, cusomte set-up with new cat). So, when I hit a good dip at a decent speed the springs compress a little too much and SCRAPE and the exhaust is jolted as wel causing minor leaks at the connections. I have to either raise it up a little more or, I was thinking, raise it up but preload the springs so they won't compress so much. That will be a difficult task to find the right height and preload. As I mentioned b4, my GC's were this low, but I did not have as bad a bound problem as there was MUCH less strut travel (just mentioning this for comparisions sake...I would hit the bump stops more often than not)

[Fat_Dave]

let me know if you need help changing the setup again ill be more than happy to help

[zxtwou2]

i have a quick question....can you choose your spring rate...like you can with the GC's?

[yellow2000S/R]

i have a quick question....can you choose your spring rate...like you can with the GC's?

According to the dealers I've talked to, yes.

The spring rates that come with the setup Jaybird ordered is 7.5/420 Front and 4/224 Rear.

For comparison, the spring rates that were on my Ground Control setup, was 5.3/296 front, 4.4/245 rear.


I had problems with my rear being too soft on some corners and the rear tires rubbing in the wells (not on the 1/4 panel lip, that was rolled).

I will be going with a 6.5-7 front and 5.5-6 rear rates this time around. I'm going to a local shop this week that is now a Tein dealer. I'm going to see about custom setup that requires no spacers or grinding of upper rear monts.

[zxtwou2]

that's good to hear....the GC's i want are 420...maybe 450 front/ 350 rear.

[yellow2000S/R]

Did you gain any room on the inner side of the wheels? Like the wheel to strut and also from tire tread to the adjustable perch.

I'd like to run larger sidewall ratio tires on my wheels next time I need tires.

[zxtwou2]

so under 900 for a set of these, and 1100 for the next step up? but what's the next step up exactly? what are the options?

i am very interested now....and will most definitely order a set for next years season if i have some spare cash this winter (since this winter is springs/tires upgrades for the car!)