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:

^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)

^ 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.

^ 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

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!