The S-chassis

[romeg6]

ok so im lookiing up information about the S-chassis. it would help if i can get some personnel opinions since theards dont always help. well ok i understand from my research that the S13/S14 suffer from a lot of unsprung weight in the front wheels and a lot of body roll. when modifications are applied i know this will help but would it solve the problem? im thinking of buliding a S-chassis but im putting a lot of thought into it from peoples experinces. the rear suspenion is great and from owners that i have met i was told it has a lot of potential. i read up on time attacks/road races as well but i never really see a s-chassis go far up in the classes. usually its street class and doesnt do well. Is there something wrong with this chassis wheather its an S13 or a S14? or does it come to a point were something as an AE86 can out handle it.

thanks for listening

[gunluvS14]

welcome onboard :)

Macpherson strut will always be a "disadvantage" of S-chassis, but I wouldn't blame it and call it the ultimate weakness in the suspension department. MacPherson strut would work well too, just look at E30, E36 M3, and Porsche. IMO, S-chassis front suspension is lack of suspension travel and limited room for correct roll center adjustment once the car is lowered. But I'll leave it here for now b/c I am not qualify to go any further in depth about the suspension geometry etc.

Your comments about roll stiffness and AE86, there are many effective ways to improve the roll stiffness; and about the AE86, light weight and short wheelbase can give a good margin of advantage. But handling is a very board term, handling and stability comes hand to hand, feed back and ease of adjustment base on driver preference and track condition is a whole other ball game. I recommend you continue to read more advance thread in our forums and ask more questions.

Have a good one

[romeg6]

MacPherson strut would work well too, just look at E30, E36 M3, and Porsche. IMO, S-chassis front suspension is lack of suspension travel and limited room for correct roll center adjustment once the car is lowered.

so if the front susppension can be compared to a 3 seriers or even a M3 what can be done about lack of suspension travel in the front and body roll when the car is lowered.

i understand things like weight reduction and lighter wheels can help but what else? and would this slove the problem...would this give the car good handling as compared to let say an s2000,itr,etc...

on the side note an AE86 still suprises me to handle very well even though the rear suspension is a solid live axle

thanks for the greeting

[EfiniRX7]

I have an FD race car that I drive in sm2, and prepared classes in time attack's. I also have a daily driver SR s14. You might be wondering what any of this has to do with s chassis handling, well I will tell you. When my FD was getting the engine redone I used my s14 to auto-x in smst. I have coilovers, and a kaaz 2 way on my s14 with 17x10's all around. I will say my s14 is a beast with the right adjustments, it feels real close in handling compared to my FD. I like the gas tank being located over the rearend, as well as the light weight(2750). My FD weighed in at 2800lbs stock. The s14 would not be considered light weight compared to, say an ae86, but 2750 is still lighter than an evo or stock FD. I don't think people give the s chassis enough credit, due to the popularity as a drift car(nothing wrong with drifting). My s14 handles very close to my FD, which is impressive to me. I think the biggest problem of some s chassis are the owners. Many s chassis compete in time attack series in japan, and the UK. I think the KA also turned a lot of people off at first glance. Go to speedhunters.com and look at s14 time attack cars, some of them might help your decision.

[a_ahmed]

^Honestly the biggest problem is that most people are just fanboys for drifting

Here's what a lightly setup KA powered car can do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbKMUkjOuh4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBC6qFdtGkM

If you're interested in improving performance by turning the car into a grip monster go to www.nissanroadracing.com :)

[alan-n]

You don't slap on upgrades to the S14 and expect it to magically handle well. Slamming the car low you would be wise with also replacing the lower arm and adjusting the settings / roll center/ alignment properly to your driving needs. People slap on sway bars onto the rear and expect magical things to happen when often times they are better off with no sway bars on the rear at all. Best thing to do is visit the post above and learn from those that understand how to setup their car right and post great lap times. If you don't understand what each adjustment or aftermarket component actually does for the car, it will never be set up correctly to perform.

[EfiniRX7]

I can say the factory did a great job. I only have coilovers on my car, and lowered it properly(not slamed screwing geometry). I only use my s14 for a daily so there is no huge modification, but it's super fun. If people would give the s chassis more credit I think we would see more of them at race tracks, instead of going sideways.