Eclipse Strut in S13 Rear

[ckcadavona]

I've PM'd a few of you but I figured I'd start a thread with the details on this subject so everyone can benefit from the information. I've heard that Eclipse struts can be utilized in the rear of the S13.

Advantages:
externally adjustable
shorter strut
valved for higher spring rates

Qustions that come to mind are :

What year Eclipse? 95-99 Rear struts (8041-1208Sport)

Please feel free to make corrections and/or confirm the information above.

[veilside180sx]

The fronts are an insert similar to the S13, so I know it's not a front one. I'll shoot Gordon an email again.

[Wiisass]

Tim,



The S13 shock has the dimensions

8040-1081Sport

Max = 545mm

Min = 388mm



The shock that I was talking about as an alternative is for the back of an Eclipse

8041-1208Sport

Max = 527mm

Min = 372mm



The lengths are pretty close, the valving is more aggressive on rebound (slightly less on compression) and the spring seat locations are close enough for a coilover setup. The biggest difference will be the upper mounting pins. The one for the car is 10mm in diameter by 76mm long. The Eclipse shock is 12mm in diameter (required for external adjustment) and is 68mm long.

Gordon


I was thinking about trying something like this a little while ago. But then started working on my Bilstein setup, so I kind of forgot about it.

[veilside180sx]

Well I guess that's probably the same response Gordon was going to give me=)

[Wiisass]

Probably, unfortunately, he didn't have any dyno plots for them to compare.

[ckcadavona]

In regards to the upper mounts

S13 10mm in diameter by 76mm long
Eclipse 12mm in diameter by 68mm long (required for external adjustment)

What type of top mount would be used to compensate for the 2mm difference? Should the length be taken into account or is it part of the strut being shorter?

[veilside180sx]

Any of the run of the mill camber plates have a bearing large enough to swap spacers to adjust for it.

[ckcadavona]

Here are some pictures of the Eclipse rears I recently got. There was some confusion on my order through Shox.com but lets just say I don't recommend doing business with them, I wish I didn't.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/IMG_5150.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/IMG_5151.jpg

Here's a picture of some leakage in the in the box. I assume this is normal but feedback is appreciated.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/IMG_5152.jpg

Here's the hardware that came in the box. The instructions suck but I think I'll figure it out. Anyone have any tips? I wonder how this will match up to the GC sleeves. I ordered 7 in springs and top mounts with a 12mm ID from them also.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/IMG_5149.jpg

[turtl631]

I've emailed Koni to get the dimensions of the Z32 rears to see if they'll possibly work for an S14 rear/Z32 upright application, as Def suggested they might at the expense of some droop travel (which isn't doing much anyways in a short/stiff spring application).

[veilside180sx]

There is almost a 4" difference between Z32 and S14. They will recommend you not to do that.

I can't recall any of my Koni's shipping with a residue on the inside of the box before

I've ordered a lot of stuff from shox.com and never had any issues. What happened?

You won't need any of that hardware besides the white plastic pieces.

[ckcadavona]

I can't recall any of my Koni's shipping with a residue on the inside of the box before

Would it justify exchanging the Shocks? Is there a way to test the shocks?

I've ordered a lot of stuff from shox.com and never had any issues. What happened?

The story goes with how I ended up with my front setup. I'll put it in my "S13 STS" blog and try to keep this thread shock related.

[veilside180sx]

I would call about the residue, at least. There's not really an "easy" test for them w/o being on a car or dyno.

[ckcadavona]

I called Shox.com and they said it was normal and that it was residue from assembly. I'll call Koni on Monday to confirm.

[veilside180sx]

That sounds ok, I'd trust them on it.

[ckcadavona]

Here's a picture of the eclipse struts installed
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/PIC-0011.jpg
GC sent the wrong upper mounts
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/PIC-0009.jpg
So I used the stock hardware with a few of the GC washers. It took some elbow grease but so far so good.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/PIC-0010.jpg
Here's a stock comparison
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/ckcadavona/PIC-0008.jpg

Does everyone have as many hangs ups in there setup as I do? First the rear sleeves had the wrong ID insert, now the upper mounts don't fit, I went to get an alignment but they told me my outer tie rods are bad (replaced w/MOOGS 6 months ago), Falken sent the wrong offset rims, may be I should'be put this stuff in my blog.

It's raining so I can't drive the car hard but ride comfort is not much bellow stock and the car grips much better in the rain. I have the front turned up max and the rear is a half a turn from soft.

[veilside180sx]

All things aside, I'm excited to see you get it on dry pavement.=)

Hold ups with this stuff just kinda goes together, but the payoff is worth it.

[ckcadavona]

All things aside, I'm excited to see you get it on dry pavement.=)

Hold ups with this stuff just kinda goes together, but the payoff is worth it.

I got a taste of payoff on the way back from dinner. The rain quit and the roads were damp but the difference in overall handling was obvious. Grip, control, and confidence are some words that come to mind.

[veilside180sx]

I'm glad to hear. Keep us updated as you really get to have some fun with them. :D

[a_ahmed]

dont get the moog **** tie rods, i bent mine in half a year too lol..