Rear End.

The first post for 2011 is here, so lets get slightly technical!

So the plan is... To install the S14 Rear Subframe I have in the garage into the 80, and a few reasons why...

That is an S13 Rear subframe, If you look closely the Lower Control Arm in the back tilts down at the left hand side (rear of sub frame). This is to promote Anti-Squat, making the rear end of the car spin the rear wheels rather then squatting to put power down and grip. Where as on a S14 Rear Subframe the Lower Control Arm mounts have a more " flatter " or lent forward angle compared to the S13 Subframe thus giving more Squat, giving more Grip. 

Also I plan on Raising the S14 Subframe using these special offset Subframe Riser's thanks to SPL PRO SUSPENSION from the USA, allowing an S14/15 Rear Subframe to be installed into an S13 also. 

Another thing is you might ask... why are the Solid Bushes " offseted " ? Its because the mounting points are further out on a S14/15 Subframe and being a wider Subframe in general cause's this, but its also an upside too!

Being wider in general gives more track, and once its raised also... in theory it will bring everything more level ( camber & toe esp ) and the arms will push out a little bit cause they are back in a better geometry zone, thus again adding a little bit more track in sense. And with that all happening and a fresh alignment ill have to " bow " my Rear Overs so my wheels fit. A mate of mine found this out also when he Raised the subframe in his S14a, and he had to slightly pump the rear guards because of this.

But once the Subframe is Raised and back in the car, it will kinda look like this underneath...  

The lower arm is nearly flat (flat is what you should aim for to have the best handling characteristics). The Toe and Camber Arms still have a decent angle to them but nothing compared to what they were before. Essentially what has been done here is make the car x height but the car handles like its at x + 1 inch height.

And to give you a rough idea of how low the car was in the above photo. 

Obviously not as low as my car, and im also running a 35 profile tyre compared to the 40 profile tyre you see above. So hopefully all the little extras of the Raised S14 Subframe will keep the Lower Control Arms flat but I  keep the low ride height im currently at now, but ill be adjusting it a touch higher too. Also in doing so I might get away with not getting Aftermarket Roll Centre Adjusters, cause the Lower Control Arm will be close to, if not flat and inline where they should be at.


Im still undecided on what aftermarket adjustable arms to go with, but ill prob end up getting Ikeya Formual or something.

Also thank you to Neil for the above photos of the Raised Subframe work he did on his old 180sx. If you think im done there... There is more planned for the Front also to get more Grip and better handling...