Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

I am still scratching my head why more people are not interested in this...

I understand the cost is slightly prohibitive...

I discussed this with a performance garage buddy of mine and he has seen a great rigidity improvement on the Nissan's they have installed the rigid collar system on...

We need 4 more people and I will work the details out on how to pay and how the items will be shipped...I am going to mention this thread in the Singer Thread, maybe that will do the trick?

lt1_rx7

iTrader: (13)

definitely interested in possibly getting 2 sets... do you have a target date of when you will close the GB?

Flyweight

iTrader: (1)

1. Tabbasco (1 order F & R)
2. GS+
3. Paul_3rdgen
4. rotaryfdtt
5. c00lduke
6.street-heat7
7. Flyweight
8.
9.
10.

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

As soon as we get 10 orders, I will figure out a secure way for people pay and contact Spoon again. Then we will prolly leave it open until 10 confirmed (paid) orders then its closed.

Sad thing is if we get 20-25 orders the price drops again to $400 even + shipping

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

The pound has dropped to the dollar the kit is now $400 + shipping!

lt1_rx7

iTrader: (13)

thanks Tabbasco... I will let you know monday or tuesday if I can join in the fun or not...

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

One thought/question that I had was on re-usability. If these are meant to crush/deform, what happens if you need to drop a subframe after that? Do you need a new set, and/or will it go back together w/ the same benefit?

One rarely drops a rear subframe, so it's possible you'd just need the front in that case.

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

I think I read somewhere that they were reusable unless damaged but to be honest I don't see how, I plan to do this once so any subframe components will be replaced this time.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

I'm just thinking usually resealing an oil pan without removing the engine is facilitated by dropping the subframe... that's a not-uncommon occurrance with these cars.

Fritz Flynn

iTrader: (263)

Ridiculous price for little sleeve washer things. Someone with ties to a good machine shop should be able to make something similar much cheaper.

Also there's some spacing to facilitate fitment. Install might be a problem or somewhat challenging.

Fortunately I don't think the front and rear subs on a FD move much so I wouldn't sweat it.

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

After I install mine and track the car, I will do an honest right up, I believe there are zero negatives other than a slightly lightened wallet, so don't buy it if you don't think it will help...

Also there is no need to trash it unless you have tried the product and had negative results!

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

Ok I accept your setup knowledge, what I don't accept is your experience with this product...you have none. I have a mechanic friend who has installed rigid collar on Nissan cars with excellent results...they were able to soften the suspension and increase mechanical grip.

I will make an honest write-up on this product after install with suspension settings and lap times plus subjective feel, if I am wrong I will admit it. It's a small gamble ($400) and I see no way it is a negative, other than a slightly lighter wallet.

Again, unless you have installed them how do you know it won't help? Are you a race mechanic and have experience with the product...or just trashing it based on your opinion?

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for the double post...internet issues...

Fritz Flynn

iTrader: (263)

Cool, keep us posted. Might be the best 400 bucks you can spend

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

Would like to know the test results as well.

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

Would like to know how re-usable they are. if they allow for a good 3-4 uses, I'd feel better about them.

dguy

iTrader: (8)

How often do you ACTUALLY drop the subframes on your car? I'd almost bet that they're a one time use item.

-David Guy

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

Ever made a plan to do something once on these cars... only to be cursed to do it twice or thrice?

For $400, I'd like to know that they can stand up to the FD and her reputation as a Financial Disaster. :-)

dguy

iTrader: (8)

Honestly? Not very often. In my opinion these cars are only 'financial disasters' if you try and half *** it. They're true sports cars, they're expensive.

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

I will get answers to the re-usability of the product and hopefully make an order soon!

Davin

iTrader: (14)

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

For me, it's doing it the second time after learning a better way or something newer or better came out.

Or like the last few expensive changes.... I just changed my mind.

Oi. My car is never going to run...

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

Nice Teaser...

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

A useful review from an S2K install:
Normal driving

With the collars installed and alignment freshened up I drove home and went out of my way to drive the same route I take home from work everyday to test how the car felt on route I know very well just driving normally commuting home. It isn't a long commute and there are plenty of spots with bumps I know very well, and parts of the freeway have some pretty intense ripples. The difference was immediately apparent. The most noticeable difference when first driving the car was the lack of high frequency vibration when going over rough surfaces. The feel is still excellent but those odd vibrations that would sort of dampen the steering feel and the seat of the pants feel were now gone. Even better, the suspension now seems to be more compliant and stable over larger bumps as well, even under normal driving conditions. I would liken it to the feeling of installing additional bracing on the car, but the subframe collars effect the entire car quite noticeably rather than just one particular end. Going over train tracks (which I do every single day before entering my apartment garage) is a scenario where the different is very apparent. Again any harsh high frequency vibration is gone, and you are left with a solid feeling through the wheel and the seat of the car going over the gaps.

Spirited driving

So definitely a nice improvement in the feel under normal commuter driving, how about during more spirited driving? I went out and did my usual shakedown route through the mountains. This is a route I have taken hundreds of times in this car and I know nearly every little bump on the surface of the road. It is a route that has everything. Smooth high speed sections, high speed corners with bumps in the middle, low speed rough sections, highs speed sections into mid speed corners with rough braking zones, flat out high speed corners, and also a tabletop jump. About halfway through the run I tossed the car into a low speed hairpin, the rear end stepped out nicely, and I screamed with joy because the feedback I got from the car was incredible. It is amazing how a slight increase in feel can make the car that much more enjoyable to drive, but wow I am impressed. Also, the car seems to move much less when going over larger bumps at high speed. There is a very high speed left hander that has a large bump in the middle that I would usually need to slightly lift for. Without a partial lift, the car would get very light in the rear and even shift over slightly in the lane. Now I can take the bump flat and the car is completely stable. Not only does the car seem to be moving less over large bumps, it really seems to allow the suspension and tires to settle just that tiny bit more quickly. I was really impressed with the increased feel whenever the tires were at their limit, either under turn in, or when sliding the car around. I even made sure to do a few nice donuts around a local stop sign and even did a standing launch in the car. It is so easy to feel what the rear tires are doing now, the tire feel is no longer dampened by other vibrations in the car.

Conclusion and summary = :thumbup:

Very very pleased. I wanted to add the rigid collars specifically to be able to handle certain types of roads more effectively and reduce some of the harshness in the feedback and they have done exactly that. They also act as insurance that the subframes will remain precisely in place. Not necessarily a major concern, but it seems there are plenty of instances where people's subframe bolts were loose and may have allowed for more play than desirable. This is a relatively expensive modification, with the cost of the collars themselves, the cost of the install (need the proper equipment to drop the subframes), and a fresh alignment. Money very well spent in my opinion though. Anything that increases driving feel at all is worth it in my book, and this is quite an improvement. Of course I will be testing these at the track as well (I will be at Laguna in early September) but honestly a track test isn't required to feel the difference. But increased driving feel = increased confidence in the car which usually = faster lap times.

Tabbasco

iTrader: (1)

*****The collars are reusable and they can be ordered individually if they they are damaged during installation but they said they have never had to replace one.

Let's get this order done...I am being told we need (15 orders, $400) or (25 orders, $385) shipped to me and then I will split the order up and ship them to you at cost about $10...

So $410 plus paypal fees to me to get this done...before the pound goes back up...