Are these beefy sway links or what!


Unlike most designs, the JIC's height adjustability does not affect spring rate because the shock body threads into a collar for adjustability, and not the more traditional way of compressing the spring.


Upper Pillow Ball Mounts


Front Camber Plates

Click here for more pix...

Spring Rates:
F - 12 kg/mm (~676 lb/in)
R - 16 kg/mm (~902 lb/in)

Impressions: The quality of construction appears to be pretty high. While impact harshness isn't that bad, on the softest settings, this setup will already be pretty stiff. Turn-in despite the stock sways have increased dramatically. The balance of the car is pretty neutral on the softest setting. The driver-car interaction is much more "hardwired" now... in other words, chasis response to driver input has also increased many folds. Much more rewarding driving experience, as I can effectively steer with the throttle, whereas before, the car would have a tendency to push when throttle-steered.

I've yet tried the harder settings, but as weather warms, I will be spending more seat time experimenting. And I'm really looking foward to this setup with race rubber at Gingerman.

Stephen
'01 Turbo Ti Upsolute
455whp, 505 ftlb
1stephen1.com

 

How much do those run? Pretty sweet....

 

For you mechanically inclined DIYers...

As there's always a few ways to go about a project, here's what I found to be helpful.

Impact Wrench... picked up a $129 220ft-lb rechargable impact wrench from Harborfreight. Made the job a lot easier breaking the bolts/nuts lose for the end links, shock mounts, etc.

Also, pick yourself up a dremel (mine is cordless) for any trimming that may be required. For my install, the bracket that seats into the knuckle of the front (McPherson Struts) had to be trimmed about 1mm to get the knuckle bolt through... dremmel made easy work of it.

To remove the front stock struts, I disassembled the upper strut mount, lowered (imagine cork screw) the spring by rotating it to get it below the lower spring seat, and manually pressed (w/ hands) the piston down to pop out the upper spring plate... then, the entire assembly can be raised through the chassis mount hole enough to slide the bottom end out from the knuckle. This took me a little time to figure out, but no biggy.

The rears are pretty straight forward.

For both front and back, set the coilover to the lowest setting and compressed the springs with the lock collars to get coilovers in place. Once in place, simply uncompressed the springs.

These springs won't settle after initial install, probably due to stiffness. So, you can pretty much go about setting your ride height from the get-go.

So far, I'm very please with them. While they are stiff, I've always been partial to that for my sports cars. Will be shooting for some new best-laps this Spring!

Stephen

 

I think our sponsors have them for $2500~2800. I had a hook-up deal. Feel free to PM me if you aren't having any luck.

 

How are these better than say PSS9s? And what exactly do you mean by 15 way adjustable? Does that mean different 15 settings on the shocks? Is there a write-up somewhere that discusses the differences between different coilovers systems, so a newbie like me can try to decide which to go with?

 

The dampening and rebound ratio are preset, but are 15-way adjustable in how aggresive you want it. Coilovers that allow for independent adjustability of dampening and rebound are in another price bracket.

While I've yet to ride on PSS9s, by all accounts, the JICs are noticably stiffer. I have driven a GT2 and Turbo w/ H&R, and the JIC's are stiffer than both.

These are biased towards track, but aren't a full blown track setup... close though. I am seriously excited about run' these with race rubber at the track. More reviews will come when that happens.

The bottom line... for those of you who want to improve their handling without sacraficing too much ride comfort, go with a set of coilovers with softer springs than these. For you track mavens, this is a pretty hot setup given its price.

Stephen

 

good luck on the JIC. let us know how u like the noise.

 

I always put a bead of high temp silicone (the kind used for gaskets) around the upper strut mount for sealing purposes, and it also helps to dull some of the impact harshness. This setup obviously will be noiser than oem... the entire route of energy transfer is metal on metal... no rubber to deaden the impact.

In fact, I'd imagine that's one of the reason the PSS9s reuses the oem upper strut mounts... the rubber isolates a lot of the road noise. On most setups with upper pillow mounts, it's not uncommon to experience more noise. Sometimes, that's the price one pays for more more response and communication from the chassis.

I installed the HKS Hipermax Damer II (awesome coilovers) on my 700hp Supra, and they were definitely noisier than stock as well, though not quite as loud as the JIC due to the fact that they had a layer of rubber between the springs and upper mounts.

Stephen

 

we just installed JIC's on my friends integra, awesome setup

Liked them a lot better then the teins

 

Here is my take. I had JIC Cross Comp's put on my turbo and it was not a positive experience. The install was done by an experienced tech and it was not straight forward. From what I understand, each package is a little diferent from another.No two systems are exactly the same..and I mean for the turbo only! The tech had to really muscle them on to the car. I still gave JIC the benifit and went through with the install. I drove the car away and immediatly heard clunking noises from the right front. I had it set on the a softer setting but wow, still way too harsh. It was late and I assumed the noise would "settle and go away." I was wrong. As soon as I hit the freeway the ride was so firm and harsh, I knew I made a mistake. The clunking noise stayed and the car felt like it was gonna shake apart. I drove the car for approx. 60 miles and could not enjoy it at all. This suspension might be great on a track or on a perfect road but is murder on the street. Much more intended for a race car. Needless to say, it was off the car asap and replaced by PSS9's. What a night and day differance!! I love it and cannot say enough good things about the PSS9's. My personal recommendation is for the PSS9 all the way.

 

StephenTI,
I have the JIC's as well. I understand the pros and cons. I still believe they are a good set up but a little too stiff for me as I do not spend any time at the track. But on a smooth road and around turns they handle great. Thanks for the info.
Ron

 

Stephen,
I was wondering how the Harbor Freight I.W. worked for you?
Last year I mentioned to a buddy that I was thinking about buying one from them, he said don't waste your money, that the tool more than likely wouldn't come close to performing to what the specs said it would.

It must've worked ok for you though, right?



Scott

 

Hi Scott,

I too had heard to same, but decided to give it a try after another 6speedonline member had recommended it. And I must say, it is one of the best "tool" investments I've made. For $129, it broke apart every bolt I needed... lugs, front suspension knuckle, upper spring plate mount for the strut, etc... last time I did such an install on my Supra, it took a lot more elbow grease and a nice long breaker bar. No more!

The one I got was the 220 ft lb one. Another one I had considered was the Milwaukee one for about twice the price ($280~300)... the good thing is that it's rated even higher at 240 ft lb, and has variable trigger. Reviews on it are awesome. However, I needed one THAT day (as usual), and just drove to a Harbor Freights to pick it up instead. I don't do much heavy wrenching anymore, so this fit the bill perfectly.

Hope that helps... good luck!
Stephen
'01 Turbo Ti Upsolute
455 whp / 505 ft lb at the wheels
1stephen1.com

 

Thanks Stephen,
I thought the tool might work, IF not, return the darn thing.

Hey, maybe YOU can answer this, since Nobody has bothered to from the "Best PSS9 Setup" thread.

Here is my question from that thread:

> Out of curiosity, does Koni offer shocks/suspension setups for your 996tts?

In my 914 club, the Koni's are thought of as a better all-around setup because of their adjustability, with some thinking the Bilsteins are just too stiff for the street.

I've got Bilsteins in all four corners myself, though on the teener I had 19yrs ago, it was equipped with Koni's in the corners.

Oh, one more question, how long has the PSS9's been offered?


Thanks in advance,


Sc

 

Hey Scott,

I really don't know how long the PSS9s have been around, but it definitely has been around for a few years in many different variations. Different tuners would slap on their own spec'd springs to pair up w/ the shocks. I do think that they are the more normal upgrade for someone who just wants to tighten things up a bit without compromising the ride too much. Koni and Bilstein are both reputable companies... so, I don't think you can go wrong with either. You've simply got to match the damper with the spring rate, that's all. I've actually not heard of anyone on this forum using Konis, and I don't know much about them specific to our 996T.

Stephen