Got my Tension Rods

[Nismo_Freak]

I just picked up my tension rods today from Kuah, and damn are these things massive. If you ever get mugged rip one off your car and you could do some damage!



Spark plug for size comparison.

The shaft is over 1" thick and is made from solid aluminum. The rest of the threaded hardware is plated steel, and the rod end has a seal on it that looks better than the ones used on Cusco arms. Even at full articulation the seal appears to cover the rod end completely without impeading it's movement.

Picture of the Rod End & Seal



Spark plug for reference

I also opted for the optional brake ducts, they are constructed of aluminum and weigh nothing, but they are plenty rigid. Kuah showed me the fitment on his S13 and they look like they will work well.



Overall I am quite pleased with the product SPL put out.

Pricing was $169 for the rods and $25 for the brake ducts.

[Nismo_Freak]

Oh these are SPL's Version 2 Tension Rods, guess I should have said that to begin with ahah.

[gmckey]

yeah I was checkin them out when I was up there last weekend and they seem really well made. I haven't had a problem w/ my V1 tension rods, but I might end up going w/ the V2's just for the brake duct option...

[publicenemy137]

Do you have any problems with caster adjustment? Some other people were complaining about the amount of adjustability with the caster.

[gmckey]

S14 people who need more caster adjustment 6*+ can use S13/Z32 V2 Tension rod according to Kuah for larger range.

[ZK]

How do those brake ducts fit on the car? Looks kinda interesting.

[Nismo_Freak]

Originally Posted by publicenemy137

Do you have any problems with caster adjustment? Some other people were complaining about the amount of adjustability with the caster.

Kuah mentioned this, evidently one of the people had an S13 and could only get 6* out of them. Considering the length of these I believe that person had more problems that were causing the mal alignment.

I don't think there will be much of an issue to be honest. It allows for factory caster, if you need more dynamic camber then you can just run more static. Odds are 99% of the people that use tension rods don't know for certain if their camber setting is ideal.

[DoriftoSlut]

If they are the same size as v.1 (which i have) you can get more caster than you will ever need. My car was at 9.5* at one point. right now i think its like 7.5 or 8* Camber is about -2.75. I can get full counter steering angle while having a full contact patch on the loaded wheel.

[lilredstiffy]

No problem with caster on these, my brother is running 7.5* caster / -2.75 camber on his s14 with the v2 tension rods.

Any problems have to be a tweaked chassis/parts.

Very nice parts period, price makes it the best choice imo...rod ends are very cool on these.

[HyperTek]

dam those are hot.. i like the brake duct feature, i know nismo originally came out with something like that, but i forget how much they run for, and not all tension rods could fit em.

but thickness tho, i think its overrated, cuz all the tension rods ive seen that have broke, have snapped at the part where it bolts to the lca.

[DoriftoSlut]

But the bigger they are the more force they can dissipate. So even though they may break around the same area, bigger is def. better.

[publicenemy137]

nice! i'll be buying a set of these then. selling my ipod for one of these babies

[kandyflip445]

^^You need two.

[OptionZero]

maybe OT, but whats the big deal with caster, and why is more always better (if so?)?

[publicenemy137]

Originally Posted by kandyflip445

^^You need two.

I didn't say I was buying a tension rod, I said I was buying a "set". A set = 2 tension rods + brake deflectors

[Saisoku]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

maybe OT, but whats the big deal with caster, and why is more always better (if so?)?

More isnt always better. Just like with everything in life you can go over board with everything.

The more caster you run on the front of the car gives you more dynamic camber. So the more caster you have the more cambered your wheels will be when cornering. This saves you from running absurd amounts of static camber at all times.

The main draw back with running lots of caster is the fact that steering effort will be increased. I have heard many people running about 8 degrees of caster but as much as 10. As always with suspension tuning, go with what feels best to you.

[OptionZero]

I don't have adjustable rods in front to really change things. Are you guys adjusting camber yourselves with your own tools, or do you have some alignmentshop hookup to try all these setups?

Also, anyone got pix of the brake ducts mounted? I'd like to see how they mount up, they look pretty sick

I was thinking of doing arms at the same time as coilovers so i'd only have to do one alignment, but I really can't afford to get t/c rods, tie rods/ends, ruca, toe link all at the same time,...in the mean time, learning how all these settings work seems the best route

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by HyperTek

dam those are hot.. i like the brake duct feature, i know nismo originally came out with something like that, but i forget how much they run for, and not all tension rods could fit em.

but thickness tho, i think its overrated, cuz all the tension rods ive seen that have broke, have snapped at the part where it bolts to the lca.

Nismo brake ducts were ~$200 back when I was importing them

Main reason I increased the thickness was to hold the larger rod end, but as a side benefit it is also thicker around where it bolts to the LCA...

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

Also, anyone got pix of the brake ducts mounted? I'd like to see how they mount up, they look pretty sick

Pic of prototype, production pieces are anodized to match the tension rods:

[HyperTek]

well thats pretty trick.. =D I might just have to order some once i complete other things and get rid of my teins.. hehe

[TurDz]

for $25, sheesh, I'll pick up brake ducts too.

[nrg]

do those duct clear 9 inch wide wheels? I'm running 17x9 +15 front wheels.

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by nrg

do those duct clear 9 inch wide wheels? I'm running 17x9 +15 front wheels.

Yup, I prototyped these on my car w/ 17x9. 16" or smaller wheels may require some trimming or bending at the edge of the plate near the wheel.

[SimpleS14]

Will those brake ducts scrape real easy if the car is lowered beyond 2 inches?

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by SimpleS14

Will those brake ducts scrape real easy if the car is lowered beyond 2 inches?

There is 4" of ground clearance, the clearance does not change with ride height since it is attached to the tension rod/lower arm. I have had these on my Z since May, I daily drive with them and never had them scrape. I have also gone to about 3 track events since then, had several off track excursions and the brake deflectors are still undamaged. Besides, if they do get damaged you could probably just bend it back, or even replacing it is only $25

[OptionZero]

kuah: thanks for all the info and pix!

It looks like the brake duct sits very close to the rotor; since I am running a q45 brake setup that has a 1-inch bigger rotor than stock, will there be fitment problems? I assume since you are running them on a Z, which also has bigger rotors, there should be no issues...

[DoriftoSlut]

Look how big the rotor is in the pic!!!(wow, by the way), you'll have no problems.

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by OptionZero

kuah: thanks for all the info and pix!

It looks like the brake duct sits very close to the rotor; since I am running a q45 brake setup that has a 1-inch bigger rotor than stock, will there be fitment problems? I assume since you are running them on a Z, which also has bigger rotors, there should be no issues...

Plenty of room The picture is a little deceiving, the deflector is still a few inches away from the brakes.

[morpheus8486]

Sweet. I just bought and installed the spl rucas on my s13 and they're amazing. I think the v2's are going to be my next purchase. Keep being awesome.