Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition)

First, some advice on suspension setup: do not lower the ride height blindly. Remember the real goals, such as adjusting corner weights and front-to-rear balance. Tire performance is far better than it was when these cars were new, so spring rates and damper force need to rise accordingly. The body should generally be fine, though reinforcement may sometimes be needed. Setup also depends on power, but even a low-powered car can be fun if its suspension is solid. A car becomes unbalanced if even one element is off, so be careful. First decide what you want from the suspension based on where and how you drive, then choose tires and suspension parts that match those characteristics. Ennepetal, which explained this approach to suspension for classic cars, specializes in tuning Bilstein dampers.

Ennepetal is well known for this work. When founder Kondo traveled overseas for rallies, he noticed that nearly every fast car used Bilstein dampers. Wanting to fit them to Japanese cars too, he went alone to Germany, learned damper-tuning techniques at Bilstein’s headquarters, and founded Ennepetal after returning. The company pioneered a full damper overhaul system. Its settings draw on years of accumulated data and know-how, allowing it to respond accurately to customer requests. It can also support models other companies do not offer. Old-car dampers are rarely kept in stock, so orders take about one month. For some models with spindle-type struts, customers remove the struts and send them to the factory for custom machining to match the actual parts. This thorough work is essential to getting 100 percent of the damper’s performance.

Like the muffler catalog, this list was created with the cooperation of suspension manufacturers and focuses on major Showa-era cars and models.

~ Caution ~

CAUTION!! We have selected only major vehicle types and product lines. Please note that some products may not appear on this list. Before purchasing, always check stock and prices with the seller.

Find coilovers for your Showa-era car!

If you have a Showa-era car, what should you do? Tune it, of course! So we have gathered coilovers—the first step in suspension tuning—all in one place (I feel like I have used that line twice today…). Find a coilover suited to your car’s character and the way you drive. Photo: Hiroki Iwashima; report: Koichiro Okamoto.

SUSPENSION CATALOGUE

BILSTEIN

The second floor is the office and the first floor is the factory. Most data collection and development take place here, and finished products are shipped directly from this building.

We asked Ennepetal

How to choose coilovers for a Showa-era car!

2-14-8 Higashiyamacho, Owariasahi, Aichi 488-0825 / TEL 052-775-3328

Ennepetal

Inagaki, who spoke with us, oversees the entire process—from collecting data on cars such as the AE86 and Silvia to manufacturing, mainly for strut-type vehicles…

…and handles the work.

Most Ennepetal products use gas-charged monotube construction with an inverted layout. Another feature is that they deliberately omit damping adjustment. Overhauls start at ¥10,000 per damper. The high precision of each Bilstein component makes exacting setup possible. (The photo shows a Roadster application.)

Model code

Ennepetal coilovers

Applicable models

Type M: ¥302,000 / tapered spring: ¥228,000 / Type M: ¥302,000 / Type M: ¥254,000 / 54 mm shell: ¥206,000

Type S: ¥268,000 / S: ¥264,000 / Type S: ¥268,000 / Type S: ¥254,000 / 50 mm shell: ¥200,000

70-series

S13 series

Silvia / 180SX

Type M: ¥368,000 / N1 race: ¥202,000 / Type M: ¥314,000

¥262,000

Type S: ¥288,000 / Type M: ¥240,000 / Type S: ¥280,000

31-series

Fairlady Z

Skyline

Corolla Levin

Starlet

Each unit is custom-tuned to the customer’s needs and carefully finished one by one.

All completed dampers are… This was also the first machine of this type introduced in Japan by Ennepetal.

“N1 Series”

A’PEXi—a robust brand with roots in racing.

Model code

Applicable models

Based on its track record in official races, street…

¥238,000

S13 series

N1 Damper Pro / Silvia / 180SX

Cefiro

Developed to a high level from its proven street performance, A’PEXi’s N1 Series includes this N1 damper—a standout product that rethinks coilover fundamentals, including the use of large-diameter dampers.

10440-1 Tana, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-1124 / TEL 0427-78-3984

¥188,000

¥177,000

S13 series

Cefiro

A’PEXi Engineering N1 Damper, original standard specification

N1 Damper Type R, 99 Spec / Silvia / 180SX

Without upper mount: 40 / without upper mount: 46 / without upper mount: 46

¥240,000

¥216,000

Starlet

N1 Damper Type Pro

Close-up!

¥216,000

¥242,000

S13 series

A’PEXi Engineering DRAG Damper / Silvia / 180SX

Featured lineup

Among the N1 dampers, the Type Pro uses the largest 46 mm piston. It is truly a professional-grade shock.

Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition)

About this issue

Page 176 — English draft translation