Hi all, I am just getting started on my 1200 CA18DET ute build. I am still throwing around ideas as to what front end setup I should be using. There are plenty of options around and I was considering the MadDat strut and brake conversion (which adds some serious $$ to the overall build). I was wondering though why does everyone change their strut setup? Is the stock strut with a gas charged insert and higer rate spring not sufficient? This is going to be a street car and I'm not going to be hitting the track, only maybe the drag strip on the odd occasion. If anyone could give some advice it would be greatly appreciated. I have not had a detailed discussion with my Engineer yet regarding this, I am sure he will have his own opinion though?

strut swaps are mainly for bigger brakes.

stock struts with new shocks, heavy duty springs and a brake upgrade is fine too.

As L18_b110 has said strut swaps are generally used for heavier duty springs, inserts, coilovers, larger rotors and calipers

Not to say you can't do the same on stock 1200 struts its just easier to find the larger parts for the larger struts...

I spoke to canberra steering and suspension about changing out my stock struts to coilovers, camber tops, larger rotors calibers and rebuil the hub was looking at close to $3500 to do.. it was cheaper for me to get my 200b struts from my paddock basher shortened and have all the above done for $2450.00
You will certainly notice the difference running 250-300lbs springs new inserts with coilovers handle alot better..

With the extra weight from the CA18DET i'd go a larger strut and most people on here with a CA18DET swap have gone 120y or 200b stanza struts but thats personal preference...

I thought that when doing the ca conversion it was a must to change the struts,rotors and calipers for engineering or am I wrong?

definitely a must to change the brakes, but not neccesarily the struts.

Depends on the engineer but most ppl go 200b/stanza strut for the bigger stub and brake options

The originals have smaller wheel bearings than the various options yes? This would be a factor (opinion) in wheel bearing life esp with more serious rubber than the stock wheel/tyre setups.

The strut inserts being smaller would mean that they'd tend to run hotter, and perhaps not perform as consistently, if driven on the edge in a highly developed car, but I don't know that that would be such a big deal on almost any streeter (the selection of strut inserts available in the larger size, and potentially adjustable ones too would also be a factor).

One of the advantages of teh early struts is the early steering knuckle gives more steering angle (less play - or at least it will feel like it has less) and more responsive steering. Of course, you can always get the early steering knuckles and machine the 2 bolt holes to suit the wider bolt spacing of the later bigger struts, and ream out the tapered hole (where the ball joint fits in the centre) since the ball joint pin is larger on later model control arm/ball joints, that usually go hand in hand with later struts, swapped in as a set.

Thanks for your responses. John, one thing I didn't take into consideration was wheel bearings. I'm not sure what the standard bearing is in the stock struts but it will have it's limitations with load. As for the brakes I have some ca18 S13 calipers, rotors and whole knuckle assembly that I took from the engine donor car. I also bought the adaptor plates to suit the 1200 strut. The brake conversion is quite simple but I was concerned about the capability of the strut assembly with the extra weight and power.

The stock wheel bearings are overly strong for the weight of a 1200. They hold up fine with larger tires and engine. Just lube per schedule and adjust per specification.

Before having a detailed discussion about the struts have you had a detailed discussion about the turbo?

As for the Struts, I used Stanza struts for the bigger brakes (I also put rear disc brakes on from a Bluebird TRX - Model 910)

Good luck with the build... there's plenty of good info on this site