Umbrella VRH Cup kit review..
 

Sup guys.. wanted to do a small write up about these..

I just installed the Umbrella VRH cup kit on my Z. Basically what I was looking for was being able to keep the functionality and feel of my coilovers, but be able to raise the car when coming up to a nasty bump or curb.
I'm currently running KWV3 coils with OEM type rears. I had looked at the KW HLS kit but for the money and the fact that it lowers automatically after 15-20 seconds, it kinda turned me off..

That being said, I contacted Ravi at Umbrella Auto Design. Since my coils are OEM type rears (separate spring and shock) he could only do the front kit.. Although I've heard from Umbrella that they are working on a solution for the rear.

Also since the KWv3's re-use the OEM top mounts, I had to buy a pillowball mount for this kit to work.. Probably wouldn't have been an issue with other coilovers that supply their own top-mounts.. My existing springs were swapped out with a shorter set on my coils.

But basically the kit is pretty simple.. First is a compressor and small air tank.

Looks like this:

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...rella_tank.jpg

Umbrella also supplies air lines and connectors, as well as relays and a switch for all of the electrical connections.. Only thing I supplied myself was an 8gauge wire from the battery.

I wasn't sure at the time where the hell I was going to put this. The compressor/tank combo is like 8-9 inches square.. tank is about the size of a football. But after I got the kit, I found a perfect spot here...

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m..._installed.jpg


Had to cut away some of the styofoam that holds the stupid tow hook, but its a perfect spot in my opinion.

I ran the switch up into the center console into one of the 3 dead switches for the heated seats in the touring package.

And ran the air line up along the passenger side rail under the trim thru the firewall and out behind the battery. Same path as the power wires for my amp and the new one for the compressor. The air line is pretty solid, didn't have to worry about crimping or crushing it.. just make sure there's no hard bends in it.

Next is the coilovers. I sent mine to Ravi@Umbrella so he could assemble them. He actually puts the cups through some sustained high pressure tests so I knew I wouldn't have an issue once I got them back. Here is what they look like assembled.

http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m...rella_cups.jpg

Notice the little silver fitting on the bottom coilover on the cup.. that's the air line connection.. Basically took a tee off the main air line from the tank (supplied in the kit) and sent one line to each coil.. there's a couple existing holes there under the brake and battery compartment covers to snake the air lines through.. I've been since told you should try to keep an equal distance between the 2 air line runs to each side, so that the cups inflate evenly, however I didn't and honestly haven't had any issue with uneven lift.

Only issue I did have was a lot of squeaking when I would raise the car.. turned out to be my stupid sway bar bushings that the I forgot to grease up when I put my new sway bar in earlier in the year.. After I greased those up, no more squeaks..

As for the ride.. its perfect, just like it used to be. Just now I can hit a switch and the car raises up a good 2 inches for mega clearance..

Here is a little vid I put together to show the kit in action.. check the mad video editing skillz..

Umbrella VRH Cup Kit for 370Z - YouTube

All in all its exactly what I wanted. To have the ability to keep the car stupid low, still have the feel and functionality of my coilovers, be able to raise the car in a second to clear any obstacles, and leave it up until I say to lower it again.. (something the KW HLS kit can't do)

Any questions guys hit me up here or hit up Ravi directly at umbrellaautodesign.com. Ravi was super cool to work with and was always available to answer any questions I had.

That is pure sweetness bro. Many badass points for you! :tiphat:

That is so awesome...

Ricer ;)

Where'd you get pillowball mounts for your KW's?

Nice. How much did this run you if you don't mind?

love it!!! and points to the sick rim/tire setup.

sooo sweet, cost please =)

That's sick


I hate curbs

It looks like your car is breathing

What is the total price of the kit ?

Sorry guys.. the kit retails at $2495.. not cheap but its honestly less than half the cost of the KW system... And while for maybe 1k more you can be on air bags, this system lets you keep the feel and function of your existing coilovers.

the cost of no comprise

This is awesome! I need this pronto...

Thx for posting the review and video...repped :tup:

Out of curiosity, did you consider any other options like the Phantom Cup Kit by Platinum VIP?

Would like to know about this as well if you don't mind :)

Umbrella is located near me. I can speak for the cars they have and work on, seen their group show at several meets. Very nice cars and all their stuff is top notch. Google Image Umbrella Auto Design for pics of their cars.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...GTNSX/0016.jpg

I've heard of it but never looked in to it honestly.. dont know much about it. Part of the reason i went with the Umbrella kit is a friend of mine with an NSX has had the Umbrella kit for like 2 years now and has not had a single issue with it.

Thx...it's comforting to hear positive long term reliability. Keep this thread updated over time for us :tup:

This is a great writeup/review! I had no idea the cup kit gave this much clearance.

Once question I do have, is for pricing. Is that price just for the fronts since you only could get the fronts done? Or did you have to buy the whole kit?

Thanks!

^ It was front only, as thats all thats available right now from Umbrella. Ravi talked at one time about developing a rear kit for our car but have not heard anything about it in a while.

i got notification that someone liked this post so figured I'd come back and update it..

Almost a year later with this.. still running strong. put almost 8k miles on the car since then, including a track day and 2 12hour road trips to the east coast, and have had no issues.

Thanks for the update. I'm in the market for something like this, or full air... Undecided.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I've never taken my trunk apart. In the picture where you show the air tank and compressor installed in your trunk, is that towards the rear of the car or nestled up towards the front of the trunk under the strut bar? It looks like the rear in the pic just confirming as I am weighing a few different suspension options as well.

Sick kit! Repped!

Did you require camber arms along with the cup kit?

No worries, ya where the tank/compressor is its the rear of the hatch area, like almost right underneath the passenger taillight.

I don't have any aftermarket front camber arms. Although I really should get some as I want to take a little bit of camber out of the front wheels.

Just received my kit. But no instructions or manual. Is there anything online or did you write up a install thread on the cup kit. When it comes to air suspension I'm clueless. Please help! I'm scratching my head looking at all these wires lol!

PM'd you KCL. I think the only thing you've gotta figure out is the connections on the valves. Let me know if you want me to take a pic of where the connections go. Try getting ahold of Ravi and ask him or if not I can get you a pic of of how mine is connected.

Would maybe consider this down the line.

I noticed you said you could go stupid low if you wanted. I'm guessing the rear is stupid low 100% since your kit is only for the front, if so, is clearance a problem on lets say speed bumps for the rear?

Ya only the worst of them. Still have to do some creative angles. Mostly because the Amuse sideskirts hang so low they do catch a few scrapes near the back edge of the skirt. Way better than totally destroying your front bumper though.

Hi Gene, your ride looks jaw dropping!
I'd like to know where from you got the pillowball upper-mount for your KW V3s?
I am also considering the Umbrella VRH Cup Kit and you wrote a pillowball mount is needed.
Thx a lot!

Umbrella supplied them when i bought the kit originally. I sent them my coilovers and they fitted the pillowball mounts when they installed the cups on them.

My kit is long gone and I'm on Airlift now, but if you're not a fan of a complete airride suspension I'd still fully recommend Umbrella.

Could you post a picture of how you installed your switches in the center console? I'd love to see how it looks as I plan to do the same.

^ Sorry i don't, looked thru all my old pics and don't seem to have a good pic of that.

I checked my old email though and found i ordered this:

Full Size Rocker Switches - 1/4'' Tabs - MOM-OFF-MOM SPDT - Wiring Products

It fit perfectly in the little switches panels by the cupholder.

Same switch I run in mine.

Awesome! Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it :D

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