So dammed complicated

[Aussie260z]

I have been looking into suspension mods for my 260z and there's so many things to consider,

Was condsidering 2 options,

Lowering the car an 1" with lowering springs

or

Lowering the car 2" by sectioning the struts

Though about lowering the car only 1", would do this by using special 1" lowering springs,

BUT - i have taken measurements of the front end suspension of my car and

The lower-control arm pivot point on the crossmember is roughly 16mm off the ground, and the lower-control arm to ball-joint point is roughly 14.3mm off the ground,

So, if i take out 1" of spring height i would make these points roughly horizontal,

Which i was told was not a great idea by some, and others said as long as it didnt get above 15 deg (ie....the ball-joint side at a 15deg angle higher than the crossmember side) there would be no real dramas,

Then...........

If i lower the car 2" by sectioning the front struts, i would continue to use the stock springs on all 4 corners and swap the front shocks to the rear and get a suitable shock for the sectioned front struts,

But come back to the same problem as before, i would raise the mounting point of the lower-control arm pivot on the crossmember by about 20mm,

but im still lowering the car 50mm (2") and once again bringing the lower-control crossmember pivot roughly back in-line (same distance from the ground) with the lower control arm-to-ball joint point,

Hope the way i've explained this made sense

Anyone got any opinions on this?

[RB30-ZED]

Ah decisions decisions

And your just starting out here. It goes on and on, planning and modifying.

I spend 90% of my time in the garage thinking about what and how and 10% doing, but its all good fun.

One thing id like to say and I think the guys that have been playing with cars for some years would agree, is that if you have a choice between two ways to modify something pick the one that gives you the best outcome regardless of cost, because if you take the cheap easy option you will find yourself redoing it in years to come as you know it could have been better the first time.

Now to give an opinion on your Question.

Go with the sectioned struts "see paragragh above"

Dont use standard springs "see paragragh above"

Use Kings prosport springs on adjustable platforms "see paragragh above"

Move inner control arm pivots up 20-30mm's "see paragragh above"

Dont stress its only money

Steven

[Aussie260z]

Hehehe...........so much to learn, its not like the Valiant with the torsion bar front-end

Your right, with the "even if it costs more, do it ya cheap b#stard mentality" i will get the best result

Ok - if you go with adjustable platforms dosent that mean that you should also modify the car to be able to adjust the camber and adjust the shocks?

Because if you dont,

When you lower the car, you lose suspension travel, which on a race track will be fine as you wont be likely to hit any major bumps, but on the street or a bumpy dirt road it aint going to be as fun,

But because you can adjust the ride height you can negate this, just go up or down,

However,

If you have the adjustable platform you really need to switch to some way of easily adjusting the camber because by changing the cars ride height and not being able to adjust the camber will affect the cars steering characteristics adversly?

[RB30-ZED]

Ok - if you go with adjustable platforms dosent that mean that you should also modify the car to be able to adjust the camber and adjust the shocks?

Because if you dont,

When you lower the car, you lose suspension travel, which on a race track will be fine as you wont be likely to hit any major bumps, but on the street or a bumpy dirt road it aint going to be as fun,

But because you can adjust the ride height you can negate this, just go up or down,

However,

If you have the adjustable platform you really need to switch to some way of easily adjusting the camber because by changing the cars ride height and not being able to adjust the camber will affect the cars steering characteristics adversly?

Yes but that is why you section the struts, to retain travel.

I use my car for road and track, and dont change the ride hight for either, the reason i use adjustable platform is so as i change spring rates and keep the ride hight as i like it.

You can add adjustable lower arm at a later date, but changing ride hight 20mm's or so has next to no effect on camber caster or toe in real terms.

Steven

[First Gen Z]

Everything you mention depends entirely on what the ultimate use of the car is going to be. IMO if the car is a daily driver it will handle quite well if you only do maintence on the suspension. Shocks, springs, bushings, etc. And it will be a lot less expensive than a lot of custom mods. Good luck.

[Aussie260z]

What Adjustable coilovers kits can be found in Australia?

How much do they go for?

Any particular brand better than another?

[RB30-ZED]

H Aussie260Z

There are different inside diameters of threaded sleeves, and the 260 is bigger than the 240 in the strut diameter, so watch that.

I got mine from Proven products but I later found them cheaper at Noelathane suspension, at $150 trade per corner. They both sell the same product which is good quality plated sleeve and anodized nuts and top spring retainer.

My Suspension pics

Steven