Spring choice in Oz

[plutovitch]

Hi guys,

almost time to replace the springs on my 260, and I seem to have two main choices, either king springs or lovells. Both retail about $250ish (front and rear) Which would you choose?

Chris

[zed74]

Go with the Kings.

[speedyblue]

Do a search of the forums. I started a thread with a very similar name (possible 'spring availability in Oz') and found out a bit about what was on offer, and peoples opinions. It should help. Also, replace your shocks too. It makes a million times the difference. Check the other thread that's running.

Good luck with it all.

Scott

[Nacks]

I'm running Kings springs with Koni red dampers. I've been pretty disappointed I must say. The springs seem pretty soft. I emailed King springs asking them what poundage they were, apparently the fronts are 175lb and the rears are 180lbs, in a non-progressive spring. Mine have been on the car for four years and they're more than likely a bit softer than those figures. I have to crank up the sway bars to the point where the car's almost undriveable in the wet coz the suspension's so stiff. I won't let my wife drive the car if it's even THINKING about raining.

I'm definitely going for stiffer springs when the time comes, at least 200-225 lbs unless whoever I speak to has a really good argument against springs that stiff.

Nacks

[Gav240z]

Hmm looks like I'll have to go with firmer springs too. 250 is too soft I want probably 280 on mine. 300 at the absolutely max.

[Murph]

I agree with Nacks that the Kings are a definitely on the soft side. Mine are progressive rate though (It's an early 260 2 seater, so they use 240Z suspension. The 260Z kings aren't progressive).

[Nacks]

I've been doing a lot of looking around with regard to springs/dampers etc.

I went and spoke to Toperformance in Melbourne, they're a Koni distributor for those who weren't aware. They did some work for me on my Konis and I was really impressed with their customer service and the quality of their work. I asked them what the 'next step' would be in terms of struts that would suit a road car with a smattering of Club days thrown in. They have a coilover setup that they sell, that includes 250lb progressive springs and adjustable spring platforms that goes for around $450.00 per corner. Now, this doesn't include dampers, it'd be more money on top of that figure for those.

I was pretty surprised with the price, I thought they'd be a fair bit more than that. Now I'm agonising over whether or not I'm going to get all four struts done or not, while the car's up on stands doing nothing.

[speedyblue]

Does that setup include any adjustability in the camber or castor? Because every time you change the height, the camber will change.

I just ordered a similar thing for the front of my Triumph TR7. Threaded sleeves and all that for the strut tubes, all machined to match up to a set of Noltec strut tops for the camber and castor adjustment. It didn't include springs though and was a little under $800.

I'm interested in finding a adjustable camber setup for the Z in the future.

[Nacks]

I didn't ask them at the time, my guess is that it doesn't have any castor/camber adjustment. I was thinking about asking them if they could offset the hole in the top plates so that I'd have at least SOME camber adjustment, same way early Commodores for example do it. I guess doing that would affect the castor a tiny bit though.

Yeah, adjustable camber would be pretty cool. If you're really keen, you might be interested in these?

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=151/CA=93

They're $299.00USD but I'm not sure if that price is for one unit or one pair.

[speedyblue]

Yes I have seen those. I think that price is per corner, so very expensive. Arizona Z car have a weld in set that's cheaper, but only works with their coil-overs. I'll wait and see what the Noltec ones for the TR7 are like. Aparently they are heaps better than the ones K-mac sells. Wait and see.

[Nacks]

Well, I've given all four struts to Toperformance to have the adjustable platforms and progressive springs installed. Just waiting to get them back, should be ready early next week. Bang for buck, I haven't found anything that matches this setup. I've asked them to adjust the dampers to suit the spring rates. I can't wait.

Watch this space for pics.

By the way, anyone interested in a set of used King springs, 175lb front/180lb rear linear rate units? I'd probably want around $80.00 for them.

[plutovitch]

Opinions vary,

b. in law was running kings on his sti and says theyre way too stiff for street. I,ve been offered a set of Eibachs progressive rate for $250 so I'll probably go that way.

Upgraded the shocks a few years ago to Konis, adjustable at front (86-1811), fixed sport at rear (8641-1060), just looked up the invoice and I paid $214 for the front and $ 258 rear. Dont know about that price for the coilovers @ $450 / corner, seems pricey?