Need Help With Springs

[Midnight-280Z]

I am planning on getting some spring next week and was wondering if i should go with MSA or Eibach. I will also be getting tokiko shocks. Anyone have any experience with any or info they want to share would be great. I don't know if this helps but i will also be installing Sport Max 15X8 sometime after i get my springs and shocks. Thanks for the help

[CoastGuardZ]

This subject has been covered a few time before and each persons answers are completely subjective to their individual taste. Here's my take on it...

From what I can tell the MSA springs are just a stiffer spring rate than stock, meaning that Yes the car will handle better but also that every aspect of the ride will be firmer. On the other hand the Eibach's are a progressive rate spring, meaning that they start out "soft" to absorb imperfections in the road but the more the springs compress the more stiff they become allowing for slot car like handeling through the twisties... okay so I may have embellished it a bit.

I have the Eibach/Tokico HP combo and I love them! I would, and do recommend this setup. If the Z was going to see a lot of track time then maybe I would choose differently, but I use mine as a commuter every chance I get. I am still amazed everytime I toss the Z into a sharp turn or twisty on/off ramp. I'm still running "stock" size tires and the suspension takes everything I've thrown at it... the tires get a little angry sometimes but they still hang on. :paranoid: I'm holding out for 16x7 Panasports.

I also recommend that while you are in there to go ahead and replace all the bushings with polyurethane or at least new rubber ones. I also had to by new bump stops (blue 'cones' in the picture) for the upper spring seat as my old ones had turned to dust.

The wheel size that you want to go with will work fine with this setup.

I included a picture of all pieces and parts from last winters project and a link to a thread where some of this was covered once before.

Nate

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20120

[Duffman]

Nate, how long did it take for you to switch out the springs, struts and bushings?

[CoastGuardZ]

Duff, If you have all the pieces it could be done in a weekend... probably even just one day. I got the first front strut assembly apart and realized that I needed the bump stops which had to be ordered so that put a delay on the whole deal. I didn't have to deal with any rust and the car has 292,000 miles on it so I'm pretty sure almost everything has been replaced once before.

Nate

[zguitar71]

O.K. here is my $.02. I have and recomend the Arizona Zcar heavy duty springs. http://www.arizonazcar.com/springs.html They are linear rate, stiff but not too stiff for the street and lowcost. I have the Illumina's but for a street only car the HP's are just fine and will do a great job. In reality for a street car you would probably never really be able to tell the difference between the different aftermarket springs out there. The Tokico struts are going to dictate the ride quality or harchness more than the springs and to fully run any of the springs to there potential you would probaly end up with a lot of tickets, impounded car or in jail for wreckless driving. Remember the springs and shocks you get are only as good as the tires you have with them. The Sport Max is a nice wheel (good choice) and you should have a pleny of good sticky tires to choose from too (225/50/15).

[wfl_colorado]

What does one of these overhauls cost? I have a stock 73 and keep wondering what is or isn't worn out. I am also assuming that nothing has been replace, so most everything is probably worn out, right? I don't need anything fancy since I just want a daily driver to/from work. I am assuming if the struts aren't leaking, them and the springs are fine, but all the bushing, etc probably need to be replaced.

Bill

[CoastGuardZ]

Hey Bill.

The springs can wear without the struts being bad. And this can cause undo wear on the struts. Quite frankly if you replace them both the benefits will payoff. Remember, the new products have had 30+ years of technological improvements. Obviously if you shop around you will find the best deal. I believe a lot of guys have used www.shox.com.

The MSA springs are ~ $185 I got the Eibachs for $217 last christmas from MSA.

Tokico HP's (a quality daily driver mild performance strut) ~ $340 from MSA but I got mine from www.sportcompactonly.com for $289 including shipping.

The complete urethane master bushing kit (MSA) was like $170 plus $32 for the Bump Stops.

My Total Was ~ $710

It is like driving a completely different car. If I had to do another one I would go the same route for sure.

Also don't forget to check your tie rods and ball joints... my tie rods were fine and I replaced the ball joints about 6 months earlier.

Nate

I attached some photos...

-The disentegrated bump stop!

-The wheel well with something missing

-The old struts that refuse to come out and play... yeah they were a little worn out.

[Midnight-280Z]

thanks for info., the eibach spring are 189 from MSA right now 4 bucks more than the MSA ones. The ArizonaZ ones are 9 bucks more than the MSA. When i order my MSA or eibach (leaning towards eibach) i will probably do new tie rods and bearing along with bump stops. Are the bushings really necessary or can i wait till i pick up sway bars and then insall bushings? If they are necessary i will have to wait before i can install the suspension.

[CoastGuardZ]

Although I can't speak to the condition of your bushings, It probably isn't 100% necessary. It's just pretty convenient since you already have half the stuff undone. I spaced out my purchases to make it a little easier on the wallet and waited 'till I had them all to start the project. Although that's pretty easy to do in New York where winter gives you 4-5 months of down time. So again, not necessary just convenient.

Nate

[wfl_colorado]

Nate,

Thanks for the info. Now all I need is for you to come to Colorado and give me a hand. Sounds like a huge project. Something I can maybe work on over the winter while the car is parked in the garage!

Tx,

Bill

[CoastGuardZ]

Hey Bill... I've always wanted a reason to make a trip to Colorado! Whoops, I just checked my calendar... I'm booked solid 'till next summer... darn...

Yup, winter is the time. That way you can take your time and do it right and when you find that you need more parts it's not a big deal that the Z is on jack stands for a month (or more).

Nate

[DougN]

Nate, what is your height like compared to a stock set up? (ground to top of wheel well would be good!)