Tokico vs Eibach vs any other suggestions for suspension kits. I drive 20 miles a day over a windy smooth road, (fun), and 20 more on city/highway. I've read a few comments that the spring upgrade makes for a somewhat uncomfortable ride for normal commuting. Seems though that the positives outweigh the roughness. Any opinions? thanks

John,

We are probably neighbors? I had great luck using a heavy swaybar on the front and a heavier swaybar on the rear. I remember someone saying they had seen smaller front swaybars on a truck! Swaybars have little effect on ride comfort in steady state driving but come in to play in cornering. In order to really consider springs people will need to know what your purposes are for changing from stock. Engineers are smart people. Why do you think you want to change what they designed? In other words if you just street drive your car, you probably only need to refresh the stock suspension with stock parts. Springs get tired for sure... I like Tokico shocks on my Z but I use Koni shocks on my Porsche cars. I guess I don't even know if Koni is available for the Z! The Illumina shocks were on the car when I bought it.

Little things, like the rack bushings, the TC kit, the steering shaft donut, and refreshing the rubber bushings in your suspension really bring life to the handling of the Z. If your purpose is street driving that may be all you need...

Be careful you don't modify the car to the point you no longer like it.

On a well paved road it would be ok to have stiffened suspension, otherwise I would be careful - stiff suspension on poor roads is really disappointing.

I changed out the bushings, springs and shocks on my 77 and it rides a little rough, but I really enjoy the tight feel her on ramps and lane changing etc... It feels like I would expect a sports car to feel. I believe it made the car into something that I appreciate more, but that is personal taste.

My springs are Eibach and shocks Tokico (HP). It is a lowering setup - I think these cars look very good when dropped an inch or so. I am pleased with the setup.

Good luck

Edited May 24, 200915 yr by Sailor Bob
specify shock type

Does the tokico hpk253 suspension kit make a radical difference. I know I need struts and thought the springs would enhance the package. I don't care whether the car is lowered an inch or not. Are you saying maybe I should just change the struts and use original springs or buy stock springs? Are the tokico springs alot stiffer than stock?

thanks

by the way. if you you live in fair oaks you probably know my commute. it's from la honda to the end of marsh rd. it's the la honda to woodside section I have the most fun on and why I'm looking at a tighter setup. I can't remember what a stock setup feels like since the last time I put struts on was 1981. so what do you think? stock or the tokico kit.

John,

Not really familiar with that route. I do a little test track after any project by going Winding Way East towards Folsom from Fair Oaks. At Hazel, I turn left and go to Sunset where I turn right. I then follow it down through the curvys to Main and up Main to Madison. Then Madison to Folsom Blvd to Hwy 50 back to Sunrise. It gives me a good variety of roads.

Sunday the 31st I have a gathering of car guys at a place called Family Donuts and Deli at Fair Oaks Blvd. and San Juan Avenue. 9am to noonish. Come on down. Mostly Porsche guys but Mat has shown up and another guy named Alex who has a great 510 among other cars will be there...

wrong fair oaks. the one i'm near is located in an unincorporated area of redwood city.

John! I am in the right Fair Oaks!