Resto-modded 280Z front is riding high with Tokico Lowering

[Nazgul280]

Hi everybody,

I've got a nagging problem that I am resolving to correct:

I resto-modded my 280Z several years ago. Before I restored it I had put on the Tokico springs and Blue shocks (non-adjustable) for the 280Z. When this Z was in stock form, the lowering springs looked good, but since it was restored/modded I have dropped a lot of weight from the car, including the nasty bumpers + bumper shocks. I went with the poly 240Z "bumpers" (non-functional). I have never been happy with the ride height (stance) in the front ever since. I will attach a picture so you know what I am talking about. It looks like the front of the car is too high, and the rear looks really good to me. The wheel and tire setup is square (meaning, same size front and back).

How can I correct this without a coilover kit?

One idea I have is getting the springs for the 240Z. I don't know if these will be a different rate (because the 240, as you all know, had different weight resting on the springs) or length and balance out the stance of the car. I am not sure if they will even fit on the car due to different strut housings and strut top busings?

Another idea I have is to get the strut top bushings (rubber padding at the top of the springs that mate with body) for the 240Z, but I am also unsure of fitment.

Anyone out there have PROVEN fixes to this? It's worth noting that I have seen many other 280Z's with lowering springs that have the proper stance. It is really bugging me and I want to fix it.

Thanks for any positive feedback....

Dana Boudreault

President, Carolina Z Club

Edited April 14, 2013 by Nazgul280
complete description

[zKars]

Is there any chance you mixed up the front and back Tokico springs during the last mod? This is the most common cause for this hi front low back problem.

The 280 has the taller strut insulators on the rear when stock, the front has the same shorter height ones on the front as the 240z. Any chance the tall ones ended up on the front some how?

THe loss of the bumper weight would not be this dramatic.

[Nazgul280]

That's a good question. I will dig out my receipts for the strut insulators, but I believe they were the same Nissan part numbers when I got them in from the dealer here. I will see if I can rule that out.

Could anybody who has this setup on a 280Z take the trouble to measure their spring lengths, front and back?

[Stanley]

My 240 doing the same thing. Air pump and AC compressor gone, Stock radiator changed to aluminum, banged-up stock bumper replaced with lighter temporary one. Adds up to about 1/2" rise at the front.

On the plus side, gives me 1/2" clearance for the spook at the average parking lot curbs.