struts, springs and wheels

[cardogman1]

Hello everyone

Been away to New Orleans for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Convention. Very interesting town, great food lots of sin.

Anyway, I'm thinking of changing the struts and maybe the springs on my 240 any recommendations for a more bounce free stable ride. Also I'd like to get the hubcaps off the car and buy nice 14x6 wheels. I'm thinking of Panasports any other suggestions.

Please get back

Thanks

Burt

cardogman1

[Bambikiller240]

Hi Burt:

Your choices for wheels are going to be fairly limited due to your chosen diameter and the offset requirements for the car. IMHO, Panasports are "classic" styling for the Z (though if "I" were getting a set, I'd have them colorcoated or changed in some way from stock) and are a great choice.

As far as I know, stock springs are NLA, and most aftermarket springs are shorter and stiffer from stock. They may not be as "bouncy", but will impart a harsher ride. In some cases you'll feel every pebble you drive over. Though I don't own them, I've heard that Suspension Techniques brand springs are too harsh for most people on a street car.

I have KYB struts on my car, and I'm satisfied with them for my street only car. If I wanted high performance, I'd go with Tokiko Illumina struts (much more expensive than KYB's though)

Let us know what you choose and how you like them.

Carl

[cardogman1]

Thanks carl,

How do the kybs compare to the stock struts.

Burt

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by cardogman1

Thanks carl,

How do the kybs compare to the stock struts.

Burt

Hi Burt:

The KYB's are a gas pressure strut as opposed to the "old style" (non-pressurized) hydraulic struts and as such are at bit stiffer, but not bad at all. I like them for my street only use, however; MOST people who autocross or otherwise race feel they are too soft for great performance. I guess the best way to describe them is a little better than original struts.

Carl

[XYZ]

Tokiko non-adjustables gas shocks are similar to the KYB's and cost about $240/set of 4 for another option. The illumina's are adjustable gas shocks that cost about $460/set of 4 and have 5 settings. KYB also has an adjustable shock and are supposed to be more difficult to adjust. Don't have any experience with how they feel on the road. I run Tokiko non adjustables on my car but I also have Eibach springs that lower and stiffen the ride. I definately feel the bumps and cracks when driving. I unknowingly had KYB's (non-adjustables) with the stock springs before making the switch. My car handles completely different with the springs/shocks changed out. I've been told the KYB's are the standard swap-out for stock shocks (if there any left). Have you upgraded your bushings? That would help tighten up the ride some. Good luck.

Check www.shox.com for pricing on KYB's and Tokiko's. There are some more expensive, higher performance shocks out there too like Bilstein's and Koni's.

[cardogman1]

xyz I switched out the bushings but did not use polyethylene used stock standard rubber. Don't believe poly should be used. We use it in the business that I'm in that is hip joints and knee joints and I think it's a gimmic. In a car there will for sure be premature wear and depending on the resin, cracking. There could be catastrophic failure of poly bushings that I believe could cause an accident. Rubber is still better it fails slowly.

Burt

[beandip]

use the rubber bushings much smoother . KYB shocks are close to stock I think you will like the ride.:classic: if you were going to do any raceing then that would be different.

[biker]

Agree with the others that the KYB are ok for the street but show their shortcomings on the track especially after a few laps and they start to heat up.

Go for the Koni or Bilstein solution