I have a 1975 first generation 280Z but its stance is similar to a Subaru and I have found several brands of adjustable coilover suspensions to choose from. I am wondering if anyone has any experience and success with any particular brand? I am not interested in racing the car, just improving performance and stance, and I know that there are some kits that require very little if any fabrication for the installation.

I don't want to go through this and make the same mistake without being able to get the car to a true sports-car stance, so it feels like a sports-car when driving it.

Thanks,

Michael

Lots of threads about this to search and learn from, and I'm neither sage nor racer, but here's my .02 from having done similar to my 78 280:

For looks/stance - Eibach progressive kit will drop you down enough to get a better look w/out rubbing or a harsh ride - nice street compromise in my opinion.

Best bang for buck in performance will be a thicker set of sway bars - do both front &rear together. I did the MSA ones and boy, what a difference. Removed body roll and made the car track so much better.

Both the above mods are pretty affordable and other than typical tools, you only need spring compressors and a pickle fork to split the front tie rods. You can do the whole thing on a Saturday in your driveway.

Agree with rossiz. I fitted Eibach's & Car stance now much more to my liking. Can't comment on the ride though - PU bushings fitted by PO seem to dominate the ride - it's harsh. How did your 280 end up with the Subaru ride height ?

Hi mdec

Thanks for sharing your Z experience with me.

I am still researching all the different choices out there regarding adjustable coil overs.

Subaru Stance :I believe removing the front and rear bumpers and mounting hard ware lightened the car as well as I was told by an old Zcar expert that the government

made a mandatory bumper height restriction during these years.???

Thanks for your help Michael

There's no need for a coil over kit on a street car. It's just a waste of time and money. Get some shorter spings and a set of sway bars like the guys above said.

The bigger bumpers were required starting with the late 1974 260Z. They changed again for the 1977-78 280Z. They are much heavier than the 1970-72 240Z bumpers and brackets.

Chuck

Your choice depends on what combination of money and time (down-time or your work-time) you'd like to be at. You could find a good shop and have an adjustable coilover system installed for a lot of money, very little of your time, and some down-time. Or you could remove and cut the springs yourself for very little money, a lot of your work-time, and an unknown amount of down-time (depends on how skilled you are and how fast you work).

You have to pick a spot on the spectrum to get better advice. All of the above and everything in between has been done.

Waste of money to get the exact suspension set-up you want and the ability to change it to suit future needs?

Only if you don't have the money.

Who said, "Waste of money to get the exact suspension set-up you want and the ability to change it to suit future needs?" Where did that come from???

It's a waste of money if he's "not interested in racing the car, just improving performance and stance".

Chuck