New to this forum! Does anybody have any Bilstein inserts for 240z?

[Steve Edrington]

Does anybody ever come across any Bilstein inserts for 240z anymore?

I am in search of a full set front/rear. I had a set of Bilstein rears back in the 80's and I loved them. At one point I thought there were shorter ones available that would fit with a spacer in the bottom?

I'm also looking for stiffer springs, but not too stiff. Any suggestions?

I don't really want to do coilovers, or cut my struts, and I'm not racing, but want something stiffer than stock. Right now I'm running 225/60/14 on my old slot wheels and getting tire rub in the back when hard bumps or cornering happens.

Thanks,

Steve

[bacarl]

I have not come across any Bilsteins during my searching for shocks. I ended up with Tokico Illuminas I had to source from a private party since they weren't being sold new at the time I was looking (about one year ago). You may be able to find used Bilsteins somewhere but as far as I know they haven't been available for years.

I also found that all available aftermarket springs, while stiffer, will lower the car somewhat from stock, which won't help you.

What's the width and offset of your slots?

[Steve Edrington]

Do you have any feedback on the Tokico ILK252 or HPK251 Suspension kits?

I think a lot of my problem is bad KYB inserts just squatting too much in the rear, but I might be interested in some stiffer springs while I'm there changing the inserts. I am not impressed with the KYB's, the warranty, or the KYB support people at all:(

So correct me if I'm wrong, but stiffer springs, while lowering it, with stiffer inserts, should reduce my travel, therefore reduce the squat in the rear, and no more rub - right? These Tokico look to be about the only real option left, but I don't want to get into a whole changing of other suspension items because of the lowered springs. Am I opening a can of worms here?

My setup is 225/60/14 tires on old 6 or 7 inch slots, don't know the offset. I've had them for 34 years!

[Zed Head]

Changing shocks and/or springs to avoid tire rubbing seems off. You're giving away suspension quality to avoid a noise. Do they rub on the outside or the inside? New control arm bushings might do the trick if they rub on the inside. Or you might roll the fender lips a little, if they rub on the outside.

[Steve Edrington]

This has been a looonggg restore, just now back on the road. These rub on the outside rear when hard cornering or 2 people are in the car with a bump or cornering. I'm definitely not 160lbs anymore, so more weight too. I used to have a set of Bilstein gas in the rears, they were great and stiff, and as I remember they even raised my ride height some from stock back then. These KYB's I installed new several years ago, so they've just been sitting and not used while restoring the car, but they have a bad spot on one of the fronts, and with the rear squatting...

I don't have the receipts when I bought them 8 years ago, so according to KYB - too bad.

I've replaced all my suspension bushings thru this restore, and used urethane where appropriate.

[EuroDat]

If you want Bilsteins, I think the ones you want are P30-0032. I know of one person over here that used them a few years back and Im pretty sure that was the type he used. I have read somewhere that you also need to machine the gland nut that comes with them to get it to fit the strut.

As for springs. To get the original ride height a lot of Zed owners go for the 80-85 corvette springs and cut them to suit. They are close to aftermarket springs in stiffness.

If you go with aftermarket springs, they all seem to drop the ride height at least an inch. You can compensate this on rear of a 240 or 260Z by changing other to the 280Z strut insulator. It will increase ride height by about 25mm (1") and bring it back to original.

Here is a thread on Hardways atempts at getting his ride height back to roiginal height with corvette springs. Even if you don't want to go this route, it wouldn't hurt to read through it and maybe get a though pointers along the way.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/suspension-steering-s30/48249-using-chevette-springs-re-gain-original-ride-height.html

Chas

[Steve Edrington]

Guidance on rolling the fender lips? My worry would be cracking of the paint...

[EuroDat]

I just found the thread (Fenril) on HybridZ. The gland nut is for the VW so it needs to be modified to fit the Zed.

Need Help to fit Bilstein P30-0032 on my 280z... - Brakes, Wheels, Suspension and Chassis - HybridZ

If you google biltstein P30-0032 or the new number 24-184530 you will find them.

Chas

[erectorset]

Have you considered going to Koni shocks on the fronts and rears? They will give you the stiffness you want and you may not have to change your springs. I've used them on my 1971 240Z for over 42 years and only changed all four once.

[Steve Edrington]

Back when I had Bilstein's on the rear, I had Koni's on the front. Never had a problem with them as I recall...

Any advantage/disadvantage to gas inserts (Tokico) vs hydraulic (Koni)?

Looks like the Tokico HP and the Illumina are about the only choices on gas, any comments on either of these?

Very disappointed in the KYB gas that has literally been sitting until now.

[erectorset]

If you put poly bushings on the rear control arms they may be contributing to your rubbing. Swap them out for the original rubber bushings and your ride quality will vastly improve. You won't hear any squeeking noise either. As far as gas vs. hydraulic I believe you've already answered your question. Hydraulic is the way to go. There was a reason why Koni's were the "go to" shocks for Zcars in the early 70's. They are more expensive than any of the others but well worth it.

[Steve Edrington]

Ride quality is not bad, just getting the rear squatting too much on hard cornering and bigger bumps.

Noise level is good, no squeaking. I'd have to look again to see what bushings are there, been a couple years during the restore.

Thanks for the info!

Steve