Help me pick my new suspension!

[charliekwin]

I've decided that replacing the suspension in my 78 is the first big job I need to tackle.  Would love to get some advice or suggestions on my available options.  Sorry this got long!

 

First, some goals and intended use:

 

The car is/will be my toy, so I want something that'll be good for canyon carving and some, um, generally spirited driving around.  As much as I like the idea of having something capable for a track day, I've never taken any of my cars to a track, and I wouldn't expect that to change for a while.

 

I want to have a drop of about 1", mainly to fill the wheel wells and improve the stance a bit.  I'll be getting wheels eventually; probably something like XXR 537, sized 16x7 and/or 16x8.  Don't want to roll the fenders or get flares.

 

I'm currently driving a bone stock 2007 G35s, which is good enough that I haven't felt the need to modify it.  I had a 1996 Maxima that had subframe connectors, sway bars and Tokico Illumina shocks and springs, which I was quite happy with.  It's been a while, but I remember that riding and handling comparably to the G.  If I can get a suspension combination that can keep up (or beat) either of those, I think I'll be happy.

 

I've looked briefly at coilovers, but the cost and work involved make that a non-starter.  As far as I can tell, there's a rather limited set of choices for shocks and springs:

 

 

Springs:

Eibachs ~$225, 1"drop -- seems like the default option, but maybe only for lack of options.  A lot of people seem happy with them, though I've seen reports of sagging rear ends and other funny results from the drop.

 

Vogtland ~$200, 1.25" drop -- kind of an unknown quantity for the Z cars, but reports on Vogtland springs from users on other forums are generally good.  A couple of Z owners have said they've ordered them, but I haven't found reviews.

 

Shocks:

Tokico HP ~$410 -- I was happy with the Illuminas I had before, and never made any real use of the adjustability, so these are an attractive option.  But they're the most expensive, by far.

 

KYB ~$230 -- supposedly not for use with lowering springs, but seems like a lot of people get away with it.

 

Stagg ~$110 -- another unknown, but the cheapest of the bunch.  There's a number of negative reviews out there, but if they last for just 10000 miles, that'll still probably be 5+ years.  I'm wary of these.

 

 

There's an eBay listing for Vogtland springs and KYB shocks for $375 + shipping, which is the direction I'm currently leaning towards.

 

Are there any other options I've missed?  Are there other combinations (particularly the Tokicos) that are worth the extra money?

[grannyknot]

There is also this option, http://www.jpngarage.com/BC-Coilovers_c7.htm

A few guys on this forum have bought them but I still haven't heard what they think of them.

The company has a a good reputation and the smaller dia spring would allow a wider range of wheels and tires.

Chris

[charliekwin]

I like that they have a bolt-in option, but they'd still require cutting and welding the struts, right?  That's not something I'm capable of doing, so I'd have to find a shop to do it, which means added cost.

 

And honestly at $1200, they're already a bit more than I was hoping to spend.  A Tokico HP + springs setup would probably run in the neighborhood of $650-700, but will probably also require purchasing things like strut boots and bump stops.  I haven't priced out all the other bits and pieces (and I'm not sure exactly what will be needed), but I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being another $100-200.

 

The BC option looks like it includes everything I need, so would bring the cost difference down enough to start considering it.  I might have enough crap around the house I can sell on eBay to fund it

[rossiz]

i have the stagg struts on eibach springs on my '78 and like them. not a track setup, but great for spirited street use. my z is a dd so i need commuter comfort as well and this does the trick. 

the biggest single handling improvement, however will come from a set of thick sway bars. totally transformed the ride by pulling out almost all the body roll. makes for a very fun car in the corners.

[charliekwin]

I've been spending most of today trying to talk myself into spending the money on coilovers, but it's hard to ignore the Vogtland + Stagg combo on eBay for under $300 if the Stagg parts are Good Enough.  That price difference would pay for at least the carpet, seats and dashboard, and probably a bunch other stuff I want/need.  It's also cheap enough to drive 'em till they break, then replace with some better parts if I feel the need to.  New sway bars and bushings were already on my suspension re-do list as well.  Thanks for the input, I've got a little more to think about.

[charliekwin]

The Vogtland and Stagg combo was $314 shipped and too cheap to pass on, so they're on the way.

 

Other items on my shopping list:

- Strut boots (http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=502693&cc=1209260&jnid=421&jpid=1)

 

- New bushings (http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-7-18102R-Master-Datsun/dp/B000CN9AY2)

 

- Sway Bars (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/stq-52095) -- after some reading, I've been led to believe the 240 bars are better for the 280

 

Anything missing?

[rossiz]

i put the msa sway bar kit i put in my  '78 - very happy with it and good price:

 

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic20g/23-4102

[NVZEE]

FWIW - Suspension Techniques has a rebate on bars and other components until the end of this month (May 2015):

http://www.stsuspensions.com/rebate/

[charliekwin]

Right, with the rebate, the Suspension Techniques kit is actually cheaper than MSA since I won't have to pay taxes or shipping.

 

Johnc on HybridZ recommends 240 kit for the 280 because the sway bar passes behind the diff.  I'm not sure if it'll make a noticeable difference the way I'll drive it or with the springs/shocks I'm going to use.

[Zed Head]

The term "coilovers" is  commonly used to describe adjustable spring perches, and shortened struts.  Shortened struts to lower the car, and spring perches for adjusting ride height.  The springs used and the shock absorbers determine suspension behavior.  If you're going to lower the car, and want the ability to fine tune ride height, maybe frequently, then "coilovers" would be the way to go.  If you're only going to lower the car 1 - 1.5" then lowering springs and good shocks would be the inexpensive way to go.

 

People often get the lowering part confused and end up with shocks that are at the extreme end of travel, either too compressed and bouncing off of the bump stops or shock internals, or cut the struts too much and end up topped out.

 

Just adding some detail.  Lots of ways to go wrong with "coilovers" if you don't define what you're really trying to do and have a good plan.  The cars already have "coil over strut" or "coil over shock" (pick your term) suspension.