Michael's Zcar

I have a dilemma and I have discussed this with many car experts. The results are mixed, so I thought I would post this question again because opinions are very mixed, only causing more confusion regarding this topic. I am not interested in putting my car on the track but currently its stance is ridiculously high with an enormous wheel gap. All the after market lowering springs currently available will only on average lower my car by at best a little more than an inch which will not help me with the over 3 inches of gap I am trying to eliminate. Quality adjustable coil overs are extremely expensive and also require fabrication/welding/butchering my original Z car which I would like to avoid. I have been told that if I have to try cutting springs I should avoid using heat to cut the springs and only remove a quarter coil at a time. Also, I am not sure if it is better to remove a section from the top of the spring or the bottom? This type of lowering alteration has been done for street and track cars for many different makes of cars with success. Anyone willing to share their positive or negative experience and tips, particularly with Z cars in the years between 1975-78, would be greatly appreciated. Through reading a lot of these forums, I also am concerned about creating camber issues.

Hey Siteunseen Thanks for sharing your experience/knowledge with me . Did you notice any difference in the sound of your Zcar after doing what you did.

I would like to purchase and install a cold air intake for my 1975 280Z which is currently stock. I was hoping someone would have experience with this kind of bolt-on upgrade and whether it was worth it and also if they could recommend the best manufacturer out of the many choices out there.

I own a 1975 Datsun 280Z and would like to continue using my original nostalgic rims. I have read a lot of good information on this topic, but it still leaves you a little unsure. I know I only have one choice for tires in a semi-performance all season (BF goodrich radial T/A). I know this car's stock suspension is higher than my previous 240Z and I intend to lower my current 280Z a couple of inches. Unfortunately I need tires now so I can't wait to lower the car and then buy tires, which would be the proper order to do it. Just wondered if anybody knew the right tire size to choose from between a 215/60/14 and 215/70/14 and 225/60/14 and a 235/60/14? I am trying to achieve a little more width to the contact patch of the tire without making the tire too tall or cause any rubbing for future lowering plans. Thank you in advance for any tips! Michael

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

My original stock callipers are currently on route to PMB Performance in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes. Thanks again Cheers Michael

Thanks so much Conedodger for hooking me up with Eric. My original stock callipers are currently on route to him in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes. Thanks again Cheers Michael

Thanks for the reply and yes as far as I know all the callipers are the same from the 240Z ,260Z,to the 280Z. All Zcar's from 1970 to 1978 are stock factory original are single callipers. My original stock callipers are currently on route to PMB Performance in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes. Thanks again Cheers Michael

Thanks so much for hooking me up with Eric. My original stock callipers are currently on route to him in the mail and should be back with some summer left to drive the car before the driving season changes. Thanks again Cheers Michael

I have a 1975 280Z and I would like to upgrade the brakes but also keep my 14" original wheels. If anybody has any upgrade ideas that will achieve this, that would be great if you would share your wisdom. If I can't upgrade the stock callipers, I will have to either get a rebuild kit and rebuild the originals myself or purchase new rebuilt/reconditioned calipers such as Beck Arneley or Nugeon. Just wondering if it is worth it to stick with the original single piston callipers and rebuild them myself as long as the pistons are in good shape/worthy. Thanks, Michael

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

Hi Cataloney I would really like to see a a couple of pictures of your yellow Zcar with the tires that you have on it. Are they 195/70/14's ? or the ZX with the 205/70/14's on it because I am indecisive regarding tires at this time. I would like to keep my stock 14 " rims , my other size option is 215/60/14's with my original14x6 rims. Thanks Michael

Hi Zed Head, Yes I am looking for bolt-in options, something tried and true. I just want to do it right first time because I have heard of so many different routes one can take to achieve a proper ride height/stance. Thanks for the referral to motorsport auto. I spoke with one of their salespeople and they recommended using KYB struts (F & R 74 2+2, 74,5-78; and FR 70-78) but the warning about not using them on a lowered car isn't very reassuring. Thanks again for your advice.

Hi Clark, Thanks very much for sharing your experience regarding lowering my Z car.

Hi Zed Head, John Coffey and site unseen, Thanks for the replies and sharing your wisdom. Zed Head, all I am looking for is that classic mellifluous Z exhaust note so it sounds like a sports car. I have heard that before about the factory exhaust manifolds flowing quite well so can this be achieved by enlarging exhaust and installing the right muffler?