Adjustable Coilover Suspension Quandries

[Michael's Zcar]

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

[rossiz]

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.

[mdec]

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 ?

[Michael's Zcar]

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

[cbuczesk]

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

[Zed Head]

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.

[gnosez]

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.

[cbuczesk]

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