Guest low-budget Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 I'm doing some planning to get my too-long neglected '78 280 back on the streets where it belongs . The #1 problem I have at the moment is a quite limited amount of funds to dedicate to the project. Things I have to buy, I will. I know it seems like the hot setup d'jour is coilovers with adjustable illuminas hehe, but that just is not an option right now. I'm looking towards maybe, KYB's with some non-stock spring combo. I did read a message in which someone mentioned springs from a chevette? This is the kind of info I would like to find, like, what can I go to the junkyard and snag that would work for a reasonably good, firm ride? Anybody have any kind of info like this they would care to share with me? I am planning to get a full set of poly bushings. If I have to, I will get a set of aftermarket springs, but it would be interesting to see what other options are available if possible . Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 You might want to take a look at the How to and Tech articles at http://www.zhome.com/. They have some good stuff in there. Are you going to do your own wrenching, or pay a shop to do it? A lot of the parts are reasonably inexpensive, but the shop's $$$ will be more substantial, especially on something like installing poly bushings or strut cartridges and springs. You can usually find info on doing those things by searching here (I see you've already been searching), but if not you can always ask. You may also want to join the IZCC mailing list, as it is more directed towards those just fixing up or slightly modding a Z, and this forum is more for advanced engine swaps and racing style suspension systems. Don't abandon this forum though. There are some seriously talented people here, and when you get advice from people as knowledgeable as some here are, it may just save you time effort and $$$ on a huge scale. Welcome! Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest low-budget Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 I've probably read through and printed out most of what is at zhome that is pertinant to my interests, and do refer to information like that when needed. I will be doing my own work. Not just because I can, but because I then KNOW the job is done correctly. Most parts are indeed pretty inexpensive, but at the moment, less is more if you know what I mean . I am on these forums, and am doing a low budget car. I am in the right place, as low budget doesn't neccesarily mean lower expectations. At the moment, some of the modification plans I have for the car are retrofitting a BW T5 tranny, R200 3.70 lsd rear, brake upgrades and eventually, the possibility of a turbo motor and IMSA body styling. The suspension is my starting point to get it drivable again, then to upgrade in stages. Right now I'm just in the very, very, beginning stages. Thanks for taking an interest . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 If your car isn't running yet I would suggest checking all hoses and rubber and just start replacing what is needed, you'll probably end up replacing it all, and you can do them one at a time. If you want a nice ride try KYB GR2's or better yet Tokico "Blues" and cutting the stock springs with a cutoff wheel, 1/2 coil at a time until you find a ride height you like. Cutting the springs makes them stiffer, and I had my first Z setup that way. Worked out great, that car handled really nicely. Don't bother with the tranny until you do the turbo swap, because you can get both at the same time from a donor car, and the Z 5 speed should work fine until then unless it is already in need of a rebuild. Brake upgrades can wait as well. I got my LSD from a junkyard for $325, but it needed to be rebuilt. Spent another $300 on that. Should have bought one out of a runner from someone on a forum like this. Any idea why it isn't running now, or did you buy it already dead? What happened that you ended up having it parked? HTH, Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 BTW, for lower, stiffer springs try getting a set from a 4 door chevette at the JY. They are bolt in to the Z car and lower it about 1 inch. Scott (ZR8ED) told me about this one, so drop him and email or PM and he may be able to give you some specifics. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Yup Chevette springs. It depends on what year of chevette is still avail.. I ended up with 1980 springs from a 4 door with air and auto tranny. Make sure they are "linear rate" springs, as they specify two types depending on model/year. I have seen threads here about cheapo mods.. not sure the forum, but I know I contributed to them... My fav that I STILL have in the car is the Regulation hockey puck for my steering coupler... much stiffer than stock, and cheaper than an MSA aftermarket one. There are lots of simple brake upgrades as well. 1984 4x4 toyota pickup.. font calipers are basically bolt on to our stock mounts and fit our stock rotors. Cut stock springs works as well. I had 4 coils or so cut from my stock springs...I enjoyed that setup for years... What all is wrong with the car since you parked it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest low-budget Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Some good info here for me, thanks . The reason I parked it. Well, the suspension was way past gone, and on the hazardous side to drive at all (yeah, I know, boo and bad on me for letting it get that way, but I hated working in the apt. parking lot, we now have a house so I can work in the garage). I still used it for the occasional trip to the store (at the time that was no further than out the apartment complex and a block down the normally not busy street), but then the fuel pump stopped working, so we replaced that, and it ran for a day, then stopped again. At that point, I had aquired a '75 Firebird and was playing with that a bit, you know, new toy and all , then the time just kinda got away from me (this was at least 3 years ago) and I've sold the Firebird. So now I'm back to the Z . I really think the problem with the fuel pump is nothing more than a bad connection in a switch I installed, because the pump would keep running when the motor was off (something I need to fix as well), like when I would try to listen to the stereo in the car. This thought didn't occur to me when we were working on it, and I think if I track that down, and do the required things for a motor that's been sitting for a while (gas, oil, coolant, etc) it should fire up. It was a good runner, though in need of valve seals (just another thing to do). I was also halfway through rebuilding the brakes so I've still got the rest of the parts to finish that up. It needs a complete suspension. Struts are gone, all bushings are gone, rear end clunks, steering rack is worn, etc... etc... I'll tackle them all in time. Getting the motor running is really the least of my worries, as I won't let the thought that it won't crank even enter my mind. Add the fact that, my friend that is keeping it for me has at least 6 other z cars in his yard, and I have no fear whatsoever that we can get it fired up . I did drive this car for many years, so I know it well. BTW, ZR8ED, where, exactly, can I find where they specify the chevette springs as being a linear rate? Is this info on the web, or do I have to look in a book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 The parts stores listed different part #'s for the linear and progressive rate springs. BTW you only buy the front springs.. use them front and back... Um if it is still fuel injected, I think the relay for the fuel pump is under the passenger seat. As far as suspension stuff goes. go to the parts store and pick up some universal endlinks for the sway bars.. cheaper than oem units, and are a far cry better than shot bushings. May not be a big deal, but it can save you a bit.. Urethane bushing kits are avail, and are an excellent upgrade for the stock bushings.. energy suspension makes them.. A stock suspension is excellent condition actually handles very well.. most who complain of poor handling are also running around on 30 year old suspensions/bushings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 Um if it is still fuel injected, I think the relay for the fuel pump is under the passenger seat. For the '78, the pump relay is in the engine compartment on the right side with all the other relays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 Just curious, I think that I gave you friend with 6 Zcars a L28 that I had taking up too much room. He might remember me, heck I would remember a guy that gave me a free motor, even if it did need rebuilding. I remember he sent picks of 5-6 Zcars all in a row in his yard. Did he ever rebuild it, or is he just hanging onto it?? Glad to see ya reviving your Z. My grandfather always says, "the worst thing for a car, is to let it sit for a long time." Well I wish ya luck finding what you want at a low budget. Also....ZcarAtlanta (770-446-1090) might save you some bucks instead of buying from MSA, but you gotta haggle with em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest low-budget Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 I'll ask if he remembers you, but the cars are not lined up, so dunno if it's the same person . He's got like, 3 in the front yard, 1 in the back yard, 1 down the hill, 1 or more as you head out the drive . ZcarAtlanta, yeah, that's where I originally bought the car, 10+ years ago so I'm real familiar with them. The guys there were always good to me, got along with them quite well. BTW, does anybody know anything about a guy that had a place out on Winder hwy (oh, 5ish miles east of Oakwood) a few years back, had a bunch of z's out there? Year or more ago, the z's kinda dissapeared. Don't know if he moved them all or got rid of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 I've never been told by anyone about that oakwood location or guy with Zcars, but maybe its a lowkey place. As for ZcarAtlanta, they just went under new management about a year ago or so, the new owner is a bit of a heckler compared to the old owner. I understand he's there to make $ and run a business, but I've heard some outrageous prices for the parts that no one want. I guess you gotta pay to play. I'm always looking around local yards trying to find Zcars in order to avoid ZcarAtlanta, their my last resort. Their getting low on good Zcars to comb over too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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