Coil Over Recommendations

[Guest Anonymous]

My Z is in dire need of a coilover setup. I want to run a 8" rear to clear my soon to be 26" tires and a stock ride height. I haven't seen any discussions on spring rates on heaver Zs. Mine is a 2+2 with a heavy motor and a heavy driver. I would like a soft suspension for weight transfer and my wife. Remember that my car is a 3200 pound car with a 50/50 weight ratio. Also where should I get them?

[Modern Motorsports Ltd]

Rickey, is a soft suspension your main goal? Any other 'combined' uses you want to wrap into the result? What mods if any are on the car now? (ie. sway bars etc? OEM swaybars are one of the best to keep a softer ride IMO, and if you want it a bit tighter then stiffer bars AND keep the softer springs/struts).

 

Are the coilovers strictly for wheel clearance? If all soft then I'd choose stockish strut inserts like a base KYB or Gabriela and 150/175 lb/in front/rear spring rates. Higher rear rate as I assume you load it up on occasion and that'll prevent the rear squat on trips etc that can wear out your inner tire edge and in short order destroy what were otherwise fine tires (ask me how I know....1500miles loaded with tools and 2 tires shot 6 yrs or more ago...arggg). As you want an 8" long spring I might even lean towards a 200 lb/in as the 8 is more sensitive to bottoming out as it has less travel to coilbind vs. a 10" spring and struts don't like being coilbound:( Depends on your roads...if you don't get any sharp bumps/surprises then you don't have to fear bind as much.

 

They can be had from several sources including myself (Modern Motorsports Ltd). Some pics of some hardware I offer is on my web, URL below.

 

PS Z owners have cleared 8's without coilovers, you just need to space them correctly. A friend will be selling a set of 16x8 3pc Epsilons shortly that fit great without coilovers, if he hasn't sold them yet I'll likely post them on my web as they're a fine wheel any Z enthusiast could enjoy, 4lugs to boot. Email me if you want details. If you have wheels that clear OEM perches then we can put you into comfortable springs in the 10" or 12" length for true comfort and ride quality for your needs would improve substantially.

[Guest Anonymous]

The goal of the car is a straight line riceburner killer. I currently have stock springs and AutoZone struts. The rear spring perches have been relocated to clear the wheel and tire combo that I have selected (235/60/15 BFG drag tires rear). I will defiantly need an 8" spring in the rear. I have the stock 2+2 front sway bar and no rear bar. Currently the front bar isn't connected due to a lack of end links.

 

Spring rate is going to be the main question. This car will never be autocrossed, but will be driven to the drag strip and played with around town. It is a heavy car, would 200 lbs springs be enough in the rear? I am very new, but I had 250 rear and 200 front stuck in my head. Who knows why that comes to mind.

[Guest scca]

200 FRONT and 250 rear is ok but maybe not for 1/4 mile.

Scottie can tell you more for drag starts what works. i think 175 was tossed around. BUT if you are on the HWY and crusing at 60 when you tromp on it that may be a bit soft. ???

 

i definitely dont have first hand 1/4 experience (at least documented ) i mostly do road racing on tracks.

 

for a street car driven pretty hard i usually suggest 175 and 200 F/R. and go to 200/225 if its a healthy L6 or a V8. and a wild motor to 225/250. (thats what is in my car)

 

all depends on what / where you drive the most to choose the spring. some have used upto 350 on the street but IMO thats way too stiff... my race car uses 450lb but thats a track only car not a street use car. - and tube frame and... and..

[Guest Anonymous]

How about it Scottie???????