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Best Coil Overs?


Guest GaryZ

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This issue of Sport Z magazine has a listing of coil overs (altho, for the Z32). The listed price varied from $759 to $2125

for the various brands (Ground Control --->Tein--->HKS).

 

I am most familar with the least expensive ones listed (Ground Control), and what appeals most to me is that they can be rebuilt.

 

As most members would probably agree, once you put in a set, you usually don't experiment with other ones. But, I wondered if anyone has any experience with the various brands, or has heard anything, etc.

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Guest Anonymous

Gary Z scroll around and find the thread "Congratulations Ross Corrigan" and contact this fellow Hybrid Z member who I know for a fact that he can beat the prices you quoted with a custom set fit for your specific application. Quality coilover springs come with a warranty and that is more important to me than name..

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I have used ground-controls on my last two cars (yeah, ricers-but that's the past bonk.gif )

I liked them, they rode good for being lowered. I think the Eibach springs contributed the most to that. Note that Ross and others on hybridz sell coil-overs that also come with Eibach springs.

I think this is one of the more important components of these kits. I'm not sure that Tein or other suppliers even make kits for the early Z's but you're probably paying alot in importing costs if these are JDM parts.

Ground-controls are made in cali. and suppliers on this web-site are located in N. america as well. Plus these guys pretty much specialize in Z cars. ( ground-control has a whole section on their web-site about auto-xing Z's as well).

Jaime

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I tend to think that coil over hardware is pretty generic and paying more than you need to is stupid. It's just a threaded collar and a perch. The springs with Ground Control are Eibach--can't get any better than that. If Ross does indeed use Eibach springs with his kit, I would go with him. He is an honest businessman who has always been responsive. Support your Hybrid Z members.

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If I remember correctly, Ross's and Mike's coilovers start around $400 per set. I attemped to price the individual components to create my own set, and the best prices I could find came within $10 of their prices. Support our members.

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I bought a set of coilovers from Mike G (SCCA) and it took me ages to figure out how to adapt them to my 280ZX, as I guess not many people have coil overed a 280ZX. I am happy with the finished product, although the installation was quite frustrating, as this was the first time trying to adapt such a custom suspension set-up on my car. Mike's prices were great ($400 for the entire set) and he helped me out as much as he could, which was duly appreciated.

 

Full write up coming soon on my website.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Yasin

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I guess not many people have coil overed a 280ZX. I am happy with the finished product, although the installation was quite frustrating

Hmm, my 280ZX coilover's include custom rear mounts that all bolt on if you're using Illumina's as their strut perch 'knocks off' and my custom ones slip on. Were you using Illumina's or others with knock off perches? It's quite a bit quicker than typical Z coilovers as their's no perches out back to cut off (with 'knock off' struts), new custom mounts just slip on and away you go ;) Mine are similar to Ground Control in some ways, but mine allow use of longer springs (Ground Control's typically only allow use of 8" long springs which you therefore run at a higher rate) for more choices in ride quality.

 

My 280ZX coilovers are slightly more than typical Z units as a result (see my web) but the custom rear mounts I undervalue in the pricing and it's a very slick install with great flexibility long term.

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Guest Anonymous

Unfortunately Gary Z did not identify what Z he has: 240? 280? 280ZX? ( a lot of differences).The web page offered for Brian's Garage is an excellant info source for coilover modification with instructions plus vendors. The threaded adjusting sleeves Brian identifies from Stock Car Products are too small in diameter to fit the larger 280 strut tube and suited to the 240 tube. The "standard" adjusting sleeve can be machine bored to fit a 280 strut tube but that really adds to the overall cost.Mike Gibson or RossC has the correct size tube and knows that difference. Also if you figure up the individual prices on the sourced parts + all the shipping and compare them to our members prices..not much difference..if any. (Tein ? I find it hard to pay more for a few parts than what in reality these cars are really worth like it is really going to improve performance that much and apreciate the cars value....)

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Hi Ross - I had no idea you had a coilover set-up available for the 280ZX - oh well - I learnt alot by putting this kit together.

 

I could not find rear Illuminas ANYWHERE - holy cow - I am shocked to see you have them! I had to end up using Tokico Pro-DraG (the green race ones) on the back and I had to cut the perches off them - naturally that hurt, as I paid a pretty penny for these shocks, as they are so rare now.

 

I am also running an 8" spring in the rear as well BTW.

 

Here is my site - does my rear set-up look similar to yours?

 

www.picturetrail.com/slownrusty

 

Regards - Yasin

 

BTW - nice website - just bookmarked it.

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Guest Anonymous

Yasin, really good intstallation . I see that you used the aluminum strut spacers (including a fine buff finish) instead of relocating the lower control arm pivot hole. Where did you source the adjusting sleeves and did they need to be bored out on the front and rear applications. A 280ZX V8 is for sale locally and I am trying to become more famialiar with these cars.

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TomahawkZ - Thanks for the plug! It took me almost 2months to get everything finished and I am pleased with the overall result - I am glad that the effort was worth it.

 

To answer your questions. The adjusting sleeves you are referring to, you mean the threaded collars right? If so, I purchased them from Mike G (SCCA) at fonebooth.com

 

The strut spacers I bought off eBay from Rick from Vancouver with the RB26DETT 240Z that was advertised and it took me about 20minutes to polish and buff them.

 

Good luck on the 280ZX V8!

 

Regards - Yasin

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I am currently using Ground Control coil overs on my E-Prod 240z, but wanted to know what else was 'out there.' When we installed them several years ago there were no other choices other than assembling the individual pieces, cutting to fit, and hoping for the best!

 

I am really impressed at the selection available from the members.

 

BTW, the Tein's seemed directed at the late model 300ZX, 240SX, etc. They seemed to have ignored earlier models. . .their loss!

 

I was a bit suprised at the Tein RA spring rates of 671/559 (f/r) lbs/in, even for the much heavier 300ZX.

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Guest Anonymous

Ground Control has about the best adusting nuts with the split body and allen screw to tighten the diameter of the nut on the adjusting sleeve not an allen head screw to tighten directly against the adjusting sleeve.I got the good Ground Control adjusting nuts from Ross C. Ross also has the "washer" spring perchs that are close tolerance fit on the strut tubes.

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Guest Anonymous

Nismo... why not share your "all 4 corner coilovers for $200.00" bonaza source with all of us. I searched high and low for under $400.00 and found nothing. That is $50.00 a wheel and about the cheapest for quality warranteed coilovers is right at $40.00+ a piece.Sleeves,nuts,hats and perches are not free.

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