rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 So I've read through most all of the posts i could find for about 2 days now, and I'm not a car noob, but I am a Z noob. So my question is what would I need to get the s30 fairly dumped, that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. I've read the posts about coilovers, sectioning struts, blah blah blah. lowering springs are not enough drop for me. I can spend some dough (college student some means not so much), and I have a welding class at college for the nest 3 months, so I can do some fabbing stuff. I will never cut springs or retarded stuff like that.but I know you guys have lotsa info you could share. Thanks fellas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 So I've read through most all of the posts i could find for about 2 days now, and I'm not a car noob, but I am a Z noob. So my question is what would I need to get the s30 fairly dumped, that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. I've read the posts about coilovers, sectioning struts, blah blah blah. lowering springs are not enough drop for me. I can spend some dough (college student some means not so much), and I have a welding class at college for the nest 3 months, so I can do some fabbing stuff. I will never cut springs or retarded stuff like that.but I know you guys have lotsa info you could share.Thanks fellas Smaller wheels and tires, is the easiest way to "dump". "fairly dumped" is a different story though. What are your "dumping" goals? There are all kinds of "dumps". We need more info. If you are trying out for the "dumpolympics", you need a different "dump" than for, say, "the dumpocross". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyZ Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 what is this "dumping" you speak of... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennysgreen280zt Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Just take the springs out. Nothing ghetto about that No rubbing with stock wheels and tires.... (note, I was just pushing the car in and out of the shop like that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 What info are you looking for? You say you've read about lowering springs, coilovers, I would assume sectioning as well. Do you have a question about those procedures then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 It doesn't get much cheaper or simpler than than this to lower your car... http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=11 All for the low, low price of $19.99!!! Nigel '73 240ZT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 by dumped I mean pretty low, but not as low as kennysgreen. Sorry for not being clear, but I'm asking if theres other ways to get the cars stance pretty low without coilovers, or putting nails in my tires like nigel suggested. lowering springs aren't low enough for my tastes. also I don't want to run small wheels. Kenny, you haven't driven around like that have you? does anyone have pics of their car on lowering springs so I can see how it stands? Thanks for the people who actually help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 also If read about the sectioning a little, but do you have any more in depth info on it? do people section there stock struts with the stock springs, and perches? that I don't understand also hello washingtonians, and fellow nwner (kennysgreen) btw how many people are going to golden gardens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 There is such a thing as too low. What do you intend to do with the car? Race, Street Race, Show? That will determine the proper way to lower it. You can lower it right or you an lower it wrong. The problem with wrong is that it may look good, but it will be unsafe. Normally you are height limited on the S30 by the frame rails being so low, and the control arm angles going into never-never land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 Ya, don't get me wrong, I don't want It to be spark it or park it, but say the stance of 240hokes car would be ideal. I'm going to have the car for my daily while i finish my s13 project. but I want it to look good, without making it unsafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janaka Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 This is a 280Z on eibach springs. 215.45.17 tires, not super "dumped" but it handles great and rides like a dream for what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 if that were about 1-1.5 inches lower it would be where i'd want it. Thanks for the pic! very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Then you are looking at coilovers, with probable sectioned struts, and possible relocation of front LCA inner bushings up and out. To do it right that low, I would start considering adjustable control arms, front and rear, with camber strut mounts. Not cheap. You are going to lose a lot of "street-comfort" also. http://www.arizonazcar.com/coil.html http://www.arizonazcar.com/strassy.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 I don't mind the street comfort much, I had coilovers with 12/10 spring rate on my 240sx. but Theres no way to get another 1.5 inchout out of it without dropping all that dough on on coilovers? Thanks for the help so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Start searching and reading about "roll center" and "bump steer". You will be approaching suspension angles that get weird and dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 but Theres no way to get another 1.5 inchout out of it without dropping all that dough on on coilovers? Sure.You need lowering springs and not to have 18" wheels.But you need to understand what the whole strut sectioning thing is about.You can lower your car until the cows come home with stock struts but the more you do so the less and less "bump travel" you have.Bump travel being your tires ability to move upwards without bottoming and leaving you with essentially a suspension less car in certain situations = DANGEROUS! By sectioning or shortening the strut housings you can fit strut cartridges from another model car allowing you to be lowered and have adequate bump travel.Without doing this your suspension will specialize in down travel.With very limited bump.I bought some sweet coilovers for my car which allow me to drop the car considerably.However after seeing my bump travel that is left without removing the bumpstops i realized that i now need to start over again and go with sectioned housings. So basically if you don't want to end up regretting what you've done,go ahead and do it right the first time.However it seems to me that you are just interested in a temporary ration of cool factor for your car,yes you can get away with it cheap but it will never be any more than "temporary cool" and only semi functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Start searching and reading about "roll center" and "bump steer". You will be approaching suspension angles that get weird and dangerous. There is also a FAQ about sectioning that you might want to look at. You're looking at coilovers, sectioned struts, camber plates and stiff springs to run as low as you want without bottoming out. Smaller diameter wheels will help too, although I'd guess that's not the look you're after. Don't get too crazy with the spring rates as the Z is a really flexy chassis. You'll require some pretty serious chassis stiffening mods to run a really stiff spring like you had on your 240SX. Generally we put them in in/lbs rather than the metric version around here, but you really can't go past about 300 in/lbs before the chassis starts to work as a spring. Pick key words from this thread, start searching and reading. It's all there, but we won't spoonfeed it to you. Happy searching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janaka Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 nm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.I.jonas Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynanpg Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 Ok I will search more about strut sectioning, but some of you guys are getting this all wrong. I'm asking about doing it right, safe, and relatively inexpensive. I won't cut springs, I do understand bump steer/ roll center concepts. (I don't want high spring rates, I was just stating that stiff a stiff ride is not a big deal to me) Also janaka what does tucking tires have to do with civics? People with all types of cars like the look of tucked tires, and I am no honda fan. this is a dd, that i want to be safe, and aesthetically pleasing . so unless your going to be helpful like the majority of people, then go elsewhere. Thanks I'll search more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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