Duran_rs Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Hi! I'm about to change the shocks and springs of my 1977 280z, but I realy don't know wich brand or combo of 2 is a good idea to try... from the brands i have seen on the market (tokico, K&B, Eibach, Bilstein) I had chosen the tokico Illumina Kit (shocks and spring) at about $450 but i had read many articles about problems with 240, 260 and 280z on this configuration... I´m living in Monterrey, Mexico, so it a bit dificult to find a good person that could modify sertanly pieces, so i need to choose a suspension that works bether than OEM but dont need a lot of work to mount... so what is your opinion? wich one do you things will be the best one for me? i read in an other topic bout these other brands: Koni / Illumina / Tokico / Carrera / Bilstein / Ground Control and also about Tein springs, but on they web page there's no aplication for the 280z... thanks a lot for the opinions and help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizardBlack Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Hi! I'm about to change the shocks and springs of my 1977 280z, but I realy don't know wich brand or combo of 2 is a good idea to try... from the brands i have seen on the market (tokico, K&B, Eibach, Bilstein) I had chosen the tokico Illumina Kit (shocks and spring) at about $450 but i had read many articles about problems with 240, 260 and 280z on this configuration... I´m living in Monterrey, Mexico, so it a bit dificult to find a good person that could modify sertanly pieces, so i need to choose a suspension that works bether than OEM but dont need a lot of work to mount... so what is your opinion? wich one do you things will be the best one for me? i read in an other topic bout these other brands: Koni / Illumina / Tokico / Carrera / Bilstein / Ground Control and also about Tein springs, but on they web page there's no aplication for the 280z... thanks a lot for the opinions and help! You really told us absolutely nothing about the intended use of the car. Or your budget. Or your fab skill. Etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duran_rs Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 ^^^^ sorry about it... I was a little bit in a hurry for help XD a really dont want any super-performance stuff... I´m looking for something better than OEM susp. for the street and some times be able to take my ride to the circuit... What i really want (talking about springs) is something that get the car lower... whitout cutting the springs... I don't know if I'm being very clear about what i want... My Z will not race every weekend on the circuit or anything like that... almos all the time will be on the streets and some times will do some street racing, and a few times on the year will take a lap or 2 on a circuit where I get invited sometimes... At firsth I thought on the Tokico Illumina Shocks and the Ground Control Coils, but the GC Coils are to expensive for my needs... So, I'm looking for an alternative. Hope you guys understand muy dilema... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h4nsm0l3m4n Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I was kind of in the same situation as you last year. I wanted to lower my car and get a bit of a sportier ride as well. For me it came down to Tokico Illumina Shocks/Springs or GC coilovers with Illumina Shocks. I would have preferred to get the coilovers at the time but in addition I'd have had to get camber plates, and get my struts sectioned if I wanted to do the job properly. Cost of the extra stuff was too much for me at the time so I went with the Tokico Illumina Shock/Spring setup. I installed everything in a weekend and have had no problems. I'm pretty happy with it and glad I made the choice that I did. One thing though, the Tokico setup doesnt give your car that aggressive of a drop. Maybe an inch lower at most. If youre looking to go lower its going to take more work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 My choice was TOKICO HZ3012 185 lb/in and HZ3013 200 lb/in springs and shocks, bump stops 88-715 from Black Dragon and spacers 23-4186 from zcarparts.com. After reading the threads about Tokico kits dropping the car to the ground I was more than a little worried about this swap. But it all worked out perfectly. Make sure you get 280Z setup and get the spacers and bump stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duran_rs Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 ^^^^^ Thanks a lot for the help guys! My final choice was: Tokico Illumina Shocks/Springs Tokico strut mounts and boots Prothane Total bushings Kit All from yoparts.com according to the year an model of my Z =) So, now I just have to wait until all the stuff arrives to Laredo, Tx. I already have the strut spacer, but I'm not shure if i really need them for the lower altitude of the car?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 I already have the strut spacer, but I'm not shure if i really need them for the lower altitude of the car?... From everyone I talked to you need the spacers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duran_rs Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 thanks deja! now i think I'm ready for the upgrade =D I just have to be patient... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yhlz Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 My choice was TOKICO HZ3012 185 lb/in and HZ3013 200 lb/in springs and shocks, bump stops 88-715 from Black Dragon and spacers 23-4186 from zcarparts.com. After reading the threads about Tokico kits dropping the car to the ground I was more than a little worried about this swap. But it all worked out perfectly. Make sure you get 280Z setup and get the spacers and bump stops. how agressive looking is this setup? i'm just really looking into a similar set up. i just want to lower it to make it look aggressive. i don't want it so low to where it's gonna be scraping all the time. actually, the lower the better and at the moment it's gonna be a street car only, no track time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Not really aggresisve. I'm running 215x50x17 tires. The side skirts make it look lower but its probably down where a stock 240Z sits. how agressive looking is this setup? i'm just really looking into a similar set up. i just want to lower it to make it look aggressive. i don't want it so low to where it's gonna be scraping all the time. actually, the lower the better and at the moment it's gonna be a street car only, no track time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Mine Motors Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 i once had the tokico illumina kit you just bought. i loved it and had no problems. it was a bit soft for me so i decided to add aftermarket sway bars. the sway bars really complemented the kit and untill this day that z car was my favorite ride quality out of all my z cars. it was very comfortable and handeled great for agresive street driving. so i would recomend sway bars for you. 1 inch front and the thickest you can find for the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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