First Z Car / Suspension question

[djmeyers]

My vehicle experience so far is all off-roading (2000 tacoma, lockers, suspension, gearing, etc) and I had been using it as a daily driver, but that was becoming a pita so I decided to get a nice, reliable, low-mileage car...but then some bastard used car dealer had a 1980 280zx with an immaculate body for sale (seriously, this car is far more beautiful then any girl I have ever dated) and I was smitten. Now I have two project vehicles . I have been reading up on these boards for the last two weeks, and find myself with another time-consuming money-burning hobby coming on (I am in physics graduate school, so broke AND busy).

 

A total tune-up really woke up the L28. Bought a CAI, MSA 6-2 header, and catback exhaust (I know this is only getting me around 10whp, but on something with ~112whp that's noticable) and did weight reduction. As it sits (CAI in already) it is a lot of fun to drive. Corners like a beast (shocks are shot, but I like boats anyways) and, after the CAI, at full throttle the pickup is damn impressive for an engine built 6 years before I was born. Eventually want to do a decent performance cam and port/polished head and bore the TB, AFTER I figure out megasquirt . Adding a turbo may happen further down the line, but it'll be a decent track car without it (quarter mile racing is to performance cars as mud-bogging is to off-roading )

 

Finally, has anyone ran the tokico HP suspension kit? Its so much cheaper then going to coil-overs and if it performs much better then the stock system it'll be enough for me.

[jbehuniak]

I'm running the Black Tokico springs in my 76 280Z along with the Illumnia 5 way adjustable shocks and the MSA sway bar. Also camber plates and replaced the strut mount bushings and cleaned the bearings in the front. Along with the poly bushing kit, it feels like a completely different car. The wheel and tire package compliments the car alot and didn't lower it too much. If I had to do it again I would of gotten stiffer springs but thats because I have a 2+2 and it weighs a little more in the back. I every now and again will scrape my electric cut out on speed bumps but it was kinda weird to mount into my exhaust...

But the car has litteraly no body roll and hugs the corners like its on rails.

There was a post on Tokico springs binding and not working right after you bottom out, I have never seen it happen on either Z, my 75 or 76. But if you want to know more you can search on it. I believe there are links to other springs you can get that are just as good if not better. Hope this helps!

[sticky280zx]

Just gonna let you know He has a ZX...which is a totally different beast vs the 240/260/280Z.

 

Alright well, there are alot of things you can do to make that car quicker and one of the cheapest after what you already have is, TIMING.

 

These cars love it, search the forums and you will notice, although you might spend a little more $$ at the pump the extra UMPH will be well worth it.

 

But yes the HP setup will work damn good, i have it on my car right now (still has the stickers on it, and only been rolled around/driven for maybe 50 miles lol bought the car with them in a box) and ill probably be taking it off for my coilovers, thats about a month or so out but if you can wait i can make you a good deal =) But these cars with shocks and springs (even the hp NON edjustables) if you buy MSA's swaybar kit thats all you really need to do, ofcourse bushings and new ball joints/tie rods will help out alot as well.

[jbehuniak]

Yup that whole 1980 280ZX should of been a big hint... oops

[Elemeno]

If he doesn't want your suspension kit, I need one. Haha.

But I'm not sure if that suspension kit is all there is to suspension for my 1981 280zx. I don't know anything about cars lol. I bought my 280 for 1500 so it needs work. Suspension work being a big part of it as well as rack and pinion, so my dad says. But yeah let me know!

[roger.svoboda]

if you don't replace tie rod ends, ball joints and put in poly bushings all that other fancy gear is a waste.

[sticky280zx]

I have to disagree...poly bushings arent a must, and while at extremes will help, but also can be too rigid for daily driving. Ball joints and tie rods are more of a must but thats more because of front end shaking as well as tire wear.

[roger.svoboda]

I did the front end on two z31's and made them both drive like a different car. If you haven't tried it don't knock it. also an S130. If you think all it does is reduce front end shaking then you must like driving a car that wallows down the road like a drunken pig. the other benefit is it goes where you point it not willy nilly.