Well, now Im happy with the power on the car (For now), thought I would look at the suspension.

 

I thought the suspension was standard, but it has harder than normal springs. Good for cornering, bad for a smooth ride.

 

With the 99 front end the car seems a lot lower, hits speed bumps more often, though only a v light scrape.

 

How far have you managed to lower your car, without sacrificing too much every day usability?

Don't do it!

 

If you can't get round a corner with stock height suspension, then YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST!

 

:dance:

 

seriously though, you're entering a whole world of pain here.

Im not bothered with lowering it. Far from it! :)

 

I just want a good quality alternative to the standard setup.

 

Any ideas?

Originally posted by Bigbscan

Im not bothered with lowering it. Far from it! :)

 

I just want a good quality alternative to the standard setup.

 

Any ideas?

 

The standard setup if working correctly ain't to bad Brian

 

I have just changed mine to bilstein's all round and there isn't really any notiable difference to be honest.

 

Ryan

Then mine is not right. :(

 

Its got a loose feeling at the back, doesn't feel planted. Which is not what Ive heard about the Z!

 

In fact, its never felt properly sorted. Even though the dampers at the back have been replaced. Hmmmm...

Jap Zs have softer suspention than UK Zs. I hear the UK Spec suspention is actually quite good.

I remember reading something in Jap Performance advising NOT to lower a Zed.

 

I have thought about it for aestetic reasons only, but never have coz of that point. Plus the car handles fine on stock set-up.

 

Don't know why it's bad to lower it, though perhaps someone could explain......:)

 

Richard

Even so, a Z should have good handling, even if it is a Jap spec one, shouldnt it? :confused:

Don't know why it's bad to lower it, though perhaps someone could explain

 

One blinding reason is that you will get greatly increased negative camber all round. This is fine if you will spend your days going round the track pulling 0.9g but for everyday use you will scrub the inside edges of your tyres.

 

Also your suspension arms wont sit at their design angles. So poly front tie rod bushes will be stressed even when going straight and level with no bumps. Pillow ball type would be different but they bring their own stress issues when potholes are encountered.

 

Sure you can compensate with adjustable top links front and rear but there were recent reports of these failing with some makes.

 

Also on top of this you need to tell your insurer who would use it to relieve you of yet more cash.

 

If you want trick electronic set up then fit UK rears and US spec fronts. They have actuators to turn the damping hard (sport). But even normal on a UK one is pretty firm with 17" or 18" wheels

Originally posted by WillieO

One blinding reason is that you will get greatly increased negative camber all round. This is fine if you will spend your days going round the track pulling 0.9g but for everyday use you will scrub the inside edges of your tyres.

 

I'll post an example this week :( you can the steel wires on one:eek:

Thanks Willie

 

I knew about the negative camber issue from past experiences but didn't realise what else would be affected.

 

Just as well I'm leaving it all alone then;)

 

The UK set-up is more than good enough:D

 

Richard

Originally posted by Bigbscan

Then mine is not right. :(

 

Its got a loose feeling at the back, doesn't feel planted. Which is not what Ive heard about the Z!

 

In fact, its never felt properly sorted. Even though the dampers at the back have been replaced. Hmmmm...

 

Get it tracked up, if the four wheel alignment is out then this causes the loose rear end feeling.

 

cheerz, mickey

just get it lowered man, you know it makes sense. I've got eibach springs and kyb adjustables, i'm very happy with it.

 

on my previous car i had spax all round and found the car a bit too harsh on the road, cd kept skipping etc, but ive not encountered this with my current set up on this car.

i agree with scoops - just a tad lower makes it look all the better

 

reagrds,

 

alex

I went for Koni adjustable shocks and Blitz springs. The springs don't lower the car too much and the handling is much better.

Dave

You need to have polyurethane bushes.

 

And Pillow Ball tension rods (aka Rose)

 

Heard good things about after-market roll bars -

thicker steel and solid section.

Sloppy back end could be your ACAS, or it could be tired rear suspension arms (as mine) - particularly noticeable by a side step over potholes.

 

Just a few hundred quid on some new rear arms and she goes round corner like a thing that is good at going round corners.

 

:dance:

 

As for Scoops being right - don't be daft - he's a SCOUSER!

 

:shock:

lol. :)

 

The thing is, as part of my MOT I had all the worn parts replaced. It was a lot better then, but now seems to have 'gone off'.

 

Esp. since a Citroen Picasso went into the back of me. :mad:

 

Oh well, should turn out OK in the end.

Oh, and how much difference would front and rear strut braces make, what have been peoples experience with them?

Originally posted by NigelBoyd

Sloppy back end could be your ACAS, or it could be tired rear suspension arms (as mine) - particularly noticeable by a side step over potholes.

 

Just a few hundred quid on some new rear arms and she goes round corner like a thing that is good at going round corners.

 

:dance:

 

As for Scoops being right - don't be daft - he's a SCOUSER!

 

:shock:

 

lmfao.. ACAS isnt that a union of some kind... u mean hicas!!!!

Don't know what eutopia some of you guys live in, but lowering is not an option round here, at normal ride height, the speed humps give me a heart attack everytime I have to cross any!! would soon bash up the chassis if any lower!!

 

Paul N

I've got Konis and blitz kit too, really pleased with it.

Found with the standard stuff on my old car, which was all new, it was a prone to understeer when you pushed it really hard. TBH, felt like a wallowy old barge when trying to change direction quickly through a tight series of bends.

The new set up is really quite neutral with 255/235 tyres and will oversteer before the front washes out, but it's progressive and not too hard to catch. Turn in is really quick and direct.

Ride height was actually a little higher than some we compared it with (b19rks I think) but I'm guessing that's because most old springs are sagged.

My standard UK spec car was terrible at the back end when I first bought it. Hitting a bumb at anything over 50mph and it would step out (not nice when blasting past people down narrow country lanes!!)

I spent a morning with the tracking gauge setting both front and back up and it was so much better. The back was only out of spec by a tiny amount but it made all the difference.

Strongly suggest you get it tracked up.

HTH

Nick

:cool:

Cheers,

 

Hopefully I can get this sorted out without spending too much money.

 

Cause I need all the money I can get to save up for new ICs, injectors and turbos! ;)