Do you need to upgrade a Z32 Suspension?

[karthalin]

Either I am a friggin retard, or the 300ZX has luscious suspension to begin with... but...

I've been to a lot of forum pages and I have not found one thread posing the question:

I want the best handling available, should I leave a 90's 300ZX suspension alone or should I scour the internet for parts? If I do scour, which company(s) make the best suspension package for this car? Should I go with Coilovers? Should I blow my money on STILLEN or are there cheaper upgrades that are better?

Any info is appreciated. Even better, any NUMBERS or STATS to back up a mod would be greatly appreciated. Say, a certain coilever set up improves skidpad G's from X to X.1, err, whatever, you know what I mean.

Either TT or NA, i dont know if theres a major suspension difference between them. And the HICAS system would be taken out of the TT in this scenario.

[karthalin]

I just read SPL make the best stuff for Z's, so I guess I answered my own question. New Question: Anything better then SPL? Anyone have experience with SPL they might want to share?

Can we make a Z that pulls over 1G on the Skidpad? Is 1G good? I heard that was a high number for skidpad measuerments...

[1viadrft]

I'm a SUSPENSION NUT! That's all I ever talk about! SPL has some great stuff! All of there stuff is on my wish-list! ESCORT Racing (famous for their monster drag Z32) has some nice stuff too... nothing really different from SPL, but it's JDM! TEIN makes good coilover systems for all cars including the Z32... but if you are on a budget and can't afford them I would recommend some adjustable KYB shocks with EBIACH springs... that's what I'm doing along with countless tricked out suspension mods ( I love that Fender Brace from SPL).

[karthalin]

ok, so the ULTIMATE suspension to give the BEST all around car (not just DRAG), this is what I should get:

SPL Coilovers ~ 1140$
STILLEN Sway bars ~ 240$
Urethane steering rack bushing ~ 19$
SPL front and pro rear upper arms and tension rods combo ~ $749
SPL tension rods S13/Z32 ~ 167$
SPL pro front lower arm Z32 ~ 600$
SPL pro rear upper arms S13/Z32 ~ 293$
SPL pro rear traction rods Z32 ~ 234$
SPL pro rear toe arms Z32NA ~ 232$
SPL pro rear lower arms Z32 ~ 775$
SPL rear stabilizer link Z32 ~ 220$
SPL pro rear multilink bushings Z32 ~ 156$
SPL pro rear shock mount bushings Z32 ~ 232$
SPL subframe bushing collars ~ 94$
SPL pro aluminum subframe bushings ~ 180$
Nismo differential mounting bushings Z32 ~ 179$
SPL front fender brace Z32 ~ 242$ (I hear this is better then strut bars)
Do-luck rear ladder bar Z32 2-seater only ~ 229$ (is this available for the 2+2 by a different company?)

Courtesy ~ http://www.splparts.com/
a 6,000$ suspension kit, sounds pretty good, I guess. Heh

Basically, I dont know a whole lot about suspension, but I do want the best for my car and I really want to learn. So, am I missing anything here?

[1viadrft]

The Carbing (very JDM!) is sold by SPL... and it's a very good bar with a perfect fit! I have one finally (no pix yet)!! The fender-brace can be used in place of a strut-bar but why not have both? The more the merrier I say! All the other mods you have listed are good!

PS--Neither Do-Luck or anyone else makes the rear ladder bar for the Z32. Would probably have to hunt them down in JDM land where 2+2's are mighty popular!

[karthalin]

i'll take that into account, get a front strut bar and search JDM for a 2+2 rear ladder bar, if I get a 2+2. While were at it, do u know where I can get a 91+ 300ZX? I'd prefer a Tt, but I can engine swap if need be.

[1viadrft]

Autotrader is my nest bet... or just keep your eyes peeled.

[freakonaleash1187]

autotrader.com is a great site. that is where i found my baby. when i do get a strut bar, i want to get the carbing. looks the best and i've heard holds the best.

[Broke_as_****]

Unless you are going out for some really serious track time, ie turning your Z32 into a full out race car, the stock suspension is more then adequate. Your money is better spent on power upgrades.

[karthalin]

I've always preffered a good handling car to an extremely fast car..

I planned on getting a suspension package and a big brake kit as my first upgade. This way I feel more confident through the twisties (technical term?). Then go all out for performance. You think that getting the engine pimped to shit is better to do first Broke?

[westpak]

I did my suspension first due to age of the car plus wanting it handle well after being used to the 350Z.

I liked the adjustable feature of the TT so I went with stock shocks, which are Tokico, and added the following:
Eibach Springs
ST Swaybars
Carbing Strut bars
Replaced Steering rack bushings
300 Degree Camber kit
Replaced Tension Rod bushings

And it handles great.

[Broke_as_****]

I think you need to know what the car is being used for and build to that. If you are autocrossing or going road racing on a short, twisty track, go with that. But the stock suspension with a few tweeks can handle all that and more. Don't spend money on parts just to have them. That is what you do with a show car.

[karthalin]

So, sway bars and strut bars, (mabye the front fender brace) and some nice adjustable coilovers should cover it for now until I want some serious action is what it sounds like to me

[Broke_as_****]

A full coilover replacement is probably a bit much but provides more fliexiblity. A bar here or there and some upgrades bushings where they count and it will be enough for just about anything short of a full race car.

And as far as the front fender brace and front strut brace go, one can't be better then the other because they do different things. Actually, they do the same thing, stiffen the chassis (dur), but in different places. You will most likely see more benefit from a pair of fender braces that mount straight to the door hinge bolts and then to a drilled point under the fender.

Here is some more info on this stuff:

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/february04/240sx/

[westpak]

Unless you have money you don't know what to do with or are going to do a lot of track day events the coilovers will be overkill, just get a good set of shocks and the Eibachs and you will be set. Try that and replacing all of the bushings and making sure age related items are good and the car will handle fine then you can decide if you need swaybars and/or strut bars. I think the rear strut bar is a must to help with the wheel hop some.