Best suspension for the 90+ 300ZX

[DemonZX]

I have been looking into different shocks and coil overs for my Z. I want something that performs well, but is not over priced. And I have been looking into all aspects of the suspension, not just shocks. When all the stuff gets put on I will probably go with sway bars, front and rear strut tower braces, shocks, springs, and urethane bushings.

Any suggestions?!

[Cbass]

From what I have heard, the Z32 is a pretty solid frame, so you probably won't need the braces until you've sorted out the rest of the car.

First thing I would advise are sway bars. Even on completely stock spring rates, they make a huge difference. The bigger the better, but you should probably ask 300ZX people what sizes they use. I would think 24mm front, and 28mm back would probably be about as much as you'd want for the street.

High quality shocks are a must, I would advise Koni, but they're pretty pricey. You can always go with a middle of the road company like Bilstein or KYB, and although you won't get quite the same performance, it'll be fairly close and a much better value.

Spring rates are something to consider for a long time. If you're going to be driving it every day for a long time, you really won't want 300lb springs all around. Your stock spring rates are probably 100-150 inch lbs. So 200 lb springs would probably make for a good handling car, with a half decent ride... Hell, it is a sports car, right?

Once all of that is dealt with, you might want to get a pair of braces, and maybe a set of bushings.

[Layla's Keeper]

Another route you might want to check out (Cbass, I'm surprised you forgot these two) is to either look at Stillen Performance kits or find Nismo stuff from Japan. These are factory endorsed products. In fact, the Nismo stuff is factory created. They'd probably be the most well designed bits and pieces for a Z32 car. Just another option.

[Cbass]

Yeah, but they're expensive as hell. I like to recommend the best value overall.

You could probably find a set of TT swaybars for a fair price.

[DemonZX]

thanks guys for the help. I will probably pick up a set of Tokico 5 way adjusables w/ eibach or HKS springs. i have been shopping around for a good while now, and I can pick a set of those up for about:
shocks-$460
springs- HKS-$265.95
Eibach-$237

I will probably go with Stillen Sway bars, high quality. Or, I could wait for NISMO, but won't start selling here until spring.

[Cbass]

Since it's you're street car, I would look for progressive rate springs. They cost a little more, but are softer in straight line and stiffer while cornering.

The Z32 is a heavy car, so I'm thinking 250 to 350 # springs would probably be streetable. The higher the spring rate, the stiffer the suspension, but the harsher the ride. It's all a matter of what you're willing to put up with.

I can't emphasize sway bars enough though. These will probably make the biggest difference for the least amount of money.

[DemonZX]

I can put up with anything. It's already loud as all hell, why not have it a little stiff for the sake of performance? Plus girls like it stiff!

[Cbass]

:hehehe: Sometimes they do, but in cars, they prefer a softer ride. We're talking harsh road noise, feeling every bump, being able to tell through your ass what kind of pavement you are on, that sort of thing.

Anyhow, there is an order you should do things.

1) Sway bars, I bet you can get a set from a 300ZX TT

2) Stiffer springs, this is your foundation, from here you work on details

3) Shocks, this is where you fine tune your suspension balance

4) Poly bushings, strut tower brace, tighten up steering ratio.

[DemonZX]

I have pretty much made my Christmas list.

Tokico 5-way's-$460
HKS Springs-$265.95
Cusco Front Strut Tower Bar-$120.95
Stillen Rear Strut Tower Bar-$172.99
Stillen Anti-Sway Bars-$235
Energy Suspension Urethane Bushings-$144.95

I HO HO HOpe I can get all these goodies!

[Cbass]

If you can, then right on. If you can't get them all, go for the order listed above... you'll get the best results.

[DemonZX]

10/4!