240Z Street Suspension Setups

johnymd

Club Member
Since first fitting my BC's to the silver car and taking you for a drive in it, my opinion of them has dramatically changed. Whilst I had the car up on the ramp to change the gearbox, I stipped off the entire front and rear suspension and re-greased all the urethane bushes taking care to ensure all the sliding surfaces were adequately addressed. At the same time I also changed to a more road going tyre (Toyo T1r's). The change was amazing. ride is now very comfortable but still feels totally planted. The spring rates feel just right and it handles really well on the road. The ultimate grip is way off the level I get from the track tyres but for the road it more than adequate. Also the road noise is now none existent.
 

vipergts

Well-Known Forum User
Nice writeup

I have the GAZ set up and the first set had a rear hub wekded at an obscure angle with way too much neg camber, so far out but the ride is so good. MUCH better than my last car which DJ set up

They're not the most communicative but always come through in the end. Have just ordered a set for my nippers V12 XJS
 

johnymd

Club Member
I do have an old leda setup that will go back on 4BOA if I ever get around to putting it back together.
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
Excellent write up and guide to what's available! Lot of research done there and will give those looking a great insight into different choices.

NB: No apostrophes in a plural - pros cons etc ...
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Since first fitting my BC's to the silver car and taking you for a drive in it, my opinion of them has dramatically changed. Whilst I had the car up on the ramp to change the gearbox, I stipped off the entire front and rear suspension and re-greased all the urethane bushes taking care to ensure all the sliding surfaces were adequately addressed. At the same time I also changed to a more road going tyre (Toyo T1r's). The change was amazing. ride is now very comfortable but still feels totally planted. The spring rates feel just right and it handles really well on the road. The ultimate grip is way off the level I get from the track tyres but for the road it more than adequate. Also the road noise is now none existent.

Thanks for the feedback John, interesting to hear how it’s all settled down with a few alterations. It sounds like it’s been nailed now for a road car and let’s be honest ultimate grip isn’t as fun in a road car. It’ll be interesting to see what I think with the softer rear end having gone 4/4kg. Given my original aims I think it should hopefully balance nicely as a fast road/GT orientated car. I think when a budget comes into it then this could be the best way forward, I’ll reserve judgement till it’s all done though.

Woody928, doesn't read far from my older thread.

http://zclub.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27921&highlight=suspension

the Leda would be a good choice I think, well above TTT etc. Some of the intrax options, I don't think you'd notice unless 11/10ths racing!

Glad you're happy, thats all that matters. :)

Haha having just reminded myself of your thread, definitely. Well at least there’s a fairly consistent consensus coming out.

For our intended purposes we wouldn’t notice, but agree Leda was very encouraging. I was been told about a customer who had his 35 year old setup in for servicing when I enquired so they must last!

Nice writeup

I have the GAZ set up and the first set had a rear hub wekded at an obscure angle with way too much neg camber, so far out but the ride is so good. MUCH better than my last car which DJ set up

They're not the most communicative but always come through in the end. Have just ordered a set for my nippers V12 XJS

Thanks for sharing your experience, that is what really put me off of the idea of ordering from there in the end. I think most of these options will be such an improvement on what most of us have installed that we’ll be a lot happier whatever we choose :thumbs:

Excellent write up and guide to what's available! Lot of research done there and will give those looking a great insight into different choices.

NB: No apostrophes in a plural - pros cons etc ...

Thanks, it seems a complete minefield to walk through with all the options out there and not much in the way of feedback.

I’ll have to start proof reading and scrub up on my English :cheers:
 

MikeB

Well-Known Forum User
My old Z the ex Status, now Cliff 240 has a Leda set-up in it, with adjustable spring seats for 2.5 springs. The car came with what I think is a reasonably soft set circa 120/130 lbs springs, it was OK but crashed out on bumps when pushed. I did some calcs using Alan Staniforth's great old book on competition car set-ups, and then took about 20% off to allow for a fast road style. I tried a couple of different poundages up to 250, but from memory the springs in it a 200lbs ( maybe 225) front and rear, Mick might be able to confirm what's there. It handled well and was a delight when push on B roads.

Would be interested to hear what ratings Leda are suggesting, just to see if I was right ;)
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Thanks for sharing, I didn’t get to the point where spring rates were discussed with Leda so couldn’t say. I was impressed with their feedback and response though. I’ve gone with 225lbs front and rear for mine so I think I’ll be in the right bracket. Only time will tell though, in my mind going 300+ for a road car seems overkill.

Just for contrast interestingly when I spoke to Gaz they were reccomending 275 lbs front and 180 lbs rear which contrasts to other setups I’ve seen. BC for example offers 225/275 as their standard setup.
 

Paul_S

Club Member
Yep. Very useful :)

Question - is there any easy way to find out what spring rates have been fitted to a car?

I've got Arizona coilovers on mine but don't know the spec. I have sent an email to Arizona (as I also need the tool to adjust them) but haven't heard back yet.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Really helpful! Props for putting all this together :thumbs:

Yep. Very useful :)

No worries chaps, glad it was of some use. Not sure whether its worth trying to build a couple of threads with useful info like this to add as 'stickies' on the forum so people can get fast answers to regularly asked questions? I'm sure suspension and brake option info threads would be very popular.....

- is there any easy way to find out what spring rates have been fitted to a car?

I've got Arizona coilovers on mine but don't know the spec. I have sent an email to Arizona (as I also need the tool to adjust them) but haven't heard back yet.

Can't help on that one I'm afraid, I don't know of any way of telling short of contacting the original manufacturer/seller which you've done.
 

Mick Cliff

Well-Known Forum User
My old Z the ex Status, now Cliff 240 has a Leda set-up in it, with adjustable spring seats for 2.5 springs......but from memory the springs in it a 200lbs ( maybe 225) front and rear, Mick might be able to confirm what's there. It handled well and was a delight when push on B roads.....
Pretty sure they're 200lb springs and they give very progressive yet predictable handling on B roads, if a little harsh for A roads. In addition it's quite low and 'sleeping policemen' have to be negotiated carefully!
Interestingly, when i bought the car off MikeB and drove it home from Ireland using 200 miles of motorways we were 2-up plus luggage plus a boot load of spares it was eminently 'comfortable'. Relieving the car of those additional loads resulted in an 'OMG what have I bought' moment, it was like driving a skateboard!
Other than maybe raising the car perhaps 15-20mm I wouldn't change a thing
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
Just for contrast interestingly when I spoke to Gaz they were reccomending 275 lbs front and 180 lbs rear which contrasts to other setups I’ve seen. BC for example offers 225/275 as their standard setup.

I think it's always worth remembering that spring rates on their own are not telling the whole story.

Spring rates (not forgetting all the other spring parameters which are so important in individual applications) have to be judged in relation to the bump and rebound rates of the dampers they are paired with. This is why - sometimes - a high spring rate can feel more compliant and comfortable than a lower spring rate. It's all in the damping.

Maybe - if they are known to work - it's not absolutely necessary to know the full bump/rebound (or 'knee point') data for a particular set of off-the-shelf dampers, but it would be nice if the supplier could at least provide some details of the damping range when they are adjustable, as well as whether they are progressive or digressive. I would tend not to trust suppliers who cannot, or will not, do this.

I think BC fall into that category.
 

MikeB

Well-Known Forum User
Relieving the car of those additional loads resulted in an 'OMG what have I bought' moment, it was like driving a skateboard!
Other than maybe raising the car perhaps 15-20mm I wouldn't change a thing

Mick, you're not driving it quick enough ;)
I always found it most comfortable when kept over 70. Yes, raising it up a tad would help the exhaust clear those sleeping rossers. (or get one of Sean's systems, ofcourse)
 
I think it's always worth remembering that spring rates on their own are not telling the whole story.

Spring rates (not forgetting all the other spring parameters which are so important in individual applications) have to be judged in relation to the bump and rebound rates of the dampers they are paired with. This is why - sometimes - a high spring rate can feel more compliant and comfortable than a lower spring rate. It's all in the damping.

Maybe - if they are known to work - it's not absolutely necessary to know the full bump/rebound (or 'knee point') data for a particular set of off-the-shelf dampers, but it would be nice if the supplier could at least provide some details of the damping range when they are adjustable, as well as whether they are progressive or digressive. I would tend not to trust suppliers who cannot, or will not, do this.

I think BC fall into that category.

I think alot is to do with the quality of the dampers like you say. Intrax would tell me the spring spec but not the spec of the damper, even as a customer! I guess its to help protect the way they set up each corner. They do tell you how they're valved though. Also get a leaflet stating what the base setting is for the spec you've got and reccomended adjustments from that point.


What diameter are the rods on the bc stuff?

The alan stainforth books are a good read, can get mind boggling though.

Not to mention tyre sidwall stiffness or tyre pressures etc.

Its all important for wheeling in and out of the garage.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Some great input here, I'll box down to your superior knowledge as I'll admit mine is rather superficial based on what I've picked up from my inquiries. .

Seems to echo the conversation we had a while ago on facebook Alan, I agree BC definitely fall into the camp where there isn't enough information provided with regard to the suitable damping range given the adjustment available. I suppose the lack of info is associated with the more entry level price point its aimed at. One to add to the cons list!

Couldn't tell you about the diameter Jason as the coilovers are 100 miles away right now having just been welded together. Just more motive for you to crack on with yours and give us a review having used the Intrax setup in anger ;)
 
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