Suspension replacement advice for a '73 240z

Graeme - CZ

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Hmm, not sure I am any further forward. Lot's of interesting discussions.

So choices would seems as follow:

Tokico (standard replacement spring / shock - no welding, available in different sizes)
BC Racing
Gaz
Intrax
Leda

(this is when I wish there was a poll feature on the forum)
 
Graeme - CZ

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
I think my conclusion at the moment would still be, the BC probably the best bet for a road car. I do not have any aspirations to put the car on the track, or other major performance modifications. I basically just want to replace the old ones, and my needs are a) ability to adjust the height to suit (as this seems difficult with bolt in options) and b) not too stiff a ride.

Does anyone know which of the BC setups is best for a reasonable ride? Or is it there recommended 4/5kg. I have a standard 240z with L28 block / gearbox.
 
MaximG

MaximG

Well-Known Forum User
Graeme - CZ said:
I think my conclusion at the moment would still be, the BC probably the best bet for a road car. I do not have any aspirations to put the car on the track, or other major performance modifications. I basically just want to replace the old ones, and my needs are a) ability to adjust the height to suit (as this seems difficult with bolt in options) and b) not too stiff a ride.

Does anyone know which of the BC setups is best for a reasonable ride? Or is it there recommended 4/5kg. I have a standard 240z with L28 block / gearbox.
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It’s the reason why I haven’t got any further than thinking about for the past 4 years.
 
datsfun

datsfun

Club Member
franky said:
No worries, the basic version of this might suit

https://www.intraxracing.nl/en/products/shockabsorbers/nissan/432-fairlady+z,+s30,+datsun+240z,+260z,+280z,/6812-rsa|street

it gives you quality dampers/springs at a price only £2-300 more than the BC. As an option. Also you can keep your standard topmounts.
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For a real world comparison, it would be good to get feedback from someone who has actually installed and driven a car equipped with these units. So far heaps of heaps of driver feedback on BC and Gaz .
 
Alphabettispaghetti

Alphabettispaghetti

Club Member
datsfun said:
For a real world comparison, it would be good to get feedback from someone who has actually installed and driven a car equipped with these units. So far heaps of heaps of driver feedback on BC and Gaz .
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that’s a fair point. What I would quantify is that I’ve driven lots of cars and bikes on cheap and quality dampers. That’s all we’re talking about.

I was once a suspension ‘nerd’ when building cars from component form as it was the best way to go faster everywhere

there’s also feedback on here of Gaz not welding the legs in straight, also Leda did test bc dampers to see how matched they were and tested agaisnt spring rates supplied.

If both cars have got the same wheels/tyres/bushings/engines you’re just pissing in the wind anyway.
 
jonbills

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
franky said:
that’s a fair point. What I would quantify is that I’ve driven lots of cars and bikes on cheap and quality dampers. That’s all we’re talking about.

I was once a suspension ‘nerd’ when building cars from component form as it was the best way to go faster everywhere

there’s also feedback on here of Gaz not welding the legs in straight, also Leda did test bc dampers to see how matched they were and tested agaisnt spring rates supplied.

If both cars have got the same wheels/tyres/bushings/engines you’re just pissing in the wind anyway.
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Is there an '' 'nt " missing there?
 
Turn & Burn

Turn & Burn

Club Member
MaximG said:
It’s the reason why I haven’t got any further than thinking about for the past 4 years.
Click to expand...
Graeme - CZ said:
I think my conclusion at the moment would still be, the BC probably the best bet for a road car. I do not have any aspirations to put the car on the track, or other major performance modifications. I basically just want to replace the old ones, and my needs are a) ability to adjust the height to suit (as this seems difficult with bolt in options) and b) not too stiff a ride.

Does anyone know which of the BC setups is best for a reasonable ride? Or is it there recommended 4/5kg. I have a standard 240z with L28 block / gearbox.
Click to expand...
I think there’s loads of positive feedback out there for the BCs, occasional criticism of the spring rates when people have gone too stiff which can always be rectified by changing springs out later. MZR are using them and I’m sure they would choose something else if it made a real world difference on the road.
 
Albrecht

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
Albrecht said:
Anyone know the actual rate range for the valving?
Click to expand...

Apparently not.

The relationship/interaction between spring rate and the bump & rebound rates (not to mention whether progressive or digressive) is a key part of their performance/'feel'. Selecting spring rate is only half the story.
 
Graeme - CZ

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Ok, this thread has a good sense of what the coilover options are. BC being the most common. We’ve had little discussion about ‘bolt on’ options, of which there are a few. My car is a road car, so i do not need track performance in any way.

My needs are:

1) Replace old suspension with new
2) Maintain current lowered stance (for some people that would be lower the original)
3) Comfortable ride on the road

Options that I am aware of are Tokico (mike used to sell these), KYB and Vogtland. But no idea about specification / how to get the right height / where to buy etc. Does anyone have experience of these bolt on options?

Thanks, Graeme


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
atomman

atomman

Club Member
Albrecht said:
Apparently not.

The relationship/interaction between spring rate and the bump & rebound rates (not to mention whether progressive or digressive) is a key part of their performance/'feel'. Selecting spring rate is only half the story.
Click to expand...

I couldn't get any data off them either, I'm thinking they just rely on the adjustable bit to work round it, and just change the spring rate

But when I spoke to a Koni prototype engineer he was very helpful with data on valving and things,
 
atomman

atomman

Club Member
Graeme - CZ said:
Ok, this thread has a good sense of what the coilover options are. BC being the most common. We’ve had little discussion about ‘bolt on’ options, of which there are a few. My car is a road car, so i do not need track performance in any way.

My needs are:

1) Replace old suspension with new
2) Maintain current lowered stance (for some people that would be lower the original)
3) Comfortable ride on the road

Options that I am aware of are Tokico (mike used to sell these), KYB and Vogtland. But no idea about specification / how to get the right height / where to buy etc. Does anyone have experience of these bolt on options?

Thanks, Graeme


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


have a look at the Eibach springs to, as these are progressive so should give you a nicer ride until you push the hard, I have emailed Eibach UK to see if they can get them as they don't list them on there UK site,
 
peter_s

peter_s

Club Member
atomman said:
I couldn't get any data off them either, I'm thinking they just rely on the adjustable bit to work round it, and just change the spring rate

But when I spoke to a Koni prototype engineer he was very helpful with data on valving and things,
Click to expand...
I think that is very strange. They have only benefits to gain by sharing that data.
 
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