Front top mounts??????

[Rha]

Well after owning my Z since early 2007 I have finally decided to lightly beaf up and lower the suspension. (As its done 90,000 and must need it by now) I've read lots of comments on the pitfalls of lowering and stiffening and have decided against my first choice of Koni sport all round with H&R springs, believing this wouldn't give me any choices over how much I'd have to spend. I've decided on bilstein having used them on my MK1 Rs2000 back in the eighties. I've gone for B6 on front and B4 rears hoping to keep the cost in check but still getting lightly beefed up road behaviour, with Direnza -30 road springs and a rear strong strut coming later. All mounts will be replaced regardless,have reinforced rear top mounts and Bertini brace already purchased. Struts,springs,rear mounts ordered awaiting delivery but I'm undecided on front strut top mounts, do I go with OEM on the front as I have with the rears?. So if any one out there has some good feedback from what they've used I would appreciate thier input. The car has lower steering arm and ARB poly bushing. Input for poly bushing other areas that might be beneficial to me would also be most welcome. Next job after this one will be the vanos overhaul as its getting noticeabley louder now. Don't need ear plugs yet just turn up the radio full.

 

[GazHyde]

I changed mine and went with whatever GSF had in stock. Vtech I think is their own brand and work fine enough for me. Interestingly the set on there seemed fine, and I think they were original.

 

[zedonist]

I would do either B4 all round or B6 as they are a different class of damper the B4's are oem plus standard, and the B6 are sport dampers, there are also B8 dampers which are the same as the B6 but shorter for use with lowering springs. I Have the B12 kit fitted which is B8 dampers matched with Eibach lowering springs and it is a fantastic package with progressive damping so not harsh when driving. Hope that helps.

 

[Dino D]

I have camber adjustable top mounts and allowed for -1degree of camber to be dialled in to good effect on the fronts.
They came as part of the BC racing coilover kit but I believe you can source mounts with camber adjustment easily enough.

Re the bushes I now have powerflex purple on every bush possible I believe. Cannot recommend the rear beam bushes enough.

Ps: love the chin spoiler Roy!

 

[Rha]

Can't say I wasn't influanced by yours Dino but did buy the bigger fibreglass one and just hated it, so after looking at yours decided to try it and if you and I like it means it's nearly more popular than the boot spoiler already.
Purchased another roll so watch this space.

 

[t-tony]

I'm watching fella, but you still need someone to sit in it for promo pics.lol.

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Thanks Gaz and Zedonist and Dino for your input, the reason I'm asking is I don't want to be left in a position where I'll have to remove front springs if I get it wrong plus will I need camber adj after lowering, now is the right time to find out what will be right for the front end, the rear is so easy to change I'm willing to try alternatives. I also think that the rear might be over damped with the sport setup thinking the weight on the front actually benefits from stronger damping, that's only my own theory of course but nothing ventured is nothing gained. GSF front mounts would definitely be good enough but with no adj I might regret fitting them so I think I'll start looking for adj ones if not too expensive. Rear beam bushing will be updated as has been suggested, as for the the rest of the bushing I'm fearful of making it too stiff. ( if a man should ever be heard saying such a thing) I'll come back to you for further guidance on bushing as I come across it. Thanks again. Roy

 

[Rha]

I'm watching fella, but you still need someone to sit in it for promo pics.lol.

Tony.

"Tony"------------------------------------get stuffed.----

 

[Dino D]

Purchased another roll so watch this space.

It's good stuff, was very satisfying 'making' the spoiler with my son.
Look forward to see what you make out of the second roll, I've been eying the back bumper and even the wife's CR-V.

Ps it's durable stuff too, when I test fitted it with just the velcro I had to go off somewhere and only remembered on the motorway that it would likley be flapping about with no screws which it was but did not get damaged at all.

 

[Rha]

Took my time putting it on Dino as its easy to get it wrong and ruin the whole roll with just one small hiccup, I'll PM you first with pics of new roll fitted to the windscreen. Roy.

 

[Dino D]

Re the weight these cars are actually close to 50-50 weight distribution in real life as confirmed by my corner weight session (1-2% difference depending on driver weight and fuel).

With the BC Kit we (me and Brian H) have discovered that whilst 6kg springs are great up front at the rear it actually needs at least 8kg as bottoming out occurs with 6kg (of course ours are lowered). Most likely due to where the spring is located on the swing arm making for very short springs rather than weight distribution (as you know it's not coilover at the rear).

Most of the guys in the US forums are running heavier springs at the rear compared to front too.

 

[Rha]

Good job I posted Dino, that's the info I'm looking for. Not going any lower than -30 and with the wheels I've got should get away with springs I've ordered, but looks like the damping will have to be changed on the rear. Roy.

 

[zedonist]

Remember the dampers do exactly what it says on the tin, they dampen. That is they prevent the spring from oscillating or bouncing, fitting stiffer springs with standard dampers will give you a boat effect, the sport dampers remove this, I'm sorry to say but if you want a sportier ride, it will be at the expense of some comfort, the only way to lower for comfort is to put it on air.

 

[Rha]

Remember the dampers do exactly what it says on the tin, they dampen. That is they prevent the spring from oscillating or bouncing, fitting stiffer springs with standard dampers will give you a boat effect, the sport dampers remove this, I'm sorry to say but if you want a sportier ride, it will be at the expense of some comfort, the only way to lower for comfort is to put it on air?

Thanks Zedonist I had an idea I was barking up the wrong tree, wouldn't go down the air root, but fully understand that there has to be some sort of compromise. Well that's all clear to me now so cancel B4s order B6s for the rear, thinking change to matched H&R springs as well that way I will be fitting something that's tried and tested. Roy.

 

[Rha]

Just in case you might think I'm biased against AIR, I've tried it,heres proof. Maybe not exactly air but defo up on something.

 

[t-tony]

Just in case you might think I'm biased against AIR, I've tried it,heres proof. Maybe not exactly air but defo up on something. View attachment 18742

Thought you said that you only had a small garage Roy!

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Tony please don't play with words, I said POXY small garage. That's the garage where Richard and Barry the tyre fitter works, it's good to have friends.

 

[t-tony]

I was just going to admire your lift too mate. Your right though mate it is good to have friends.

Tony.