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Lowering springs didn't lower my car!

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Old 06-22-2006 | 08:02 PM
  #1  
drlew's Avatar
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From: Elk Grove (Sacramento) CA
Lowering springs didn't lower my car!

OK whats the deal. I put my new Eibach springs and new struts on the z and it doesnt look any different than before the swap. WHY ISNT MY Z LOWER???
Old 06-22-2006 | 08:03 PM
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SoCal-s130's Avatar
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Thats weird, I could totally notice how low mine got after I did the Eibachs. Maybe it was real saggy?
Old 06-22-2006 | 08:05 PM
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My Eibachs lowered the front a noticable amount, but the rear stayed the same.
Old 06-22-2006 | 08:14 PM
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nismo, mine seems to be the opposite. I see a slight lowering in the rear, but the front looks high, at least as high as before. do you think the new strut cartridges have anything to do with the height?

I've got a pic in my Garage photos.
Old 06-22-2006 | 08:35 PM
  #5  
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i think your car was already lowered to start with, it looks like it at least, measure from the center of the wheel to the lip of the fender, everybody else do the same on there s30 and we'll see what it comes up with. or if you got a fsm, it gives measurements to the bumper height, use that as a guide, if there is no diff. between old and new (including stiffness) then return the springs and buy something needed more
Old 06-22-2006 | 11:54 PM
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I don't get it... I've got tons of pics of S30's and I've got more space under the fenders than just about all of them. I'm running on 60 series tires on 14" rims. Bigger tires or bigger rims would raise my car, wouldn't it?

If I can't figure it out, I may resort to chopping a piece of my springs off to lower it!
Old 06-23-2006 | 06:46 AM
  #7  
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If you needed a spring compressor to get them on then they are not lowering springs. The correct struts are also shorter. The front springs should also be slightly shorter than the fronts. I put the whole set on my car and it lowered it about an inch with a slight rake. A much stiffer ride but greater control than I expected.
Old 06-23-2006 | 09:00 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by theramz
If you needed a spring compressor to get them on then they are not lowering springs.
That makes me ask the question: Drlew... where'd you get the springs?
Old 06-23-2006 | 09:04 AM
  #9  
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One possibility, drlew:
stock on '78 280Z's was 195/70-14 (according to TireRack, my FSM CD ROM is at home today...) http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Select...8&autoModClar=

I'm pretty sure that's correct. If your width is the same (first number of the tire size), then your 60 series (aspect ratio, second number) sidewall would be shorter than stock. Because the last number is the same (wheel diameter), then what you'd have is an overall shorter (smaller diameter) wheel/tire combo. That would both simultaneously lower the car, and increase wheel gap from stock specs. You can get some variation by what exact width you're using, inflation pressure, sidewall stiffness (varying across models, brands, or even production runs), etc. But those changes shouldn't amount to a whole lot, total.

I used Tokico springs, and it noticeably lowered my car. As theramz mentioned, aftermarket, lower springs won't need spring compressors for installation (hooray, you don't ruin the nice powedercoat finish). My original springs were definitely original, definitely sagging, and still were higher than the Tokicos. However, pictures and numbers from my car are still worthless because there's no engine, tranny, seats, or dash in it yet, so the loading is all way off and goofy looking.
Dave
Old 06-23-2006 | 07:26 PM
  #10  
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I bought the Eibach Spring Kit at Motorsport during the MSA show, because I liked how almost everyone elses cars looked lowered. Then, before I put them on, I decided to also order struts (Motorsport recommended Tokico HR cartridges - non adjustable). I had them put on all at the same time.

I know, this is what I get for not doing it myself... For all I know, he could have put the fronts on the back and visa versa.
Old 11-30-2006 | 10:10 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by drlew
I bought the Eibach Spring Kit at Motorsport during the MSA show, because I liked how almost everyone elses cars looked lowered. Then, before I put them on, I decided to also order struts (Motorsport recommended Tokico HR cartridges - non adjustable). I had them put on all at the same time.

I know, this is what I get for not doing it myself... For all I know, he could have put the fronts on the back and visa versa.
Did you ever get this straightened out? The MSA kit lowered my '78 280Z the perfect amount.

Last edited by jmark; 12-14-2006 at 09:19 AM.
Old 02-14-2007 | 11:30 AM
  #12  
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i lowered my 77 with the eibach kit and i realy noticed a difference i think that shady is right it may have been already lowered. if you need shocks let me know..


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Old 02-14-2007 | 12:09 PM
  #13  
NismoPick's Avatar
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^^^ um... could ya be any more annoying with your advertising?
Old 02-14-2007 | 12:16 PM
  #14  
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From: Escondido (San Diego) California
Originally Posted by NismoPick
^^^ um... could ya be any more annoying with your advertising?
Yeah, seriously dude. That's three different threads so far this morning with the exact same add... Enough already. Not to mention that if you were paying attention, you brought up some seriously DEAD threads. the guy that started this one hasn't been on since October of last year!

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Rod.
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