Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and fairly new to the Z so try not to bite my head off but I have some questions about my 86T. Firstly, I want to get to the suspension. I bought this car from a friend and it hadn't been driven in 3+ years. I drove it home after we did a good inspection on the engine and found that fine(130k on the odometer). However, I noticed the other day that it slumps a bit on one side. I also found lots of negative camber on that side. So much so it rubs the strut. My first assumption is the struts and shocks are blown, Right? also, figured since I'm down there I should start replacing anything else that's gone bad. Can anyone pinpoint the slump problem and what else should I replace on the suspension before it's a fine car to drive?

Also, eventually planning to modify the car so upgrades are welcomed answers if they improve safety and handling. Thanks guys.

 

You should do the hole prothane bushing kit, eibach springs, and tokicos blues shocks. With that your ride should handle better and nice stiffness also drops a little in height.

 

you can't adjust the camber on a z31 without modifying the rear. here is what you need to do.
Replace outer tie rod ends, and ball joints. replace the bushings with poly (don't forget to lube them as directed unless you like squeaky things). New shocks. all those things will make you think you are driving a different car. doing them piece meal is a waste you won't see a great improvement until you do the complete job. Rear bushings nice too but more work and you won't notice as great an improvement. Rear shocks also because if the fronts are gone so are the rears. if car squats when you jump on the gas the rears are gone. If you have the electro adjustable shocks they are DEFINITELY GONE.

If you are doing a turbo car shocks (electro adjust I think may be only on the turbos) then you need the adapter plates to fit modern shocks to the car. Easiest way is find an n/a at the junkyard and take the mounting plates. They may be available thru NAPA (listed) but I had the n/a plates.

been thru 3 z31. the eibach springs ? do the other stuff first then you can decide on springs. what the heck even Monroe shocks will seem a 99% imrovement. if you are goijng to spend a bunch of money go with the bilstein shocks. else keep the cost down you will still be happy with new stuff up front. 130 on the clock better consider doing the timing belt. even with new shocks they don't run well with bent valves.

more advice: Get your battery load tested (better yet buy an Interstate battery and be done with battery woes for better than 5 years). Be sure

you have clean, tight corrosion free terminals on both ends of your battery cables. Be sure the ground (negative) cable goes to a

bolt into the frame before going to the starter. grounding through the starter is not a reliable connection. Z's don't like low

voltage. causes the electronics to act funny. it is possible to have enough amps to crank but not enough voltage to run the

electronics. If you have one size fit all cheapo clamp on terminals they are a problem waiting to happen.

Clean the connectors for the maf or afm, ecu and tps. Deoxit by CAIG is probably the best connector cleaner on the market. spray with CorrosionX after cleaning and before putting together this will help prevent any further corrosion.

 

Thanks guys, I figured it was old and worn. I'll look into all that tonight. This car will eventually be a daily driver so I'm considering a resto-mod. I've looked into suspension options and I've seen the S9 kit to adapt s13 coilovers to the car. I wouldn't mind stepping up to that as I restore the car. I'm already rebuilding the engine(electively, runs fine) and swapping to an '86 N/A 5spd transmission so I want to ask you guys how you felt about them. I like the idea of them and I have been saving for two years to get this car done. Just kind of shoot at the idea in case there's something I should know. Thanks.

 

I know you're kinda pass this, but if you're looking to get the monroe shocks, don't, NAPA shocks are the same thing but cheaper. That is if you get them through NAPA. Other wise I'd check Rockauto for the Monroe shocks I think they were pretty cheap there.