datsunfish Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 Strangely it looks like it should have looked stock but being a 71 the strut towers are huge and it rode like it had a trunk full of bricks. I took out 2 coils in the front. I think I will take out another and 1 in back but for now it looks waaaaaay better. Quote Link to comment
sssr20det510 Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 where is the befor pic seems like its still a little too high Quote Link to comment
Cuts metal like mad Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 WTG fish, bout time... :D Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 Like I said,I think it looks like it should be stock height and I plan to drop it a ways more. Heres a before pick from the kitsap ratsun meet where I won the Ratsun trophy. Its at least 2" lower in front. Quote Link to comment
DatDoug Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 Man that looks alot better:thumbup: And the best part about it is we (we as in Ben & I.......forgot to mention that didnt ya!:fu:) anyways WE did not even take the coils out:D. The first lowering job in my new garage:cool: Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 Thanks a ton btw Doug. Didnt mean to leave you out I really do appreciate all the help and the use of your bitchin garage. :fu: I love the look better but now I need to really lower it. The back needs to come down about 1 1/2" and the front another 2" and some different tires. Quote Link to comment
DatDoug Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 (edited) Thanks a ton btw Doug. Didnt mean to leave you out I really do appreciate all the help and the use of your bitchin garage. :fu: I love the look better but now I need to really lower it. The back needs to come down about 1 1/2" and the front another 2" and some different tires. I think a good size for tires would be 195-60-14 or 185's. Wheres the pic of the more recent lowering?:fu: Edited November 8, 2009 by DatDoug spelling Quote Link to comment
qwik510 Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Here are photos together. Looks much better lower. How is the ride now in comparision? Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 I lost my camera or I would post a pic of it now. I cut out another 1 1/2 coil but I wish I wouldnt have. It rides like total shit. I can handle that usually but I know it will suck on I5 north when I go to work. I have some coilovers I got from Doug but they are missing the top hats. When I can find some I will be doing those asap. I want the back lower but I think I may seek stronger springs before I hack away. All in all its good for now,I am happy its lower but its addictive and now I want it in the dirt. Quote Link to comment
Opius Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Thats a shame! Too bad it didn't go as hoped! How will the coilovers from Ground Control work? Planning to buy them for the 510 i am going to buy.... Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Thats a shame! Too bad it didn't go as hoped! How will the coilovers from Ground Control work? Planning to buy them for the 510 i am going to buy.... Its cool. At least its low and it motivates me to do it right. 2 coils cut out rode fine but like I said,lowering is addictive and I couldnt help myself:D. Quote Link to comment
koback68 Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 port orchard streets are a step behind seattle. so give it some thought before you go low Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 I didnt get to this sooner. as I dont have a computer on the weekend You can lower the 71strut only so much b4 you ride on the bump stops. otherwise its like having no spring at all and no travel. Best to shorten the strut first then cut a coil or 2 but not really more than that. What happens if you have a l16 with the small alternator bolts id they will shear off and you alternator will start dangling around. one way is to get a 68/69 short strut and get a long strut spring(as there are shorter) but now most people use the 280zx strut as its even shorter than the 68/69 struts and has bigger brakes. Quote Link to comment
SIXTY-NINE-DIME Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 car looks beter listen to hainz, he knows his stuff. if you didnt already have coil overs id say cut the struts and use vw rabbit inserts sense they are shorter and cut about 2 springs max to get a good ride and lower stance but coil overs are the way to go. find some top hats and your set!! Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 3 1/2 coils cut out and not riding on any bump stops. plenty of strut travel left but the spring is weak and its bouncy,thats all. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 if you have travel ,get new cartidges then. get the 280 zx ones if you cant find the correct strut 510 size and use the 280zx ones and put spacer at the bottom of cartridge to to the cap set right on top suspension Teq is to make 510 springs again Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Here it is even lower. I am going coilovers soon for a better ride. Quote Link to comment
JDM510 Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 do your self a favor get 280 zx struts and brakes then put the coilovers on them you will get maybe 1 inch + or - then you are in the front with a nice ride. the problem wih stock tubes is they are just to long right when you get it nice where you want it you start bottoming out all the time. If you want to tuck tire and have a nice ride you need 280zx + Mr2 inserts with the strut tubes cut and shortend. 2 plus's with going to 280zx, 1 is the brakes, way easyer to get the pads from your local auto store, they are bigger and better, vented rotors. 2 is the tire to fender clearance you can run a -0 offset wheel with out the tire hanging 1inch out of the wheel well or other wheels for that matter i went with 275lbs springs on my coilover kit and im very happy with them and i only have a L16, lil stiff but once i do a motor swap they willl be just right!! Quote Link to comment
Whoracle Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 another plus to going 280zx struts is that you can run the arizonazcar big brake kits :). Only problem is then you need 15" wheels to clear the 12.2" rotors :(. Quote Link to comment
JDM510 Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 yeah the ZX struts open up alot of options plus i like being able to tuck a -0 ofset rim Quote Link to comment
datsunfish Posted November 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 I already have some shortened stock strut tubes with adjustable coilovers on them. Not too worried about bigger brakes and not wanting to spend more $$ if I already have some. They already have shorter inserts or I could just use rabbit ones I hear. ZX would be cool but Im not racing it I just want it to ride decent and be low low low. Quote Link to comment
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