B2Fresh Posted June 16, 2016 Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 Is there a BIG difference in length in the 510 to 280zx strut assembly's.? If so what are they.? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 16, 2016 Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 Depends how much lower you want to go. The limiting factor is bottoming out on a hard bump if you go too low. You can go a inch or so on your stock struts but any more you should increase the spring stiffness. Another way to do this is a strut that is already shorter to begin with... like a 280zx. Inch and a half?..... but as you can't use the 280zx springs, the lower perch for them must be removed anyway. Now you can use a coil over or your 510 spring perch. This means that you can set it where you like (well withing reason) You are limited by the distance left in the strut travel before it bottoms out. In most cases a stiffer spring rate is desirable (you can buy them or modify your stock spring) and this would reduce the chance of bottoming if you do go slightly lower. Stiffer spring equals less suspension travel on the same bump. I have Maxima struts on my 710. They were about 1 1/4" shorter overall. I used my 710 coil and lower spring perch. I trimmed the spring shorter by about 1 1/2 coils but not to shorten or lower the vehicle. Never should you trim a spring to lower. Trimming the spring is to increase the spring rate only and even then never blindly trim a spring. There are simple formulas to work out how much to trim to get the rate you want. With the now shortened and stiffer springs I lowered another 1 1/2- 2" to get the ride height I wanted. To support the lower spring perch in place I used split collars. These allow you to change your ride height to get it where you want. The total cost to lower my 710 about 2 1/2-3" and make it adjustable was under $30. 1 Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 16, 2016 Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 ZX struts also narrow the track width. Pulls the wheel mount surface in about 3/4" Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 16, 2016 Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 They also have the larger wheel bearing used on most cars after the 510 and you get a much larger vented rotor and caliper that may need 14" rims to clear. The Maxima is a very close second choice and in some cases may be cheaper and easier to find as they are overlooked. Quote Link to comment
B2Fresh Posted June 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 Kool Thanks Quote Link to comment
LenRobertson Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Here is a strut swap thread I have Bookmarked that you may find helpful: http://community.ratsun.net/topic/34171-280zx-struts/ Len Quote Link to comment
shacks510 Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 They also have the larger wheel bearing used on most cars after the 510 and you get a much larger vented rotor and caliper that may need 14" rims to clear. The Maxima is a very close second choice and in some cases may be cheaper and easier to find as they are overlooked. How different are the Maxima pads over ZX? I don't see there being any performance Maxima pads, so that could be a downside depending on what you're building the car for. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 Why I don't like Maxima struts. I'm now doing S13 knuckles/struts. Yay unlimited brake options. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 17, 2016 Report Share Posted June 17, 2016 How different are the Maxima pads over ZX? I don't see there being any performance Maxima pads, so that could be a downside depending on what you're building the car for. I imagine slightly smaller, certainly twice the stock tea bag size 510 pads. Not much need for 'performance' pads as the rotor/caliper/pad is lots. Stopping is limited by tire traction. Quote Link to comment
sleeperlee Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 Hey peeps,to put 280zx struts & brakes on a72 510 should I look for 78 to 83 z car parts, or I guess I'm asking, what are best years to find to use? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 Only the 280zx struts will work. These are all the same and are '79-'83 model years. Turbo or normally aspirated are all the same. Quote Link to comment
sleeperlee Posted July 1, 2016 Report Share Posted July 1, 2016 Thanks for the info, I'll start looking for some. Quote Link to comment
LenRobertson Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 A good thread on struts if you haven't seen it: http://community.ratsun.net/topic/34171-280zx-struts/ Len Quote Link to comment
sleeperlee Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Thanks. Where is a good place to get adapter brackets to put 280zx calipers & rotors on the rear of My 510. One company I looked at said theirs is only to adapt 82-83 zx parts, is there a difference with 79-81zx? One more question right now, I know I'll need to upgrade the master cylinder, but on a 510 that's all, don't need to run a brake booster right? Thanks again for the info. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 The '79-'81 look like the 620 pick-up fronts. I don't care for the styling. Probably work fine. The '82-'83 are smaller/compact. '79-'Aug '81 ''82-'83 Quote Link to comment
INDY510 Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 Thanks. Where is a good place to get adapter brackets to put 280zx calipers & rotors on the rear of My 510. One company I looked at said theirs is only to adapt 82-83 zx parts, is there a difference with 79-81zx? One more question right now, I know I'll need to upgrade the master cylinder, but on a 510 that's all, don't need to run a brake booster right? Thanks again for the info. Futo-fab sells the brackets: http://www.futofab.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171:futofab-datsun-510-rear-brake-brackets&catid=34:datsun-510-brakes&Itemid=115 And with 4 wheel discs you should get a 7/8ths master, off a Z car (260z maybe?) .. don't get a 15/16ths master off a 280ZX, and make sure the firewall bolts are vertical. You dont "need" a booster. Quote Link to comment
sleeperlee Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment
LenRobertson Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 The '79-'81 look like the 620 pick-up fronts. I don't care for the styling. Probably work fine. The '82-'83 are smaller/compact. '79-'Aug '81 ''82-'83 Can the later '82-'83 style calipers be used on the earlier '79-'81 struts? Len Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Those were rear brakes Len. The fronts were all the same on the zx.. Quote Link to comment
LenRobertson Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Those were rear brakes Len. The fronts were all the same on the zx.. Ooops! My excuse is I was worn out from walking the Spokane car parts swap meet most of Saturday. The only thing I bought was a set of spring compressors for use with my strut swap, so fronts were on my brain. Looking at the brake pics I thought they looked kind of strange but I was too lazy to walk out to the shed and look at the ZX ones I have. Len Quote Link to comment
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