Rasp933 Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 Hi.ratsons I am planning on swapping my stock front struts with 280zx ones,chopping one ring out of the coil.now my question is what strut inserts are little smaller in length then the stock 280zx one??.thanks guys Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 If the original oil dampers are still there why not empty out the thin old oil and replace then thicker viscosity 20w motorcycle fork oil? Thicker oil is harder to push through the valves and increases the damping action but retains the proper compression /rebound. You can go up or down by raising or lowering the oil viscosity. This is what I did for under $20 CDN. If replaced already, you have little choice but to pay for new inserts. ...............................................510................................................................. A10........................................................ 280zx Cut the ZX coil? The ZX coil is too large a diameter to effectively fit the 510 strut tower and certainly wouldn't allow much room for camber adjustments. Better to cut the 510 and the ZX lower coil perches off their respective strut tubes and put the 510 lower perch, coil spring and top hat on the ZX strut tube. Secure the lower coil spring perch in place with a split collar. Ride height is now adjustable but within limits. 1 1/2 to 2" is safe enough on a ZX strut . Each split collar will hold 3,000 pounds. Stock 510 coils have a spring rate of 99 lb/in. Removing one coil will raise this to 115 lb/in. This assumes a 510 front coil wire is 0.472" thick, the coil 5.121" diameter and there are 7 active coils. Yours may be different. 1 Quote Link to comment
john510 Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 Unless you shorten the strut tube a shorter insert won't help lower it. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 This. You can go a couple of inches lower on the zx strut by using the split collars, but better to increase the spring rate and damping also to prevent bottoming out. 1 Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 So you all are kinda saying.cut n use my original coil with the 280zx struts?? Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 What size split collar to use? And how to use on one strut? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 It's a 2" diameter same as the strut tube. First loosen/remove the large gland nut and empty the damper or insert Trim perch with hacksaw or angle grinder just above the weld. Don't go too deep, just enough... Loosen and slide off strut tube... Grind down the remaining weld bead so the perch and split collar can slide up or down on the strut tube. Assemble with split collar on tube, the spring perch, spring and top hat. Here I'm compressing the spring with a block of wood and a jack. Tighten split collar and do the other side to match. When the other side goes up it will affect this side and will probably make it too high. So lower and check back and forth till you have the ride height you want. Make sure those screws are tight! Just to be sure it could never slip, I put a small weld under the collar where it's easy to get at should I need to remove the collar. Each collar will hold the entire weight of 1.3 510s Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 Ok.looks interesting.now my question.what insert to use with that?280zx one or one little smaller? Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 I have tokiko in mine, but can't remember the part #.....ugh I had pictures but photofuckit happened :( do a search for tokiko insert on 510 or 280zx struts Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted May 1, 2018 Report Share Posted May 1, 2018 If your going to just cut one spring and not the housing you use the same strut cartridge for year vehichle of the strut. ex. 280zx. Most dont shorten the 280zx as its shorter than a 510 one anyways. thus one coil and a shorter strut might be enuff to lower a few inches Most just use the 280zx then get coil overs 3 Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 Thanks Mike .I am doing what u posted Quote Link to comment
Plusnone Posted May 2, 2018 Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 1983 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT 1.8L L4 MONROE 86355 (86355:P) These are about 2" shorter.. i.e 2" needs to be sectioned or made up with internal spacers or a combination of spacers and sectioning with the 280zx strut. Can't speak to ride quality on these Monroes, still piecing together my front end but rockauto had them for cheap. FYI based on a quick mock up, I'm finding I'll bind my TC rod and stock sway bar before bottoming the 280zx strut (un-sectioned). Protip, add some spacer above the insert ( in the strut) so even if the strut body bottoms out the insert will not. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 2, 2018 Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 Thanks Mike .I am doing what u posted Inserts are ok but they are intended for either a different car or a wide range of different cars, a 'universal' fit. I prefer the original valving just firmed up. I went to a motorcycle shop and bought a liter of BellRay 20W fork oil, about $17 CDN. Enough for three struts. This may all be moot as a previous owner may have already replaced them with inserts anyway. The spring can be cut to tailor your spring preference by making a few careful measurements and some multiplying and dividing math. If you very carefully measure the wire width, the number of coils not touching each other (or free coils) and the outer overall diameter of the coil I can work out your rate more accurately and indicate how many coils to remove to get a rate you want. The split collars (aka shaft collars) are about $20-$25 and available on line or a fastener shore. I bumped my 710 from 100 to 150 lb./in. Alternatively you can buy coils with the spring rate you want but they may not fit the perch and top hat properly. Extra firm shock, increased spring rate and adjustable ride height for under $50. The way I look at it is, expensive coil overs get set once and then are just along for the ride. You can tie up many hundreds of dollars on something you only use once. Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 1983 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT 1.8L L4 MONROE 86355 (86355:P) These are about 2" shorter.. i.e 2" needs to be sectioned or made up with internal spacers or a combination of spacers and sectioning with the 280zx strut. Can't speak to ride quality on these Monroes, still piecing together my front end but rockauto had them for cheap. FYI based on a quick mock up, I'm finding I'll bind my TC rod and stock sway bar before bottoming the 280zx strut (un-sectioned). Protip, add some spacer above the insert ( in the strut) so even if the strut body bottoms out the insert will not. Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 Good info right there bud Quote Link to comment
Rasp933 Posted May 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 Quick question. When i do put the smaller inserts.where should i put spacer washers ,on top of the insert or way in the bottom of the strut?? Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted May 2, 2018 Report Share Posted May 2, 2018 Bottom. the new Cap contains the top of the cartridge and secures it around the shoulders also. if your not cutting the tube why dont you just buy the 280zx one? If you are cutting the tube why not add a T# coil over perch kit and convert it all the way? 1 Quote Link to comment
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