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How Low Can I Go Without Coilovers/Cut Springs?

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Old 04-07-2014, 07:54 PM
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How Low Can I Go Without Coilovers/Cut Springs?

What's up?
Continuing to source info for my summer build. I'm a noob to suspension, but im looking to drop a 280ZX of mine 2-3 inches. I am on a budget, and i have limited suspension knowlege, so what i'm wondering is what shock/spring combination will get me at least 2 inches lower?

I installed KYB's on my DD 280ZX (stock springs) two years ago, and that seemed to raise my car 1/4 to 1/2 In, so i guess those are out of the question.

Lemme know what you guys think.
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Old 04-07-2014, 09:59 PM
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You're not going to get a 3" drop without cutting or coil overs. There are several performance spring options that will drop ~1".
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Old 04-08-2014, 05:52 AM
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Air bags?
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Old 04-08-2014, 08:41 AM
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Like Nismo Pick said - no way to get that low without forking over the cash for coil overs, or cutting your springs. Alternatively, if you are handy with metal work, you can cut up and "extend" the strut towers up so they sit higher, thus making the wheel gap less, but of course that is ridiculous.

I say to save up for coils. If you don't plan on aggressive driving on a track/drifting, etc and just want to cruise and park it, cut your springs. Just prepare for a bouncy ride
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Old 04-08-2014, 09:23 AM
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This car will be seeing a good amount of track time, and will be driven hard on the street constantly. The reason I stray away from cut dprings is of course stability. I hit a bump on the track and that's it. I stray away from coilovers due to the price, and the fab work needed to install them, though only the front hubs will need modification right?
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Old 04-08-2014, 10:12 AM
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If you are doing track time then you will want to spend the money, especially on something like suspension. Go cheap there and you will end up spending more down the road... Get coil overs, do it once, do it right and call it good.

Or see if you can find a set of Tokico springs and struts. but you will probably end up going coil overs down the road anyways, right?
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Old 04-08-2014, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by audiofreak97
Go cheap there and you will end up spending more down the road...
Or you might become part of the road.

Cheap + racing = disaster.
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Old 04-08-2014, 01:31 PM
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My objective with the suspension is to drop the car far enough to rid the gap (2-3 in) and still maintain stability with supirior handling. I'm not going for a hellaflush look with a bunch of camber or anything like that. If I would choose coilovers, I would take them to be Installed somewhere because like I said, I'm a noob to custom suspension work. My current parts budget for the car is $2000... Heh... Lets see how long that lasts
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Old 04-08-2014, 07:42 PM
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Cheap Idea Alert: WHAT IF, i were to expiriment by buying a slip on coilover kit for an S13/14, andt fit them to the factory S130 spring seats on the struts? Whats the possibility of that working out? Lol.

http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-8...98e8b5&vxp=mtr
Attached Thumbnails How Low Can I Go Without Coilovers/Cut Springs?-cheapo-coil-overs.jpg  
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