I am interested in replacing my shocks and struts, and most of the people tell me Tokico is the best brand. My 87 Turbo has ajustable shocks, so do I need to buy adjustable shocks that are internally controlled or can I just get the ones that are externally adjustable? Also I wanted to go with the polyurethane bushings, are those simple to install? I would love to do my shocks and struts by myself, the Haynes manual and Z31.com make it sound simple, but at the same time I would hate to mess up my car. Which website would be best to order the shocks and struts from (Hard to find a good shop here in San Antonio that sells performance parts for Nissan at a good price.) I am sure that the bushings need to be replaced, but I am no mechanic and not aware of the degree of difficulty this can propose. Any help would be great, and I am sorry to bog up the message board with some stupid questions, its just that this is my first car (Always wanted a ZX since I was 15.) And I want to keep it running at peak performace. Thanks again!
Robert

 

There are two levels of the Tokico shocks. The premiums (blues) and the Illuminas. The Illuminas are a 5-way adjustable. They are adjusted at the top of the shock. So, for the rear, you either have to make an access panel, or remove the speakers when you want to change them. For the front, you just have to pull off the cover. The blues are not adjustable. There is no aftermarket shock that works with the factory adjustment switch. You can still buy factory adjustable shocks from Nissan for about $200 each for the front and $150 each for the rear.

I don't feel like looking it up again, but try either http://www.nopionline.com or http://www.optauto.com for the shocks. One had the lowest prices for shocks. The other had the lowest prices for springs. You can also try http://www.shox.com, but one person I've heard of had a problem getting his stuff from them.

I think replacing the shocks and springs was my first big undertaking in car repair. And it wasn't all the difficult. Buy/rent an external spring compressor from AutoZone/Checker/etc. and read the instructions in the Haynes manual. It's not that hard. Set aside a weekend and get started early Saturday morning. Chances are, you'll be up and rolling by the afternoon. The rears take almost no time. The fronts are a little bit trickier.

http://zbum.nissanpower.com

 

Thanks, I was looking as the Illumina shocks and struts. Also the Tokico springs look nice, but they lower the car an additional inch, and I am kind of skeptical about that. Also I was looking at some 1" front and rear sway bars with urethane end link and frame bushings. Are they worth the money to spend on them for control? I want to upgrade my car as much as possible I can myself, but it gets kind of expensive for the shocks, struts, springs and sway bars with urethane bushings. Should I do it all at once or do it in parts?
Robert

 

Do the shocks and springs at the same time. They are basically the same job on the front. The sway bars can be done later.

Almost all springs available lower the car slightly. I put Eibach's in mine, and the car sat the same since the original springs were so worn out.

http://zbum.nissanpower.com

 

Eibachs actually lowered my 88na around 1/2" to 3/4". The car had ~80k miles at the time and probably still had decent condition factory springs. Camber went out of specs after the eibachs and rear tire wear was unbearable.

Instead of going with a camber kit, I switched out the springs with 88SS springs which restored ride height and took care of the camber problems. Ride and handling also seemed to improve with the SS springs + tokico non adjustables vs eibach's and tokico non adjustables.

I am planning on SS springs, koni front adjustables and illumina rear adjustables for my 87T. Should be installed in the near future.