I cringe whenever I see my car's wheel gap. I don't plan to have the Z that much longer, but for the next 6-8 months that I do, I don't wanna look at this anymore. Therefore, looking at aftermarket springs. Looking to spend as little as possible for a nice 1" drop. Is it stupid not to replace the shocks too? If so, why? And just how stupid? Has anyone just replaced the springs, left the stock shocks alone, and had relative success with this setup for a while? Thanks folks.

Merry Christmas to all...

 

The ride height is determined primarily by the springs: shorten the springs - drop the ride height. If you hold a strut in your hands, you can see that it is difficult to compress and expand. Struts effect handling, not vehicle height.

 

People replace just the springs all the time. If you don't care just have someone cut the stockers and be done.

 

I have an inexpensive solution . . . remove your spare tire and store several cement bags in this area. I guarantee that gap will disappear in the rear. As far as the front is concerned, find someone over 200 lbs to ride with you all the time & that would fix the front as well. Your performance & gas mileage may suffer but at least the gap will be gone.

 

if you were keeping the car and had over 50K on it I would recommend switching out the shocks while everything is apart. But you should be fine replacing just the springs.

if you decided to cut a coil or 2 off of the stock springs (which i have seem people do with mixed results) make sure the person who does it doesn't use a cutting tourch but instead uses a saw with some sort of cooling fluid. else you could mess up the temper of the spring. I would go with a good lowering spring personally.

also another thing to consider is resale. even though you hate the wheel gap is it really worth messing with is if your going to only keep the car another few months? most of the dealers i know give you less $$ in trade if its lowered...and your potential pool of private party buyers will also be reduced.
since many people look for cars that are unmolested (esp if you cut the springs) you might be better of flipping the car now

 

Scarab, and others, who weren't di*king around, I appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

Why are you getting rid of it? If you are I wouldn't invest another dime into it, unless it was going to increase the value of it, but then your talking about minor stuff there.

 

didn't know we have forum for comedian

 

Stock shocks with aftermarket springs are fine to ride around on for 6-8 months. I ran RS*R springs like that for a year and a half.

 

aftermarket springs with stock struts will be just fine - lotgs of people have done it for years at this point.

if you plan to get rid of the car, a nice mild spring is your best solution - I'd toss in a set of Hotchkis or Tein S Tech's and call it a day. Minimal cost, can easily be installed yourself and won't ruin the ride quality