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Who is running the Strut Spring combo from ZZP?

You need them because they said so duh

But it wouldn't hurt to have the washers, its not like they cost a whole bunch. With the spacers its hit or miss with that slight drop. If you have the vibrations then get them, if not then don't worry about it.
 


howl--I'm trying to follow your qs. Started w/ zzp lowering springs, then evolved to zzp c/o...

I'll chime in, b/c I was similar in that I wanted better performance, and to lower car slightly--but not interested in 'how low can you go'. I dont know for sure about zzp lowering springs, but from what I gather, they are ssc springs w/ monroe top plate, & KYB struts, you can do this yourself w/o zzp.

I did get c/o for my front, b/c I wanted it adjustable. ZZP c/o are manufactured by ARRAUTMOTORSPORTS.COM. ZZP is just a reseller, they sell them for same $, but get WAY over on 'shipping and handling'. So I say contact Richard @ arraut directly. You can save some $ if you get the kit. Also ZZP only has 1 spring rate, Richard has chioces at same $. ZZP uses 350 lb springs on front, which is pretty stiff for a dd, if you go directly to arraut, I might recommend 300 lb spring for front for dd.

the adjustment is a threaded sleeve, so height is ANYwhere (not stepped or incremental--completely adjustable) from more than 1" lift, to so low I could not get the jack from under my car.... The adjustable washer on the threaded sleeve is held in place w/ a common allen (hex) set screw, that's it. Height adjustment is made by turning adjuster nut by hand. Installation is easier than stock b/c coil compressor not neccessary, just thread nut down.

from what I read, m&t mnt spacers are preferred to shorter dogbones when lowering, esp if you have plans for headers. so I suggest getting new m&t mnts on general principle ($60ish for both) and spacers and install them all at same time. ZZP m&t mnt spacers are like $20, 1 of mine had hole way off. so far off, I'll say just make them yourself.

1/2" thick, 2" wide alum bar. mtr mnt is 5" long, tran mnt was 4" IIRC, but pretty sure they both could be 5". then use the mnt bolts themself to measure where to drill the holes.

If you get kit, you need rtv to hold threaded sleeve on strut body. If you get c/o, get some anti-seaze grease (permatex).

pick your height, and get an alignment.

C/o do not give the ride/comfort/quiet/feel of audi/caddy/bmw, but handling/response is there!
 
Is it just me, or is my car about the same height about yours?? Mine's not dropped at all, but i'd love to go a lil' lower than your setup there

I got a little over 2" out of the drop.
Unless your suspension components are trashed i doubt your at the same height stock.

I feel like ssc's give it a modern factory look. Not super low, just stock looking as opposed to 4x4 status
 
howl--I'm trying to follow your qs. Started w/ zzp lowering springs, then evolved to zzp c/o...

from what I read, m&t mnt spacers are preferred to shorter dogbones when lowering, esp if you have plans for headers. so I suggest getting new m&t mnts on general principle ($60ish for both) and spacers and install them all at same time. ZZP m&t mnt spacers are like $20, 1 of mine had hole way off. so far off, I'll say just make them yourself.

1/2" thick, 2" wide alum bar. mtr mnt is 5" long, tran mnt was 4" IIRC, but pretty sure they both could be 5". then use the mnt bolts themself to measure where to drill the holes.

If you get kit, you need rtv to hold threaded sleeve on strut body. If you get c/o, get some anti-seaze grease (permatex).

pick your height, and get an alignment.

C/o do not give the ride/comfort/quiet/feel of audi/caddy/bmw, but handling/response is there!

Thanks a lot Mr D this helps tremendously not that the other posts didnt help but sounds like we are on the same page as far as set up gose. Can help me understand or elaborate on the choice between shorten dog bones and m&t mnt? Im assuming m&t mnt is some sort of mount or possibly a spacer used in place of shorten dog bones? I do have plans for headers so whatever will work best for my set up is what im gonna do. Ive never fabricated much in the past but im sure I can figure it out? And as I read on I think m&t stands for Motor and Trans mount, so what I gather is with the coilover set up that I am going with I should replace the motor and trans mount in place of the shorten dog bones?
 
I'm running shortened dog bones as a temp fix. They will increase wear of mounts and are not the best solution.
Spacers are the way to go. Vinny sells spacers that are the CORRECT size.
 


the shorter dogbones dont really correct the issue, they 'adjust it'. they also put the motor and trans mounts in a bind and they'll wear a lot quicker because they are being stressed in a direction they aren't meant to be.

get motor/trans mount spacers. shorter dogbones isn't the real answer.
 
Howl, If I were you... I would do more homework before laying out this kind of $. This forum has really good info, just search and read.

Any time you lower, it changes relationship/geometry of trans to wheel bearing hub, ie cv axle is not aligned as engineers' design intended. Of course you can install c/o & set them to stock height & no other mods would be needed. & you will likely be ok w/ very small drop. W/ mine, it was definate that I needed correction, and spacers did it. Consensus here seems to be the correct way to correct height is w/ motor and trans mount spacers.

If I did it over, I would make my own spacers b/c I had to go to store and buy new drill bit anyway b/c zzp spacer holes were not correct. otherwise, contact Vinny as suggested above--pay a 'conveinence fee' & just slip spacers on.

your mounts could be in good shape, but its reasonable that they wear out over time/miles, and new mounts are not that much $. If you install mount spacers, you're 3/4 way (just 2 more nuts each) to installing new mounts. I suggest getting mounts and spacers, and installing them at same time as struts, just as a time saver. even if your mounts are not shot, new mounts might tighten/freshen ride/response a little.

lots of decisions to be made. good luck
 
Thanks guys, so I have decided to go with coil overs and I will go ahead and do new motor and trans mounts, I will adjust the drop for like a 1.5" drop and leave it at that to try and not mess with the stock settings too much. Like I said I just want a slight drop and while im at it might as well do new struts so coilovers seems like the right choice.

While im doing all this should I go ahead and change out anything else? As in when you guys do this is there any other supporting mod/general replacement of a suspension part that might as well be done while you have everything torn down?
 


I know I'm late but I have then with before pics and I'd be more that willing to send some after pics. I got the ssc lowering springs with the gr2s and I felt a huge difference. The cars isnt too stiff but its definitely more responsive. It's lower with no body roll. It's a great set up for the money I personally. It closes the wheel gap pretty well. It's not "hella flush" its hella functional! oh and no more wheel hop!
 
Suspension.jpg
GTP2.jpg
GTP1.jpg
DSCN3265.jpg
DSCN3267.jpg
all of these photo's were taken before the spring strut combo was installed.
 


IMAG0192.jpg
IMAG0194.jpg
After, those are the factory rims with the same tires as the other pictures above but i plasti dipped them a few weeks ago to see if i would like black rims on there. The bronze rims/tire set up are the same size as well.
 
Looks good man, did you slap in some new motor and trans mounts? How many miles have ya put on them, and did you do anything else to your suspension?
 
Funny that you mention that lol. I just put on the polly dog bone bushings and upper mounts yesterday. Huge difference so far. When i rev the motor doesn't even rock. The bottom polly motor mount and solid trans mount will be here on Thursday going in on Friday! :) I'll let you know what i think. I would have to say i have probably put near 10k on the set up. I put them on in February of this year and i don't really have any other suspension products on yet besides. For a 15 yr old car it has held up really well. I got it 2 yrs ago with 60,000 on it, second owner. I plan on getting front and rear gmpp sway bars and strut tower braces by the end of the year and i think that will probably do it as far as suspension goes but i do recommend the spring/strut combo. You don't spend a fortune on them, there's not a whole lot of pogo but its definitely stiff enough performance wise without sacrificing the ride comfort of your daily driver. At least mine is my dd.
 
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