Todd's '80 Z28- Finally turning wrenches again...

[John Wright]

Put the jack under the crossmember, pick the car up...place jackstands under the subframe near the front of the doors....let the floor jack down...the front of the car acts likes it had a hinge in it before I added my solid bushings and SFCs.

[falloutboy]

yeah mine did this too, it almost folded in the middle - but now with the PU bushings in it -its better.

Next time - solid

[woody80z28]

Originally Posted by Todd80Z28

I figured I'd start my own thread to detail what I'm up to, since I've finally gotten motivated to start working on the car again.

Nothing like a little one in the house to get you back out in the garage right? haha J/k.

Glad to see the Z getting some love. It's the car that inspired my T56 swap.

[Todd80Z28]

More work this weekend.

Current projects are-

1. Refurbish LCAs- new ball joints, new Moog rubber bushings. The front bushing was showing some stress/age cracks, but the rear was almost like new. Strange.
2. Install new Moog 5664 springs with K160044 isolators. Looking for more front rate, no real issues with the 5610s I have now, though.
3. Replace front sway bar end links- wasted.
4. Replace motor mounts while LCAs are out- sagging probably 1/4" compared to the new ones.

I didn't prepare to clean up the LCAs very well, so other than dirt/grease removal, they are going back in without prep/paint.

I did a quick check of the spring on one side- installed it, dropped down on the floor with LCA bolts loose and the sway bar disconnected, so it would settle quickly. I ran it around the block and then measured-

5664s (707#/in rate) with K160044 isolators- 14 1/8" from spindle center to fender lip.

This is 1/8" higher than the 5610s (without isolators). Isolators are 1/4" thick. I am pleased.

One side is finished, and I got the LCA out of the other side. LCA refurb was a PITA- had a heck of a time getting the bushings out, and the ball joint in- kept going crooked.
Hopefully I can finish up in the next few days, take it for a real spin and confirm the ride height.

Oh, I did this when starting the work-



I guess I'll take it to someone. Debating on just getting the whole thing repainted...

[K5JMP]

Originally Posted by Todd80Z28

Oh, I did this when starting the work-



I guess I'll take it to someone. Debating on just getting the whole thing repainted...

OUCH!!

[Todd80Z28]

Finished. 2nd LCA was lickety split compared to the first. I learned a few tricks for using the HF ball joint press.

I'll take it out for a spin tomorrow. I left the LCA bolts slightly loose, just so the front settles more quickly. Before settling the car, it's sitting at 14 1/4" on the driver's side, 14 3/8" on the passenger side.

[BonzoHansen]

should have gone delrins. Knuckle head.

How's the paint, is it scratched bad or is that just paint on it?

[Todd80Z28]

That white is laying on top of the paint, best I can tell. I cannot get it off, though, unless I use a razor blade scraper- not crazy about that idea.

I'll let you know on the Delrin. You get some stiff 40 series tires up under the front of yours, you might not like all the road racket, either. Good news is if I decide to change them again, I can probably do it in 30 min/side, now.

[BonzoHansen]

Talk to rich@mms he will set you straight on the paint issue

[2ndgenhunter]

Mothers wheel polish will take that white paint right off.

I was wondering it you post a full pic of your car from the side? I would like to see the stance. Thanks, Jamie

[Todd80Z28]

Jamie- here's an old picture from my website-



That's almost 8 years ago, but the basic stance is the same. I intend to get some updated shots if I can get the car cleaned up this week.

The front is transmitting a bit less noise. Not sure if it's the new bushings, or the coil spring isolators- maybe a combo of both??

So, now my current suspension setup is-

1. Moog 5664s (707lb/in) with K160044 isolators.
2. Rubber bushings up front.
3. Factory 1 1/8" bar with new end links Moog K6630.
4. Vette Brakes fiberglass rear leafs, 200lb/in castings at 184lb/in actual rate.
5. Poly bushings in the back (boo!), and Poly leaf pads (double boo!)
6. Bilsteins all around (off the shelf valving, nothing custom)

Initial impressions on the springs- I'm not sure if the front is moving anymore. It's tight, but not a rough ride. Basically, the front now feels tightly sprung like the back always has. I like it. I have a feeling it's going to understeer a lot more than it wanted to before, and I'm still running the original bars all around. Might have to find a 3/4" WS6 rear bar to pick up some of the cornering load, and leave the 1 1/8" front bar alone.

Driver's bump stop is half rotted out (probably from bouncing on it occasionally for 8+ years...), so new ones are on their way, along with sway bar bushings.

[2ndgenhunter]

Todd,

Thanks! Thats a great looking car! I like the stance. Its nice to get a pic of the way thing will look before spending cash.

I ordered my 5664s and Landrum 200s earlier today. I can't wait for them to get here.

[Todd80Z28]

Alright, I got a little more seat time today, and the car does remind me of something- my '87 TA with WS6. The '80 front moves just like the '87 felt- where the front felt stiff, stays REALLY flat, and the rear axle seems to do more of the compliance work. Before, the front was doing it all.

The front and rear "feel" equally sprung now, if that makes sense. Going over speed bumps now, the front squats the same as the rear, rebounds just as fast. A lot less travel than before.

Ride is not rough by any means, just tighter. I searched out all the dips in the road on my typical commute today, and no more bottoming the front suspension- not even close, so far as I can tell.

I think I'll keep it. It does seem like I now have the slightest nose-up orientation, but I do have a full tank of gas, and parts in the trunk, along with about .2" of shim lowering the axle in the back. Once I get that sort, it should sit basically flat at around 14.2" spindle center to fender lip.

[FatnLow]

Post those new pics up Todd.

[John Wright]

re: Poly leaf pads.....keep an eye on those...they will squirt out from under the spring if you drive it hard...ask me how I know....Mary P had a similar experience with them as well, and I'm sure that I have not pushed my car as hard as she can.