Suspension Refresh Options

[Hermes]

While I generally agree with the above point I do have an exception to that. While a modern sports car like a ZHP will eventually have overkill from too much poly bushings, an old chassis code that didn't have as firm a suspension to begin with will benefit from them.

What I'm basically saying is I'm not installing poly bushings on my ZHP, but the E21 and E10 will be getting the full poly treatment as I've already installed all new stock bushings on both cars and it's not good enough yet for my taste.

[orange260z]

Hermes,

I completely agree that personal taste and tolerance is a huge factor in your choice of bushings (and suspension upgrades), along with intended use, and road conditions in your area.

Are you adding any chassis stiffening to your E21 and E10 cars?

I know with my 911 another point of consideration was that a 40 year old car is nowhere near as stiff as a modern car, so without chassis modifications (such as roll cages, triangulation and gusseting) a lot of the flex in the car, is the car itself (even in a non-sunroof coupe like mine). And the stiffer I make the suspension, the more I'm making the chassis unibody act as the suspension and I'm not sure that's a good thing. Personally, I made the choice to go softer BECAUSE it's an older chassis.

Anyway, that's the neat thing about our car hobby - everyone has different approaches to doing things, and no one way is right - it's all about what's right for you!

[Hermes]

Both cars are on Bilstein Sports

320i has Suspension Technique springs, Suspension Technique swaybars, Ground Control Strut Brace, all new factory bushings.

2002 is on Ireland Engineering street springs/have and will be installing race, Ireland Engineering swaybars, Mason Engineering Strut Brace, all new factory bushings

Both car have new tie rods and control arms, rack bushings for the 320 and box/idler bushings for the 02. E21 will soon be getting early big bearing front tubes with Koni Specials and 323i vented rotor/calipers, as well as the rear getting Koni's but currently staying with drums as I haven't found 323i trailing arms complete with discs yet

The only real thing left is going poly since I've already done everything and it's not stiff enough for me yet

[orange260z]

Have you thought about reinforcing the chassis (roll bar, roll cage, other braces or reinforcements)?

Sounds like you're going all out! Would be awesome to see that 2002 in action.

[Hermes]

I was not planning on an obvious cage/reinforcement. I might possibly weld in some Baur style unibody reinforcement