Had to get a piece of thick sidewall pipe and had it machined down to an interference fitment which they pressed together for me. Then I welded it for extra redundancy 👌 If I were to do it again, I would buy better coilovers to modify
@@Hawk74 Haven't been able to get to the bushings just yet. But just ordered a set of S13 BC Racing coil overs to suit the zx. Just gotta see how it goes. I also ordered 240/260z lower tubes that will hopefully fit right over the 280 strut. So no having to sleeve it. We'll see 🤞
If the factory ZX tube that you cut, were left longer, you could have just welded the coil over tube directly to it and not have dealt with the cast iron part, right? Maybe built a heat shield for the cast part, then weld the coil over direction to the factory steel tube. My concern would be that welding cast is clearly more complex and some could end up doing damage without realizing it. Also, you could have made a slip tube such that one fits over the other pretty tight, then is clamped down like a tie rod end. It just transfers weight and a 4~6" overlap should be plenty of strength. Nice job, I've got a few ZXs that I'd like to rework.
I wish I could have just welded the bottom of the coilover to the strut tube but there was to big of a gap in between them so I had to find some pipe that could be milled down to create an interference fitment. The guys at the machine shop did a great job and pressed them together so technically I didn't even have to weld it but I figure better safe than sorry! I know they make coilovers that slip over the stock tube and you can just weld them together but they were quite pricey (probably better ride quality though)! We will see how they hold up after I get the motor and transmission in but thank you for the support!! Good luck with your projects!! The bushings were a nightmare!
Hi Michael! Really nice alternative. I have a question. Is it the 280Z or the 280ZX? Because in the title say "Modifying Nissan S13 coilovers to fit a Datsun 280Z (cheap MaxpeedingRods coilovers)" but later you say "1989-1998 Nissan S13 240SX MaxpeedingRods (cheap amazon coilovers, link below) Modified to fit a 1980 Datsun 280ZX S130"
@@likablemichael Thank you for your quick answer! I wonder what is the diameter of the tube of the S13 coilovers, because the tube of the 280z has 55mm (instead 51mm of the 280zx). Would you suggest an alternative coilovers to fit into 55mm?
@@andycalabia3390 No problem! I am not sure off the top of my head but I did have a sleeve made to take up that space in between the strut tube and the coilover bottom. If you were to do the exact same coilovers I bought, I definitely think 55mm would fit. I will try to get a measurement on it if I make it to the shop tomorrow!
That's a good question 🤔 if the top bolt pattern is the same then it might work for the front but the rears look like the bottom part mounts differently 🤷♂️
Bro you are a lifesaver. Thank you
👌 glad it helps!
Hi, where did you get the sleeve that was used to fill the space between the tube and the sleeve? Did the machine shop fabricate it?
Had to get a piece of thick sidewall pipe and had it machined down to an interference fitment which they pressed together for me. Then I welded it for extra redundancy 👌 If I were to do it again, I would buy better coilovers to modify
Thanks! Great videos!
how have i not found this video sooner? just about to do this to my zx :)
haha nice! If you're changing the bushing also good luck!! They were a pain but hopefully worth it!
@@likablemichael yeah i have the same bushings 😅
We'll see how it goes!
@@ArcticNightwind how did it go? I'm looking to do my 280zx soon, any advice? Recommendations for parts?
@@Hawk74 Haven't been able to get to the bushings just yet. But just ordered a set of S13 BC Racing coil overs to suit the zx. Just gotta see how it goes. I also ordered 240/260z lower tubes that will hopefully fit right over the 280 strut. So no having to sleeve it. We'll see 🤞
If the factory ZX tube that you cut, were left longer, you could have just welded the coil over tube directly to it and not have dealt with the cast iron part, right? Maybe built a heat shield for the cast part, then weld the coil over direction to the factory steel tube. My concern would be that welding cast is clearly more complex and some could end up doing damage without realizing it. Also, you could have made a slip tube such that one fits over the other pretty tight, then is clamped down like a tie rod end. It just transfers weight and a 4~6" overlap should be plenty of strength. Nice job, I've got a few ZXs that I'd like to rework.
I wish I could have just welded the bottom of the coilover to the strut tube but there was to big of a gap in between them so I had to find some pipe that could be milled down to create an interference fitment. The guys at the machine shop did a great job and pressed them together so technically I didn't even have to weld it but I figure better safe than sorry! I know they make coilovers that slip over the stock tube and you can just weld them together but they were quite pricey (probably better ride quality though)! We will see how they hold up after I get the motor and transmission in but thank you for the support!! Good luck with your projects!! The bushings were a nightmare!
awesome vid
Any updates? How does it ride? Thanks for the video.
I haven't driven it 😭 decided to LS swap it and still getting things sorted since there is little support for the S130 chassis
Is there a way I can private message you? I live in Dallas and have a 81 280zx that I have questions about.
Yeah that’s cool @likablemichael on instagram
Hi Michael! Really nice alternative. I have a question. Is it the 280Z or the 280ZX? Because in the title say "Modifying Nissan S13 coilovers to fit a Datsun 280Z (cheap MaxpeedingRods coilovers)" but later you say "1989-1998 Nissan S13 240SX MaxpeedingRods (cheap amazon coilovers, link below) Modified to fit a 1980 Datsun 280ZX S130"
Hey Andy, that was my fault, my car is a 1980 280ZX! I just fixed the title! Thank you for bringing this to my attention!!
@@likablemichael Thank you for your quick answer! I wonder what is the diameter of the tube of the S13 coilovers, because the tube of the 280z has 55mm (instead 51mm of the 280zx). Would you suggest an alternative coilovers to fit into 55mm?
@@andycalabia3390 No problem! I am not sure off the top of my head but I did have a sleeve made to take up that space in between the strut tube and the coilover bottom. If you were to do the exact same coilovers I bought, I definitely think 55mm would fit. I will try to get a measurement on it if I make it to the shop tomorrow!
Michael Mc No worries , I just saw both rear and front are tube, no BallJoint type as the rear in zx
It's a 280zx, haha
nice coil overs
Thanks, they’re definitely better than what was on it
i also love that car
what are you going to do to that car
Cadence Rutledge Swapping in a v8 and a different 5 speed transmission. Then I plan on driving it for a while and eventually take it drifting 🤙
fun
Wonder if this will work for a 260z...
That's a good question 🤔 if the top bolt pattern is the same then it might work for the front but the rears look like the bottom part mounts differently 🤷♂️
@@likablemichael yeah that’s where I was headed. Anyone know if the top bolt pattern/spacing is the same?
The front bolt pattern is roughly 4" on center. The rears are around 3-1/8" on center, hope that helps 👍
first!!!