ZTT Suspension Options for a softer ride

[JMW]

Apologies if this has already been covered but I was wondering what the options were for improving the softness and ride comfort.

My ZTT has the sports option and can be rather harsh, this could be part to do with age and also spec, my question is this;

Can I direct swap for the Rover 75 springs and dampers? or will there be other jobs to do at the same time
Would this improve ride comfort or are the 18 inch wheels a problem also?
Is this even a good idea?

I do like my 18 inch alloys so don't want to change the wheel size / tyre combo.

Many thanks

Jon

[Rick-sta]

i think it is doable if you swap the springs and dampers all round, but standard 75 springs would make the ride too soft for a ZT in my opinion and it would sit higher than it does at the moment too.

However, i think the 75 contemporary had springs that was a midway point between the 75 softness and the zt harshness, so that may be worth a try. I think that is the case anyway, but I'm sure someone who has a contemporary model will correct me if i'm wrong

oh and nice to see another local member on here, with a monogram as well. I'm not too far from you up the a13 but never seen your lagoon around here even when I do venture into Romford

[stevestrat]

The mk1 ZTs all came with "sports" suspension, facelifts could be purchased with the option of a more forgiving set up but no idea about actual spring rates etc. What size tyres are you running? I had a ZT with 40s on it when I bought it and the ride was really hard, my 260 has 45s and its a little better.

[LeRich]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

The mk1 ZTs all came with "sports" suspension, facelifts could be purchased with the option of a more forgiving set up but no idea about actual spring rates etc.

Only early ZTs had the 'sports' suspension. It was replaced by a softer set up in 2002 cars following critical customer feedback. A sports suspension option was then made available, equivalent to the previous standard set up, which was taken forward to the facelift cars.

To make your ZTT ride a bit better I'd be tempted to leave the suspension well alone and downsize the wheels to 17"s with higher profile tyres.

[LeRich]

Originally Posted by Rick-sta

However, i think the 75 contemporary had springs that was a midway point between the 75 softness and the zt harshness, so that may be worth a try.

The Contemporary set up is the same as other 75s but there was a sports suspension option available (not sure if this is the ZT set up or a halfway house as you suggest).

[Sonic ZS]

Originally Posted by LeRich

Only early ZTs had the 'sports' suspension. It was replaced by a softer set up in 2002 cars following critical customer feedback. A sports suspension option was then made available, equivalent to the previous standard set up, which was taken forward to the facelift cars.

To make your ZTT ride a bit better I'd be tempted to leave the suspension well alone and downsize the wheels to 17"s with higher profile tyres.

This is correct - the very early cars (ZT & ZTT) we VERY firm, to the point that I would be cringing when going out on test drives, as you just knew it was too hard for 95% of customers, unless they were purchasing as a track day car !

MG suspension was subsequently softened a little, but not to the point of the 75 ride smoothness, whilst the original was still offered as the 'Sports' option.

It may be worth looking into what is fitted to your car (notes under back seat on N/S) or checking the colour coding on the springs (probably more accurate) to see whether you might be able to go from Sports to regular ? This will keep the ride height correct and give you a more supple drive

[JMW]

Originally Posted by Rick-sta

i think it is doable if you swap the springs and dampers all round, but standard 75 springs would make the ride too soft for a ZT in my opinion and it would sit higher than it does at the moment too.

However, i think the 75 contemporary had springs that was a midway point between the 75 softness and the zt harshness, so that may be worth a try. I think that is the case anyway, but I'm sure someone who has a contemporary model will correct me if i'm wrong

oh and nice to see another local member on here, with a monogram as well. I'm not too far from you up the a13 but never seen your lagoon around here even when I do venture into Romford

Thanks for the info, the ZTT has only been here for a month following a move from Oxfordshire. Ill do some more research into the Connie suspension.

[JMW]

Originally Posted by Sonic ZS

This is correct - the very early cars (ZT & ZTT) we VERY firm, to the point that I would be cringing when going out on test drives, as you just knew it was too hard for 95% of customers, unless they were purchasing as a track day car !

MG suspension was subsequently softened a little, but not to the point of the 75 ride smoothness, whilst the original was still offered as the 'Sports' option.

It may be worth looking into what is fitted to your car (notes under back seat on N/S) or checking the colour coding on the springs (probably more accurate) to see whether you might be able to go from Sports to regular ? This will keep the ride height correct and give you a more supple drive

Ill have a look and find out what the markings say and come back to the thread, as the car is 13 years old Im not sure if the hard ride is as it should be or if anything needs replacing.