Suspension upgrades

[assassain11]

What are some of the upgrades you guys are using? spring/struts or full-coilover? control arms? Toe arms, traction rods, etc?

[Ish_]

I've put on the Nismo Sway Bars (Front and Rear)... made a world of difference. Going in and coming out of turns produces nearly 0 body roll... almost feels like slow motion compared to stock.

[palmerwmd]

I went with the Koni8241's.

definetly improved the handling, even tho by how much, is hard to tell, as my stock shocks were already at 30,000 miles and less effective by then of course.

[wperdigon]

I've put on the Nismo Sway Bars (Front and Rear)... made a world of difference. Going in and coming out of turns produces nearly 0 body roll... almost feels like slow motion compared to stock.



I drove Ryan's car with these on it and was a world of difference - though I have heard that the 350/s handling is that matched bya skyline - any truth to that?

[palmerwmd]

In some parameter ths stock Z33 aka 350Z is better than the R34 Stock.

Mostly in high speed sweepers and lane changing.

In other parameter the stock R34 outhandles the stock Z33.

Fred.. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[idrive]

I really like what tokico offers with the Dspec set up(approximately $700). Although I have had no experience with it at all. Just seems like it was designed with great intentions. Tokico is most likely the manufacturer of Nismo suspension kits anyhow, but thats just my speculation.

Dspecs + Nismo or Hotchkis sways and some improved end links should make for a really nice suspension set up that cost roughly $1100 if you install yourself. Match that with some nice tires and I bet a little over 1g on the skid pad will be realized.

[AndyPerformance]

Nismo makes their own springs, dampers are manufactured by Bilstein. THe Nismo S Tune suspension is prett entry level but if all you do is daily driving, itll work out great. If you are looking for something in the next step up with some adjustability, I would look into the Tanabe S0C. A great coilover without too much compromise in drivability.

Tanabe S-0C (http://performancenissanparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4176)

[Deathmage]

I'm prolly going with eibach springs and nismo sways. Pretty generic but dependable setup.

[palmerwmd]

Sounds like a good plan..
Even tho those coilovers Andy linked look good and arent all that much more than what some pay for Koni8241 shocks installed..

[TonyPerformance]

I just swapped my Tein Flex out for Tanabe's SOC setup.
The flex was cool, but it was, even on the softest EDFC setting, too stiff for a comfortable ride during my daily commute. The SOC, although not shock dampening adjustable are very nice. They are perfect for those who want a good ride quality for the street, but nice suspension performance during hard cornering and driving. It's a very nice balance between sport tuned and street IMO.

[helldorado]

Has anybody had any experience with the Tanabe Sustec Pro Seven with TEAS? I'm curious how well the system has worked and how it compares to the Tein Flex w/ EDFC?

I've heard similar gripes about the Flex's being really stiff, even at the softest setting, curious how the Pro Seven sizes up. Like is the softest setting softer, the stiffest setting stiffer?

The automatic speed based slider adjustment valve with TEAS looks to be phenomenal. If it has a wider range of adjustments than the Flex, that would be the one to get, particularly if it is as stiff as the Flex at the max but can go softer on the low end.

[idrive]

i have actually heard the opposite from owners about the teins, that they typically run too soft on dampening and they have had to max them out sometimes to get the ride that they want. just what i heard, no true experience with them other than my friends mr2 with flexs'

[PerformanceTony]

THe Tanabe Sustec 7 with TEAS is not available just yet for the 350Z, so no feedback on the system yet. We are taking pre-orders on the setup though on our site. We expect them within a month's time roughly for the Z.
http://performancenissanparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6066

[watcher]

I'm prolly going with eibach springs and nismo sways. Pretty generic but dependable



I had that exact setup on my 6 spd G35 coupe. It's the best bang for the buck by far and enough for you to daily drive and do lite track days with ease.

[WA2GOOD]

I'm prolly going with eibach springs and nismo sways. Pretty generic but dependable



I had that exact setup on my 6 spd G35 coupe. It's the best bang for the buck by far and enough for you to daily drive and do lite track days with ease.




I agree, just add some Tokico D-Specs and I 100% agree. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Gator688]

Not sure if anyone will see this but I am thinking of suspension upgrades and could not resist. The next is sways; Nismo or Hotchkis. I personally can't see the extra money for the Nismo S tune. What I really want help with is the shocks. I had convinced myself to go with Nismo S tune because my Z is a daily driver and I am not interested in lowering it much but I want better handling. Recently I was out at AAM and he showed me the adjustable Teins. That got me thinking that having an adjustable suspension would be nice rather than a single dampening set up like the Nismo S. Any experience or suggestions?

[HKSPWRDZ]

Not sure if anyone will see this but I am thinking of suspension upgrades and could not resist. The next is sways; Nismo or Hotchkis. I personally can't see the extra money for the Nismo S tune. What I really want help with is the shocks. I had convinced myself to go with Nismo S tune because my Z is a daily driver and I am not interested in lowering it much but I want better handling. Recently I was out at AAM and he showed me the adjustable Teins. That got me thinking that having an adjustable suspension would be nice rather than a single dampening set up like the Nismo S. Any experience or suggestions?

I have the Nismo S tune suspension, and really like it, it only lowers the car 20 mm. If that helps.

[Gator688]

I think I will go with the Nismo S suspension and sway bars. I have not heard anyone on this forum say anything bad about them. Couldn't believe how much to get sways put on; $900 including parts! I know the Nismo stuff is expensive but how hard can it be to install sways. They said something about they have to pull the subframe down?

[HKSPWRDZ]

I think I will go with the Nismo S suspension and sway bars. I have not heard anyone on this forum say anything bad about them. Couldn't believe how much to get sways put on; $900 including parts! I know the Nismo stuff is expensive but how hard can it be to install sways. They said something about they have to pull the subframe down?

How much are they charging your for install, its really a easy install you can do it yourself.

[Gsedan35]

Nismo makes their own springs, dampers are manufactured by Bilstein. THe Nismo S Tune suspension is prett entry level but if all you do is daily driving, itll work out great. If you are looking for something in the next step up with some adjustability, I would look into the Tanabe S0C. A great coilover without too much compromise in drivability.

Tanabe S-0C (http://performancenissanparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4176)

Well,....Bilstein doesn't manufactuer Twin tube shocks and Tokico freely admits that they are the Z33/CPV35/V35 oem supplier, including the S-tune units. Nissan does have a relationship with Bilstein in the form of offering a optional shock/spring setup that is listed in the JDM catalog for dealer install items (with totally different spring rates and damping specs vs the S-tune).

Though your right in mentioning the S-tune setups inability to adjust ride height, based on owner review's and it's specs, your really selling the setup well short of what it deliver's to the end user by labeling it as a "entry level" setup. It's also not lost on me that At $1400+, it's not a easy sell. Somewhere I have a print article where several Z's were tracked, S-tune equipped car's had lower lap times than two other Z's that were equipped with Flex setups.

[helldorado]

Somewhere I have a print article where several Z's were tracked, S-tune equipped car's had lower lap times than two other Z's that were equipped with Flex setups.
I'd be very interested to see that article. Sounds like a good read. Did they draw any conclusions based on the damping rates set with the flex or anything like that? Or was it just the performance and rebound of the Nismos being superior?

[garyspyder]

Does anyone know if the Nismo suspension would greatly impact the harshness of the ride? I am thinking of getting a grand touring for my daily 35 min. commute and track days a few times a year.

Should I order the car with the Nismo kit, or will it rattle my teath over bridge expansion joints?:rolleyes:

[Gator688]

Does anyone know if the Nismo suspension would greatly impact the harshness of the ride? I am thinking of getting a grand touring for my daily 35 min. commute and track days a few times a year.

Should I order the car with the Nismo kit, or will it rattle my teath over bridge expansion joints?:rolleyes:

I did end up with the nismo S and Hotchkiss sways. I am happy with it as a daily driver and a 90 mile round trip communte. The suspension will not "rattle your teeth" but it is firmer and "bouncy". I think the car definitely handles better and in fact is less jittery which I like. Before the car had a tendency to follow groves in the pavement and now it does not. The suspension is compliant in corners and does give a bit in hard cornering at speed especially going up hill as you would expect. But, as I said, it does not "rattle your teeth". There is very little body roll but I would not say it is completely flat in the turns.

[assassain11]

Awesome to read, I actually ended up selling my SR-swapped 14 and purchased a G35/6MT. '04' Brembo package and all!

[Deathmage]

wow, what an oldschool thread.. I have stillen sways and eibach springs and I like the ride.. not harsh at all, imo.