Nismo Suspension
 

I've had my Nismo for about a month now and my only real complaint is the harshness/stiffness of the ride. I will live with it if I have to because I love the handling but just wondering if I can improve the ride without giving up the other handling qualities. Would a set of coilovers do the trick? Wouldn't mind being able to drop it just a little bit more too. By the way, this is strictly a street application, no current track plans.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

umm Im just gonna ask real quick if you removed the spacers from the springs at the dealership. Your car ships with spacers to leave the car high to clear things for transportation.... go check if they took those out...

:iagree:
Yep. Mine were not removed by the dealer, very stiff!!!

good catch! :tup:

Thanks guys, but as best as I can tell without getting the car up in the air, it appears that there are no spacers.

Did you test drive the standard 370Z as well before buying the Nismo? The standard Z has a more compliant ride that might have been more to your liking.

Yes I did but I liked the Nismo better, even with the harsher ride. Don't get me wrong, I knew what I was getting in to but just want to explore some options.

My first thought was that you got the wrong car if you are asking for softer springs....but then I think about how comfortable my KW's are and I think that maybe they are your answer. Check out the KW V3's...

KW V3 would be a good choice :tup:

Where would they be? How would I remove them if they are there?

I enjoy the Nismo greatly, however the ride is a little harsher than I enjoy. What are the downside of going with a product like KW V3's? Will I lose handling? What will improve?

EDIT: Hmm, I read a little about the product and see they lower the car even more, which I cannot afford in the area I drive around in (as a DD). They are also quite expensive. I wonder if there is something else out there that will smooth out the ride a little.

from what i've found the only thing you sacrifice with the Kdubs(can i coin that?)is some weight in the wallet area.

The dampers are the only part of the Nismo suspension that is significantly different. If you go with an adjustable damper you will be able to dial in the factory Nismo ride or go plush.

I'm wondering this myself. The ride isn't too harsh most of the time, more like the sporty feel I was shooting for. Just want to know if I missed something.

So they could purchase some Koni yellow shocks (or w/e brand they want) which I believe are adjustable and use the nismo springs and that would help ? I have the KW V3 and I used them on my 350 and love them on both rides.

DDave would you like to compare rides? Im curious how stiff when you say stiff the nismo is? PM me if your interested i have HKS and in OC

bumpp for nismo how much did it cost you?

The KW's would improve the handling and comfort of your car in every imaginable way. They are miles better than your stock suspension package and more comfortable due to the progressive springs. If Robispec comes out with race versions of mine, I will sell you my KW V3's if you want them :)

just a suggestion, you should trade your nismo suspension for base suspension?

I also think i would be interested in such a trade but my time is limited as of late hehe.

hmm a set of KW's would definatey be nice but not really offer more of a compliant ride. Maybe ur best bet would be to purchase a set of sport springs from Swift? not sure they're out for our cars yet?

If you are looking to keep the sporty feel but need a more forgiving ride, go with the HKS Hypermax III's. I had the HKS RS (older version of Hypermax III) on my G and they were great on the street in ANY condition but were still had a very sporty ride. You can adjust them to as soft or stiff as you'd like...

Let me know if you get rid of the Nismo suspension...

Hey Steve...

I'd be interested in that swap to see the difference. Car's still in the shop but I get it back in a couple weeks. I want coilovers but I want to drive a car with them first before I commit.

If your up to it let me know and I'll catch you when the car gets back. DDAVE, I know it sounds crazy but you may consider the touring model swap, your not going to track the car so I seriously doubt the handling would be that bad and you still retain the Nismo look which lead you to buying the car.

Its no different then getting rid of my nismo exhaust for a more FI's exhaust. Sure I took away from the package but its your car to do whatever makes it better for you. Something to think about... go test drive a touring edition and see if the handling is that much worse..

PS. Didnt I read that the touring model had a better lap time then the Nismo anyway? Seems odd to me but something to think about.

i also have a nismo, and i was wondering if you guys had an idea of how the spacers look? i just checked out my car and the front springs seemed like there were spacers still there. what i saw was something like a black bracket that's about like 5 to 6 inches long on the springs. i've never seen any springs that has black brackets on them so i'm guessing those are the spacers? if they are, i'm going to get them removed tomorrow morning. thanks.

thats them.

Getting used to the stiffness now. Wouldn't want to swap for touring because then I lose the lowered look. If I do anything different it will be coilovers but for now I think I'll just leave as is.

The Spacer Issue continues....HAHAHAHAHA!

So funny.

^ agreed, its just ridiculous.

Check the link in my signature, it's been stickied as well in this forum. Pics on the spacers are there.

How can I find out how low the KW's will make my car? I know they are adjustable and I've asked before but could I change to these and still maintain the same ride height or do they may out at .75 of an inch or lower?

I bought rims and I'm a little concerned they may rub so if I go too low. Anyone know?

you should be able to maintain stock height
and definately make it high enough to not rub

Oh boy...

Afraid you were going to say that, coilovers are now on my list. Need $, will work for parts :)

What are your wheels specs ?

19x9.5 +22 and 19x10.5 +12

Think I'll be ok bud?

i think you will. depends on what tires your running though.

transferring my stockers over. CHEAP CHEAP

Thanks bro!

youll be plenty fine then. im planning on a much more aggressive wheel setup than that and going pretty low :P

Cool man...lets see some pics when you have it dialed in.

Appreciate the advice.

no problem
and when i have a garage that a lowered z can make it up is when i have it. haha.i have to go into my current garage at an angle so the beard doesnt scrape