Active or Magentic Suspension/Coilovers for 370z?
 

Been doing research on coilovers and full suspension in general recently and came across much information and just based and the pure performance and aerodynamic purposing I have a couple of ideas.

Of course there is always the KW v3 coilovers if I end up doing a regular coilover upgrade.

Upon researching more about the Active and Magnetic suspensions, after reading an article about track cars that were too fast (where the specific part causing the performance imbalance was banned from the track by the Racing Administration only for competitive track use), I wanted to look for something like that for the Z. Not due to any other reason other than the electromagnetic physics of how the suspension moves with the road.

I can find active and magnetic suspension for other cars, but NOT for the 370z.

Any insight would be much appreciated!

The closest thing to that is the tein efdc units. Our cars were not originally designed for that system hence why you cannot find them. GM uses it on all the performance models but their vehicles have a separate computer that analyzes the car every 5 msecs or something like that so unless you want to drop some serious cash on a prototype then go for it. Otherwise you will have to be like everyone else or get airbags.

Food for though at least, and maybe getting a prototype going wouldn't be a bad idea especially with the new Z's probably being turbo'd. See if any manufacture would want to get this process started.

If in the end it doesn't come through I will look at the Tein efdc's. Do they work with any coilover or just Tein's?

Thanks :tiphat:

Im not sure, you would have to check with tein.

The Tein EDFC unit only works with Tein coil overs. I believe Cusco also has their own electronic damper force control unit for their shocks.

It's worth noting this is quite different from magnetorheological shocks which contain a suspended medium in the shock fluid which reacts to voltage changes which alter the fluid's viscosity. These types of shocks can react much more quickly than the EDFC and most likely what was banned in the racing series. It does take a reasonably powerful control unit and expertise to dial it all in. Can't see it ever being done for the 370 or it coming in at an affordable price point.

Companies like KW, who have electronically adjustable shocks for cars that already come with that sort of setup (Audi, VW, BMW, etc...) are using standard-type dampers and it's usually a "mode" sort of thing, sport, normal, soft.

The Q50 400 Sport and upcoming Q60 Coupe 400 both have selectable drive modes but they're not, afik, using magnetorheological shocks like the Ford Shelby GT350, Ferrari and numerous GM models.

The Tein EDFC with the EDFC Pro Active controller is supposed to be pretty smart and react quickly. I've not used it in the real world but did consider it. Not sure if anyone tracks with such a setup but if it's reliable and reacts as fast as they say it does, I could see it's usefulness. None of their sets for the 370Z are hard core track focused though (if that's what you're looking for).

Thanks for the input as well! :tiphat:

Answers the questions regarding the Tien EDFC as well. I would love to go with the magnetic setup, but like you said would probably be a very expensive feat to accomplish. Although for the performance I would love to look into the costs itself. The physics and chemistry behind how the shock works, it would be a great performance piece.

If Cusco has their own type of EDFC technology as well I may look into them if I end up going with a coilover and EDFC setup. At that point both the coilovers and EDFC is a better quality.

GM developed magnetic dampers and are the ones licensing them to any other companies whose cars use them (like Ferrari and Ford). So it's highly unlikely we'll see any aftermarket companies sell them as an off the shelf unit anytime soon.

I did find this site that sells components: LORD MR Products
and this one with less info BWIGroup - Suspension - MAGNERIDE

Looks like you'd need pretty deep pockets and some custom fabrication work for these though.

A challenge is always accepted haha :driving: I am thinking about possibly looking at having a custom set made. I would definitely have a whole thread regarding the production of them and whether or not more will be able to be made.

Thanks for the link brotha!