Bagged 15+ Nismo???

HIZZY

Ok guys,

I've been searching & searching, all over youtube as well.... but no one is answering my questions...

Who's got a bagged 15+ nismo?


I want to know what the comparison is between the bags vs. nismo suspension.

I would love to bag the nismo.... just afraid of losing ride quality (i love the way the nismo suspension is set up),,, but would also like to "AIR IT OUT" as they say


So.....
Tell me the process of bagging the nismo.
Do camber kits need to go along with this type of setup? what adjustments need to be made?

It looks like the companies such as AirLiftPerformance & AccuAir sell the setups as something that goes along with stock suspension parts.


I've never met anyone with bags yet.... so I am clueless how it all works. Need to find locals in my area with bags.

Just want some input,,, especially with those that have bagged nismos.


PS..... i agree with those that will say "let the nismo be a nismo" and don't do anything..... but..... THAT MOD BUG THOUGH

MaysEffect

There is no real difference in suspension design between any other 370z/g37 than the nismo, so what you find on the internet for either car will apply to the facelifted 15's.

BUT...to answer your other questions...

Given the design of the suspension (unequal length double A-arms), the car will naturally gain negative camber as you lower the car, bags or springs, it doesn't matter. So if you want this to be corrected, you will need to also get adjustable arms. If you plan on driving at stock height around town, and only "airing out" at shows or hard parking. It may not be necessary, as you can easily adjust camber and toe within a proper range at normal ride height.

The overall ride quality will come down to the shock in this case and the size of the bag. The bag will have a softer response than a high rated coil spring . The quality and rates of shocks in some airbag kits are questionable. So its really up to you to verify its valving and adjustability with a professional shop, OR just use it as is.

This is usually not discussed when it comes to air suspension setups. But the static seat height of the bag in the spring bucket or on the shock perch can change the response depending on the optimal pressure level in relation to the ride height you tune for. Pressure in a bag essential works the same as the rating of a spring. The biggest benefits for air suspension is that you can adjust air pressure indefinitely (up to a level of course) where as you'd need to swap springs for a determined rate depending on the height. In this case you just need to adjust the perch height and tune the pressure accordingly for your intended driving height. This is a rather complex and drawn out process unless you are willing to do some hard math to determine the proper pressure level before doing endless amounts of adjustments.

It's also important you properly set your bumpstops in this case so that you don't run the risk of bottoming out if you loose air pressure or can't get the compressor to work. Air'ing the car out to the subframe may look cool, but is ultimately foolish if you can't raise the car back up for whatever reason. In this case. before you actually put the bags in the car. Put the dampers in alone and start measuring to get the right bumpstop space. I'm pretty sure, no air suspension company will have done this properly, certainly with the nismo size wheels. I'd like to be proven otherwise though. In order to save yourself a bit of cash, buy a long bumpstop and cut it down accordingly. Oh btw. THIS IS EQUALLY TIME CONSUMING AND ANNOYING AS FOOK. A professional will charge you both balls and a toe to do this. OR you can loose your fingers doing it yourself. OR...(another or) you can not do this step and play Russian roulette with your subframe.


There is no point of arguing what you should or shouldn't do. Over the years, the design and quality of air suspension systems have become increasingly reliable and well matched to the car you wish to use it on. Luckily the 370z/g37 has a pretty good suspension design and can handle tire clearance issues well without a bunch of modifications. With the normal size tires, there is not much you have to change to get the car aggressively low. If that is your goal, there isn't really a better choice than air suspension as you have an almost immediate ability to change ride height.

Camber kits and toe links, as well as ASB adjustable endlinks is even more important here. For the best ride, you will need to find a happy medium between two of the potential ride heights you plan on running at often. A low and a high setting. Set your alignment accurately to your lowest driving setting first. To be even more critical, check the alignment at your highest driving height and tune a very small amount within a reasonable degree of the low height... ANDD THENNN. check the low setting again and make sure you haven't put the alignment in a precarious binding situation. Did i already tell you your mechanics wont like you now? This is where they tell you to gtfo


Your mechanic will unquestionable hate you for making them do this. But this is the cost for having variable ride heights as well as great ride quality. A good digital height management system like the kits from accuair may be able to perfectly level ride height, but this does not account for alignment accuracy. Adding to the fact air systems already have a price premium over normal coilovers. You can see why its not a huge option outside of luxury cars.

Good luck!

HIZZY

thank you for that breakdown.... sounds like a real can of worms to get into.....

with me being as OCD as I am with how I prefer my vehicles.... I think this will end up being multiple trips to the tuning shop I choose to do this work.....


Risking the end result as something I wanted to avoid from the beginning.


Could always just go Static....

or again.... let the nismo be a nismo


Cheers!

MaysEffect

I'm making it sound way worse than it could be. I just searched 370z air suspension and didn't find any horror stories for any version. In some cases coils can be equally annoying. You still have to set the alignment correctly if you want to get the most out of your tires. At the very least the toe should be monitored properly.

...leave no stone unturned...

The bug will bite sooner or later. start planning now

OptionZero

or you can just get a high quality set of coilovers with a cup kit

you won't be able to drop the car on its rails like air, but you can have a low ride height and raise the car to get over bumps and ramps and ****

it is not the same as a full air set up with ride height adjustment but it gives you some of both worlds

Umbrella Auto design can actually attach their cup kit to most coilover kits and send you the rest of the hardware (lines, compressor, tank etc)

my aragostas feel as good as "stock"

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MaysEffect

Yea really like what companies are doing with air cup kits. I know its starts to get a bit complex when using them for both the front and rear. Mostly only see it as a lift system for clearing the bumper over high bumps and stuff.

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I found this members install of a custom accuair kit on BC coilovers.
Nissan 370Z Forum - Riptide67's Album: AccuAir Stage 2 E-level

You can essentially run whatever damper you choose. Ordering just the dampers from some companies may be a hair puller, but some companies will make this hassle free. BC for one, FortuneAuto (they also have lift kits/electronic dampening adj's), Feal suspension >>>>Ohlins, JRZ, Penske

OptionZero

I regret not getting a cup kit with my coils, woulda been cleaner to do it all at once

Aragosta uses quality stuff from robureta, it's a slim tank for easy storage too

I believe Platinum VIP advertises that their system can be used to maintain drive height. I am skeptical, but have no experience with them

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370Chicago

HIZZY, which way did you go?

Bringing this one back as I'm very curious how a quality air kit (air lift performance) would compare to the Nismo suspension. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I've been going back and forth between coils + cups and full air. I'm in the city and need some kind of adjustability, but I do like to track the car.