Forged Performance: HKS Hypermax III 370Z Install

Sharif@Forged · 01-10-2010, 07:16 PM

Mike has been anxious to give his 370Z a capable coilover system for street and track use and also lower the car down to a pleasant level. In 20F freezing weather, Mike brought us his 370Z for the install to take place this weekend.

As we all know, the 370Z suspension is fairly soft...even moreso than the 350Z OEM suspension, and all it takes is 10 mins on a racetrack to realize the suspension (and brakes) are in dire need of improvement. Car&Driver found this out the hard way.

Like most HKS products The HKS Hipermax III's are extremly high quality and well engineered. Installation was very straightforward. For the timebeing we left the adjustments right in the middle of the range until Mike has a chance to dial them to his driving style on the track. After a couple of ride height adjustments we had everything set to Mike's request. I think the look is stunning. Because of the icy roads and inclimate weather, we didn't have a chance to give it a high performance road evaluation but I am sure Mike will chime in with his assessment.

Enjoy the pics!

Kidcane · 01-10-2010, 07:31 PM

They look sick. How do you adjust the ride on those?

SOLISIMO · 01-10-2010, 07:42 PM

Holy Stance Batman!

G37Sam · 01-10-2010, 07:51 PM

Looking sweet great job guys. How would you compare them to KW V3's in all honesty, I know you love those KW's Sharif

RedComet · 01-11-2010, 08:02 AM

MmmMMmmMMmm...HKS...I too am curious how they compare to the KW's but I must say those three letters get me hot and bothered. Stance lookin' good.

Ryan@Forged · 01-11-2010, 03:54 PM

IMO KW's are better for street, but HKS are more up to track duty. You really can't go wrong with either, but it depends on what you are using the car for.

Sharif@Forged · 01-11-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G37Sam

Looking sweet great job guys. How would you compare them to KW V3's in all honesty, I know you love those KW's Sharif

Like Ryan alluded to, it's really a personal preference and driving style question. The HKS's are definitely firmer and have higher dampening rates. I would prefer a much higher end KW for track use, rather than something like the Variant 3. The Variant 3 I would consider for 80% daily driving/mounting cruising, and 20% track. The HKS I would consider a good balance of 50/50 track vs. street.

JB-370z · 01-11-2010, 05:15 PM

About to order some of these as soon as my Rotora's come in

Ryan@Forged · 01-12-2010, 10:31 AM

Just let us know when you are ready

bullitt5897 · 01-12-2010, 11:54 AM

Hey Guys just saw this and I have to say these coilovers are amazing! Alex and Sharif worked with me on the car to get it to the right height. I ended up raising the front about another 1/4" to make it possible the clear the speed "islands" in my apartment complex lol. The car handles very well! and I am still trying to dial everything in for my street settings. Right now I have it setup with 6 clicks down from the hardest settings in the front and 7 clicks down in the rear. Compared to the KW's this is a MUCH more track oriented setup!!! I love the turns even more now than I ever did before. Once I have been able to put some time in finding the perfect combination on compression and rebound I will fully inform you guys. These coilovers can be a street luxury sport dream or a track monster! I know! I took an hour and a half drive sunday night one way to see a friend on a 5/5 setting front rear and lets just say that should be left for the track and not highway roads that could use some work lol. On the way back I changed to my current settings and it was a very pleasant drive home.

If you are looking to get your coilovers done right Forged is the only option in my book! Alex took his time to make sure everything was done right and I have only compliments for these guys and the work they do! They came in early on a saturday morning because I wanted these on ASAP! Best Customer Service PERIOD!

I even got to help out on the Forged race 370z and I am excited for that track monster I cant wait to be on the same track as it! JRZ's made me wanna drool along with all the other goodies!!! I know I am gonna get monkey stomped for sure when you guys get finished with the turbo aspect! but until then your mine hehehe if I can keep traction with street rated tires lol

Again, Great Work and Another Happy Customer!

HKYStormFront · 01-12-2010, 12:00 PM

sick looking kit, stance looks great

bullitt5897 · 01-12-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKYStormFront

sick looking kit, stance looks great

Thanks! the rear is much lower now that it has had time for the springs to settle. I may have to raise it back up some lol. I have a photo shoot coming soon. Apparently, there is a local model who wants to get a photo shoot of herself with the car so I volunteered my baby for the gig

More pics to follow

HKYStormFront · 01-12-2010, 04:54 PM

niiiiice, i wanna see those results!!

ArtVandaleigh · 01-12-2010, 09:48 PM

Wow bada$$! What are you using for alignment adjustments?

bullitt5897 · 01-12-2010, 11:11 PM

havent gotten an alignment yet will do tomorrow

01-10-2010, 07:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sharif@Forged The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 840 Drives: 2009 GT-R, 2010 370Z Rep Power: 17	Forged Performance: HKS Hipermax III 370Z Install Mike has been anxious to give his 370Z a capable coilover system for street and track use and also lower the car down to a pleasant level. In 20F freezing weather, Mike brought us his 370Z for the install to take place this weekend. As we all know, the 370Z suspension is fairly soft...even moreso than the 350Z OEM suspension, and all it takes is 10 mins on a racetrack to realize the suspension (and brakes) are in dire need of improvement. Car&Driver found this out the hard way. Like most HKS products The HKS Hipermax III's are extremly high quality and well engineered. Installation was very straightforward. For the timebeing we left the adjustments right in the middle of the range until Mike has a chance to dial them to his driving style on the track. After a couple of ride height adjustments we had everything set to Mike's request. I think the look is stunning. Because of the icy roads and inclimate weather, we didn't have a chance to give it a high performance road evaluation but I am sure Mike will chime in with his assessment. Enjoy the pics! __________________ Sharif@Forgedperformance.com General Manager/Certified Tuner/NASA-PCA-BMWCAA Instructor JRZ RS1's Available NOW...PM me Cobb ProTuner, Uprev ECU Flash, FCON Vpro, Haltech, Motec Certified Last edited by Sharif@Forged; 01-10-2010 at 07:25 PM.

01-10-2010, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
SOLISIMO Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 510 Drives: TOP SECRET G37S Rep Power: 17	Holy Stance Batman! __________________ AUTOKITS-X CF GRILLE l INJEN CAI l STILLEN SWAYS l MXP EXHAUST l LE CF MIRRORS l SSR'S l HANKOOK'S l TS COILOVERS l TS BUMPER l TS DIFFUSER l TS SIDE SKIRTS l SEIBON CF TS HOOD l TS AEROCATCH l 3K HID FOGS l KICS R40'S l ILLUMINATED SILLS l GROUNDING KIT l VLEDS l

01-10-2010, 07:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
G37Sam A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 1,507 Drives: RB'd G37 Rep Power: 20	Looking sweet great job guys. How would you compare them to KW V3's in all honesty, I know you love those KW's Sharif __________________ '14 Viper GTS '08 RB'd G37S - Sold

01-11-2010, 05:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
JB-370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 1,859 Drives: Stage 2 Twin Turbos Rep Power: 19	About to order some of these as soon as my Rotora's come in __________________ ll Baker Tuning ll GTM ll Powerhouse Amuse ll HKS ll Up-Rev ll iForged ll AP Racing ll Pioneer ll SPL ll Bride ll Top Secret ll OS Giken ll GTM Stage 2 Twin Turboed 370z (First in Texas, Thanks To Baker Tuning)

01-12-2010, 11:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	Hey Guys just saw this and I have to say these coilovers are amazing! Alex and Sharif worked with me on the car to get it to the right height. I ended up raising the front about another 1/4" to make it possible the clear the speed "islands" in my apartment complex lol. The car handles very well! and I am still trying to dial everything in for my street settings. Right now I have it setup with 6 clicks down from the hardest settings in the front and 7 clicks down in the rear. Compared to the KW's this is a MUCH more track oriented setup!!! I love the turns even more now than I ever did before. Once I have been able to put some time in finding the perfect combination on compression and rebound I will fully inform you guys. These coilovers can be a street luxury sport dream or a track monster! I know! I took an hour and a half drive sunday night one way to see a friend on a 5/5 setting front rear and lets just say that should be left for the track and not highway roads that could use some work lol. On the way back I changed to my current settings and it was a very pleasant drive home. If you are looking to get your coilovers done right Forged is the only option in my book! Alex took his time to make sure everything was done right and I have only compliments for these guys and the work they do! They came in early on a saturday morning because I wanted these on ASAP! Best Customer Service PERIOD! I even got to help out on the Forged race 370z and I am excited for that track monster I cant wait to be on the same track as it! JRZ's made me wanna drool along with all the other goodies!!! I know I am gonna get monkey stomped for sure when you guys get finished with the turbo aspect! but until then your mine hehehe if I can keep traction with street rated tires lol Again, Great Work and Another Happy Customer! __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

01-10-2010, 07:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kidcane Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 73 Drives: 2008 G37S Rep Power: 15	They look sick. How do you adjust the ride on those?

01-11-2010, 08:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
RedComet Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 142 Drives: Spaceship Rep Power: 16	MmmMMmmMMmm...HKS...I too am curious how they compare to the KW's but I must say those three letters get me hot and bothered. Stance lookin' good.

01-11-2010, 03:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ryan@Forged The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marietta/Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,527 Drives: Evo 8/Evo 9 MR/GTR Rep Power: 0	IMO KW's are better for street, but HKS are more up to track duty. You really can't go wrong with either, but it depends on what you are using the car for.

01-12-2010, 10:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ryan@Forged The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marietta/Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,527 Drives: Evo 8/Evo 9 MR/GTR Rep Power: 0	Just let us know when you are ready

01-12-2010, 12:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	sick looking kit, stance looks great __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

01-12-2010, 04:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	niiiiice, i wanna see those results!! __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

01-12-2010, 09:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
ArtVandaleigh Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 227 Drives: 09 PW 370Z Rep Power: 675	Wow bada$$! What are you using for alignment adjustments?

01-12-2010, 11:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	havent gotten an alignment yet will do tomorrow __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*