Good spring/dampener match?
 

Looking for recommendations on a good, performance oriented street driven Z -- obviously I want it lower, but not unless handling is improved.

Not interested in coilovers and constantly experimenting with ride height...

My default would be to just go with the Nismo kit, but it's a bit pricey...

Any recommendations for another matched kit of springs and struts? Something with similar characteristics (e.g., similar drop, progressive rate)

Also, do any aftermarket springs work well with the factory struts, or no, which is what I'm guessing...?

Do not run any aftermarket springs with factory shocks. I have the Eibach Pro kit thinking the drop is very mild so i can run factory shocks. Bad idea, the ride is completely thrown off. I am waiting for Koni yellows to come out and will be trying to match those see how it works.

That sucks -- that's pretty much what I figured. As soon as you change the ride height, you put more load on the dampeners. Eventually they fail.

Is the only full set available right now the Nismos?

I have H&R springs(factory shocks) on mine and it feels exactly like stock. H&R's are even lower than Eibachs..

Hmm. Well, does anyone happen to know of a listing of spring / shock rates for the 370Z? Using that as a guideline, we could easily mix and match on our own...

Found one for 350Z's... anything handy like that for us? :(

Springs - Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki

EDIT: Hey, found some useful info on the Nismo set-up:

"The front spring rate has been increased by 15 percent, rear by 10, front stabilizer rate is up 15 percent, rear 50, and the front damping factor is up 40 percent with the rear up a considerable 140 percent, all of which increases roll stiffness by 15 percent. These adjustments have made the NISMO an incredible track car."

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0paEfpZuM

Now if someone here can find out the OEM spring and shock info, theoretically we can come up with the approximate numbers and mix and match a Nismo level kit at less cost -- sound reasonable?

here we go -- this looks like a good start!

NISSAN 370Z

Seasoned autoxers feel free to speak up now...

i know you said otherwise but coilovers are the only other option unless you start experimenting. my g37 eibachs ride great on the street with stock shocks. my only issue is the 1" loss of travel is hurting me on the track because im bottoming out the front.

Errgh... that's not good.

Here's the thing, for the cost of coilovers, which I would most likely set and never touch again, I could just buy the Nismos for less and trust that Nissan set it well enough from the factory.

After an extensive search, it looks like there are several spring options, but no matched struts... :shakes head:

Well, I know if the spring rate is within 10% of the shock's rating, it should be okay... so in theory I could get a spring that's 10% stiffer and that would work... I guess :icon14:

Anyone know of anything announced at SEMA? Maybe something new coming soon?

On a related note, is there a hookup for a deal on Nismo stuff?

Maybe start a GB for the Nismo spring/strut kit?

you could go with KW coilovers and adjust the height so that its not much lower, if lowered at all.

You can adjust dampening and rebound to your liking..I like it a lot and I had coilovers before and is totally unreal for a DD...

ne1 know if hitachi (aka tokico) is doing D-Specs for our cars?

Bumping this thread I'm also interested.

yes aftermarket springs will decrease the overall life of the factory shock. they wont last as long, but to say it throws off the handling completely????? ummm no

ill tell you how the tein springs do on my factory nismo shocks. install is tonight.


p.s. the nismo suspension on my car still needs a drop. (and yes the shipping spacers are out of the springs)

i think the best option right now unless going coilovers + corner weighted is leaving it stock or get the nismo spring/damper set.

i would like to see how much lower the nismo sus kit is on a non nismo Z. the drop of .4" or whatever they claim may not even look lower than what was on the non nismo Z to begin with.

Yeah I'm not interested in coilovers either. Just something more sporty but yet still rides nice. Koni still isn't making anything yet, unless the ones from the 350 work.