Spacers / Springs / Coils / Sway
 

So, I know these questions get asked all the time. But it's always slightly difference when you're ready to do it yourself. So i'd like people's inputs.

As far as spacers go, i'm pretty set on the H&R DRS 20mm rear and 15mm front.

Now as for coils/springs. I was originally deciding between the Eibach or H&R kits. Which is going to give me a better handling and better overall ride. I'm not looking to slam my car, just eliminate some of the gap. My car is never tracked or xcrossed. It's used mostly as a weekend car to run errands, and will be on the street. I've read great reviews on all, but i'm leaning towards springs for the $$$ factor. If someone can easily talk me out either 1 of the springs and into the KW3's long term cost, maybe. Now along with possibly doing the springs, I was going to do the rear Camber arm and toe bolts. If doing coils, i'm under the assumption I do not need them, or am i wrong?

Lastly. sway bar. I was set on the Hotchkis Sway Bar, then found some reading that said for street driving, the Hotchkis might be too much, and to go for the Stillen Sway bar.

Any input/info is greatly appreciated. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.

I can't speak from experience regarding the coilovers and springs so I will answer your question regarding the sway bars: when I was searching for sway bars, I looked at all the usual Hotchkis/Stillen/Eibach/Whiteline but everything I heard and found indicated the Stillens had great balance and simplicity of having only two adjustments in the rear bar.

Having driven with them on multiple spirited drives, they do the job very well and the car is just as balanced as stock but with much better control on body roll.

:iagree: with Christian370z,

You can’t go wrong with Stillen sway bars for streets and spirited drives; however I decided to go with Eibach.

I was torn between the Hotchkis and Stillen /Eibach .

The Hotchkis sway I felt were over built tending to be more for track than street. That being said, I do think they are well built and I really liked their greasable bushings, and brackets, better than Stillen or Eibach.

The Stillen had all the features I wanted for street driving and were priced right, Stillen would have been my first choices had they had a second hole on the front sway bar.

The Eibach, I felt provided that extra flexibility with the second hole I was looking for. I really wanted to be able to fine-tune and tweak my suspension; these sway bars are also part of a Pro-Plus suspension system from Eibach.

That being said, I still haven’t ruled out, buying springs yet or perhaps coilovers now in development from Eibach down the road, I also believe that they will be making stuff for Nissan –Nismo, German made quality, wining reputation on the tracks around the world was also a consideration.

Make a long story short when Kenny@ Stillen offered me the Eibach sways kit at around the same price of the Stillen sways , so I jumped at it.

I’ll have them installed by Nissan, Tuesday the 30th I'll tell you guys what I think about them once I get a chance to drive them around the winding roads up here in the Pocono Mountains!

Hope this helps,

Alex

thank u both for ur info and input, i appreciate it. any other feedback from members would be great. again, thanks.

I think that either of your springs will yield a compliant ride as they are probably the two most popular choices and are progressive springs which are typically optimal for ride quality. H&R will lower the car a bit more than Eibachs but both are quality springs.

Most people will say that if you have the means, just go for a set of coil-overs as they will cover any adjustability needs you may have and will outperform springs but obviously they cost more. I will be installing a set of Swift springs in my car in two weeks so I can't comment on how the car's performance will improve with a set of springs but some have said the Swift Spec R springs are the closest you can get to coil-over performance with springs.

Given your intentions I say Stillen sway bars, H&R springs and SPL rear camber/toe arms.

H&R springs will lower the car a little and eliminate the gap you were talking about, however as a result of the lowering the rear alignment will be thrown out so you need the after market rear arms.

I just read a lot about the Swift springs. Would these be recommended more over the Eibach or H&R. As of now i'm leaning more towards the Eibachs because where I live, Long Island, the H & R might be too low, but if the ride quality on the Swifts are that much better. I might just have to deal with it.

I doubt the couple tenths of an inch difference between the H&R and Eibach springs will be noticeable. I can't comment on the performance of the Swift springs first hand yet, mine are going to be installed in two weeks. I am still somewhat puzzled at how the Swifts can be more comfortable and yet offer more performance, but I guess I will find out!

Eibach sway bars with swift springs
 

Wow. Nice drop and still drivable . I like the combination. Very compliant feel . Hard to believe its lower, more responsive and much smoother ride . I didn't have the money for the KW's but I'm impressed with this set up . I'll be tracking the car on Saturday at Spring Mountain raceway in Las Vegas . Stay tuned .....

Personally, I would go with a cheaper coilover solution over just springs. You might even be able to find some cheaper used coilovers in about the same price range as just springs, once you factor that you can sell your OEM shocks and springs.

I have BC-ER coilovers and they are really good so far. I can soften them up on the street and then stiffen them up for the track. It is really nice to have that adjustablity on a sports car.

Stillen swaybars are really nice for the street and occasional track event.

I have H&R DRS 15mm rear and 10mm front and would probably go H&R DRS 20mm rear and 15mm front if I did it again.