09-12 Shocks Vs. 13-14 Euro Tuned Shocks

6spd · 08-08-2013, 09:02 AM

I recently traded my '09 for a '13. One thing I was curious about was what the "euro-tuned" shocks hype was all about. After driving my old Z 1.5 hours to the dealer and then test driving the '13, I've gotta say, the '13 suspension felt much more flat w/ less body roll. The feeling inspired instant confidence, but at the same time I notice that it was more difficult to sense the limits of traction. This was probably due to unfamiliarity.

After having the car for about a week now and conquering speed bumps, road work, back roads and wet roads, I am very impressed by the change. Not subtle, but not BAM in your face, it left me saying, "this is what I always wanted the stock suspension to feel like."

I'm know there are a few others that switched from the 09-12 to the '13 who can attest to this. I looked around and found nothing comparing the 2 suspensions, so I hope this helps distinguish the differences between the 2.

Sh0velMan · 08-08-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

I recently traded my '09 for a '13. One thing I was curious about was what the "euro-tuned" shocks hype was all about. After driving my old Z 1.5 hours to the dealer and then test driving the '13, I've gotta say, the '13 suspension felt much more flat w/ less body roll. The feeling inspired instant confidence, but at the same time I notice that it was more difficult to sense the limits of traction. This was probably due to unfamiliarity.

After having the car for about a week now and conquering speed bumps, road work, back roads and wet roads, I am very impressed by the change. Not subtle, but not BAM in your face, it left me saying, "this is what I always wanted the stock suspension to feel like."

I'm know there are a few others that switched from the 09-12 to the '13 who can attest to this. I looked around and found nothing comparing the 2 suspensions, so I hope this helps distinguish the differences between the 2.

As far as body roll, sounds like they changed sway bar specs.

Measurements of the stock bars would be telling, in that regard.

GTLAW · 08-08-2013, 11:25 AM

What I don't understand is why would they tune the shocks and springs for Euro drivers when the car is made in Japan. You will never see BMW or Audi go, tuned for Japan lol.

It's Japaneses sports car keep it that way, don't get why mix parts.

Sh0velMan · 08-08-2013, 11:27 AM

It's just marketing drivel.

6spd · 08-08-2013, 11:46 AM

Yeah its just a marketing name. Pretty much its a tighter short bound and rebound for handling, softer long bound and rebound for softening dips and larger unevenness. At least thats how it feels.

I am curious about the sways now that you mention the specs may have changed. I hadnt heard anything about that.

Zteve · 08-08-2013, 11:54 AM

it does feel pretty good, though i am comparing it to a 2004 350Z with the OEM suspension i drove for 10 years.

kenchan · 08-08-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTLAW

What I don't understand is why would they tune the shocks and springs for Euro drivers when the car is made in Japan. You will never see BMW or Audi go, tuned for Japan lol.

It's Japaneses sports car keep it that way, don't get why mix parts.

from wat i hear, there is a lot more rougher roads in european countries than in japan. therefore, if you tune a car made for european roads, then the car should feel great in most countries.

plus, japanese like 'euro-tuned' marketing scheme as it sounds nurb tested/certified.

im pretty happy with my 09's stock suspension though, just needed a slightly stiffer front swaybar. that's all that ive done. drives nice in my area, and the european DW's smooth things out for me.

6spd · 08-08-2013, 02:46 PM

The 13 does hit those stupid real short, real high speed bumps like a train though, no matter how slow. I thought the 09 was bad...

kenchan · 08-08-2013, 03:04 PM

so the dampers are valved stiffer and springs identical?

6spd · 08-08-2013, 03:07 PM

I guess so. Because you know if Nissan changed something else (like sways or springs), they'd be touting that around too.

kenchan · 08-08-2013, 03:39 PM

lol true dat

synolimit · 08-08-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh0velMan

As far as body roll, sounds like they changed sway bar specs.

Measurements of the stock bars would be telling, in that regard.

Give or take a 0.5mm from where on the bars you measure, I got 26.5mm front and 24mm rear.

If this is right then the front and rear might be 0.5mm bigger than older years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymark

Hey guys,

My 370z's been with the whiteline guys over the last few days for them to test the final fitment of their sway bars. Here are some pics

Contrary to the bulletin on their website the front bar diameter is 27mm not 33mm.

Front sway bar – Whiteline 27mm adjustable solid, OE 25mm non adjustable tubular

Soft 16% stiffer than OE
Medium 36% stiffer than OE
Hard 61% stiffer than OE

Rear sway bar – Whiteline 24mm adjustable solid, OE 23mm non adjustable tubular

Soft -1% stiffer than OE
Medium 21% stiffer than OE
Hard 49% stiffer than OE

I won't be recieving the car until Monday-tuesday next week so unfortunately no reviews til then, but I'll write up my initial impressions as soon as I get to take her for a spin.

I must also commend Whiteline for their fantastic customer service - they are highly professional, and although there was a minor hiccup they're dealing with it honestly and efficiently. Plus they lent me a 2008 STi with the complete whiteline suspension package

The Z's not a bad handling car by any measure...but this STi is eye-opening giggle inducingly fast in the corners. In my favourite windy roads I was going at least 7-10km/h faster thru the corners and had loads more confidence to boot. Needless to say I was quite impressed.

Anyway I'll keep you guys posted.

Sh0velMan · 08-08-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Give or take a 0.5mm from where on the bars you measure, I got 26.5mm front and 24mm rear.

If this is right then the front and rear might be 0.5mm bigger than older years.

I'll try and remember to measure tonight.

6spd · 08-08-2013, 04:41 PM

Im going to change my oil saturday, so if know one measures by then, then Ill measure them front and back.

synolimit · 08-08-2013, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

Im going to change my oil saturday, so if know one measures by then, then Ill measure them front and back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Give or take a 0.5mm from where on the bars you measure, I got 26.5mm front and 24mm rear.

08-08-2013, 09:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	09-12 Shocks Vs. 13-14 Euro Tuned Shocks I recently traded my '09 for a '13. One thing I was curious about was what the "euro-tuned" shocks hype was all about. After driving my old Z 1.5 hours to the dealer and then test driving the '13, I've gotta say, the '13 suspension felt much more flat w/ less body roll. The feeling inspired instant confidence, but at the same time I notice that it was more difficult to sense the limits of traction. This was probably due to unfamiliarity. After having the car for about a week now and conquering speed bumps, road work, back roads and wet roads, I am very impressed by the change. Not subtle, but not BAM in your face, it left me saying, "this is what I always wanted the stock suspension to feel like." I'm know there are a few others that switched from the 09-12 to the '13 who can attest to this. I looked around and found nothing comparing the 2 suspensions, so I hope this helps distinguish the differences between the 2. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

08-08-2013, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
GTLAW Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbia MD Posts: 373 Drives: Black ??? Rep Power: 15	What I don't understand is why would they tune the shocks and springs for Euro drivers when the car is made in Japan. You will never see BMW or Audi go, tuned for Japan lol. It's Japaneses sports car keep it that way, don't get why mix parts. UNKNOWN_370 likes this. __________________ 2013 6MT IPL GrSh\|V-Leds\|OSRAM \| SWIFT \| H&R \| CUSCO \| HKS \| 3M \|

08-08-2013, 11:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sh0velMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Dallas/Ft.Worth Posts: 3,349 Drives: Noisily. Rep Power: 20	It's just marketing drivel. 6spd and DEpointfive0 like this. __________________ Buy My Car! \| Build Thread

08-08-2013, 11:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	Yeah its just a marketing name. Pretty much its a tighter short bound and rebound for handling, softer long bound and rebound for softening dips and larger unevenness. At least thats how it feels. I am curious about the sways now that you mention the specs may have changed. I hadnt heard anything about that. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

08-08-2013, 11:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Zteve Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Clarksville TN Posts: 348 Drives: 2013 370Z MB w/Sport Rep Power: 3369	it does feel pretty good, though i am comparing it to a 2004 350Z with the OEM suspension i drove for 10 years. __________________ 2013 Midnight Blue 370Z Base w/Sport Package

08-08-2013, 02:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	The 13 does hit those stupid real short, real high speed bumps like a train though, no matter how slow. I thought the 09 was bad... __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

08-08-2013, 03:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	so the dampers are valved stiffer and springs identical?

08-08-2013, 03:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	I guess so. Because you know if Nissan changed something else (like sways or springs), they'd be touting that around too. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

08-08-2013, 03:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	lol true dat

08-08-2013, 04:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	Im going to change my oil saturday, so if know one measures by then, then Ill measure them front and back. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

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