While I can't find a single thing in print about different models having different suspension tuning, I find it funny now that two different articles have stated the track model has a much harsher ride. Seems hard to believe this is only being caused by the different tire sidewally heights.

 

Agreed. I would guess the suspension is tuned differently. Hopefully we'll find out soon.

 

I'm pretty sure they're all the same susp. Sidewall height would definitely make a difference. Maybe the less unsprung weight of the Rays makes for a harsher ride, too?

Which articles, Steve?

 

This article (last sentence, first page), implies a firmer suspension for the Track.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_index.php?cp=1

(NOTE: This website doesn't allow direct linking to the article but it should be obvious what to click on the front page.)

There's one other article that had a chart, can't find it at the moment, but it showed a difference in suspension between an auto with 17'' wheels and the track.

--
Jeff

 

Less unsprung weight should actually yield a better ride as it will transfer less energy via lower momentum into the car's unibody as it rides over bumps. Performance models and 6MT touring models should ride exactly the same as track models if the suspensions are also all the same.

Here are the two sources I was talking about:

"The uprated wheels take a toll on refinement, though, and the Track has a meaner character, complete with an unforgiving suspension and extra road noise." From here: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_i...p%3Fid%3D27941

And in the chart in the middle of this: "Solid structure and relatively long wheelbase--second longest in sports-car class--help suspension keep composure over all but the worst roads. Still, Zs pound over bumps and ruts, and ultra-hard Track model unsuited for daily driving." http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/n...m/id/37150.htm

 

raceboy,

We may have to be careful here because car companies often make special suspensions (read "firmer") for the UK. How it all started beats me but I suspect it's due to our extremely twisty roads. We need to confirm that the US will be getting a special track suspension before we put this subject to bed. I'm like you though, I have my fingers crossed. I'm already tired of hearing that it pushes so much at the edge. At the very least, I'm probably going to swap out the rear springs for stiffer ones. It probably makes more sense though to do the whole thing.

See you on the twsties!

 

Interesting suspension quote from one of the articles in the press pak.

"Nissan engineers kept two main goals as priorities while developing the suspension of the new 350Z. First, the driver should experience a “flat ride,” a stable platform for the enjoyment of the driving. And secondly, the car must deliver a natural and nimble response. As a practical matter, the new front suspension had to be compact to package within the requirements of the new “FM” platform chosen for the Z.
The answer was a multi-link arrangement with upper and lower wishbone links, but one with an interesting twist. Nissan engineers split the lower link into two, creating two links each with its own lower ball joint. This effectively gives the front suspension of the Z two separate lower pivot points, one on the outboard edge of the transverse link and the other on the end of the knuckle arm.

In plain English, this endows the 350Z front suspension with a dual personality, one that can optimize wheel alignment depending on whether the car is turning or going straight. Designed with untold hours of computer modeling, Nissan has received 14 patents for this new suspension design.
For the rear suspension, the Z follows the “flat ride” concept for the FM platform and features a new multi-link rear suspension. It gives high lateral stiffness and a great sense of stability, but is tuned for low stiffness in the longitudinal mode, which contributes to ride comfort.
Engineers also focused on eliminating rear wheel hop in the axle windup mode, especially considering the Z’s abundance of horsepower and torque."

Cool, new stuff with 14 patents.

Whichever model you get, regardless of whether they are tuned differently, is going to be an awesome handling car.

 

Quote from USAToday:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/column...02-07-05-z.htm


Z has no "sport suspension" option. "We put the sport level into the base car," Robinson says. "We didn't waste time on a base suspension." Thus all Z's are stiff and crisp.

Still, the Z might have some minor suspension tuning to deal with the different amounts of unsprung weight.
--
Jeff

 

Z Crazy and jeffw,

Great stuff! I loved the USA Today review. Probably the best one todate because it focused on the handling more than others.

Also, great details on the suspension. I want to know more about this area of the car. Given that it has a multi-link suspension,
I think the Z has huge potential.

Keep searching for these tit-bits guys. Thanks!

 

One reason might be the tires...

In the 350Z specs... tires shown for the Base and Enthusiast models show "Bridgestone Summer tires" ... no tire model.

However, for the others... the "Pontenza RE 040 (yuck) Sumer Tire is specified.

 

Geez, how I get tired of people ragging on this tire.

On topic, while the lack of a sport suspension is obvious, I did see that they were going to offer a Billstein setup as a NISMO option in the J-SPEC brochure. Maybe that will show up in the states as well.

I know one thing. My friend's NSX is a totally different animal on FIRM than it is on STREET.

 

To all... sorry for my bad spelling... I wanted to post my speculation before leaving and picking up my wife's Pathfinder from our Nissan dealer and then going with my wife to our BIG 13th wedding anniversary party on Saturday.

To ITZ... sorry for again thrashing the RE040... but this dates back 3 years ago... when car magazines here -- and friends who bought the new GTR-R34 -- said.. WHY are these tires used ? (this was a previous post from me -- re RE040 tires when I saw them on on the new Z).

To VQracer... I was suprised to see a Bilstein suspension setup offered as a Nissan option in Japan (previous post from me). The suspension you show below... is NISMO... which are offered in both a S-tune (street) and R-tune (circuit) versions for many Nissan cars --- which I expect to come out for the Z. I am still waiting in Japan to see what NISMO offers -- another month or 2 for initial mods, is my guess (and my Nissan friend) ... with more to follow.

 

I doubt there will be any difference between the suspensions of all models. That said, given the multi-link setup, the could have easily tweaked the shocks used on the Track.

This brings up another question...A lot of people have been responding to the suspension question with "I am going to put coilovers on it" From the pictures of the NISMO G35/Skyline V35 kit, it looks like the front is the only one where this is possible. Is the stock setup spring over shock in the front?

Thanks,

JD

 

I called Nissan just a couple of weeks ago, and they confirmed for me that all models were to have the same suspension setups. This was from Nissan directly, though we all know that can change before the production starts!