I've been noticing some sellers of OE shocks and strut sets saying they are for 03-05. Also, for example z performance has kyb excel g shocks/Struts for the two different types, de & hr, with the hr being $40 more.

What's the difference? Is it a huge necessity to get one or the other?

 

If talking about pure OEM shocks - NOT OEM equivalents like the KYBs purport to be - yes, there is a difference in the valving after 04.5 model year.

However, no one (that I'm aware of) go for OEM and as such, aren't generally available (a few places say they have them but are subject to Nissan stock on hand) and those that do say they do charge a veritable arm and leg. (More expensive than Bilsteins). With the aftermarket taking up the slack there, all of them fit all years '03-09. A separate front-right and front-left, rears are same side to side.

 

Yes, sorry, to clarify, I am talking mainly about KYB Excel-g shocks. OE equivalent. Would KYB even go to such lengths as to differentiate the model variants? Maybe i should call them.

Also, I am beginning to not trust teh z performance people. I was a little let down when I found out the OE radiator they sell for $148 was $70 on rockauto. Now I find out that they want $40 extra for a shock set for an HR even though they are probably the same thing. Seems scammy to me....

 

No....its called a specialty shop

 

Well, as Trav said, "specialty shop" and they generally don't stock Nissan parts and have to order from an authorized Nissan jobber then charge what a dealer would. Probably don't have the inventory/warehousing/buying clout of a big guy like a nationally based, all vehicle supply company like RockAuto either.

 

I do get the specialty shop thing but Honda, BMW, VW, Mazda, and Porsche all have their own online shops but none of them mark up prices 100% more than the competition. It's usually a few bucks more but you get the guarantee you are getting what you need plus you're willing to pay the SLIGHT markup because of the ability to easily find the parts you need plus free shipping.

Take a look at, for a great example of this, ECS Tuning. They have stock. But their markup is only slightly over rockauto and they have TONS more options.

Doesn't seem to be any shops that do that for the Z

I'm going to go realoem.com and just search part #'s

 

Did some more research. Apparentky KYB doesn't even make front struts for the 350z anymore. Now only Gabriel makes their ultra g force struts for it. KYB still makes rears.

So I guess those specialty shops have the only remaining KYB fronts available.

Also, the Gabriela are a little more money than the KYB. Anybody know anthing a it GABRIEL struts?

 

If you want economic options please sell your car, this isn't a cheap car and with it's age it's becoming harder to buy OEM stuff. OE replacement is a joke, that being said CZP and Z1 sell both performance parts, aftermarket OE and OEM. They have great price and service, but you won't be getting free shipping.

 

Gabriel. Hahahahahahahahaha................ HiJackers, baby!

 

I think some of you may be misunderstanding why I want OE suspension components. Chicago Roads are horrendous. I've had all kind of struts and spring combos in the past. Koni, bilstien, adjustable koni, coilovers.... the list goes on. All of them will knock your teeth out on these roads and make you hate your car. I'm keeping this one sporty but I'm sick of every pot hole jarring the car like all hell. We have potholes literally 24" deep. We have roads that shouldn't even be called a road. This whole state is honestly crap and I do plan to move hut until then, I am here

Also, what is wrong with getting a good price on parts? You can go throw money at a depreciating vehicle if you want. This is just one of my many hobbies. Hoarding money will always be my number one hobby. Why do you think I bought a 350z in the first place? It's the most performance for the money on the market right now. If I wanted to waste dough on a car I would have bought an E90 M3

 

Cool story

 

Chill, people only want to make you aware of the reality of parts that are Z. Trust me, know all too well when some basic things for Zs cost 1.5 to 2x comparable parts for my AMG. (Only emphasize the AMG aspect to provide price scale)

As far as shocks and bad roads, stock shocks are fine but honestly find that Bilstein B6s do the best job of taming those roads. And, will do double duty when you head off to the cone maze or a slip n’ slide event.

 

This discussion brings up an important point: shocks (or as the Brits more accurately call them "dampers") control the spring oscillations. If you have a rough ride, it's usually not the shock's fault. More likely, you went with a spring that was stiffer and shorter to lower the car. I'm familiar with Chicago roadways and the freeze/thaw cycles do result in some horrendous potholes. I'd suggest using a Bilstien or Koni with the stock 350Z springs and would bet the ride will be close to stock comfort, but the overall handling will be better. They'll also last far longer than the OEM shocks after hitting deep bumps, cracked roads and holes.

 

If you see my profile, you can see I live near Chicago I have the nismo S-tune kit, it handles better than stock and is more comfortable than stock. Also lowers the car, but it cost $1400. It's not the fact that you are trying to save money, that is fine, but the 350z isn't a car you put KYB or Gabriel shocks on.
Tokico blues or Dspec would be the bare minimum but they both are discontinued I believe.

 

I heard some mentions of the tokico but apparentky they are not made anymore. I have seriously considered the Bilstien B6 but it's a ton more money.

What are these Dspec you speak of?
​​​​​​Also, I will be keeping stock spring rates for this car.

​​​

 

Tokico D Spec 16 way adjustable. No longer made but rumors had them back on market for a while and some places still say “available” but I’d check before ordering.

 

I found the B6's for about $630 shipped. Does anyone know if those are mono or twin tube? I'm feeling like the bilsteins will hold up a whole lot better than the KYB. Probably wiser to pay extra for the better set of shocks that will hold up rather than cheap out and end up spending more on two pairs of cheap ones

 

The stock springs before 07 suck, in almost every scenario an aftermarket will be better.

 

You’re “feeling like they’ll hold up better”. Well gee, after everyone saying that.....

Thought you said you had Bilsteins and Konis before..... Bilsteins are monotube.

 

The bilsteins were on a camaro I had long ago. They were already in the car when I bought it. Thst camaro was a piece of crap