Hi all,
Hoping to collect some opinions here on which suspension you would pick for track use (with R-comps planned eventually), but still usable as a daily driver.

Priorities are
1.) not too low:
no daily issues with steep driveways and
not getting into adjustable control arm setups yet..
2.) good enough for r-comps on track, but no need for competition racing.
3.) Comfort has lowest priority: longer trips on highway and daily driving should be tolerable.

I tried to put the options in order from entry level performance to high end performance, but probably didn't get it totally right.
Thanks!

 

I chose Stance as it is the only suspension I can speak for at this time as it is what I'm using.

So far, the testing has been limited to "daily driving" and some spirited driving. They are very nice so far, and I have no complaints whatsoever.

Won't have a true review, of course, until PIR opens back up in the Spring and I can find their limits.

 

Swift + tokico? Have u looked into that?

 

I drive up to 4 hours to reach Buttonwillow and Thunderhill. I am also towing a trailer as well with V710 race tires.

 

Ive had my JIC magic FLT-A2's for over a year now, i love these things. Ive ridden in a Z that had Tein Flex coilovers and they dont ride as good as these IMO

 

I tracked Tein Basics on R-compounds for 3 years and think they were some of the best "off the rack" struts and springs possible. After three years all I would have done different is lower the rear spring rate by 25 lbs. Amazing for the price.

 

Voted for TC kline setup because the Truechoice koni's are not on the list.
I also disagree that koni's with stock springs are the slowest setup in that list.

 

Their are far better choices then the Tanabe springs for what your thinking of doing. Think rates and how they are progressive.

Tokico D-spec shock & spring package
350Z - DSK512 - 375f/375r - Linear Springs 1"/1"
Front stiffness increase vs all oem +20%

Tanabe GF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS 336/375 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown)
Front stiffness increase vs all oem +7%

Swift 350Z linear springs .8”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 336/364
Front stiffness increase vs all oem +7%

Hotchkis 350Z Linear springs .6”/.8”
Spring rates in lbs 340/330
Front stiffness increase vs all oem +8%

Whiteline 350Z linear springs (control)
Front: Part # 73219,
Spring rate 365 LBS Drop: .8"-1"
Rear: Part # 73220
Spring rate 445LBS Drop: 1"-1.2"
(sold as 2 front springs and 2 rear springs)
www.whiteline.com.au/store/
Front stiffness increase vs all +17%

IMO, I wouln't run Koni's with the Nismo T2 springs. I ran Kon's with 448lbs rates and at max rebound I still didn't have enough rebound. TcKline shocks would be a much better though expensive choice.

Nismo T2 350Z Linear springs 1”/1” drop on 350Z
Spring rates in LBS 625/700

 

+1

But on Koni's with oem springs. Good valving isn't goingto overcome other setups that get the tires working better in the absence of not being able to add negitive camber, unless front bar change is part of the mix.

 

I have pretty much tested most of the suspensions you have listed, and a lot that are not listed. As far as what is listed to vote on. I would go with the Stances, hands down. They are nice street coilovers and are very track capable. IMO, the best for the even more budget minded... I like the Tokico D-Spec / Eibach Sportline springs (not listed). You would be surprised how well they do on a track with R-compounds, and they are a near perfect street combination.

 

Thanks for all the very informative replies!

And also thanks for listing additional ones that I left out and correcting me with regard to their performance.

 

+2

What's your budget Pedrosan? Because your options are all over the map pricewise.

One thing I can guarantee. The OEM dampers do not go well with R-comp. The car bounces for ever with those. So a damper upgrade is a must.

Then. Lowering the car will lead marginal benefits and cost a lot of cash while you try to get the alignement back into spec.

I only have the Koni on my Z and I run RA1 (255/275). Still a lot of understeer if you mess up your trailbraking. I'm undecided on what will be my next step. But the car is by no mean slow. It drives extremely well and has kept the OEM feel of balance.

 

Kolia,
Budget is somewhere around the Nismo Stune...
The stune is tempting as a put in and forget system for a beginner, but if you can pay less for more adjustability?
E.g. a stance set for ~1.2k sounds nice...

I just don't want to invest in something that later down the road turns out to be not good enough for r-comp handling. I am not racing and my quest is not for ultimate times, but for fun, great, and stable handling.

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

Quite sensible.

I personnaly think adjustability is overrated for the use most of us have for our cars and ability. I've set my Koni Sports once and haven't touched them since. Main reason being, for an effective suspension tune, you need repeatability.

Considering the learning curve I have and that my lap times go down every time I track my car, I wouldn't know if a mod really helped. As long as the car is poised and balanced, you can play on many factors from your seat.

From talking it TC Kline, the Koni Sports will be able to work well with T2 springs. Which says a lot IMO.

 

All I know is Jason H member here ran his T2 Z on the Koni Yellows and T2 Springs/sways all last season.

 

I have HKS RS and I track my Z about 5-6 weekends a year and some occasional auto-x. They are a very streetable coilover and and I have never had any issues with them on the track. The car feels great to me and I get some compliments on the handaling at the track.

The quality of them after a year of use is still excellent and they still look brand new when cleaned off. I am very impressed with them and got exactly what I was looking for with the $$$ I had to spend.

 

I just purchased the Hotchkis TVS kit: Springs and sways. $350 shipped w/ $50 rebate. Since it been snowing so much here in Colorado really haven't tested it out. However it does look great. I plan on getting some Koni struts also. I going to a better street car with the weekend racer build.

 

Sorry for the noob question here, but I have to ask anyway. Are we talking Koni Yellow's here?

I was thinking with my combo, stock springs/struts with Stillen Sway Bars, and my budget, none, Koni's would be a nice addition.

 

I'm very surprised to see the Sportlines in the mix. Can you possibly elaborate some on this setup? I also thought the Sportlines non-linear spring rates....

 

Not too much to say. We have built many Z's G's in the past 3 years, ranging from very mild daily drivers, to full blown track cars. The Eibach Sportline springs are as good as any other stand alone spring on the market for daily driving street comfort, especially considering the agressivness of the drop. The Tokico D-Spec is a price friendly 12 way adjustable that complaments the dprings well. I have one of my personal cars (a G coupe) with this set up, I track the car quite often and am very content with the overall drop, ride height, streetability, and track performance. Granted they are not better than most coilovers, and they are not a linear spring which are ideal for track use, but the over all result is a nicely priced shock/spring combonation for the street, that will work fine on the track.

Here is a couple pics of a Z (Navyfolf) we did on Tokico/Sportline and my G.....