Hi,

I have an 03 G35 Sedan that I have run in STX for the entire year. I have recently bought a set of Hotchkis sways and I am wondering how you guys have set them up. I am running the front bar at the second hole from soft and the rear is in the 1st hole for the full soft setting. I know that I can play around and figure it out but I would like to save blowing another event.

My current set up.

unrevised 350Z springs F and R
Koni Shocks (yellow)
Sways Front and Rear
OZ wheels 17 x 8 - I bought them before the rule change for 9" wheels.
350 Z VLSD
Greddy Cat Back
Z tube with drop-in K&N filter
Dunlop Star Specs 245/45/17
Carbotech pads Front and Rear - For Track Days

Any set up advice would be greatly appricated.

regards,

Cory

 

I've run my 03 350Z in B stock this year (going to STR now though), and had good results with a similar setup.

(for comparison)
Koni yellows
Cobb front anti-roll bar (copy of Hotchkis I believe); rear not allowed in stock class
stock wheels
custom exhaust
k&n filter
Kumho V710s (but I also run 255/40/17 Kumho XS to daily, some autocross)
Hawk HPS pads front

I have the Konis set at about 3/4 full stiff front and rear and run the Cobb bar on full stiff. This makes for a quick-transitioning and balanced car. I don't think the Z needs any more help rotating the rear end, so I doubt I'll add a stiffer rear anti-roll bar.

I've only autocrossed a few G sedans, but they felt pretty similar. Don't think you'll need to add a lot of roll stiffness back there since it will just limit your ability to put down power. Add spring if that's what you need, since it looks like you're setting up for a street touring class anyway.

The front bar is set to full stiff to actually help reduce understeer - by transferring the weight across the chassis, some also goes rearward, or so the theory goes. Also, if you are static camber limited (i.e. no adjustable front arms), it will help keep the outside wheel from gaining positive camber due to body roll, further helping front-end traction. I'd bet the G sedan has more of a problem with this (body roll) than the Z, so I'd at least test going to full stiff.

Other than that, good luck.

These are fun cars to drive hard even if they don't really end up in a dominant position in any class.

 

I too have a 350Z that I'm setting up for Philly regions special STR class and possibly next years proposed STR with 350 Z included.

I agree that a rear bar may not be necessary as the rear seems loose even with the stock bar and from what I understand a stiffer rear bar won't help.

I'm going to put 9" 18 Enkeis with 255s Star specs in a square set up. Yellow Konis and just a front Hotchkis bar set at about the second hole.

Any thought on this, especially the sway bar/bars.

 

Rear bar at full soft as well.

 

I am very happy with my Progress bars. Quit thick and solid as appose to most of the others that are hollow. Noticed a great improvement in the roll of the car. Rear on full soft as well as mentioned above..

Not sure if you are able to run aftermarket endlinks but if so do it. I hear great things with being able to fine tune. I do not have them.

 

OK, so it seems that most of you guys are running just the front bar (per stock rules). I ran DS last year with with factory bars and 710's but in 03 the 6 speed sedan did not come with a VLSD. That is really the only reason I jumped into STX. All things aside I am looking to get more out of my car without buying Moton's and using what I already have.

I did have my front bar at the 3rd hole from full stiff but the front of the car was jumping or skipping across the pavement in slow turns. I was thinking if I went one hole stiffer with the front bar and 1 hole stiffer in the rear it might be perfect?

I forgot to say that I am running on unreviesd 350Z springs. This helped the car a bunch as it runs no negative camber with the stock springs and with the one inch drop I gained -1 degree in front camber. I know it's not a ton but it did only cost $35!

All tips and pointers are welcome!

Thanks,

Cory