As opposed to just the picture thread in Suspension/Brakes forum that shows the drop, I thought it'd be good to have a suspension database.

Much like the brake pad and tire database? Could help give those of us new to the Z world a better idea on what to expect from certain combinations and get a chance to see what track only guys are running, Auto-X, guys who use their cars as dailies and weekend warriors.

Just follow the similar formats laid out in the other two threads.

Springs:
Shocks: (or coilovers if using those, and whether true/oem) what settings you run
Sways: Where you run the bars
Camber correction: Whether it be front arms or rear kit/toe bolts/arms, and what brands you're using.
Use: track only, auto-X, daily and auto-X/HPDE work
Impression: What you think of them (the more info the better). Any thing you would change, etc.


Mods if you think this thread is a bad idea/not necessary/etc, just delete it. I know there is the "Competition Spring and Shock Database" but there is exactly ONE post in it.

Just thought it would be a good reference after spending all day yesterday reading through the brake pad and tire database threads.

 

humm?? im thinking a combo of these two threads would cover it already???

General info on suspension:
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ion-101-a.html

Actual pics: with small paragraph of how used:
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ic-thread.html

I don't mind keeping this thread........but I would like to keep the threads we already have growing.....

WE dont have a "SETUP" thread, so thats cool........we can post all the components we have and inform others??
-J

 

Yeah, the Suspension 101 thread is an AWESOME resource on parts and what they do, etc. It definitely let me get a handle on the suspension design of these cars. Much more complex than the old Mac Strut/semi-trailing arms I came from in the BMW world. But there isn't much "I use this and it sucks for street awesome for track, good compromise, etc."

The coilover thread is a good start, but is a bit short on reviews. And not to step on anyone's toes, but I'd put a bit more weight to the reviews of guys that Auto-X/HPDE their cars (like yourself) vs slammed to the ground and hanging out in parking lots.

I come from tracking sportbikes and running custom valved Koni's on my last two BMWs, so that's more the type of insight I was hoping to get with this thread. And why I posted it in the "Motorsports" section.

 

The picture thread is like a database.

 

Meh....I'll bite:
Car: 2003 350z
Suspension: TC Kline DA Koni's, Tein S-Tech Springs, SPC Rear Camber Arms/Toe bolt, Kinetix Front Upper A-Arms, Hotchkis Sways, SPL Adj. Endlinks.
Alignment: -2.3 front/-2.0 rear, 1/16 toe out F and 1/16 toe in R...Stock Caster. Front Sway at Full Stiff....Rear in the middle setting.
Wheels/Tires: 18x9 RPF1's, 265/275 Dunlop Star Specs.

 

Also see POST #2: https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ic-thread.html

1. Ksport
2. TYPE - TRUE coilover style
3. PRICE - approx $850-$900 shipped.
4. Height adjustable via lower section of coil over, separate from spring perch.
5. Didn't come with nut for rear spindle mount location
6. Does not have abs/brake line mounts on the front coilovers - must use zipties/alternate method.
HOW USED - I use my Ksports drifting and AutoX and of course i will occasionally daily drive.
Drifting - they are great - do what i want, can keep the Z body roll down to zilch and soak up bumps, etc...
AutoX - I find i have to pre-load the front springs to keep the Z from nose diving and compressing too much.
Daily - They are soft and compliant...rebound adjustment on the Ksports is not all that great and are more on the soft side then stiff side of rebound, but for daily driving they are really quite nice - so much so that others with coilovers comment on the ride quality when daily driving in my Z that its smooth and comfortable at FULL SOFT setting.

I rock on my Z:
* all alignment in spec....
1. K-sport coilovers - true coilover style (1 piece rear)
I choose this due to budget and "knowing" hands down that I wanted true coilovers in order to run Toe arms over spc toe bolt crap......
2. Toe arms - the ones i made myself
3. Rear adjustable camber arm
4. Lock out washers at all 4 points in the rear for items 2 and 3.
5. Adjustable endlinks in front
6. stock sway bars
7. SPL front upper control arms.
8. Upgraded bushings:
Front translink bushing #1 - whiteline bushing.
#2 whiteline
all other bushings are good *at the current moment
Those are what are dynamic...and alignment variable...

also,
. I do also have tein tie rods, cut steering stop and way more steering angle
. GT spec braces
. solid braces at the nismo mass damper mount locations.
. Nismo 2way diff with nismo diff cover.



Also, before every drift event I take my car in for alignment.

I have two bags of 80lb cement that i keep in my garage.......I put both bags in the back of the Z and then i have them put my camber at -1.0 to -1.1 in the rear. The weight of the cement mimic the power on when drifting and squat!

See, I'm a budget drifter, i haz no tire sponsor (feel free to inquire if you wanna buy me tires ) So i need to get the most out of my tires as I can versus running neg camber and eating the inside only and wearing through tires quicker.......

I also purchase really good grippy tires up front and higher wear rating tires for the rear to get all that i can get.........the most laps out of an event...etc..

PICS of my tires after an event:

as you can see, no chording and even wear all the way across for the most part......

Previously I was like this:

Take note, this wasn't out of spec camber, but more like -1.5 in the rear with no cement in the back...

FRONT
I pre-load the springs a lil bit and stiffen the rebound on the shocks, but i have found that the best thing has been to run hard sidewall tires with really good grip...currently running Bridgestone Potenza RE01R's which give really really good directional/transition stability when drifting.....

-J