I am trying to put a damper/spring package together for my G35 sedan. I am planning to do mostly autocross and spirited highway driving with the suspension, but I would like the capability to do some track days as well.

Below are my choices, please offer your advice on how the packages compare from a true handling point-of-view.

1) Koni Yellow with lowering springs. Probably Espilir 6.9kg/mm Front,
9.2kg/mm back. Open to other suggestions

2) Nismo S-Tune for 350Z

3) KW Variant 1

4) Other options?

Thanks a ton.

 

tokico d-spec. they make a damper & spring combo. might have some money left over for sways too.

 

Koni Yellows
Sleeves (I have some for sale!)
Eibach or Hyperco Springs (run 500/400 if it were me)
Cheap upper mounts (I have some for sale!).

Probably a few bucks over, but solid entry level set-up.

 

if you want damper/spring package, only option 1 works. But like the above stated, tokico d specs are good, and you can add any spring you want. Swift makes good springs

 

....forgot to mention you'll need to source rear spring perches as well.

 

Any input on the Nismo S-Tune units?

As for the spring choices, do I go about using the 2.5" rear springs companies like Swift/Hyperco offer by using sleeves in the rear? What about the fronts...should those be sleeved also?

I don't necessarily want a damper/spring combo (coilovers would be fine), just the most track suspension performance I can get for around $1200 or less.

 

Stance gr coils are pretty inexpensive. Right around 1200 new too

 

LOL @ Stance

 

Solid entry set-up.

Though just to let you know in the event you were interested, in a week or so I'm going to put up my Bilstein PSS10s off my G35 Coupe for sale in the NorCal regional section.. Just gotta find time to take photos and clean them up.

 

I have koni yellow and Eibach sport lines. Very happy and its within your budget. They do sit low and you can have ground clearance issues so if thats an issue go with the pro kits. They are close to the same spring rate with less drop.

But. -- I would spend your money on a set of affordable rims and good street tires for the autocrossing.( rs3 or star specs). You'll be faster with the tires and stock suspension than with the changing of shocks and springs and having average tires.

 

No input on the Nismo S-Tune? Those are the ones I'm considering most due to the inclusion on top mounts, tuning done by Nissan engineers, OEM fitment, and a nice stance on the G35 sedan (hey, I'm still a little vain).

They have spring rates of F:393-448/ R:254-504
So yeah, progressive springs...especially in the rear.

I'm not looking for the answer I want to hear, just for some opinions about the S-Tune.

@ntrinsik, I'm looking for new dampers only. Thanks though.
@steidz, I already have autocross wheels with Star Specs

 

Will this be a track only car? If it isn't I drive the sedan myself and would go with the KW coilovers...kill all wheel gap lol

 

Check out the H&R coilovers. Right around your budget, but they are not adjustable. I've owned mine for two years, and are still super tight, and they have taken a beating around town. I have tracked them a couple times, and they seemed more than adequate. They will be seeing much more track time in the near future, so I can report back if you wish. H&R's are made in germany and their reputation speaks for itself. Pros:excellent build quality, perfect dual street/track setup IMO, durability, excellent streetable ride. Cons: no dampening adjustments, may be too soft if tracking becomes higher priority, they do not go as low as some other brands, I suspect you wont be slamming it if you want to track it. That said they can go very low, if thats what your after.

 

The stock suspension on the G35 and 350Z are well setup for track use. I ran within .1 of the NASA TTC lap record at Cal Speedway running stock springs, Koni Sports, OSG LSD, 285/30-18 BFGforce R1s, and camber bushings in my 2006 350Z. Spend your $1,200 on driver training, not car mods. In fact, I found a photo of me and the car at that event. All the other Z and G guys laughed at the ride height of my car. None were within a second of my lap times. I even drove a couple around showing them the line and one about **** himself when we went into turn 1 at 150 mph without braking.

 

Just to throw out another option, I bought my Nismo T2 Springs/TCKline Koni DA combo for less than what your budget is. I bought it used from here, so look around.

 

How did you fit 285/30/18 in the front? I'm thinking about going back to 18s (currently running 275/40/17) but dunno what I need to do in order to fit the widest tire in it without any fender rolling/pull. What's your spec on your rim? 18x10.5 +15 RPF1? and how much camber you run with those 285? I'm running -2 ~ -2.5 now (dont remember exact). I'd be happy if i can run 285 square. Thanks for your help!

 

285's fit fine on a 10.5" +15.

 

I have driven a Z on the S-tune suspension on track a few times. It didn't feel as nimble as my Koni sport / RS*R spring setup. (That was > 3 years ago so I can't remember too many specifics)

 

@beta, I have a sedan, not a coupe. The roll is severe even with the sport suspension. The high CG is also pretty scary when I make a mistake at speed. Thanks a lot!

@Everyone else, thanks a lot!

 

The rims were 18 x 10 +15, I ran -1 camber, and used a 1/2" spacer in front with long ARP wheel studs.
Roll feels much worse then it really is. Some roll is good and helps the car bite in a cornet. Your G35 will not roll over or flip unless you hit a curb or dig a wheel into soft dirt or mud (well, maybe a big tank slapper where you're doing everything wrong with the steering wheel and brake pedal might get you on the roof.) Spend a lot more time on track and things will be a lot less scary.

EDIT: Looking at my pic above I think I was running 245s at that event on 8.5" wide wheels. I did a number of Cal Speedway events and kept testing with different wheel/tire combos so I might be confusing the pictures.