I installed Tanabe Sustec Pro S-OC coilovers and springs late last week, with a precisely measured 1" drop. Now, both my regular Hunter alignment shop and 2 others tell me they won't risk putting my ZR on the ramps for fear of damaging the underside. All of them tell me I must use a shop that has a pit instead of a lift. I thought a 1" drop to be pretty conservative. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

you need to go to a place that puts some extra homemade wood ramps that help it onto the regular lift. most places that deal with lowered cars use them, its usually just two 2x4 planks nailed together and angled in the front.

 

I suggested that to them. They both declined to try it. Maybe the're too afraid of the potential damage liability.

 

Obviously these shops suck. Just go somewhere else

 

Good advice; that's exactly what I plan to do. Problem is, here in Tucson, we don't have a helluva lot of shops that are mod-oriented.

 

I am considering that setup. How's the ride on those coil overs? Are they type II or with the helper spring. I was told if you don't lower much the helper spring is not required.

 

Mine are not type II, thus they have the helper spring. I like this setup a lot. Previously I had nismo suspension and I like the Tanabe better. The ride is stiffer ( read`harsher ) than the nismo, and there is a little more audible road noise. I really don't care much about either of those: the resposiveness and "road feel" IMO is superior to the nismo. Also, I like the ability to adhust ride height. Combined w/ my Stillen sways and Prothane bushings, this setup seems just about right for the way I drive.
I don't know about the lowering/helper spring relationship. My initial impression of the suspension, however, is that it was money well spent.

 

Did you install yourself or have your local tuner shop install? Also, how did your alignment workout after the 1" lowering? Is the dampening setup sufficient?

 

I'm lucky in that my local shop owner is also a good friend: he lets me work alongside, use his lift and tools, and basically go to school on him. The install was not too difficult. Insuring that the lowering was even all around was a little tedious-set the perch, mount the tires, drop the lift, measure, then do it in reverse to make corrections. Unsolicited advice: torque the front shock mounts down tight the first time. The instructions say don't, but mine were noisy and loose sounding until properly tightened.
I'm set for a Hunter alignment tomorrow afternoon. I think the 1" drop was a little bit too much for my inclined driveway, so tonight we plan on raising the ZR back up just enough so that it doesn't scrape.
Yes, I think the dampening setup is sufficient. The shocks are shorter than OEM or nismo, and, according to Tanabe, required some special dampening properties to work with the much higher spring rates--so far the car feels VERY stable, well grounded, and quick to recover-really on the rails. This is all very subjective-the Tanabe setup has been in only since last Thursday, and I have not tracked the car since....so no time comparisons are available from me (especially w/ my limited track skills).

 

Thanks for the info. The Tanabes came highly recommend from a sales guy at Performance Nissan I talked to. They just started selling the Tanabes and said he rode in a customer's car and was very impressed. I heard they are VERY good quality and seem like a good alternative to the Tein Basic. Jason at Performance told me the helper spring is not required if you don't lower much. I only plan on lowering approx .7 inch.

 

You're welcome. I bought mine on recommendation of performance nissan, also.

 

Im lowered 1.5" maybe a little more, and I have no problem getting onto the machine, just go to a shop that deals with lowered cars or high end sport cars. The shop I go to has ramps they use to get it on/off withoutu scraping.

 

Alberto-yeah, that's what I thought, too. You know--simple solutions to complicated problems--but nooooo, the local Tucson shops wouldn't touch my ZR w/ a barge pole--even the one that did the alignment when I did nismo suspension and Gt Spec frame braces.
So, after asking around a lot, I found a local shop w/ a pit and a tech w/ a really good reputation. I'm headed there tomorrow pm. Maybe he can suggest a few changes that the others haven't considered. Thanks for the thought.