I want to upgrade my suspension. Price is somewhat an issue. Don't want to spend over $1,500. I want the best balance between performance, looks, and comfort(don't want to get headaches while hitting bumps) What suspension setup would you choose. I am considering tein flex, cuscos, or tanabe. I'm also considering eibachs with koni shocks (if cheaper and performs good). Would there be something missing with the eibach set as compared to a full suspension set.

 

tein flex gots my vote

 

Tein flex if u want a smooth ride. Full coilover will allow you to corner balance the car

 

Your really pondering jumping into two different swimming pools. A shock/spring combo or coilovers.

The biggest problem is, you'll be too tempted to pick a shock/spring system based on drop amount vs picking the best possible spring to compeat with a coilover setup. Being progressive, the Eibachs will not have the at the limit feel that a linear spring system will offer. I would go with the Tokico D-spec setup with 1.2" drop springs, you'll get double adjustable shocks and linear springs with decent spring rates.

Eibach 350Z progressive springs
Spring rates in LBS notice the rate spreads
296/384 front 316/421 rear
F +22% R +23% (looking at peak rates only vs 03/04 cars)
Spring stiffness to oem as seen in a right hand corner because of the progressive spring rates, on a linear spring system, like the oem setup use’s, you would NOT see a difference left to right. (reverse for a left hand corner)
RF-6%
RR -8%
LF +22%
LR +23%

Tokico D-spec shock combo with 1.2" Tokico 350Z drop springs
Spring rates in LBS
375/375
Stiffer then oem by F +20% R +10% (vs 03/04)

For coilovers, HKS RS, $1600 or less when on sale. PM Adam at Z1 performance and talk to him about them. Quiz him about the Cusco Zero 2's he removed in favor of the HKS RS coilovers he's now running. I could see Cusco Zero 2's if Cusco can be contacted and they ok the use of 9Kg front springs, though speaking to them might not be possible since they have no U.S office. For sure do NOT go with the Pillowball version. Here's a direct link to pm Adam https://my350z.com/forum/private.php...m&userid=11322


On the Tein flex, I urge caution. Run a search. While they have many very good reviews, they have many bad review's concerning the harshness of running spring rates that are 114% stiffer then oem, even at the lowest dampning settings. I would only consider them after you have riden in a Z that has them and you get to drive over not so smooth pavement, I'm sure you can easily get such a ride if you simply ask. Myself I would only consider the Flex if I were to run them with softer 560lbs springs, which would add $260 cost.

Here's one of the flex review's that is not flattering.

Another one

 

Having ridden on B&G springs and Hotchkis springs followed by some ride on HKS coilovers I have to say coilovers are the way to go for sure. You may pay a little more then you want to initially however it will last you forever and is WAY more functional then any spring and shock set you could get. The HKS coilover I rode on were HKS LS+ on a G. The owner protocav ordered a different set of springs to make the spring rates essentially identical to the HKS RS (before the RS setup was out). This has by far been the nices set I have ever felt.