Looking at getting some lowering springs, but I don't know which set to buy. I have an 03 Track edition, and im gonna be powdercoating the spokes of the wheel gloss black to match my car, (point being its on factory ray's 18's). Anyone have any suggestions? I see Eibach, H&R, Tein, etc. Also, if you have pics that would be great!

 

we need much more information from you to make any suggestions

1. what drop?
2. linear vs progressive springs
3. for looks only?
4. or for a specific change in your performance/handling
5. and if you plan on getting aftermarket dampers/shocks

there are many other threads with similiar questions, but if you answer 1 through 5, you'll find you will get the springs you want with maybe 1-2 choices.

pp

 

1) I want the gap between wheel and body pretty much gone, I kind of like the agressive front dropped more than back look, but my main concern is the gap
2) I don't know what the difference is between linear and progressive
3) Mainly for looks, but certainly not NEGATIVE performance
4) I don't track my car, I just drive spiritedly =)
5) I don't want to have to buy aftermarket parts in addition to the springs, I'm not racing it, this is mainly for looks, I've read that some people have to adjust their camber afterwards and buy new parts to do it (I don't know anything about this stuff) but I don't want to have to do that. I liked the H&R #'s on drop that I read, but I need a pic to visualize I guess...

thanks in advance for the suggestions.

 

tanabe normal feeling springs
-1 inch all around
stock stiffness

 

Tanabe GF or NF series... 1.2" all around

Tein S... 0.6 front 0.7 rear...

 

03 track

#1. if you want the gap completely gone, you're going to need a significant drop, ie. greater than one inch
springs with 1 inch or greater drop
eibach sportline
H&R
tanabe NF or GF
vogtland
tokico
nismo T2 SCCA

#2 see this thread. https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ar+progressive. the first 4 listed above are progressive. the last two are linear

#3/4 depends on your definition of performance. see #2 above. also consider that an increased spring rate with your 03' shocks may not perform well.

#5. at that kind of drop, you will need camber/toe correction equipment IF you want near OEM specs. IF you don't care about OEM specs you will run an increased camber setup. If you don't want to buy new shocks then your choice of spring rates are limited to those that would not adversely affect handling, to for example the tanabe NF springs since they are close to OEM.

hope that helps
pp

 

Progress Technology makes an exceptional set of springs for the Z and G Coupe. The are a progressive rate spring as opposed to linear.

Progressive rate meaning as the load to the spring increases, so does the stiffness of the spring. It will get "progressively" stiffer as the load increases - hard corner, hard braking, etc..

As opposed to linear springs, where the rate is the same (linear) throughout the entire load being applied. These springs tend to give you a more compliant ride.

The drop is manufacturer quoted at 1.2" drop front and rear, but we've seen closer to 1.5" once installed. This should also accomodate your request for a drop that is slightly lower in the front too.

Here's our reference to the Progress Tech springs:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137531

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

 

dave, sorry i forgot those springs

to quote your other thread you linked...
"425 lbs. front 385 lbs. rear
great set of springs. excellent ride quality and nice drop for a more agressive stance"

do you know the initial to final rates as they are progressive springs? i presume those you quoted are final rates.

03 track - your 03 shocks/dampers may have some trouble handling those rates. if you upgrade your dampers, these would be another choice.

pp

 

Hey palepony,

sorry, I don't know the initial spring rates, and yes, they are the final rates as declared by Progress Tech.

 

i don't really want to have to buy anything else for my car to handle it, it seems like hotchkis or tanabe NF are my best options if i dont want to buy other parts... unless im overlooking another brand?

what would you go with between the hotchkis and tanabe nf? does anyone know the F/R drop offhand of these two sets?

 

Go with Hotchkis, they are a all linear spring setup without progressive compromises. The Hotchkis springs were specifically R&D'd to deal with the shocks your 2003 Z has.


"There is no error on the spring ratings. The rear spring is in fact softer than the stock. The reasoning behind this is that: during testing we found that the rear end likes to bounce under hard cornering. By reducing the spring rate in the rear we were able to get more MPH in slalom testing and stopped the bouncing that occurred. These springs in conjunction with our swaybars will be matched with each other to provide a neutral feel under hard cornering."

Hotchkis 350Z Linear springs .6”/.8” drop on 350Z
Spring rates in lbs 340/330
Stiffer or softer then oem springs by F+8% R-3%

Tanabe GF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1”/1.2” drop on 350Z
Spring rates in LBS 336/375 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown)
Stiffer then oem springs by F+7% R+10%

Tanabe NF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1.2”/1.2” drop on 350Z
Spring rates in LBS 314/353 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown)
Stiffer then oem springs by F+0 R+3%

 

I suggest tanabe.. i have NF springs and the ride is smooth and the drop of 1.2" all around looks good too

 

L33, do you have before and after pics?

 

03 track
you posted earlier that you wanted the gap completely gone, which will need a considerable drop. although purely for looks, this situation would require aftermarket alignment equipment, IF you want OEM alignment specs.

with the situation where you don't want to buy alignment hardware, new dampers, etc, you will have to comprimise on your drop.

as Gsedan wrote, the hotchkis are perfect for those that have 2003-04 OEM dampers, and don't want to buy additional hardware, but they won't fulfill your desire for the super slammed look (which can hurt performance if too low by the way)

see this thread for a recent discussion on hotchkis https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension/151172-spring-tein.html. i think the drop looks good

my suggestion - go with hotchkis if your not getting any other hardware. go with tanabe's if appearance are priority over anything else and/or you plan to buy the other hardware.

hope that helps
pp

 

wait so when i read this, it led me to believe that with tanabe i don't need anything else, now im hearing i do, can someone lay this to rest?

 

Any drop on a 350Z that is greater then .8 requires aftermarket alignment correction in order to stay within oem specs. For some this means front and rear correction. Be very carefull because of the expense involved lot's of people will claim that camber and toe isn't a issue. If you have to drop that much to be happy(more then .8"), pay to fix the alignment or pay for new tires more offten.

 

track

my comment = "at that kind of drop, you will need camber/toe correction"
your comment = "when i read this, it led me to believe that with tanabe i don't need anything else"
i'm not sure where the confusion is, i said that you'd need alignment hardware.

my comment you quoted again but paraphrased is

regarding alignment hardware - any spring at a 1 inch drop or more you will need alignment hardware unless you don't car about maintaining OEM specs (this includes the tanabes)

regarding dampers/shocks - any spring rate greater than OEM would need new dampers/shocks (the tanabes are close to OEM so wouldn't necessarily need new dampers)

hope that helps? and sorry if i was confusing

pp