danimalddaisy

the OEM specs for the suspension changed at the 2004.5 make year. you have a 2005, so you have the revised suspension. the change was a change in the rear spring rate (increased), and adjustment of the damper to less compression and more rebound damping.

the early OEM suspensions are said to have poor rebound damping resulting in a bouncy ride. not enough rebound damping for the spring rate. the hotchkis reduced the spring rates in the rear to better match the OEM shocks for the 2003-04 years.

you have 2005 shocks, so you can take advantage of higher spring rate springs than the hotchkis if you'd like. the RSR's are close to OEM for the 2004.5+ years. it all depends on how you want your car to handle. there are a number of recent threads on exactly this question

if you own a 2003-04 and don't want to change your shocks then hotchkis are a good choice. if you have a 2004.5+ and don't want to change your shocks your choices are a few more. if you change your dampers your choices are even more.

pp

 

good info in this thread, thanks.

 

Could you please elaborate on the choices you mention above for 2005 base model? Which RSR, they have a Titinium and another type! I want the biggest drop but don't want to add other hardware yet! What I'm really looking for a a better handling car and more predictable (Linear I guess) and good drop, and again, not affecting camber/toe too much! I flirt with the idea of getting Teiin FLex w/EDFC! But I am not sure if it is overkill for me! How bad will my camber/toe be with the Tanabe NF's (I know they are progressive)!

Let me clarify things, I want to drop the Z (Looks is priority), but don't want to go through tires quicker, i hate how cars look with tires that look like this
/ \ or \ / and want better handling (getting sways)!! Tanabes, RSR, Hotchkiss (don't think will drop enough), I just don't know! More info, pics and suggestions are much appreciated!!! BRINGING THIS THREAD back to LIFE!

 

Any drop over an inch will require you to address the issue of front and rear control arms to correct camber issues. I am just recently purchased the Tein S-Techs after debating btw them and the Hotchkis...I just felt the drop w/the Hotchkis would be too subtle for me. I also have SPC Camber arms and Toe bolts to keep the camber w/in spec.

 

So if I was to slamm it with let's say Tanabe NF210s, what would I need to buy to bring it back to factory spec and how much would I reasonable look to spend on parts and installation?

 

I recently purchased an 06' Roadster. I want to lower the car and keep the stock ride qualities but not redo the entire suspension to keep things within OEM specs. From what I am reading and how my car handles, the suspension was obviously changed around 2004.5. My Z doesn't have that bouncy ride.

So the question is... are the RSR's more in line with my suspension than the Hotchkis? If that is true would you go with the titanium? What sway bar would you pair with the RSR's. Again, keep in mind that I don't want a jarring ride but would like to lower and improve the handling. Comment and suggestions please and thanks,

Tony

 

Front A arms between $400-$850 depending on brand

Rear Camber arms between $125-$450 depending on brand

Rear Toe amrs or SPC bolt $30-$500 once again depending on brand.

Add installation and you are looking at a good chunk of change.

Here is what I use for alignment:
-Stillen front A arms $849
-Stillen Rear Camber Arms $448
-JIC Magic Toe arms $449

 

+1

 

I have 2006 and what spring's choices I have? I would like to lower a little bit especially at the back, have better handling, and not to buy camber alignment.

 

In order to lower a little bit and get better handling, I would recommend you get the Hotchkis TVS 1 pkge: http://intensepower.com/host1tvskit3.html

 

Bump for best choice for 06 models.

 

Either spring will be in line with your oem shocks abilities. If you find yourself wishing for more forgiveness with the throttle and greater traction coming out of the hole, get the Hotckis. The RSR will likely feel a lil for lively, especially around slower speed corners where your dialing in more steering lock. The back of the car will tend to pitch down more on full throttle with the Hotchkis lower rates, but this is also the same thing that helps your traction. I've tested rear rate setup's that ran from 375lbs, 427lbs and 342lbs and above best describes how the car's behavior differed.

 

To get the answer you need, you have to define the following. And if you've already defined thing's else where in this thread, please forgive me.

1.min and max drop amount, keep in mind that if you drop too much you will need to add in the cost of aftermarket camber correction parts.

2. where are you at with the whole ride quality vs performance thing?
a. I want better performance and I realize that the ride quality will likely be firmer then oem.
b. I want better performance and I can handle a small increase in firmness.
c. I want better performance, but I don't really want the ride to change.
d. I want better performance and I don't want the ride quality to worsen.
e. I don't care about performance.
f. I don't care about performance and I want a better ride quality.

 

hi all , i have an 05 gt zr and would like to lower my car, i was getting the tokico shock spring combo but someone else in a thread said it wasn't good so im switchin it up and i really dont wanna spend any money on cam and toes so whats my max drop and what springs can i use without replacing shocks toe and cam?
thx for all your help this is an awsome thread

 

I don't want to drop more than an inch.

I'd probably go with B or C

 

Which brands are in the cheaper range, i know spc for rear camber but what about the rest? And where should I look for best price? Not install just parts!

 

Either Hotchkis or RSR down springs, drop amounts will be .6/.8 and .6/.6 respectfully.

You didn't ask this, but in my mind if you had also asked about coilovers HKS RS come's to mind.

 

Cusco and Kinetix.

http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...ng&prodid=1288

http://www.kinetixracing.com/index.a...&ProdID=7&HS=1

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/350z-...spagenameZWDVW

Though, frankly I'd rather have the Cusco arms even if they can't dail out as much negitive total camber as the Kinetix arms.