would a suspension guru consider that blasphemous?
how long would it be till my stock shocks would fail
if i bought eibach lowering springs and left my shocks?

not necissarily eibach, but something like that
.
What woould be a nice budget setup which is an improvement from stock, relatively reliable, aestheticaly fit,and easy on the wallet?

ps.currently with 18 track rays.

 

just run the springs till the shocks fail. and then instal koni shocks.

 

I would say you cut the life of your stock shocks by about 20% for every Inch you lower. The less Drop, the less impact you have on the stocks.

On my last lowered car, i put the springs on (2" Drop) on at 40K and replaced the Shocks at 130K.

go for something with a slight drop, like H&R's springs.

 

tein s tech springs have a nice drop... they claim that there is no need to replace shocks, but u probably will need to way down the road

 

Typically what kills shocks is stiffer springs because they have to work harder to control movement. Most of the lowering springs for the Z are not much stiffer than stock and many are actually softer in the rear. The shocks should have no problem controlling springs that are similar to stock rates.

Here is the spring db for comparison https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension/154233-spring-rate-database.html

Chris

 

Softer lowering springs ????

I’m already afraid of bottoming out with the stock ride height! No GO for me then…

 

i want a 1 inch drop all around, would that be too low for not installing shocks? tien Racing damper and eibach i beilive are 1.

 

go with hotchkis. they drop it about less then an inch and have really good spring rates. Nice ride too! Call GSCmotorsports. $175 shipped!

 

Do you get much of handling improvement with "just springs" or is it more about looks.

I understand there is a lower center of gravity, but does it make much of a difference?

 

Yeah basically your looking at decreased body roll and different weight transfer characteristics (if the spring rates are higher) and a nice asthetic drop. Shocks should last at least 75% of their rated lifespan w/ most springs that lower less than 1" (Tein, Hotchkis..etc) due to their conservative spring rates.