Why?
Please provide some info to back up your obviously BS claims.

How many different kinds of aftermarket shocks have you used on your Z? Have you ever tested any shocks, perhaps on a shock dyno? Have you ever tracked your car with the shocks?

Just because you bought them and have them on your car doesn't make them shyt.

 

those are coilovers. I would bet good money that if shock tested, each shock would read different rates. Drastically different rates.

 

just get your D-spec.
The adjustment on mine is 6 turns(counter clockwise i believe) from full firm for my everyday driving.

 

koni

 

my koni yellows..full soft setting on both front and rear...great ride and handling for my 03.

 

Hey guys. Do u guys know if tanabe pro 5 coilovers any good on my track model z??

 

The other thing is i got 20 inch rims and noticed that it hugs the turns with comfort but its slower response on the steering.. Im looking for coilovers that is not heavy, quick response, and street/track adjustable that drops to the max of 1.5. Anybody with prefrence??

 

you guys dont have price just on the shocks i only see price on coilovers..

 

the Bilstein shocks are $689 + shipping for the set

 

you're doing track days on 20 inch wheels?

before you worry about suspension, you would be well served to get a dedicated set of wheels and tires for track

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that it isn't just shocks that are going to give you a more compliant ride. It is imperative to correctly match shock and spring for a given ride quality. From the shock side, you will be fine with a good adjustable shock like Koni or Tokico (I have the Koni Yellows - great shock, and the rebound adjustment range is great for the performance oriented street daily street driver).

Spring choice is where things start to get tough. Some springs on the market actually have rear rates lower than stock (Hotchkis for example), but to my knowledge there is nothing that is geared 100% to a more comfortable ride. That said, I have never really been in the market for a comfort oriented spring, so maybe someone else can chime in with suggestions?

Good luck!

 

I'm operating under the assumption that he has stock springs and stock struts - given that, Koni's are not the right choice, as they excel with stiffer than stock springs as that is what suits their valving

 

I can see your point about matching shocks to springs when the topic touches on shocks like Tokico HP and KYB GR2. However, D-specs are valved for use with up to 450lbs springs and I've successfully run Koni's with 560/427 rates. Knowing the spring aftermarket for the Z33, most all of the possible spring choices one can make fall below those rate caps. Their are some Z33springs that spec wise are comfort based. However, they are unfortunately also tied to ride height drops they should not have. Their are two G35 coupe aftermarket springs that could be run on the Z that IMO would be good comfort choices for a Z owner that also didn't much lowering, RSR and Swift*.


Oem spring rates
2003/2004 314/425
2004.5/2007 314/427 (includes all roadsteer production)

Eibach 350Z progressive springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 296/384 initial/final rear 316/421

Eibach 350Z sportline progressive springs 1.2"/1.2"
F: 239/400 R: 257/435
Notice much lower initial rates vs Pro-kit

RSR 350Z linear springs .6”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 345/417

RSR G35 coupe progressive springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS 315/315
Should drop 350Z .5"/.5"

Hotchkis 350Z Linear springs .6”/.8”
Spring rates in lbs 340/330

Tein S-tech 350Z springs .7“.6“ (fronts are slightly progressive, rears are linear)
Spring rates in LBS 386/402 (estimated front intial rate is 327lbs)

Tein H-tech 350z linear springs .3”/.2”
Spring rates in LBS 358/375

Progress Technology progressive springs 1.0”/1.0”
Spring rates in LBS 425/385 (final rates only, softer intial front progressive rate unknown)

Tokico 350Z D-spec shock & spring package - DSK512 -
Linear Springs 1"/1.5"
spring rates 375/375

Tanabe GF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS 336/375 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown)

Tanabe NF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1.2”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS 314/353

Swift 350Z linear springs .8”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 336/364

Swift 350Z Spec-R progressive springs 1.2”/1”
Spring rates in LBS intial/final Front: 291/392 Rear: 280/448

Swift G35 coupe linear springs 1”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 280/314* (softer then oem)
If used on a Z the drop should be .5"/.1" Do the upper spring seat mod in the rear to lower the rear more. Would be a linear comfort spring choice. *Swift told me their were going to up the spring rates, contact Swift directly to see if they have make the spec change yet or not.

Nismo T2 350Z Linear springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS 625/700
Do NOT run them with OEM shocks or Tokico D-specs. Use TcKline, Truechoice Phase IV (opt for nonshortened version). Some have used off the shelf Koni sports but revalving might be a good idea.

Vogtland 350z progressive springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 257/354 initial/final rear 285/422

Kg/mm springs 350Z
DR21 super sport 15mm drop
Spring rates in lbs initial/final front 246/398 initial/final rear 252/409

Kg/mm springs 350Z
Kg/mm DRacing progressive springs 1.2”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 252/454 initial/final rear 252/482 rear

Whiteline 350Z linear springs (control)
Front: Part # 73219,
Spring rate 365 LBS Drop: .8"-1"
Rear: Part # 73220
Spring rate 445LBS Drop: 1"-1.2"
(sold as 2 front springs and 2 rear springs)
www.whiteline.com.au/store/

Espelir 350Z progressive springs 10mm drop F&R
386/515 (softer initial progressive rates are unknown)

H&R sport progressive springs 350Z 1.3”/1” drop
Spring rates in LBS 370/400 (peak rates only, softer initial rates are unknown)

 

I think more specific to the point is to say their isn't a reason to pay for them given he has 06 oem shocks vs 03/04. Koni specifically reduced the amount of compression dampning the sport shocks have vs 03/04 oem levels as a method to meet their R&D goals. Part of the 04.5 suspenison revision took out a simular amount of compression dampning.

 

Adam, when the Bilstein's first hit they were listed as a HD shock, which from my own past experience should never be run with stiffer springs, they just don't have the valving range. I ended up having to revalve the set that I had and they were great after that. But now I'm seeing the Bilstein's being listed as sport shocks, which would have the ability to run with stiffer springs. Were they alway's sports and listed incorrectly as HD's?

Would be interesting to speak to Jack at Bilstien (if he's still their) to see what he thinks their spring rate cap is on the Z.

 

Honestly I can't say - we only recently started carrying them, but I'll see what I can find out

 

When Gsedan35 talks suspension, I listen. Really good point on the Konis not being worth the money, BTW.


On a side note, looking over this list has re-invigorated my interest in replacing my Espelir springs to something more aggressive. I purchased them as a combo deal from a user on this forum with the Koni Yellows (otherwise I wouldn't have considered them or other progressive spring). I have read that the Nismo T2s are hardcore, but I hardly drive the Z anymore, so I am not too concerned with streetability. That and a re-valve might do me nicely...research time. Thanks for mixing it up Gsedan35.

/Offtopic.

 

The Tokico D-Spec have been pretty decent for me and I drive through crappy roads everyday.

 

well its gonna be my first time going to a track so luckly i kept my rays 18's. As far as dailly driving and having fun out in the streets, 20,s is heavy and it raised my car up a lil. I wanna lower it with some coil overs and have better performance. Anybody familiar with hks rs coils?

 

HKS RS coilovers are no longer made - there is a newer version but not yet released in the states