Hello all. It is a question I have had ever since I bought the car last year but I didn't look for an answer since I have only now started thinking of suspension upgrades. Tokico D-Spec and Hotchkis TVS is what I have in mind (not that it matters for my question anyway).

So what gives? Why does Nissan not recommend installing sways on Zs equipped with VDC? Another piece of this puzzle is that since Nissan of course only sells the Nismo sways, I wonder whether their "suggestion" has something do with those specific sways and their construction; I doubt it, but it is worth giving some thought to.

This warrants thinking of what sways and VDC individually do. Sways prevent excessive chassis flex while cornering and alongwith the front and rear STBs, work to keep the car as leveled as possible resulting in improved control. VDC is on the receiving end of ALL inputs (using this word a bit loosely here) including those from the suspension. This electronic brain acts when the mechanical, human, or atmospheric inputs are too excessive to keep the car going in the intended direction based on steering angle.

So is it that the complex algorithms programmed into the VDC were not formulated by Nissan with stiffer sways in mind? Because I would assume that being a sophisticated computer program, VDC would be smart-enough to note the changed suspension input when OEM sways are swapped out. After all, the ECU notices a CAI, aftermarket fuel injectors and the like.

And that brings us to the same question: WHAT GIVES?

 

Not really , its actually body roll, stiffer sways will actually cause more chassis flex. Sways actually are a fun game of eliminating body roll/ taking away and adding traction to the front or rear of your car. VDC really doesnt care what sways are on your car unless you start sliding a tire. If you set it up to plow the front , you will feel VDC kick in a lot to try slow it down to get the front tires to grab ,and vice versa.
Just get them , i have a VDC car and run Hotchkis sways, so far they are the best mod i have done to make my car more enjoyable.

 

This was discussed in great detail a while back. Basically it boils down to liability. VDC is designed to work with the OEM suspension, wheels and tires. Anything else, Nissan doesn't want to take any responsibility for problems and especially an accident. There even used to be a warning included on the NISMO wheels. The bottom line is that it's a technicality to appease corporate lawyers.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. This explains a lot.